APS book of abstracts September 2019

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Committee Members Chairperson of organizing committee Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka Head of Scientific committee Moses Chemurot Scientific committee Moses Chemurot, Chris Bakuneeta, Deborah Baranga, Lawrence Mugisha, Ekwoge Enang Abwe, Mnason Tweheyo, Fred Babweteera, Furuichi Takeshi, Urbain Ngobobo, Jessica Rothman, Catherine Hobaiter, William Olupot, Stan Kivai, Amani Kitegile, Inza Kone, Nizeyi John Bosco, Panta Kasoma.

Publicity Committee: Arans Tabaruka, Richard Bagyenyi, Brian Atuheire, Bashir Hangi, Geoffrey Baluku, Lawrence Zikusoka Fundraising Committee: Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Inza Kone, James Musinguzi, Mary Leakey Sudra Operations/Logistics Committee: Innocent Djossou, Richard Bagyenyi, Kaamu Bukenya, Wako Ronald, Fred Kisame, Joan Kantu Else, Alfred Kamya

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Preface Address by the Head of the Organizing Committee Honourable Guests, Distinguished Participants and Esteemed Colleagues, We are excited to host APS 2019 in Uganda, the Primate Capital of the World. This book of abstracts is a summary of all the plenary and breakout oral and poster sessions at the conference I would like to thank all contributors to this book of abstracts for the second APS conference.

I am grateful to the Scientific Committee who have impressively reviewed and edited 150 abstracts from six themes. The book includes 15 plenary presentations about building capacity of primatology in Africa, epidemiological issues in primatology, shaping policy in primatology and the State of Primatology in the six regions of Africa: East, Central, West, South, North and Madagascar and a primate ecotourism roundtable. The book also includes 150 abstracts on conservation and management, ecology and behaviour, diversity, taxonomy and status, conservation education, health and disease, and tourism.

From the abstracts submitted, it is wonderful to see that the field of primatology is being more progressively embraced by native Africans. We thank primatologists from outside Africa who have increased our knowledge of primate research and conservation and trained many homegrown primatologists.

It is also encouraging that the field of conservation science is being strengthened with as many as 17% of presentations in this book of abstracts on topics outside conservation biology including health, education and tourism.

I hope that the information will build scientific knowledge to inform and improve policy, practice and sustainability of primate conservation in Africa.

Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka APS Vice President, Head of Organizing Committee for APS 2019 Founder and CEO, CTPH

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Address by APS President and APS Patron Honourable Guests, Distinguished participants and esteemed colleagues, The African region (including Madagascar) has the highest concentration of non human primate diversity on Earth. In all, this continent is home to 43% of the world’s primate species and subspecies, and five of the top 12 countries on Earth for primate diversity (Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Cameroon, and Nigeria). However, the conservation and management of non human primates and of their habitats is one of Africa’s foremost challenges in sustainable development. Indeed despite their biological, ecological, socioeconomic, and cultural importance, most African primates are severely threatened as this is the case elsewhere. With more than 62% of threatened species Worldwide, primates are among the most threatened vertebrates. On mainland Africa, 55% (103/187) of all primates are threatened and the situation is even more extreme in Madagascar with 84% (93/111) threatened.

In 2017, the African Primatological Society (APS) was formally established in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa to stimulate the development of concerted domestic effort to curb the threats facing their continued survival. The inaugural congress brought together primatologists from 22 countries in Africa and a few dozen from other countries accross the globe. All regions of Africa were represented. The congress event benefitted from the avid support of varied stakeholders in the Academia, Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil-Society Groups, National and Local governments, Funding Agencies, public and industry scientists, local, national and international media.

The APS aims at providing a platform for sharing data, information, tools and technical assistance to support Africa’s preparedness and domestic efforts in primate research and conservation as well as to encourage greater participation and leadership of African primatologists.

Two years later, we are happy to see that the second congress of the APS to be held in Uganda, East Africa receives enthusiastic interest from primatologists representing all regions of Africa.

Similarly, the international community and governmental authorithies are still mobilized to play their respective roles to advance and support the goals and objectives of African primatology at large. For this second congress deliberate inclusive approach to involve students from African institutions working on primates with a particular attention to gender issues will be maintained. Following the recommendations of the inaugural congress, highest consideration will be given to capacity building activities as well as to the development and consolidation of primate action plans of which the Red Colobus Action Plan, which will be a focus of attention in the upcoming congress, is an excellent example.

We trust that this second congress will inspire further actions and comradeship for a strong and formidable Society. We wish you a successful congress and productive discussions in the General Assembly of the Society.

Prof. Inza KONE President, African Primatological Society and Co-vice chair, Africa Section IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group

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Dr. Russell A. Mittermeier Chair, lUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group Chief Conservation Officer, Global Wildlife Conservation

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Address by Jonathan Kingdom Dear Members of APS, I am very sorry not to be with you all today but am with you in spirit and thoughts.

I well remember my first, 1940, viewing of Cercopithecus ascanius in the gardens of "Government House" in Entebbe, (still the residence of Uganda's leadership) and yet again in 1942 when my family and I stayed at a country hotel (now, appropriately, a school) on a tall bluff over-looking Lake Nabugabo.

The powers that then were, observed that these very tame monkeys were very popular attractions for both residents and visitors alike, so they let them be, even if these primates could be an occasional nuisance to gardeners!

The grown-ups were unable to explain anything about the vast hidden world of Primates, (including a lot of human behaviour!) but, even as a very small boy I was fascinated by the Red-tail's behaviour, they lashed and twisted their long brilliantly coloured tails in such geometric ritualised postures.

None of the grown-ups could explain WHY these monkeys needed such extraordinary masked faces.

WHY? Years later, as a mwalimu at Makerere University, I set out to answer that very question, joining a community of naturalists, primatologists - scientists dedicated to solving some of the many mysteries of the unknown Universe we inhabit.

The obstacles put in the way of scientists are many but we must persist.

I know, from personal experience, how many obstacles are put in our way.

I know, from personal experience, how thoughtlessly people destroy the lives and habitats of fellow primates. - but we must persist.

Always remember, Africa is our motherland and Africa's unique ecological and evolutionary complexity gave birth to the most complex and contradictory primate on earth - Homo sapiens.

Primatologists of Africa -- go forth and multiply !

Salaams Prof. Jonathan Kingdon Reknown Mammalogist and Author Emeritus Professor, Oxford University Department of Zoology

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Table of Contents Committee Members ........................................................................................................................... ii Preface................................................................................................................................................... iv Address by the Head of the Organizing Committee .......................................................................... iv Address by APS President and APS Patron ........................................................................................ v Address by Jonathan Kingdom .......................................................................................................... vi Plenary Presentations ........................................................................................................................... 2 Nurturing African leadership in Primatology ..................................................................................... 3 Training wildlife managers in Uganda to conduct research to support primate conservation ............ 3 African Great Apes and other Primates’ Red Listing process: updates and lessons ........................... 4 Primate Conservation in Uganda; Opportunities and Challenges ....................................................... 4 The State of Primatology in Madagascar: Past achievements, future challenges ............................... 5 The State of Primatology in North Africa: A brief overview of Primate Conservation .................... 6 The State of Primatology in West Africa: challenge of community based conservation strategies ... 6 The State of Primatology in East Africa ..................................................................................... 7 The State of Primatology in Central Africa: Species richness, conservation challenges .................... 8 The State of Primatology in Southern Africa ...................................................................................... 8 Introduction to the GSAC Alliance and opportunities for collaboration with primate conservation NGOs and other stakeholders ............................................................................................................. 9 Writing and submitting a Scientific report ........................................................................................ 10 Building capacity for primate research and conservation through collaboration of Japan and African countries ............................................................................................................................................ 10 The potential for African leadership in primatology to shape national and regional conservation policy ................................................................................................................................................ 11 Epidemiological issues in primate research and conservation projects ............................................ 11 Primate Ecotourism Roundtable: Experiences from Uganda ............................................................ 11 Subtheme: Conservation and Management ..................................................................................... 13 Patrol Effort and Illegal Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park ...................................... 14 The presence of Grauer's gorilla in local community forests, an asset or threat to its survival? Case study of the Nkuba Conservation Area in Walikale Territory, DR Congo ....................................... 14 Surveying the Barbary Macaques in Bouhachem Forest, North Morocco ....................................... 15 Chimpanzees in fragments exhibit socio-ecological flexibility - but what does this mean for conservation? .................................................................................................................................... 16 Primate Threats and Conservation in the Kimbi-Fungom National Park, North West Region of Cameroon .......................................................................................................................................... 17 Primate Threats and Conservation in the Kimbi-Fungom National Park, North West Region of Cameroon .......................................................................................................................................... 17

