Inza KONE
Description
I am a Full Professor of Conservation Biology at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Since July 2018, I have been the Director General of the Swiss Centre for Scientific Research in Côte d’Ivoire (CSRS). My work focuses on the management of natural resources and the conservation of large mammal species, particularly primates. This work bridges ecology, economics, and culture to empower rural communities. I received several international and national awards including the Future for Nature Award 2009 (Netherlands), the Whitley Award 2012 for Nature Conservation (United Kingdom), the national 2015 Research Award (Côte d’Ivoire), the 2023 Rolex Awards for Enterprise, and the 2021 Presidential Award from the International Primatological Society in recognition of my services to the society and my efforts for primate conservation in Africa. A Commander in the Order of Merit of National Education in Côte d’Ivoire, I am active in several professional organizations: Chair of the African Primatological Society since 2017, Co vice-chair of the Africa Section of the IUCN Primate Specialist Group, member of several Committees of the International Primatological Society, member of the IUCN Hippo Specialist Group, Chair of the Expert Group Evaluators for the Green List of Protected Areas in Côte d’Ivoire (IUCN), etc. I authored or co-authored of over 100 publications in the fields of primatology, conservation, behavioral ecology, and environmental education.
