Mbeli Baï

A continuous study site for large mammals

Mbeli Baï is a 13-hectare swamp forest clearing that is home to a wide range of large mammals, including gorillas, elephants, buffalo and sitatungas. In operation since 1994, it is the longest lasting study site for most of these species, in addition to hosting specific research projects.

OUR APPROACH

From the top of an observation platform, and in the forest surrounding the baï, researchers aim to:

Conduct international standard research to improve our collective understanding of large mammals.
Train Congolese scientists to develop conservation research projects.
Disseminate new findings on the Mbeli Baï ecosystem and its wildlife to scientists and the general public.

Continuous study of over:

500 gorillas
60 forest buffalos
145 sitatungas
590 forest elephants

CONSERVATION PRIORITIES

Our research activities have three components:

Continuous, long-term monitoring and data collection on the individual development, behavior and biological events of 4 flagship species to understand their ecology and life history.
Analysis of these data to study population dynamics and demography, in order to assess their vulnerability to threats and their ability to recover from decline.
Short-term observational research projects, such as targeted projects on chest beating in male gorillas, using video and sound recordings as well as camera traps.