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Humans-Guenons Conflicts in Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS), Cross River State, Nigeria and their Implication for Conservation ................................................................................ 18 Primate conservation through disgust and public health: Introducing a new framework ................. 19 How people’s diverse behaviours underpin their successful coexistence with problematic primates .......................................................................................................................................................... 19 Trade in Primate species for Medicinal purposes in Southern Benin: implications for conservation .......................................................................................................................................................... 20 Regional golden monkey conservation action plan .......................................................................... 20 Creating Awareness on Bush Meat Crisis and its Effect on Primate Conservation in Uganda ........ 21 Funding Community Conservation Initiatives Through Green Value Chain Development ............. 22 The population and habitat of the Sclater’s monkey (Cercopithecus sclateri), in Itam Forest, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria ........................................................................................................................... 22 Sacred Forests of Dinaoudi and Grébouo 1 as refugia for threatened primates in Côte d’Ivoire ..... 23 The Chances of Survival of Primates in Ghana’s Forest Reserves ................................................... 24 Chimpanzee abundance, forest connectivity and human activity in Kom-Wum Forest Cameroon . 24 Assessment of the Non- Human Primate Species Occuring in the Illegal Wildlife Markets of Rivers State, Nigeria: Implications for Conservation ................................................................................... 25 Mitigating impacts of industrial development projects on primates ................................................. 25 Application of SMART Solutions to Habituation of Buraiga Chimpanzee Community: Kibale National Park Experience, Uganda ................................................................................................... 26 Conservation Technology and Policy ............................................................................................... 27 Habitat suitability modeling for sustainable conservation of the endangered red colobus in lower Tana River Delta, Kenya................................................................................................................... 28 Bonobo Assessment in the Lomami National Park (LNP) and Buffer Zone (BZ): A tool to support evaluation of conservation effort ...................................................................................................... 28 Conflits homme-primate à la périphérie de la Forêt des Marais Tanoé-Ehy au sud-est de la Côte d’Ivoire, quelle (s) méthode (s) pour une gestion durable de ce type de conflits?............................ 29 The relevance of ex situ conservation to the conservation of primates ............................................ 30 Assessing the distribution and habitat use of chimpanzees in the corridor forests located between Budongo and Bugoma Forest reserves in the Murchison- Semliki Landscape- MSREDD+ ........... 30 Conservation challenge of Cercocebus lunulatus, a Critically Endangered Species in Comoe National Park, Côte d’Ivoire ............................................................................................................. 31 Perceptions of Hunting, Crop Damage and Conservation of White Throated Monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster) in Communities around Okomu National Park, Nigeria.................. 33 Habitat Structure of the Red cap Mangabey Community in Omo Biosphere reserve and Idanre Forest reserve, Southwest Nigeria .................................................................................................... 34 Community-based conservation for the protection of critically endangered Prolemur simus in Vohitrarivo, Madagascar................................................................................................................... 34

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Gestion communautaire des ressources naturelles pour la conservation des lémuriens dans la forêt d’Ankirihitra, Madagascar ................................................................................................................ 35 Etat de conservation des populations de grands singes dans le segment Cameroun du Trinational de la Sangha ........................................................................................................................................... 36 Effects of Gender inequality on Primates Conservation activities in south-eastern Nigeria ............ 36 Bugoma Primate Conservation Project: Research and Conservation within the Bugoma Forest Reserve .............................................................................................................................................. 37 Chimpanzee Conservation Challenges in the Vulnerable Ecosystem: Experience from Western Tanzania ............................................................................................................................................ 38 Long-Term Research Presence in a Tropical Rain Forest: Implications for Chimpanzee Conservation ..................................................................................................................................... 38 Challenges for conservation of bonobos at Wamba, Luo Scientific Reserve, DR Congo ................ 39 The presence of Grauer's gorilla in local community forests, an asset or threat to its survival? Case study of the Nkuba Conservation Area in Walikale Territory, DR Congo ....................................... 39 DR Congo’s primates: Conservation challenges and opportunities in a mega-diversity country .... 40 Distribution and abundance of nocturnal lemurs in Tampolo, littoral forest in Madagascar ............ 41 Subtheme: Ecology and Behaviour ................................................................................................... 42 Ethology and activity pattern of the Thomas’ galago (Galagoides thomasii): a preliminary study within the Lokoli swamp forest in Southern-Benin. ......................................................................... 43 Behavior and gastrointestinal parasites of the red bellied guenon (Cercopithecus erythrogaster erythrogaster) in Drabo-Gbo Sanctuary, Benin ................................................................................ 43 Association patterns among diurnal primates in Idanre Forest Reserve, Ondo State, Nigeria ......... 44 Assessment of Colobus monkey habitat selection preference in Karura forest, Nairobi County Kenya ................................................................................................................................................ 45 Within-group spatial position and activity budget dynamics of wild female and male sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus atys) in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire .................................................. 45 Ecologie alimentaire d’Hapalemur griseus dans l’Aire Protégée de Maromizaha, Andasibe, Madagascar ....................................................................................................................................... 46 Is habitat disturbance in Itwara and Matiri forests affecting primate populations? An analysis of threats ................................................................................................................................................ 47 Nest Counts Reveal a Stable Chimpanzee Population in Sapo National Park, Liberia .................... 48 From folivory to gummivory: phyletic dwarfing and digestive efficiency in Lepilemur and Microcebus ........................................................................................................................................ 48 Baboon group-differences in a forest-woodland mosaic at Gombe .................................................. 49 Implications of change in fruiting phenology on primate foraging behavior ................................... 50 Unhabituated chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in the Village Forest Reserves north of Gombe National Park, Tanzania .................................................................................................................... 50 Population Status of Selected Diurnal Primate Species in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria ....... 51 Could western gorilla groups ranging close to each other differ in diet and ranging patterns? ........ 52

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The function of the tree shake in wild Barbary macaques ................................................................ 53 Behavior and feeding ecology of gorilla group under habituation in Campo’o man national park (CMNP, South-Cameroon) ............................................................................................................... 54 Can galago species be recognised by their calls? Species and speciation in Paragalago ................ 54 Diet composition and feeding ecology of chimpanzees (P. t. troglodytes) in a lowland tropical forest of Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon ........................................................................ 55 Long-term diet of the chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus, Blumenbach 1779) in Taï National Park: inter-annual variations in the consumption of some key food sources .................................... 56 Tortoise (Kinixys erosa) predation in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) .................. 56 Impact of human pressures on a fauna with Grauer´s gorilla, Gorilla beringei graueri (Hominidae, Primate), a species on the verge of extinction in Tshiabirimu Mountain in the National Park of Virunga, Nord-Kivu, DRC ................................................................................................................ 57 New insights into the nutritional ecology of rainforest primates in Uganda .................................... 57 Chimpanzee abundance and floristic diversity in the transitional ecosystem of Mbam-Djerem National Park in Cameroon ............................................................................................................... 58 Female dominance, affiliation and aggression in western woolly lemurs ........................................ 59 Feeding Ecology of the De Brazza’s Monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus) in Mathew’s range, Kenya .......................................................................................................................................................... 60 Mineral Composition of the Tana River Mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus) Diet and the Conservation Implications ................................................................................................................ 60 Female dominance, affiliation and aggression in western woolly lemurs ........................................ 61 Diet of the critically endangered southern ruffed lemur Varecia variegata editorum in Maromizaha Protected Area, Madagascar ............................................................................................................. 62 Effects of Habitat Modification and Landscape Structure on Habitat Utilization by Mount Kenya guerezas (colobus guereza kikuyuensis) at Karura Forest, Kenya .................................................... 62 Comparison of feeding behaviour and diet between Olive colobus monkey (Procolobus verus) groups in forest fragments and continuous forest, Benin .................................................................. 63 West African chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) nest building behaviour and their sympatric mammals in the Niokolo Koba National Park (Senegal): new site discovered ................................ 64 Mode of dispersal and its influence on dominance in male vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in a human-modified landscape ................................................................................... 65 How do wild female chimpanzees manage the energetic demands of pregnancy and lactation? ..... 65 Effects of research presence and human settlements on the distribution of central chimpanzees and western lowland gorillas in Southeast Cameroon ............................................................................. 66 Nutritional Coping Mechanisms among Mangabey in Lwamunda Forest Reserve in Uganda ........ 67 Call combinations in chimpanzees? .................................................................................................. 68 Behavior patterns of the Tana River Mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus) along habitat disturbance gradient in the lower Tana River, Kenya .......................................................................................... 68

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Ecomorphological Analysis of Plio-Pleistocene Cercopithecidae from the Lower Omo Basin: Implications for Dietary Adaptation and Paleoenvironment Reconstruction ................................... 69 Polyspecific associations in the Tana River mangabey, Cercocebus galeritus in Lower Tana River, Tana River County, Kenya ............................................................................................................... 69 Correlates of threats on diurnal primates of Akure Forest Reserve, Southwest Nigeria................... 70 Genetic structure of re-introduced primates, anthropogenic activities and implications for their survival in Cross River National Park (Oban Division), Nigeria ...................................................... 71 Energetic management in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire.............................................................................................................................................. 72 Population status of western chimpanzee in the Bia conservation area, Ghana ............................... 72 Demographic dynamics of a translocated Mount Kenya guereza (Colobus guereza kikuyuensis) population at Karura Forest, Kenya .................................................................................................. 73 Steps and Lessons from integrating orphans primate infants (Cercopithecus aethiops & Cercopithecus albogularis) into a captive social group of unrelated individuals in Diani, Kenya .. 74 Macronutrient Balancing Drives Foraging Strategies in Female Chimpanzees ............................... 74 Adaptability of Hapalemur griseus griseus to a diet containing cyanogenic heteroside ................... 75 Subtheme: Diversity, Taxonomy, and Status ................................................................................... 77 Assessing blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis) distribution in Malawi ............................................. 78 Habitat Loss: A Cry of Ashy Red Colobus in Ufipa Plateau ............................................................ 78 Habitat specialization and loud call specificity of the needle-clawed galagos (Euoticus spp) in Cameroon .......................................................................................................................................... 79 Preliminary results of the survey of nocturnal primate species in the Dahomey Gap ...................... 80 Comparison of methods to monitor a diverse primate community at a large species scale: case study of TL2 landscape in Democratic Republic of Congo .............................................................. 80 The behavioral biology of hamadryas baboons in comparative perspective, with implications for hominin evolution ............................................................................................................................. 81 Stimulation de l’engagement communautaire pour la sauvegarde du dernier refuge du colobe bai de Miss Waldron .................................................................................................................................... 82 Preliminary results of the survey of nocturnal primate species in the Dahomey Gap ...................... 83 Sub-theme: Health and Disease ......................................................................................................... 84 Isolation of Bacteriophages against Salmonella Isolates From Environmental Water Samples and Gorilla Feces Collected From Bwindi Impenetrable National Park ................................................. 85 Facial dysplasia in wild forest olive baboons (Papio anubis) in Sebitoli, Kibale National Park, Uganda: use of camera-traps to detect health defects ....................................................................... 85 Prevalence and associated risk factors for respiratory disease outbreaks in habituated Chimpanzee communities under chimpanzee health monitoring in the Albertine Rift of Uganda in the past five years .................................................................................................................................................. 86 Evaluation of a community-based health and conservation model at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park ................................................................................................................................................... 87

