Monday, July 23, 2007

Ghana Wildlife Division Archives

July 15, 2007. Mole National Park, Ghana

Don't let the cluttered nature of these photos fool you; this archive of data, collected over more than thirty years by the Ghana Wildlife Division, at more than seventy sights across the country, is one of the most complete records of animal abundance and distribution collected anywhere in the world. In fact, nothing like it exists for large mammals in North America or Europe. Despite its richness and value, the archive, like much of the animals it records, needs protection. A plan is currently in place for the archive to be transcribed, however, the work is currently being done by hand, which is painstakingly slow. Brashares and his colleagues at the Ghana Wildlife Division are seeking support that would speed up the effort and ensure that this valuable resource can be preserved. The plan entails bringing on more help by purchasing a scanner and computers at cost of approximately ten thousand dollars. A very small price to save such an incredible resource. (For anybody interested in contributing, please contact Justin Brashares or Moses Sam: Brashares@nature.berkley.edu or mkofisam@gmail.com).

3 comments:

Archives Alive said...

Please tell me: did you raise money to preserve and process this archive? What is being done! I saw it on the Strange Days documentary on PBS. I am an archivist and am very curious! Thanks.

Sea Studios Foundation said...

This archive is in the process of raising money. They were kind enough to let us film there. If you would like more info on the archive, contact Moses Sam at mkofisam@gmail.com

Archives Alive said...

I will. Thanks!