// projects

The association manages since its creation a series of projects for ecotourism, protection of the environment, and improving living conditions of local populations. Find below some of these actions.


// Current Projects

Realization of postcards
To propose a wider choice of souvenirs to the visitors, the AVEN created postcards staging the last giraffes white with western Africa. This project testifies of the importance which guides have for the sauvergarde of giraffes. Below, you will find the models of postcards on sale in the offices of guides to Koure.

Postcards of giraffes peralta - reading version (*.pdf, 2.1Mo)

Photo: Arnaud Pernet, 2010		Photo: Christine Savary, 2009

The reduction of conflict man-giraffe
Indeed, the coexistence of giraffes with the local population is not easy, because the giraffes tend to deal with cultures, a project has been established by the AVEN. The planting of wild melons, composing 20% coverage of the plateau, was installed as trial phase to avoid the giraffes going to feed on village crops.

Wild melon, a delicacy for the giraffes Photo: Nancy Eicher, 2009		Details on the seeds of wild melons Photo: Laurent Savary, 2010

The valorization of the touristic site
Against the different types of pollution. Currently, the AVEN has launched a collection of plastic wastes (bags, bottles, dairy product's packaging, etc..), and the planting of acacia trees to fight against erosion by wind and water that destroy the most vegetation cover , an essential habitat and food for wildlife reserve.

Collection of plastic waste Photo: Laurent Savary, 2010		Half-moon, the device against water erosion Photo: Nancy Eicher, 2009

The monitoring and protection of giraffes
Various activities are undertaken in this area, with among others the cremation of the body of the giraffe died, in order to curb the epidemics in livestock. Poaching, though declining, is unfortunately a reality, and practice the form of deductions on the Giraffe parts for traditional medicines.

A giraffe looking for leaves of locust tree Photo: Laurent Savary, 2010		Giraffe in a field of millet in dry periods Photo: Nancy Eicher, 2009

Outreach to area youth
Organising events to raise awareness among local people, as a sporting event (soccer games) with the primary schools of the nature reserve Kouré.


// Upcoming projects

The development of the site
Activities such as other circuits (ballad by donkeys or camels, with a chance to sleep in the reserve). Moreover, in order to complete the tour by giraffe's aspects composing his environment, be aware of the existence of the reserve sacred baobab trees, birds of Africa (Roli Abyssinia; Coukal of Senegal which is the symbol the region; robin long metal tail hawk, etc.), pools, Dallol Bosso, and giant termite mounds.

The bar, infrastructure for visitors Photo: Laurent Savary, 2010		A giant termite mound 3 feet high Photo: Julie Muller, 2010

Creating and maintaining jobs
The creation of a traditional restaurant, as well as optimization of the cafeteria, which would ensure the maintenance of jobs. The association has also given a goal of training new workers in the region (necklaces, bracelets, pottery, etc..).

Shares socio-economic
The AVEN provides support to rural health (health posts and health huts), and sanitation of the villages (garbage collection). An aid to the local population into fertilizer to improve crop yields and promote coexistence with giraffes, is provided by the association.

The establishment and purchase of signage and lighting equipment
During the rainy season, giraffes move from one point to another of the reserve and are forced to cross the main access road to Niamey. This movement represents a significant danger to giraffes, and especially at night. In 2009, the park mourned the loss of 3 giraffes hit by road transport.

The online availability of a database
It contains information about science. This would be interesting for researchers, funders and students, and provide, in addition to easy access to information, a long-term conservation.