In memory of Mr. Gordon Ajonina
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Biodiversity - Flyways
In February 2025, Cameroon, Africa and the East Atlantic Flyway lost one of their most charismatic and instrumental environmental champions with the passing of Gordon Ajonina, shortly before his 55th birthday.
Gordon was both a force of nature and a force for nature. He had worked for the Cameroon Wildlife Conservation Society (CWCS) since 1997 and for many years served as the International Waterbird Census coordinator for Cameroon as well as leading many other wildlife conservation activities across the country. He was also a prolific academic, publishing a great number of articles and guiding generations of students as they took their first steps in conservation work.
Tim Dodman, Wetlands International Associate Expert recalls “almost as much as a Night-heron or a Whimbrel, Gordon was a part of the mangroves. With his big wellies, his large persona and his loud laugh, Gordon was absolutely at home in the mangroves and coastal wetlands of Cameroon. We spent time together doing a survey along the coast of The Congo and I visited his place in Moanko, Cameroon and went up the Sanaga River with him. Gordon’s knowledge of Central Africa’s coastal zone was immense, and he was dedicated to its study and conservation. With his affable manner and wide smile, he was also popular with local communities and supported many students during his work. When I worked for Wetlands International, we supported Gordon to participate in the 2nd International Conference on Wetlands and Development in Dakar, Senegal in 1998. He was very proud to present at his first international conference, and went on to participate in many international events. But it was in the mangroves of Cameroon where he was most as home … the mangroves will surely miss him.”
Our sincere condolences to Gordon’s family and many friends. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of working with him and the wetlands he treasured.