The APLORI blog has moved to:
 http://synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk/aplori/ 

See you there!

Professor Les Underhill visits APLORI and gives the 4th Annual Leventis Lecture at the University of Jos

Professor Les Underhill is the Director of the Animal Demography Unit at the University of Cape Town South Africa. He visited Aplori in the second week of November 2014.

Follow Les's visit and lecture slides:

http://www.slideshare.net/Animal_Demography_Unit/aplori-nigeria-ap-leventis-lecture

Follow Les's examples of "snapping and mapping"
http://www.slideshare.net/Animal_Demography_Unit/biomappingnigeriaaduvirtualmuseum-41666231

International recognition for our very own Dr. Manu

A very big congratulations to our very own Director, Dr. Manu on the international recognition of his exceptional work in advancing ornithological research in Nigeria.

Photo by Nick Caro

The Marsh Award for International Ornithology was presented by the Duke of Edinburgh to Dr. Manu on Wednesday 29th October 2014 at an event hosted by the BTO and the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA) at the Mall Gallery in London.

Photo by Nick Caro

The APLORI family in the UK including Tasso Leventis, Phil Hall, Will Cresswell, Dayo Osinubi, Mark Wilson and Sam Ivande were present along with many other important guests and friends to witness and celebrate this important occasion with him.

See below also for the BTO news release describing the event: 

Nigerian scientist receives prestigious British Ornithology award At a ceremony in London, Dr Shiiwua Manu was awarded the Marsh Award for International Ornithology for his exceptional work in advancing the knowledge of birds in Nigeria. Dr Manu is head of the A P Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI), the Biological Conservatory of the University of Jos, Nigeria. Under Dr Manu’s guidance up to eight West African students per year enrol in a MSc programme in Conservation Biology, with the aim of building much needed biodiversity conservation capacity in this part of Africa. The programme has been running for 12 years and has been hugely successful, with many alumni now working in renowned international conservation agencies operating in Africa. APLORI also hosts many researchers from Nigeria, other African countries, and around the world. These researchers work on a broad range of topics, from the ecology of the birds of the Jos Plateau, to broader questions about bird migration and wintering ecology of long-distance intra- and intercontinental migrants. The institute also supports research on other biota, including plants. Additionally, APLORI  undertakes community development work in the institute’s vicinity, to help educate local people about the region's biodiversity requirements, as well as to promote sustainable living alongside the birds and other wildlife supported by their immediate and wider surroundings. Many of the local people are employed in APLORI, and this contributes significantly to the local economy and fosters invaluable goodwill towards the conservation efforts of APLORI. Dr Manu oversees all of these initiatives, skilfully navigating the bureaucracy that can impede such endeavours in Nigeria. He thus ensures that APLORI remains a powerful force for conservation in West Africa. The award was presented by The Duke of Edinburgh at a ceremony hosted by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA) at the Mall Gallery in London. Dr Shiiwua Manu said,  "I am most grateful to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), UK , for this humbling recognition. The A P Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) University of Jos Nigeria provided me the enabling environment for achieving this recognition. All my colleagues in APLORI as well as the Laminga Community (our host), from where we operate, contributed immensely to this recognition. I am also grateful to my family for supporting me always. I thank you all for bringing this propitious and wonderfully exhilarating occasion to be." Andy Clements, BTO Director said, "The Marsh Awards for Ornithology enable BTO to recognise the excellent work of ornithologists at a variety of scales, all of whom are partners with BTO in ensuring science contributes to conservation.  Dr Manu Shiiwua is an exceptional winner of the International Award, and his institute in Nigeria is a key partner in BTO's work to understand the ecology of our migrant birds in Africa." British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk.  IP24 2PU Registered Charity No: 216652 (England & Wales) SC039193 (Scotland) Company Limited by Guarantee No. 357284 (England & Wales)

MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.Sc) IN CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2014/2015 SESSION

UNIVERSITY OF JOS BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATORY

A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI)

P.O Box 13404, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

The Postgraduate School of the University of Jos runs a 12-month programme in the above course in the Department of Zoology. The programme covers various aspects of the theory and practice of biodiversity conservation, including the ecologic- economic and scientific basis for conservation. It also exposes students to field practical experiences and builds their capacity to design and execute sound scientific research works in conservation biology. Although students undertake ecological studies in various aspects of biodiversity conservation, emphasis is often on Ornithology.

About APLORI

APLORI’s academic authority resides in the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University of Jos. The Institute was established in 2001 as a training and research outfit. It is located in the Amurum Forest Reserve in Laminga(Jos- East LGA) in a serene environment that is very conductive for teaching, learning  and research. APLORI has teaching and research affiliations with a number foreign Universities and International environmental Organizations. A 24- hour power supply and reliable internet connection ensures high intellectual productivity among staff and students of the institute. Students admitted into APLORI’s M.Sc. programme usually enjoy some form of scholarship award.

 Target Group

The course is designed for young Nigerian Biological Scientists with a craving for carrier opportunities in conservation of renewable natural resources. Qualified Applicants from elsewhere especially in West African are also welcome.

Admission is opened to all holders of at least a Bachelor of Science Degree SECOND CLASS HONOURS (Lower Division) from a recognized university, in any of the following disciplines: Zoology, Biology, Botany, Forestry and /or wildlife, Wildlife Management, or any Environment Science. In addition tot he above, candidates must posses a minimum of 5 credits (Including Mathematics and English) in O'Level WAEC SSCE.

Aspiring students should visit the University of Jos website www.unijos.edu.ng and follow the link to purchase the form. For more information contact us on +2347032930199. Completed application forms together with an application letter containing the Applicant’s email address and telephone number must be returned to the institute before 1^st July, 2014. Applications that do not contain all the requisite materials will not be processed. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a combined written and oral interview. Please contact us at aploriapleventis@unijos.edu.ng for further enquiries.

                                                                                        Signed

                                                                                        Jilli-Dandam, D.Esq

                                                                                                Registrar

Update on cuckoos Nov 2013

 After spending almost five months around Jos, cuckoo #96 finally moved in a North-eastern direction to Gombe in late October. It spent about 3 weeks in the area before strangely making a return journey back to Jos. Could this be an indication of migratory direction? Let’s wait and see. 

As for the other individuals, #94 is still flying around in an area south of Yola, Adamawa state while #97 & 98 are in Bauchi state, and separated by a distance of about 130 km.