Dr Prince Valé

With a background in primate behavioral ecology, I gained practical insight into conservation through Primate Watch, a training program by the ARRC IUCN, which shifted my research focus toward addressing the critical conservation challenges facing African tropical forests within the framework of sustainable development. Building on this foundation, my current research, conducted in collaboration with Prof. David Edwards and Prof. Rachael Garrett at the University of Cambridge under the Cambridge Africa Alborada program, focuses on the conservation challenges posed by the rapid expansion of gold mining in Côte d'Ivoire. Although Côte d'Ivoire has already lost over 80% of its forest cover, primarily to agriculture, the recent surge in gold mining presents additional threats to these remaining forests. Our study assesses the impacts of gold mining on forest habitats and its broader effects on local ecosystems, with the goal of providing Ivorian decision-makers with robust scientific data to support sustainable forest management in the face of industrial expansion.

In addition, I have collaborated with dozens of researchers across Africa and Europe to study how conservation efforts within great ape habitats—particularly for chimpanzees and gorillas—can support carbon stock preservation in African tropical forests. As flagship species, great apes play a crucial role in mobilizing conservation initiatives across tropical forests. This study demonstrated that conservation efforts for great ape habitats, whether in protected or unprotected areas, significantly contribute to the preservation of tropical forests, often described as the lungs of the Earth. The overarching aim of my work is to inform decision-makers on sustainable development practices that protect forest ecosystems and strengthen their resilience.