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Prevalence and Intensity of Gastro-intestinal parasites in Non–Human Primates in the Limbe Wildlife Centre, South West Region, Cameroon. ............................................................................. 87 Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Bacteria Isolated from Upper Respiratory Tract of Humans who Interact with Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park ...... 88 Respiratory disease outbreak in habituated Chimpanzee community in Kibale National Park, Uganda, East Africa .......................................................................................................................... 89 Mountain Gorilla Health Monitoring in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through regular analysis of Intestinal Helminth Parasites .......................................................................................... 89 The Gombe Ecohealth Project: long-term integrated health-monitoring in wild chimpanzees ........ 90 Common illnesses and conditions in captive chimpanzees at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary .......................................................................................................................................................... 91 Subtheme: Tourism ............................................................................................................................ 92 Behavioral observations of visitors during chimpanzee ecotourism reveals opportunity for multiple modes of pathogen transmission ....................................................................................................... 93 Assessment of Health Risks Posed by Tourists Visiting Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda ...................................................................................................................... 93 Primate Tourism in Tanzania: Are We There Yet? .......................................................................... 94 Amani Salum Kitegile1 and John Thomas Mgonja2.......................................................................... 94 Habituation of Dry Habitat Chimpanzees in Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve: Review of Two Years of Habituation Data ........................................................................................................................... 95 Subtheme: Conservation Education and Capacity Building .......................................................... 97 Using Village Health Teams to promote Gorilla Conservation ........................................................ 98 The Impact of Conservation Education on Students’ Attitudes and Behaviour towards Wildlife and Conservation around Kibale National Park, South Western Uganda................................................ 99 Increasing Conservation Education in schools around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park ............ 99 Education pour la conservation des primates avec l’Association du Calao dans les écoles en Côte d’Ivoire............................................................................................................................................ 100 Harnessing the Role of Conservation Education: Implications for Wildlife Conservation among Local Residents in South Western, Nigeria .................................................................................... 101 Posters ................................................................................................................................................ 102 Poster Subtheme: Conservation and Management ........................................................................ 103 Translocation of Arboreal Mount Kenya guerezas monkeys (Colobus guereza kikuyuensis) to Karura Forest, Kenya ...................................................................................................................... 104 Community led conservation in the Littoral Region, Cameroon: Five years experiences with the “Club des Amis des Gorilles” to save Ebo Gorilla .......................................................................... 104 Analysing Drivers of Environmental Changes to implement Adaptive Management for threatened lemurs of Andriantantely Lowland Forest in Madagascar .............................................................. 105 Socio-economic and Ecological Implications of Human and Nonhuman Primates Interactions in the Lower Tana River, Kenya ............................................................................................................... 106

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An effective environmental impact management for lemur conservation at Ambatovy, Madagascar ........................................................................................................................................................ 106 Challenges and opportunities to conserve chimpanzees in Sebitoli area, Kibale National Park, Uganda ............................................................................................................................................ 107 Human influence on primate distribution in Ebo Forest, Littoral Region of Cameroon: preliminary results .............................................................................................................................................. 108 Long-term Partnerships in Uganda creating long lasting changes .................................................. 109 Lemur Portal: A tool for research, capacity building, and conservation ......................................... 109 Poster Subtheme: Ecology and Behaviour...................................................................................... 111 What to expect when you are expecting an infant Colobus ............................................................ 112 Relevance of hunter’s knowledge in updating the behavioral ecology of threatened species: a case study of Preuss’s red colobus Procolobus preussi in the Korup region, South-west, Cameroon ... 112 Activities and Social interactions between males and females of crowned sifaka in gallery forests in Madagascar ..................................................................................................................................... 113 Evidence of prolonged carrying of deceased infants in Zanzibar red colobus monkeys ................ 114 What are the implications of tree cover loss for chimpanzees and humans across the greater Nimba landscape in Guinea? ...................................................................................................................... 115 Relevance of SMART Ranger Based Monitoring in Primate Conservation ................................... 115 Primate and human overlap in needs: the Human Wildlife Conflicts situation in the Bugoma Landscape ....................................................................................................................................... 116 Mise-à-jour des données sur le petit hapalémur du nord (Hapalemur occidentalis) dans la forêt d’Anjahambe, Vavatenina, Madagascar ......................................................................................... 116 Poster Subtheme: Diversity, Taxonomy and Status....................................................................... 118 Population Estimates of Diurnal Primates on Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Sierra Leone....... 119 A Survey of the Population Status of Diurnal Primates of Okomu National Park, Nigeria ........... 120 New records of the Black and white Colobus (Colobus vellerosus) in Nigeria .............................. 121 Infant survival in Colobus guereza: 10 years of demographic data ................................................ 121 Gap dynamics and their influence on the chimpanzee food tree regeneration: case of Musanga leoerrerae, chimpanzees’ fall back fruit in Kalinzu forest .................................................................. 122 A preliminary behavioural study of the re-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer) at the Sahofika forest, southeastern Madagascar ..................................................................................................... 123 Statut de conservation des primates non humains dans le complexe forestier de Missahohe, YikpaDzigbé et Assimé dans le Sud-Ouest du Togo ................................................................................ 123 La survie des singes dans les fragments de forêts dans la Région du Tonkpi (ouest Côte d’Ivoire) compromise par la chasse commerciale .......................................................................................... 124 Bio-monitoring forêts coutumiers et les résultats pour la planification de la conservation des espèces protégées et de leurs habitats ............................................................................................. 125

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Caractérisation des facteurs de menace sur une population sauvage de Mones de Lowe Cercopithecus lowei (Thomas, 1923) dans la relique forestière l’université Nangui Abrogoua, Côte d’Ivoire............................................................................................................................................ 126

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Plenary Presentations

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Nurturing African leadership in Primatology Vernon Reynolds School of Anthropology, Oxford University, UK vreynolds@btopenworld.com

Field studies and field stations provide the essential basis for conservation and research on nonhuman primates worldwide. In Uganda the Budongo Conservation Field Station (BCFS) has nurtured African primatologists and other wildlife and forestry experts for nearly three decades.

We have provided leadership in research, administration and conservation. I review the achievements of African leaders who often began their careers at BCFS, then moved on to become influential in wider sectors in Uganda.

The work of leaders is underpinned by the great primatological knowledge of Field Assistants, whose role in making the work of researchers and conservationists possible is often underplayed or overlooked. This omission needs to be rectified.

There is a need for more field stations with adequate infrastructure and staff, so that the work of conservation and research can be continued and expanded. Integration with local communities, local leaders, and leaders at District and National levels is vital. Law enforcement, especially with regard to hunting and poaching, needs to be strengthened. And finally, field stations provide an ideal setting for training of wildlife and environmental officers in national organisations such as National Forest Authority and Uganda Wildlife Authority, and in Government Departments of Environment, Wildlife and Natural Resources.

Training wildlife managers in Uganda to conduct research to support primate conservation Jessica Rothman, Hunter College of the City University of New York, USA jessica.rothman@hunter.cuny.edu

Positive relationships with government institutions responsible for wildlife protection are critical for primate conservation. Together governments and researchers can work together in many synergistic ways to promote effective primate conservation and build capacity through research and management. Since 1997 I have been working in Uganda with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Together in 2011 we constructed an Memorandum of Understanding whereby my research would support park wardens to gain master’s degrees at Makerere University in areas related to the conservation of primates. Over these eight years, six wardens have benefitted from the program and three have graduated already. The students focused on conservation projects that were of pressing interest to park management and include topics such as: human-wildlife conflict, law enforcement, toxins in the environment, improving ecotourism and primate densities in protected areas. The ability to do research has greatly benefitted these park managers and my own research program has benefitted from their expertise on wildlife management. The skills these wardens receive during their Master's degree build capacity in the organization, and promote conservation since these are the individuals responsible for management and protection of Uganda's national parks (all of which host primates), and wildlife generally. As well, learning from these park managers has improved my ability to translate research findings into management actions. I discuss this partnership and other ways that collaborative research, training and management can synergistically improve primate conservation.

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African Great Apes and other Primates’ Red Listing process: updates and lessons Gilbert Isabirye-Basuta Retired Professor, Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda gbasuta@cns.mak.ac.ug

Africa is endowed with primate species that include: over 110 in species in the mainland and 105 in Madagascar. Although there are these numerous primate species in Africa, their numbers and distribution vary across the continent. For example the African great apes have restricted ranges and occur in low numbers. In the case of Mountain Gorillas, they occur in only three countries (Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo). Currently, primates across Africa are faced with enormous conservation challenges ranging from habitat loss, hunting, diseases, pet trade and human-primate conflicts. However, these threats are not universal and impact on different species in contrasting ways. Some species such as the African great apes and primates in Madagascar are highly threatened because of their restricted ranges, habitat loss and high levels of hunting. Red Listing of primates and other species is an old process. It is normally done by national and regional governments or conservation organisations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for the purpose of creating a legal framework for the protection and conservation of the affected species. Currently, the IUCN Red List is considered to be one of the most comprehensive and credible documents by governments and conservation partners. In this talk, the process of Red Listing and lessons learnt over the years will be shared.

