James Bukie is a passionate wildlife ecologist, primatologist, and conservation researcher dedicated to advancing biodiversity protection and sustainable wildlife management in Nigeria and across Africa. He currently serves in the Department of Wildlife and Range Management at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, where he contributes to teaching, research, and community engagement in conservation science. He had his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management at the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, with a research focus on the feeding ecology, population dynamics, and host–parasite interactions of drill monkeys (Mandrillus leucophaeus) in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS). His work is contributing valuable insights into the conservation of one of Africa’s most endangered primates and the preservation of the ecological integrity of AMWS. Bukie’s research interest spans wildlife ecology, primatology, biodiversity conservation, population and behavioral ecology, and human–wildlife interactions. He has conducted extensive fieldwork in key protected areas, particularly within Cross River State, Nigeria—an important biodiversity hotspot in West Africa. His studies have revealed critical links between habitat loss, illegal human activities, and the declining population of primates and large tree species in tropical forests. Over the years, Bukie has received several grants and awards for his outstanding contributions to conservation research. These include the American Society of Primatologists (ASP) Small Grant (2022), the ASP COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Field Researchers (2020), and institutional and state-level scholarships from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Cross River State Government. In recognition of his academic excellence and leadership, he was also awarded the ASP Pre-Conference Certificate of Excellence in 2020. He has published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles in reputable national and international journals, addressing critical issues in wildlife conservation, including illegal logging, primate ecology, and parasitic infections in captive and wild primates. His works appear in the Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management, Sustainability, Agri, Food and Environmental Research, and the International Journal of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science. In addition to his research and teaching roles, Bukie is an active reviewer for the Journal of Research in Forestry, Wildlife and Environment and serves on several academic and administrative boards, including the College of Forestry and Fisheries Board and the Departmental Board of Wildlife and Range Management. A dedicated conservation advocate, Bukie is a member of several professional organizations, such as the American Society of Primatologists (ASP), International Primatological Society (IPS), African Primatological Society (APS), Wildlife Society of Nigeria (WISON), and the Association for the Study of Animal Behavior (ASAB). Through these affiliations, he contributes to global conversations on primate research, biodiversity protection, and environmental sustainability. Fluent in Bokyi, Hausa, and English, he actively engages local communities in conservation awareness and participatory wildlife management. His community-based work emphasizes the need for inclusive conservation strategies that integrate scientific research, education, and traditional knowledge to protect Nigeria’s rich biodiversity. Driven by a deep commitment to environmental stewardship, James Bukie envisions a future where scientific research informs practical conservation actions and where communities become partners in protecting endangered species and ecosystems. His career continues to bridge academic research, policy, and community empowerment, contributing significantly to the conservation of Africa’s wildlife heritage.