WCS Project | Technical Support for the Development of Communication Systems Across 43 National Parks in Africa

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is an international organisation committed to the protection of wildlife and natural ecosystems. Present in many countries across Central and West Africa, it faces major logistical and environmental challenges, particularly in remote parks such as Nouabalé-Ndoki in the Republic of Congo.

To ensure the safety and coordination of its field teams, WCS relies on radio (HF/VHF) and satellite communication systems, which are essential to its operations. WCS entrusted TDS Group with a large-scale mission: to support the implementation of a reliable, secure, and appropriate communication system for its needs across 43 parks in 12 African countries.

Objectives of the mission

• Conduct an audit of existing equipment (radios, repeaters, vehicles, etc.) and current operating procedures
• Assess operational needs at 14 priority sites and 10 vehicles under real conditions
• Propose technical solutions suited to the logistical and geographical contexts of the parks
• Provide ongoing technical support and transfer skills to local teams

Our approach
The TDS team went into the field to:

• Carry out technical audits of existing communication infrastructure
• Assist with implementation, including equipment selection, logistical planning, and technical follow-up
• Identify critical weaknesses affecting team safety and the fluidity of operations
• Consult operational teams, local technicians, and security managers

Key results

• A complete technical diagnosis of communication systems across 43 parks in 12 countries
• A clear roadmap, with prioritisation of actions to improve coverage, resilience, and radio system efficiency
• Solutions adapted to the ecological and geographical constraints, and directly operational
• Sustainable strengthening of local capacities through long-term support
• This mission enabled WCS to have a robust and operational framework for effectively coordinating its conservation activities in remote areas, while improving the safety of its teams and the responsiveness of interventions in high-risk environments.