Primate Conservation in Uganda; Opportunities and Challenges Samuel Mwandha Uganda Wildlife Authority sam.mwandha@ugandawildlife.org

Conservation of species in Uganda started in the 1950s and 1960s. At this time there was need to respond to the challenges of wildlife conservation and led to the creation and expansion of a network of national parks and game reserves to protect wildlife (primates inclusive) and its habitats under the management of Game Department and the Uganda National Parks. Uganda Wildlife Authority was formed in 1996 as a result of the merger of the former Game Department and the Uganda National Parks to manage National Parks and the Wildlife Reserves because the parks and reserves were in a critically poor condition. In Uganda Kibale has the highest density of primates and is the most diverse primate site harbouring about thirteen species. Primate conservation in Uganda is guided by laws, policies and frameworks both local and international.

Key to these is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) of 1992, the1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, the Wildlife Policy 2014 and the Uganda Wildlife Act 2019.

Conservation of primates comes with enormous opportunities to Uganda. First is the tourism which has significantly contributed to national economic growth and development since1986.

Primate ecotourism contributes over 60% of the total revenue generation with gorillas contributing about 50%. Part of the revenue generated from Primate tourism is shared with communities.

Secondly, primate research has generated vital information needed to minimise the impacts of human-induced disturbance, and ensure the ecological integrity of our natural ecosystems. In the 1980s and early 90s research stations such as Makerere Biological Field Station (MUBFS) in Kibale National Park and Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation (ITFC) in Bwindi Impenetrable

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National Park, have not only concentrated on basic and academic research but also on some protected area management oriented research. However, considerable information gaps for primate species including information on the state of habitats and ecosystems in addition to declining biodiversity, poaching, loss of connectivity, climate change and diseases pose as challenges to primate conservation in Uganda. A number of approaches to these challenges have been put in place. These include enforcement of the new Wildlife Act 2019 through increased staffing, ranger based threat monitoring programme as well as sensitisation, and education of communities and other stakeholders. In addition there has been recruitment and training of prosecutors, monitoring health of primates and response to epidemics in collaboration with stakeholders, veterinary interventions to treat infected, rescue captive and snared primates, habituation of primates for ecological and behavioural studies for their better management, suggested upgrading of forests to forest reserves and proposals to acquire land for corridors to conserve primates and their habitats. As a country we embrace primate conservation for their benefit today and the future to come.

The State of Primatology in Madagascar: Past achievements, future challenges Rainer Dolch Association Mitsinjo, Andasibe, Madagascar rdolch@gmx.de

Having been isolated from other primates for about 50 million years, the lemurs of Madagascar have evolved into 5 families, 15 genera, and about 115 species, all of which are endemic. Although lemurs were scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus as early as 1758, field studies on lemurs did only start in the second half of the 20th Century. Pioneering work by Jean-Jacques Petter in the late 1950s greatly increased our understanding of lemur distributions and provided basic information about their behaviour and social organisation. However, it should still take three more decades until continuous primatological research became a reality in Madagascar. This development was catalyzed by the scientific interest of the Duke Lemur Center, Stony Brook University, and other foreign academic institutions in Madagascar's lemurs. Since then, primatological research focused on numerous aspects of lemur biology, primarily taxonomy, evolution, and behaviour. This research momentum was used to train many excellent Malagasy primatologists who founded the 'Groupe d'ĂŠtude et de recherche sur les primates de Madagascar' (GERP) in 1994. Sadly, more than 90% of Madagascar's endemic primates are now threatened with extinction. Current primatological research therefore increasingly focuses on lemurs' population dynamics, genetics, ecology and ecological services provided by them. Future research into these subjects is crucial to allow for effective primate conservation planning and lemur survival. This talk highlights the history of primatology in Madagascar, its current state, and future challenges for primatology in the island nation.

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The State of Primatology in North Africa: A brief overview of Primate Conservation Sian Waters & Ahmed El Harrad Barbary Macaque Awareness and Conservation, Tetouan, Morocco sianwaters@gmail.com

The Barbary macaque is the only primate in North Africa and due to its geographical distribution has a long history of contact with people. Therefore, understanding human-macaque relations is key to conservation action. Little research is currently undertaken on the species in Algeria due to security restrictions and population estimates vary greatly at 2,500-12,500 individuals. In Morocco, forest destruction and fragmentation, and the exploitation of the species for trade has led to the collapse of populations in the Middle and High Atlas Mountains. However, our work co-producing Barbary macaque distribution information with forest users accompanied by an intensive survey effort has revealed many more macaques in the Rif Mountains than previously thought. These populations are the focus of conservation work conducted by the Moroccan NGO Barbary Macaque Awareness and Conservation (BMAC) which also raises awareness among the Moroccan public about the illegal trade. We discuss the current situation regarding Barbary macaque conservation in North Africa and make recommendations for future action.

The State of Primatology in West Africa: challenge of community based conservation strategies Karim OUATTARA, University Felix HouphouĂŤt Boigny Abidjan Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques (CSRS) karim.ouattara@csrs.ci

With over 60 species and subspecies of primates, West Africa is an important endemic region for non-human primates with more than 45 species. 50 per cent of these primate species are classified as threatened according to the IUCN, given many human pressures including extensive agriculture, subsistence hunting and especially bushmeat trade. Several habitat and species conservation initiatives are being developed that combine transdisciplinary research and action.

Indeed, despite established and updated management plans for several parks and reserves, combined with more than 35 years of continuous primate research in countries such as CĂ´te d'Ivoire, Nigeria and relatively less intense research in other countries such as Togo, Benin, Liberia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, many of these species have seen their status progress in the negative direction. The research that represent the pillar of any effective conservation strategy covers the ecology including the dynamics of the threats but especially the social, communication and food behaviors. Zoonotic research on primates are gradually gaining ground primarily as a result of the Ebola crisis recorded in the three West African countries, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. While recognizing the value of research, we want in this presentation to highlight the progressive and very active involvement of local communities in initiatives to protect non-human primates. Among these actions, led by researchers and / or civil society actors and communities themselves, are cross-border conservation projects that provide opportunities for inter-state engagement for the protection of biodiversity in general and primates in particular. In this momentum, the major challenges for primate survival in West Africa is the updating of the viability and distribution of non-human primates in a context of strong fragmentation in agroforestry landscapes and the commitment of governments and

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international partners to communities and civil society to develop conservation and local development.

The State of Primatology in East Africa Stanislaus Kivai Senior Primatologists, Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya stankivai@gmail.com

Africa harbors a high diversity of primates partly due to occurrence of variable primate habitats.

The continent supports 21 genera and 64 different primates species. East Africa is critical for primate conservation and supports approximately 59% of the African primates biodiversity representing 17 genera, 38 species and 47 subspecies. Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya are the richest primate countries in East Africa, supporting 27, 23, and 19 species, respectively. Burundi is the least diverse and holds 13 species while the primate conservation status in Southern Sudan remains poorly understood. Further, six percent of the Africa primates’ genera, 24% of the species, and 47% of the subspecies are endemic to East Africa while in overall, the region supports 68% and 41% of the total African primates genera and species, respectively. More importantly, 26% of the primate species and 17% of the subspecies found in East African are threatened. The Tana River red colobus (Piliocolobus rufomitratus), Tana River mangabeys (Cercocebus galeritus) and the Kipunji (Rungwecebus kipunji) are among the most threatened primate species in East Africa. The lower Tana flood plain forests in Kenya and Mt. Rungwe Nature Reserve-Kitulo National Park block in Tanzania represent some of the most threatened primate habitats in East Africa. Primate research and conservation has made significant strides over the last four decades and East Africa has some of the well-established primate research sites and long-term projects. These include the Amboseli baboon and Ewaso-ngiro baboon projects in Kenya, Kibale primates project in Uganda, as well as Gombe and Udzungwa mountains primates’ projects in Tanzania. Research efforts in East African, however, have focused more on behavioral and population studies of the Cercopithecines and Apes with very little attention on prosimians. Similarly, primates’ ecotourism and active participation of the local communities in primate conservation are yet to be fully realized. Primatology remains underrepresented in East Africa, and individuals or organized research groups beyond the region drive majority of primate research programs. Relative to other animal taxa, there is very little involvement of local experts, governments, and non-governmental organizations in primate conservation. Future primatological research in East Africa should focus on diversity, ecology and distribution of prosimians as well as overall primates’ genetic diversity, which has received little attention. Further, there is need to develop the regional capacity in primatology to strengthen the conservation of primates and there habitats. Finally, continuous reassessment of primate taxonomy is required to enable informed prioritization of conservation efforts.

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The State of Primatology in Central Africa: Species richness, conservation challenges Ekwoge Abwe San Diego Zoo Global – Ebo Forest Research Project, Cameroon ekwoge@eboforest.org

The Central Africa region is globally significant in primate diversity and conservation. The area has one of the highest levels on primate richness and endemism on the mainland, harboring more than 40 primate species in at least 20 genera including Pan and Gorilla with three species, and as many as five subspecies. Primate diversity and endemism across this region is the result of several factors including biogeographical barriers, forest history, and local adaptation. The area is also characterized by high human population growth rates, and local livelihoods that are directly linked to forest resources including wildlife. Bushmeat offtake in the Central Africa region ranks among the highest in the world and is driven by the huge demand for meat, pets and trophies in adjacent urban centers as well as global markets. The rich biodiversity of this region in general and primates in particular has not been spared the scourge of economic growth and development. The construction of roads, railways, dams, settlements and the expansion of subsistence and commercial agricultural (especially the new wave of oil palm plantation expansion) have destroyed and fragmented vital primate habitats. Many parts of the area are still to recover from the huge decline in the population of great apes (chimpanzees and gorillas) associated with disease outbreaks including Ebola virus. There is a long history of primate research in the region, but longterm research stations are a new phenomenon across the area – and the focus is mainly on great apes: Goualougo Triangle in Congo Republic, Loango in Gabon, the Ebo forest, La Belgique and Ganga in Cameroon. Results of these studies are expanding the repertoire of chimpanzee and gorilla behavioral ecology including tool use behavior. The long term study of mandrills in Gabon has also provided great insight to these cryptic baboons. Generally, long-term research focus on smaller primates is minimal. There have been concerted efforts by local and international NGOs, national and regional government bodies to develop and implement sustainable practices aimed at conserving the region’s rich biodiversity and especially great apes. To increase the prospects of primate conservation in the Central Africa region, there is the urgent need to build local capacity and interest in primatology, and invest in long-term research and conservation outreach on a wide range of primate species across their natural habitats.

