WACN Sumu Wildlife Park Project
West African Conservation Network (WACN) is leading the long-term restoration and development of Sumu Wildlife Park in Bauchi State, Nigeria, a historically important savanna landscape with strong potential to become a flagship model for ecosystem recovery, species reintroduction, and conservation-led development in northern Nigeria.
Sumu Wildlife Park represents a complementary conservation pathway to Kainji Lake National Park. While more compact in scale, Sumu offers a controlled and progressively securable environment well suited to phased ecosystem restoration, including the return of herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores that historically occurred in the region.
Project Focus Areas
WACN’s work at Sumu Wildlife Park is structured around a long-term, phased restoration framework:
1. Habitat Stabilisation & Protection
Securing park boundaries, strengthening on-ground protection, and restoring savanna habitats to support sustainable wildlife populations.
2. Herbivore & Omnivore Recovery
Reintroducing and reinforcing historically native grazing and browsing species to rebuild prey bases, vegetation dynamics, and ecological processes fundamental to a functional savanna ecosystem.
3. Carnivore & Predator Restoration (Phased Approach)
As habitat quality, prey availability, and security improve, Sumu Wildlife Park is envisioned as a future landscape capable of supporting the phased return of native carnivores, including apex and meso-predators that historically occurred in the region. Predator restoration will be carefully planned, scientifically guided, and aligned with ecological readiness and community safety considerations.
4. Science-Led Planning & Adaptive Management
All restoration actions are guided by ecological assessments, historical range data, and adaptive management, ensuring decisions remain scientifically grounded while responsive to changing conditions on the ground.
5. Conservation-Led Tourism, Education & Local Benefits
In the long term, Sumu Wildlife Park is intended to support conservation-based tourism, environmental education, and sustainable local employment, reinforcing both ecological and economic resilience.
Long-Term Vision
WACN’s vision for Sumu Wildlife Park is to restore a complete, self-regulating savanna ecosystem, where herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores coexist within a secure, well-managed landscape.
By rebuilding ecological complexity over time, Sumu Wildlife Park has the potential to play a critical role in northern Nigeria’s conservation future—supporting biodiversity recovery, strengthening regional security, and demonstrating what long-term, African-led ecosystem restoration can achieve.
Stella Udeh
WACN Sumu Wildlife Park Project
Stella Udeh is the Project Manager for the West African Conservation Network (WACN) Sumu Wildlife Park Project, where she supports project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and the implementation of conservation and park management activities.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry and Wildlife Management from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, with academic training in wildlife conservation, ecosystem management, and sustainable natural resource use. Her professional development includes practical field exposure through internships and placements within Nigeria’s protected area landscape, including experience at the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden and within the Okomu protected area landscape in Edo State.
Stella brings a multidisciplinary skill set to her role, combining conservation training with experience in project coordination, communications, and organisational management. She has held several leadership and elected positions within forestry and agricultural student associations, reflecting early responsibility in coordination, accountability, and team leadership.
In addition to her conservation background, she has professional experience in digital media, content development, and stakeholder outreach, supporting WACN’s public engagement, institutional visibility, and communication objectives for Sumu Wildlife Park. Her work contributes to strengthening project delivery, improving coordination with partners and local stakeholders, and supporting the long-term development of Sumu Wildlife Park as a well-managed conservation landscape.
Stella is committed to community-inclusive conservation, capacity building, and the responsible stewardship of Nigeria’s wildlife and natural ecosystems.
Dolyamba Gabriel
WACN Sumu Wildlife Park Project
Dolyamba Bara Gabriel serves as the Deputy Project Manager for the WACN Sumu Wildlife Park Project, where she supports the implementation and operational coordination of conservation activities in Bauchi State.
She holds a Master of Science in Ecology and a Bachelor of Technology in Zoology from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. Her academic background is complemented by field and programme coordination experience across Northern Nigeria.
Dolyamba has worked with national and international partners including the Global Fund, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Society for Family Health (SFH), and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), contributing to field coordination, digital monitoring systems, stakeholder engagement, and structured programme implementation.
At WACN, she supports project delivery, assists with government and stakeholder liaison, and contributes to operational systems that strengthen the long-term development of Sumu Wildlife Park.
She is fluent in English and Hausa and brings structured coordination experience and field-based insight to the project team.
Footage from Sumu Wildlife Park
Mid January 2026, Camera-trap footage from Sumu Wildlife Park.
Ongoing wildlife monitoring at Sumu Wildlife Park by WACN’s team as part of the WACN Sumu Wildlife Park Project.
WACN's First Camera Trap Footages for 2026
Ongoing wildlife monitoring at Sumu Wildlife Park by WACN’s team as part of the WACN Sumu Wildlife Park Project.