{"id":11506,"date":"2025-02-20T12:22:08","date_gmt":"2025-02-20T11:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.caribaea.org\/?p=11506"},"modified":"2025-04-07T12:31:02","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T10:31:02","slug":"cimba-project-a-successful-launch-event-in-guadeloupe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.caribaea.org\/en\/cimba-project-a-successful-launch-event-in-guadeloupe\/","title":{"rendered":"CIMBA project: A successful launch event in Guadeloupe"},"content":{"rendered":"

To mark the recent launch of our CIMBA project, an official kick-off event was held on Monday, February 17, at the Caribaea Initiative headquarters in Guadeloupe. This event brought together the press and numerous stakeholders committed to biodiversity conservation, demonstrating the strong interest in this ambitious initiative.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"The CIMBA project aims to better understand and mitigate the impact of exotic mammals on the fragile insular ecosystems of the Caribbean. These species\u2014including rats, mongooses, and stray cats and dogs\u2014pose a direct threat to many native species, particularly reptiles, amphibians, and endemic birds.<\/p>\n

Through a rigorous scientific approach, the CIMBA project relies on field studies and innovative methods to track the distribution and impact of exotic mammals, analyze their diet, and optimize control strategies. The project also promotes strong regional cooperation between Guadeloupe, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, alongside an awareness campaign to encourage public support for conservation efforts.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A launch marked by strong partner engagement<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

\"\"Having started in late 2024, the project was officially presented to a diverse group of key biodiversity stakeholders during a launch event on February 17, 2025, at the Caribaea Initiative headquarters. Among the distinguished guests, we had the honor of welcoming representatives from Interreg Cara\u00efbes, the project\u2019s main financial partner, whose support has been instrumental in bringing CIMBA to life.<\/p>\n

Other attendees included representatives from the Guadeloupe National Park, the Regional Biodiversity Agency, the National Forestry Office, the CIRAD, the University of the Antilles, the Pasteur Institute of Guadeloupe, the Domaine Canin, the Guadeloupe Zoo, the Guadeloupe Hunting Federation, and the Guadeloupe DEAL. This broad representation highlights the project\u2019s interdisciplinary approach to tackling the challenge of invasive exotic species.<\/p>\n

A morning of presentations and engaging discussions<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

\"\"Following a welcoming session that encouraged initial discussions among participants, guests were invited into a conference room decorated in CIMBA\u2019s colors, where a large kakemono banner had been specially printed for the occasion.\u00a0Christopher Cambrone, Scientific Coordinator at Caribaea Initiative, then took the stage to introduce the key objectives of the CIMBA project. His presentation covered the project\u2019s goals, methodology, expected outcomes, and emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between institutions. He also highlighted the need for increased public awareness to ensure community engagement in conservation actions.\u00a0Additionally, Yuna M\u00e9lane, a PhD student working on the project, shared insights into her research, which directly contributes to CIMBA\u2019s objectives.<\/p>\n

The event fostered rich discussions, with valuable contributions from various partners. The diversity of perspectives helped initiate insightful exchanges, paving the way for fruitful collaborations moving forward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Successful media coverage<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

The launch event received strong media attention, thanks to the presence of several journalists. Following the event, Christopher Cambrone was invited to speak live on Guadeloupe La 1\u00e8re during the 1 PM news broadcast, where footage from the morning\u2019s event was also aired.<\/p>\n