The State of Primatology in Southern Africa Fabien Génin, Curswan Andews and Judith Masters African Primate Initiative for Ecology & Spexiation (APIES) Nelson Mandela University and the University of Fort Hare, South Africa fsgenin@gmail.com; crswn@gmail.com; jdthmasters@gmail.com

For almost two hundred years, South Africa was viewed as being home to five indigenous primate species: Cercopithecus albogularis (the samango monkey, two or three subspecies), Chlorocebus pgyerythrus (the southern vervet monkey), Papio ursinus (the chacma baboon), Galago moholi (the southern lesser galago, two subspecies), and Otolemur crassicaudatus (the thick-tailed greater galago). In 2016, field studies by the APIES group revealed that the small-bodied galago observed in the northern sand forests of KwaZulu-Natal was not Galago moholi, as previously thought, but the Mozambican dwarf galago, Paragalago granti, increasing the number of species to six. Of

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these, the three diurnal cercopithecoids are widely regarded as pest species, and often persecuted by farmers and home owners. The agricultural and forestry lobbies in South Africa are so strong that, even with CITES II protection, it is difficult to protect our indgenous primates from injury and death. Although South Africa qualifies as a primate “habitat country”, primatology has a low profile and low priority in the country, and most long-term projects are conducted and funded by institutions outside of South Africa. As a result, co-ordination among the projects is poor and communication is limited. In an effort to overcome this problem, the Primate Ecology and Genetics Group (PEGG) was founded in 2002 to bring together primatological researchers and students working on southern African primates, as well as non-professionals who manage wildlife rescue centres, to share information and experiences. PEGG has just conducted its 17th annual meeting. In 2012 the opportunity to establish a South African research chair in primatology was rescinded by the University of Fort Hare (UFH) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) in favour of other priorities. Since then, the numbers of South African students pursuing Master’s or doctoral degree in primate studies have plummeted. The vast majority of papers published annually on southern African primates are authored by internationally-based researchers. In order to turn this situation around, and bring us back to more the positive situation we found ourselves in five or six years ago, we will need to create a more co-ordinated research effort between South African researchers and the foreign researchers who work in the country; but perhaps more urgently, we need to encourage more collaboration among South African institutions. The economic constraints imposed by the NRF on local research into biodiversity and conservation have led South African institutions to seek out international collaborations, and left the local institutions fragmented and isolated, particularly the under-resourced rural campuses. At the recent PEGG meeting, various suggestions were mooted to improve our situation.

Introduction to the GSAC Alliance and opportunities for collaboration with primate conservation NGOs and other stakeholders Louis Nkembi, President of GSAC Alliance louis.nkembi@erudef.org

This presentation will explain this sub-regional initiative, Founding Members, and their shared vision. This presentation will also present what are the AGSAC objectives and what have been achieve until now. The GSAC Alliance is the result of an initiative led by 6 African Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) located in 4 Africa central countries, which created a network in October 2016 in Limbe (Cameroon), after 6 months of mutual consultation. These six local NGOs are working on conservation of great apes (bonobos, gorillas and chimpanzees), with local communities in the Congo Basin forests. The vision of the network is promoting an African leadership on conservation matters. The GSAC Alliance is both as a technical platform for exchange and learning for development and as a political and institutional instrument to enhance their legitimacy nationally and internationally. This network is open to NGOs of local inspiration and legitimacy, linking local development and protection of great apes in the forest landscapes of the Congo Basin, in COMIFAC countries.

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Writing and submitting a Scientific report Joanna M Setchell Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, UK Joanna.setchell@durham.ac.uk

Publishing our findings is a crucial part of the scientific process but can be daunting. Based on my experience as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Primatology, I focus on how to write and submit a scientific report. I begin with how to choose a journal, research integrity and good practice. I provide tips on how to write clearly and how to organise your manuscript and how to avoid common errors. I explain the submission and review process, and how to handle the editor’s decision.

Building capacity for primate research and conservation through collaboration of Japan and African countries Takeshi Furuichi Kyoto University, Japan furuichi.takeshi.7m@kyoto-u.ac.jp

The effort for building a network between Japan and African countries for primate research and conservation started in 2009 through the support of Japan Society for Promotion of the Science.

We organized several workshops in Uganda, DR Congo, and Guinea for training young African researchers in field observation and data analysis. A turning point was the first international symposium held in Center for Research on Ecology and Forestry in DR Congo. In the end of the symposium, African attendants proposed to develop the network to establish a Primatological Society in Africa. Since then, we extended the partner organizations and continued organizing workshops and symposium in various African countries and Japan. By December 2014, the attendants grew to more than 100 people from 14 countries, and they proposed to establish a bottom-up collaborative network rather than Primatological society, and "African Primatological Consortium" was established in 2015 during the first APC international symposium held at Makerere University, Uganda. Our overall goal was to help African young researchers and students to be independent researchers who can plan their research, form collaborative groups, and publish their findings in international journals. With the establishment of African Primatological Society, we clarified our mission by limiting the membership to really active ones and focusing more on conservation works; we changed the name to "African Primatological Consortium for Conservation" in the 2nd symposium held in Kinshasa, DR Congo. We are working for further capacity building of African researchers and collaborative conservation studies, as a subgroup under the umbrella of African Primatological Society.

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The potential for African leadership in primatology to shape national and regional conservation policy Jonah Ratsimbazafy Madagascar Primate Research Group (GERP) jonah@gerp-mg.org

Currently, many African primate species are facing extinction despite the ongoing efforts of multifaceted conservation interventions. The majority of disappearing wildlife including primates is found in places where human populations live in poverty, ravaged by food insecurity and poor education. In Africa, there is an abundance of scholars and researchers that produce high-quality studies on these topics, but too often it seems that the results of their work remain within academic circles and are not properly utilized as tools to protect the animals and plants on the brink of extinction. Furthermore, decision makers rarely consider traditional knowledge useful or relevant to conservation policy. The deliberate involvement of local communities in science and conservation policy at national and regional levels is crucial to ensure the survival of endangered primate species, especially in remote areas where there is weak government presence. There are many sustainable solutions to save African endangered primates while simultaneously improving the health, food security, and education of the people living around areas where those species live.

At this critical time, the greater involvement and leadership from skilled African primatologists sharing experiences could be the last chance to save our unique primate species from vanishing from our continent.

Epidemiological issues in primate research and conservation projects Dr. Fabian Leendertz Robert Kock Institute, Germany LeendertzF@rki.de

The close evolutionary relationship and similar physiology of humans and a high diversity of nonhuman primates, result in a high potential for microorganism exchange. Studies of the microorganisms of wild non-human primates allow for the discovery of novel pathogens of importance for human health, with non-human primates ultimately serving as sentinels for outbreaks. In addition, studies of wild non-human primate health can inform conservation initiatives for threatened populations. Lastly, such studies will inform our understanding our own health by providing an evolutionary perspective for our species’ origins and insights into the microbial context in which we evolved.

Primate Ecotourism Roundtable: Experiences from Uganda Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka Conservation Through Public Health

Uganda is home to an estimated half of the world’s critically endangered 1,004 mountain gorillas and over 5,000 eastern chimpanzees. Habituation of the great apes has enabled closer monitoring and protection as well as greater economic benefits for sustaining conservation where 60% of revenue for Uganda Wildlife Authority comes from great ape tourism. Furthermore the local communities receive 20% of the park entry fees and $10 from each gorilla permit. Habituation has also resulted in great apes losing their fear for people and venturing outside the park to forage on community land leading to damage to crops as well as putting them more at risk from getting 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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harmed and getting diseases from the local human population surrounding the park. In Uganda the number of gorilla groups habituated for tourism has grown from 2 to 18 in the past 27 years. There are guidelines for great ape tracking including limiting the number of people who can track each group, limiting the time of viewing to one hour, limiting the distance to 7 meters. Inspite of the increased number of permits available, the demand for gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits in the high season exceeds the supply. This roundtable will discuss the successes, lessons learned and best practice for great ape tourism as well as opportunities for primate tourism beyond great apes. Recommendations from the roundtable will be help to improve and expand primate tourism to other countries in Africa.

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Subtheme: Conservation and Management

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Patrol Effort and Illegal Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Joseph Arinaitwe Uganda Wildlife Authority - Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area jarinaitwe77@gmail.com

An analysis of Patrol Effort and Illegal Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) of Uganda was conducted with the aim(s) to investigate the relationships between patrol effort and encounter rates of key illegal activities in the protected area (PA); compare the spatial distribution of the illegal activities across different sectors of the PA; determine and compare significances of various key illegal activities; establish encounter rates of the key illegal activities; and determine the relationship between seasonality and the key illegal activities. Annual sum of Patrol Man-days plus extent of forest ground patrol surveillance were used to measure Patrol effort; while Illegal activities were ranked using encounter rates. Primary data were got by ‘filtering’ out law enforcement records from a general Ranger-based Monitoring Database while secondary data was obtained from administrative reports. 1,722 ‘assorted’ types of different illegal activities were filtered from a total of 47,099 geo-referenced patrol observations for a four calendar year timeframe (2011 – 2014). Quantum GIS (1.7) was used to analyze annual extents of patrol coverage and spatial distribution of illegal activities across the protected area. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, pie chart and histograms) were used to illustrate different variables and determine relationships among the different variables. Six different types of key illegal activities were established with varying proportions of significance namely; Snares (51), Firewood (12%), Trespassing (9%), Pole-wood (7%), Hunting (5%) and Stakes (5%). Illegal activities with encounter rates less than 5% were considered negligible. Some interior areas of the protected area did NOT receive a single surveillance visit during the four-year timeframe! Illegal activities were sighted in all patrolled areas but in varying proportions. Snare-setting was the most significant and widely encountered illegal activity! Encounter rates of Snares and Trespassing revealed a negative correlation with patrol effort and a positive correlation with the dry season, while Firewood collection, Pole-wood cutting, Hunting and Stakes cutting encounters revealed a general positive correlation with patrol effort but varying correlations with seasonality. The Northern, ‘Neck’ region, and Eastern sectors of the PA revealed the highest levels of illegal activities. Accurate annual analyses of patrol effort and associated reviews of patrol strategies are essential necessities for more effective protection of the PA’s fragile ecosystems against further deterioration from illegal activities.

