Mr Lionel Ebong Esong is passionate conservation researcher whose interest in conservation stirred up in 2017 as a Masters student in the University of Buea, Cameroon after he encountered his teacher from WCS (Mr. Lesley Akenji). The opportunity he had in engaging in conservation and research works unveiled to him the threats which vulnerable species like pangolins and tortoise face, which boosted his passion to protect these defenseless species.

Lionel Ebong holds a B.Sc. in Geography and an M.Sc. in Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NaREM), both from the University of Buea Cameroon.

He obtained another M.Sc. in Ecology and Nature Management from National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University Russia.

While Mr. Lionel Ebong has as priority the welfare of communities and the sustainability of FReECo’s efforts in its areas of work, he is currently emboldening his skills and knowledge through a Ph.D. Program in Zoology at Saint Petersburg State University (SPBU), Russia.