One of the donated Leica binoculars has found its way to the lush, biodiverse island of Príncipe, which is part of the small island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe, located in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western coast of Central Africa. Renowned for its stunning natural beauty, the island boasts lush rainforests, volcanic landscapes, and pristine beaches, while the island’s ecosystems support a rich variety of flora and fauna, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts.

Mr. Yodiney dos Santos, Terrestrial Fauna Coordinator for Fundação Príncipe on the Island of Príncipe, holding his new high-precision Leica Trinovid 10x42 binoculars during an international Waterbird Census in January 2024. / Photo: Camila Prisco Paraiso
Mr. Yodiney dos Santos, Terrestrial Fauna Coordinator for Fundação Príncipe on the Island of Príncipe, holding his new high-precision Leica Trinovid 10×42 binoculars during an international Waterbird Census in January 2024. / Photo: Camila Prisco Paraiso

As part of the cooperation agreement with AEWA, the Leica binoculars were handed over to the Fundação Príncipe, a small, independent conservation NGO operating on the island of Príncipe. As the island’s only conservation NGO, Fundação Príncipe is actively involved in monitoring waterbird and seabird populations both on and around the island and also has an immense responsibility towards creating conservation awareness amongst the local population.

“The recent donation of Leica binoculars has been a real game-changer for us, significantly enhancing our ability to monitor waterbird populations on the island. This advanced equipment represents a substantial upgrade for our monitoring team, providing clearer, more precise observations, which are crucial for accurate data collection,” says Asiem Sanyal, Programme Manager at Fundação Príncipe.

Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus), an example of one of the 255 waterbird species protected under AEWA occurring on the island of Príncipe. Photo: Sergey Dereliev (www.dereliev-photography.com)
Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus), an example of one of the 255 waterbird species protected under AEWA occurring on the island of Príncipe. Photo: Sergey Dereliev

In addition to conducting the annual International Waterbird Census on Príncipe, Fundação Príncipe also performs biannual monitoring of seabird populations on the Tinhosas islets, the largest breeding colony of seabirds in the Gulf of Guinea. The NGO also conducts biannual monitoring of the Critically Endangered endemic Príncipe Thrush (Turdus xanthorhynchus), whose habitat is limited to a small 15 km² area.

A Tool for Community Engagement

The Leica binoculars are not only improving monitoring activities on the island of Príncipe but are also being used as a tool to engage the wider public in birdwatching activities and to support the organization’s environmental education work. Fundação Príncipe is implementing an environmental education strategy that aims to bring multiple conservation-related presentations and performances to the island’s eleven schools.

“Since the binoculars were delivered, they have been highly appreciated by the team, enhancing our participation in the Global Big Day. The Fundação Príncipe team is eager to continue to use them for future monitoring activities and will incorporate them into our upcoming educational fair in July to promote awareness of Príncipe’s avian species among the island’s children,” says Sanyal.

Products in use

Binoculars

Leica Trinovid

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