The presence of Grauer's gorilla in local community forests, an asset or threat to its survival? Case study of the Nkuba Conservation Area in Walikale Territory, DR Congo Urbain Ngobobo –As- Ibungu, Tara Stoinski Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International ungobobo@gorillafung.org

Grauer’s gorillas are among the world’s most endangered primates. Its distribution area is about 52,000 km2, 74% of which is located in local community forests. Despite all the conservation efforts made through the Kahuzi Biega National Park, Maiko National Park, Itombwe Nature Reserve, which together make up 14485Km2, only 600km2 are protected in the high altitude of the Kahuzi Biega National Park. The Grauer's gorilla population have declined in the 20 years from ~16900 in 1994 to ~3800 in 2015, 77% of loss in 20 years. In 2002, DFGFI extended Grauer's Gorilla conservation in the community forests. Most of the local community was reluctant to the conservation activities inside their forests. From the lesson learnt, In 2011, DFGFI changed it strategies and applied a model which could make local community more engaged. Initially, only 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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three families agreed to conserve Grauer’s gorilla in their forest, wide of 700Km2. We hired local people to study gorilla presence, abundance, and distribution and continuously tracked a single Grauer’s gorilla group ranging at an altitude of 600m for over 6 years. We combined strategies including (i) Science, (ii) Protection, (iii) Capacity building and (iv) Community commitment, to ensure both (i) better protection of Grauer’s Gorilla and (ii) local Community wellbeing in order to raise their commitment. Where we work abundacy and distribution of the grauer’s gorilla and other large and small mammals increased than in the remaining forest (i) and the permanent and casual jobs created have boosted the local community. As consequence of that, the former reluctant families have jointed the conservation dynamic which led to the extension of the Nkuba Conservation Area (NCA), from 700Km2 to 1300Km2. Integration of local community commitment and capacity building will help conservationists to model a conservation strategy in eastern Congo that are susceptible to host large Grauer’s gorilla populations and will help to protect Grauer’s gorilla outside the protected area. With local community engagement local community, the grauer’s gorilla can be better protected throughout its home range.

Surveying the Barbary Macaques in Bouhachem Forest, North Morocco Ahmed El Harrad¹, Mohamed Chetuan¹, Ahmed Chetuan¹, Lucy M. Radford¹ & Siân Waters1,2 ¹Barbary Macaque Awareness & Conservation, Morocco ²Department of Anthropology, Durham University, UK info@barbarymacaque.org

The Endangered Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) now only occurs in Morocco and Algeria (with an introduced population in Gibraltar). In Morocco, the species occupies areas of the Middle and High Atlas Mountains and the Rif mountains in the far north of the country. Barbary macaque numbers in the Middle and High Atlas Mountains have drastically declined due to habitat destruction and degradation, conflict with farmers and capture of infants for the pet and tourist trades while the population in the far north have long been considered close to extinction. We undertook a survey of the Barbary macaque population in Bouhachem which is an area of 142km² of mountainous mixed oak forest situated close to the Rif Mountains. We chose the sweep method to survey the species because of the steep topography and lack of accessible tracks and footpaths in many parts of the forest. We divided the area into five sectors including rocky summits and canyons when possible as macaque groups frequent them. The survey took place over two years with sectors visited four times in spring and autumn of each survey period. Three teams systematically traversed the mountain slopes on either side of each sector, ascending and then descending a different way if physically possible. We walked an irregular network of tracks and also employed recce walks i.e. taking the way of least resistance when no tracks existed. All records of macaque sightings were recorded with a handheld GPS and the groups counted and their composition noted when possible. We observed a total of 2224 individuals in 56 groups in all areas of the forest. Survey group sizes ranged from 3-78 with a mean group size of 40 individuals. We have been monitoring four groups every month since the study began in 2009 and the current mean group size is 73 individuals. We thus estimate a population size of 2240-4088 Barbary macaques in Bouhachem which is much higher than previous estimates of a few hundred animals. We interpret this increase to more thorough surveys over a much wider area of the forest and not to an actual increase in the population. With a long term conservation project in place and few threats to the species in this forest, we suggest that if current conditions persist, the Barbary macaque population in Bouhachem will be sustainable in the long term.

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Chimpanzees in fragments exhibit socio-ecological flexibility - but what does this mean for conservation?

Aimee S. Oxley1,2*, Kiiza B. Jovan2, Matthew R. McLennan1,3, Kimberley J. Hockings4, Catherine M. Hill1 1

Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK. Kasongoire Project for Community, Chimpanzees and Conservation, Masindi, Uganda 3 Bulindi Chimpanzee and Community Project, Hoima, Uganda, 4 University of Exeter, Falmouth, UK 2

aimee.oxley-2014@brookes.ac.uk

Chimpanzees living in human-modified landscapes are facing an uncertain future, particularly in privately owned and unprotected forest fragments. Continual human encroachment leads to the loss of feeding resources and chimpanzees increasingly range and forage on energy-rich cultivated foods outside the forest boundary, leading to negative human-wildlife interactions. Studying the responses of animals living in human-modified habitats is crucial for evidence-based conservation strategies, but how much value does our data have in being translated into action? Here we present an overview of results from research on the socio-ecological responses of chimpanzees in Kasongoire, a highly disturbed site in Uganda. We conducted a comparative study with chimpanzees in Waibira, which inhabit a protected continuous forest block in nearby Budongo Forest Reserve, and analysed differences in the diet and behaviour of chimpanzees in unprotected versus protected forest. We followed chimpanzees over 13 months, recording their diet, activity budget and party composition using instantaneous scan samples every 15 minutes. The diets of chimpanzees in both sites were dominated by ripe fruits and Kasongoire chimpanzees did not appear to have a shortage of wild foods, despite extensive forest loss. However, Kasongoire chimpanzees forage year-round on commercially grown sugarcane leading to altered activity budgets as compared with Waibira chimpanzees. Kasongoire chimpanzees flexibly alter their grouping patterns when leaving the forest and, during mango season, foraged from mango trees which were closer to the forest edge and which were unguarded. We argue that they perceive a higher level of risk of a human encounter outside the forest and therefore seek to minimise potential contact with humans. These data provide information which could feed into local conservation action plans to protect and restore important resources for chimpanzees and reduce human-chimpanzee interactions. However, in reality, translating data from academic studies into practical and effective strategies continues to be an ongoing challenge in the field of conservation science. Using our research in Kasongoire as a case study, we will discuss challenges, opportunities and limitations for evidence-based conservation studies to be used to benefit both animals and people.

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Primate Threats and Conservation in the Kimbi-Fungom National Park, North West Region of Cameroon Amos Fang Zeh, Nkwatoh Athanasius Fuashi, Melle Ekanne Maurice Department of Environmental Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63 South West Region, Cameroon amoszeh@yahoo.com

The Kimbi Fungom National park is the newest park in Cameroon that was gazetted in 2015. This park is a consortium of two former reserves; the Kimbi wildlife sanctuary created in 1968 and the Fungom forest reserve created in 1936. This paper assesses the current threats facing primates in the park and how these primates can be conserved in the face of growing anthropogenic activities.

The study used line transects, questionnaires and interviews to assess the level of threats and conservation efforts needed. The park was divided into 20 blocks and a 3km line transect was established in each block. Along each transect within the range of 25m, a search of primates and their threats was done. A total of 420 questionnaires were randomly administered in 35 villages that use the park. Results showed that six diurnal primates; chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti), olive baboons (Papio anubis), patas monkey (Cercopithecus patas), mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona), putty nosed monkey (Cercopithecus nictitans) and vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) live in the park. A total of 16 threats were identified in the park with Logged wood, (720) farms (450) were the most encountered threats. Sixteen settlements were encountered 8 of which were permanent villages and 8 expanding farmsteads with a total population of about 3500 people. However, interviews revealed that over 10,000 trees have been felled between January 2017 and July 2018 with Pterocarpus erinaceus(â&#x20AC;&#x153;madrikâ&#x20AC;?) being the most targeted species in the woody savanna. Some identified threats had significant effects on the overall encounter rate of the primates in the KFNP (Overall model R2= 0.40 df = 5, p<0.05). From the sixteen threats identified, eight showed negative correlation and eight showed positive correlation with primates.

Human settlement correlated negatively with primate distribution (R=-159, p=0.44). Respondents had different perceptions on conservation. Exactly17.5% of respondents suggested the involvement of local people, continuous education of population (14%), habitat restoration (11.5%), provision of alternatives to hunters and farmers (11%), and the use of laws in excessive cases of default. Cultural inertia, crop raiding, government investments in the park and the Anglophone problem are some of the challenges face in the conservation of primates.

Primate Threats and Conservation in the Kimbi-Fungom National Park, North West Region of Cameroon Amos Fang Zeh, Nkwatoh Athanasius Fuashi, Melle Ekanne Maurice Department of Environmental Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63 South West Region, Cameroon amoszeh@yahoo.com

The Kimbi Fungom National park is the newest park in Cameroon that was gazetted in 2015. This park is a consortium of two former reserves; the Kimbi wildlife sanctuary created in 1968 and the Fungom forest reserve created in 1936. This paper assesses the current threats facing primates in the park and how these primates can be conserved in the face of growing anthropogenic activities.

The study used line transects, questionnaires and interviews to assess the level of threats and conservation efforts needed. The park was divided into 20 blocks and a 3km line transect was established in each block. Along each transect within the range of 25m, a search of primates and their threats was done. A total of 420 questionnaires were randomly administered in 35 villages that use the park. Results showed that six diurnal primates; chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti), olive baboons (Papio anubis), patas monkey (Cercopithecus patas), mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona), putty nosed monkey (Cercopithecus nictitans) and vervet monkey (Chlorocebus 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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pygerythrus) live in the park. A total of 16 threats were identified in the park with Logged wood, (720) farms (450) were the most encountered threats. Sixteen settlements were encountered 8 of which were permanent villages and 8 expanding farmsteads with a total population of about 3500 people. However, interviews revealed that over 10,000 trees have been felled between January 2017 and July 2018 with Pterocarpus erinaceus(“madrik”)being the most targeted species in the woody savanna. Some identified threats had significant effects on the overall encounter rate of the primates in the KFNP (Overall model R2= 0.40 df = 5, p<0.05). From the sixteen threats identified, eight showed negative correlation and eight showed positive correlation with primates.

Human settlement correlated negatively with primate distribution (R=-159, p=0.44). Respondents had different perceptions on conservation. Exactly17.5% of respondents suggested the involvement of local people, continuous education of population (14%), habitat restoration (11.5%), provision of alternatives to hunters and farmers (11%), and the use of laws in excessive cases of default. Cultural inertia, crop raiding, government investments in the park and the Anglophone problem are some of the challenges face in the conservation of primates.

Humans-Guenons Conflicts in Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS), Cross River State, Nigeria and their Implication for Conservation Bukie, James Oshita1&2, Nchor, Ayuk Atim2 and Ebu, Vincent Tawo2 1

Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Federal University Agriculture, P.M.B.2373, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria; 2 Department of Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. oshitabuk@gmail.com

Area, Cross River State This study investigated the effects of crop raiding by guenons in Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS), Boki Local Government, Nigeria. Data were collected using semi structured questionnaires, and direct observations, and was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that three species of guenons were involved in crop raiding in the study area. These are: Mona Monkeys (Cercopithecus mona), Putty-Nose Monkeys (Cercopithecus nictitan) and Red-Eared Monkeys (Cercopithecus erythrotis). Raided crop were banana (Musa paradisiacal), plantain (Musa sepientum) and cocoa (Theobroma cacao). This was mainly because there is no clear demarcation between the Sanctuary and adjoining farms and the raided crops are the monkeys’ preference. There were also physical signs of hunting activities as occasioned by spent cartridges and wire snares. Hunters used guns to hunt guenons Even though the laws protecting guenons and other primates exist, this did not deter hunters from such crimes possibly because of lack of enforcement of the laws. In conclusion, we recommend that more sensitization and enlightenment campaigns as well as strict enforcement of laws.

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Primate conservation through disgust and public health: Introducing a new framework Cécile Sarabian1, Valerie Curtis3, Colin Chapman4, Andrew J. J. MacIntosh1 1

Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Japan Hunter College, City University of New York, New York City, United States 3 Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom 4 School of Environment & Department of Anthropology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada 2

sarabiancecile@gmail.com

Numerous primates are currently at risk of extinction; direct killing by humans, agricultural expansion and logging being the principal causes. Increasing human proximity also favors the emergence of infectious diseases, adding an additional threat to both humans and non-human primates. Different strategies are used to mitigate these threats, but fast declines require simultaneous policy decisions and local action. Here, we propose a new framework linking the adaptive system of disgust to conservation issues by focusing on eco-tourism and human-primate conflict. The situation at numerous field sites shows that eco-tourism can negatively impact the behavior and health of critically endangered great apes. As such, our own sense of disgust could be used in a behavioral change campaign, by exposing eco-tourists to sensory stimuli associated with infectious diseases, and testing whether the rules are better respected during the visits.

Moreover, the primate’s adaptive system of disgust could also be used to mitigate conflicts with humans, by e.g. developing crops with tastes or smells that are aversive to non-human primates and thus induce a conditioned taste- or olfaction-based aversion that mitigates crop-raiding. These ideas could be extended to other aspects of conservation and public health, and replicated at different sites with different species and different dimensions concerning the human-primate interface.

How people’s diverse behaviours underpin their successful coexistence with problematic primates Siân Waters Department of Anthropology, Durham University, UK sianwaters@gmail.com

Physical encounters between people and primates can have unpredictable and often negative consequences for the latter. People’s perceptions of primates can be particularly complex because of their similarity to humans. For many people, primates are liminal, neither human nor animal but something in between. Many primate species come into contact with people in diverse situations and with varying consequences. From my own ethnographic data collected in north Morocco and the results of literature and social media searches, and semi structured interviews, I review and discuss the behaviour of people who believe they are teaching a primate a lesson by marking it in some way to differentiate it from its group or who physically punish a primate that has crossed the boundaries of normal, acceptable behaviour for the species. I describe farmers’ actions of trapping and marking crop foraging Barbary macaques in Bouhachem forest north Morocco to dissuade them from returning to the fields, and discuss other examples of such behaviour from other regions of Africa. I will then describe how commensal macaques in Asia are often trapped and held captive in a public place to be the recipients of local people’s indignation at the animal’s unacceptable behaviour. In these examples, people view primates as agentive beings considering them able to learn from their mistakes as a result of being captured and marked and capable of more ethical behaviour as a result. These examples of human-primate interactions enable people coexisting with primates to vent their frustration on one unfortunate animal whilst

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other equally culpable individuals escape retribution. Such interactions may act as a coping mechanism enabling the successful coexistence of primates and people particularly when the latter are frustrated by primate behaviour and unwilling to kill the animals for cultural, social or political reasons.

Trade in Primate species for Medicinal purposes in Southern Benin: implications for conservation Chabi A.M.S. Djagoun1, Etotépé A. Sogbohossou1, Barthélémy Kassa1, Hugues A. Akpona1,2, Isidore O. Amahowe2, Joël Djagoun1, Brice Sinsin1 1

Laboratory of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-calavi, 01BP526 LEA-FSA, Cotonou, Benin 2 Direction Générale des Forêts et des Ressources Naturelles, BP. 393 Cotonou, Bénin. dchabi@gmail.com

In southern Benin, primates are commonly used in traditional medicine, both for the treatment of ailments and for mythic purposes, such as improving relationships and attaining good fortune. The aim of this study was two-fold: to assess the diversity and use value of traded primate species, and to assess the trade in species of conservation concern. The authors conducted interviews with 95 animal-based medicine traders in six main cities of southern Benin. To estimate the use value and fidelity level of the different primate species and their products, the authors asked questions related to their origin and their uses. Eleven primate species were recorded at the animal-based medicine markets in southern Benin. Two species: Gorillas (Gorilla sp) and Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) were not expected to be available on the markets, as these species do not occur in Benin. The following species were the most abundant primates on display, being offered for sale by more than 50% of traders: Grivet (Chlorocebus aethiops), Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus patas), Mona Monkey (Cercopithecus mona), Olive Baboon (Papio Anubis) and Senegal Bushbaby (Galago senegalensis). The use value of primate species for zoo-therapeutic resources ranged from 0.04 to 0.57. The species with the highest use value were: Ursine Colobus Colobus vellerosus (0.57), Chlorocebus aethiops (0.35), Olive Colobus Procolobus verus (0.28) and Erythrocebus patas (0.21). The main origin of the primate products displayed in the markets was Nigeria, but several countries of West and Central Africa also trade in primate products. All species had both medicinal and magical values. However their use for magical purposes dominated.

Regional golden monkey conservation action plan D. Tuyisingize1,2, C. Cipolleta3, W. Eckardt1, D. Caillaud4, T.S. Stoinski1, B. Kaplin2 1

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund; Center of Excellence in Biodiversity & Natural Resource Management, University of Rwanda; 3 National Geographic Society; 4 University of California Davis 2

The golden monkey (Cercopithecus mitis kandti) is an endangered subspecies found only in the two small populations in the central part of the Albertine Rift region. Since the 1960s, the golden monkey habitat has been reduced by approximately 50% in the Volcanoes National Park (VNP) and by a staggering 98% in the Gishwati forest, where remnant golden monkeys can be found in Rwanda. Recent surveys in VNP and Gishwati forest estimated 3,318 individuals. While current population trends of this monkey species remain unclear, low individual density was related to high human disturbances which led to habitat destruction and loss. As a result, a regional conservation action plan was developed using a participatory approach including conservationists, park managers, researchers, and local communities from the three countries with golden monkeys

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(Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo) to address current threats of golden monkey populations.

Stakeholders were identified and brought together in two separate 2-day workshops. Existing data on distribution, ecology, population size, conflicts with local communities, illegal human activities, as well as conservation opportunities, were shared and used to create a joint vision with an associated set of concrete actions. The vision, agreed upon by all stakeholders, was to have a â&#x20AC;&#x153;viable golden monkey populations thrive across their range by 2025â&#x20AC;?. Concrete goals included: 1) stabilize the golden monkey population, 2) halt the ongoing loss, fragmentation, and degradation of its habitats, 3) restore previously degraded habitats, and 4) develop sustainable golden monkey-centered tourism activities. Threats analysis was performed to rank and connect drivers of threats to golden monkey survival in each of the four protected areas where golden monkeys range. We also conducted a stakeholder analysis for each golden monkey site to identify each stakeholderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interests and activities, and their impact on the golden monkey conservation.

After, stakeholders set site-specific objectives with actions framed for a five-year conservation action plan, spanning 2020-2025, to achieve the defined goals and reverse the most severe threats to golden monkeys. As an immediate next step, we suggest to publish the conservation action plan with the IUCN Primate Specialist Group for distribution to governments and stakeholders, and for raising funds that support actions.

Creating Awareness on Bush Meat Crisis and its Effect on Primate Conservation in Uganda David Musingo and James Musinguzi Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) dmusingo@uwec/dmusingo@yahoo.com

Uganda is unrivaled in the number of primate species in comparison with other countries in Africa.

It is one of the countries with the highest concentration of primates in the world including species like the majestic Mountain gorillas and our closest relatives the chimpanzees. Despite Uganda having a high number of primates, bush meat crisis is one of the major threats racking havoc on primate population more especially in the areas outside the protected areas. Bush meat crisis is unsustainable over utilization of wild animals for meat. However, it should be noted that the habit of eating primates in Uganda is an alien culture and this is a new trend being influenced and perpetuated by non-Ugandans. The situation is exacerbated by porous borders, high influx of refugee into the country, high demand for proteins, commercialization of wildlife/ illegal trade, poverty and limited capacity to monitor. This paper will share the results of Conservation Education program on Bush meat crisis and its effect on conservation of primates being implemented by Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) in the communities neighboring Murchison Fall National Parks, Makanaga and Lutembe Wetland Ecosystems in Uganda. The objective of the program is; to create awareness of the effect of bush meat crisis on primate conservation in Uganda. The program involves conducting inventories, field visits, interviews, meetings and documentation. Through the program, Education, Information and Communication (EIC) materials like posters, Banners, bracelets, booklets, documentaries and website (bushmeatcrisisafrica.com) have been produce and used to sensitize and create awareness in the communities, schools and to the visitors at centre. The EIC materials provide information on bush meat crisis status, consequences, threats, tools, equipment used and positive conservation actions being undertaken.

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Funding Community Conservation Initiatives Through Green Value Chain Development David Osei WAPCA In-situ Projects Coordinator, Ghana, West African Primate Conservation Action (WAPCA) davidwapca@gmail.com

Most conservation initiatives have failed or collapsed due to inadequate sustainable funding and improper exit strategies by funding agencies. Projects fade out as soon as funding from donors stops coming in. In Ghana several Community Resource Management Areas (CREMA) have become dormant due to the absence of long term funding. The West African Primate Conservation Action (WAPCA) over the last two years has been implementing a project that aims at funding the Ankasa Tano CREMA on a long term self-sufficient basis. The project facilitates community and Private Sector partnership to develop the green value chains in organic coconut oil and organic cocoa. In this partnership, the community through the CREMA are building a coconut oil processing centre to provide organic coconut oil and organic coconut nuts to the Private Partner. The Private Partner in return provides training for the farmers and processors, takes them through the certification process, buys the organic coconut from the farmers at a good price with a premium and hire women to process the coconut into organic coconut oil. When the oil is sold as a fair trade product, it comes with a Fair For Life (FFL) Development Fund which is used to develop the communities. In addition a percentage of the organic premium is set aside to create a Conservation Fund. The Private Partner through the signing of a Conservation Agreement contributes as well to the Conservation Fund. This Conservation Fund will be managed by the CREMA to fund conservation activities within the communities. These activities will include Conservation Education, creation of community tree nurseries, reforestation projects, pay for activities of community forest patrol teams and also pay for CREMA meetings and workshops. By reducing the communities over dependence on the forest by providing them with sustainable livelihood through the Green Value Chain Development it makes a significant impact on the biodiversity, and the ongoing protection of the Endangered primates within the area.

The population and habitat of the Sclaterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monkey (Cercopithecus sclateri), in Itam Forest, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria E. A. Eniang1, V. E. Orok2 , G. N. Alawa3 1

Biodiversity Preservation Center (BPC), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria; Dept. of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State 3 Dept. of Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria 2

edemeniang@yahoo.com

A survey of the population and habitat of the endemic Sclaterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monkey (Cercopithecus sclateri), was carried out in June 2018 in Itam, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria to document the species threats and ecotourism potential. Four observers estimated the species population density, numbers of groups, group sizes and distribution in Itam forest. A perpendicular distance of 50 meters on each side of the trail was utilized and an average of 2-6 groups were monitored specifically based on estimated distances between sightings, rough group composition and simultaneous sightings by multiple parties in different areas thus providing a density estimate of 2.55 groups per Km2 or 12.7 individuals per Km2. One particular group that persistently foraged in the oil palm plantation had a group size of 18 individuals. Generally, the area has lost approximately 64% of its primary forests leaving only 36% in semi-isolated patches either existing as inaccessible swamps, sacred groves or stream-head (watersheds) where 2-3 foraging groups occasionally congregate during extreme weather events. We observed that the monkeys were being hunted in adjourning Ibiono Ibom community forests once they foraged outside Itam forest being that monkeys are considered sacred by Itam people who do not hunt or eat them but do tolerate their seasonal crop raiding.

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Moreover, the land-use pattern and intensity does not portend severe threat to the population of Sclater’s monkeys in the near future as the species are semi-habituated and always attract tourists to the community. Unfortunately, the increasing numbers of snares and traps set for other wildlife species often capture monkeys when they forage on the ground.

Sacred Forests of Dinaoudi and Grébouo 1 as refugia for threatened primates in Côte d’Ivoire E. Anderson Bitty1,2 Sery Gonedelé Bi2,3 and W. Scott McGraw2,4 1

Laboratoire de Zoologie et Biologie Animale (Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire), 2 Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, 3 Laboratoire de Génétique (Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire), 4 Department of Anthropology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (USA) andersonbitty@yahoo.fr

In terms of primate diversity, Côte d’Ivoire was one of Africa’s most species-rich countries.

However, many of the primates there are threatened by extinction due to hunting and habitat loss.

Beginning in 2006, we have been conducting reconnaissance surveys throughout Côte d’Ivoire to assess the distribution and abundance of higher primates. Using recce walks and line transect surveys, we assessed the status of primates and the extent of illegal activity (poaching, habitat loss) within over 23 forests. During surveys, we spent an average of 6.4 days and walked an average of 107.1 km within each forest. Our results indicate that approximately half the PAs visited including forest reserves and national parks, have lost their entire primate population and several of them no longer contain forests. In PAs still containing suitable habitat, several taxa are in need of immediate protection before they disappear. The White-thighed colobus monkey (Colobus vellerosus) is one of Côte d’Ivoire’s most threatened primates and our surveys indicate that it is now found in only four forests: Comoé National, Tanoé Forest, Dinaoudi sacred forest and Grebouo 1 sacred forest. At Dinaoudi and Grebouo 1, we located several groups ranging within the center of forests with average group sizes of 10 individuals. These forests contain other West African monkeys including Procolobus verus, Cercopithecus campbelli lowei, and Cercopithecus petaurista. Both forests are technically under religious protection but are increasingly threatened by poaching and illegal resource extraction. Urgent action is needed to curb hunting and habitat destruction within the sacred forests of Dinaoudi and Grébouo 1 before all primates within them are eliminated. These actions include providing conservation support to local the communities to improve the protection of the forests as well as the monkeys within these forests and launch sensitization to the folks around both forests.

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The Chances of Survival of Primates in Ghana’s Forest Reserves Edward Debrah Wiafe Presbyterian University College, Ghana, P. O. Box 393, Akuapem Akropong, Ghana edward.wiafe@presbyuniversity.edu.gh

In Ghana, most forest reserves are managed mainly for economic benefits of timber production, not for their animal species. This study examined the type, number and distribution pattern of diurnal primates that existed in three forest reserves: Cape Three Points (CTPFR) (51 km2), Atewa Range (ARFR) (232 km2) and Tano-Offin (TOFR) (402 km2). Transects were walked to identify and count primates and record anthropogenic factors affecting them. A total distance of 463km was surveyed in 565 hours. The encounter rates were estimated with Kilometric Index of Abundance. At CTPFR and ARFR, the following species were encountered: Cercopithecus lowei (0.05) Cercopithecus petaurista (0.04), Procolobus verus (0.01), Colobus vellerosus (0.012) and Cercocebus lunulatus (0.014). No primate species was encountered at TOFR, and no observation was made on the Procolobus waldroni, the Pan troglodytes verus and the Cercopithecus roloway.

The main anthropogenic activities in all the reserves included hunting (0.15); chainsaw lumbering (1.41); mining (0.13); farming (3.52); snaring (0.28) and empty shot-gun cartridges (2.40). All the primates encountered were not safe. If immediate action is not taken, they will soon be extirpated from the forest reserves.

Chimpanzee abundance, forest connectivity and human activity in Kom-Wum Forest Cameroon Fotang Chefor, Udo Bröring, Klaus Birkhofer Brandenburg University of Technology Cottus – Senftenberg, Germany fortangchefor@gmail.com

The Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) is the most threatened and least studied chimpanzee. We estimated its population and evaluated the effect of forest connectivity and human activity on the species abundance and distribution in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve and surrounding forests. Nest counts along line transects, direct observation and wildlife camera trapping were employed. We surveyed 23 transects of 2-km long each. Of those transects, we surveyed 13 transects 5 times and 10 transects once, giving a total survey effort of 150 km. In total, we counted 271 nests along the line transects. Chimpanzee densities were estimated at 0.9 individuals for distance sampling, 0.5 individuals for standing crop nest counts and 0.3 individuals for mark nest analyses per km2. We estimated a Relative Abundance Index (RAI) of 0.1 individuals from camera trapping. A density of 0.2 chimpanzees per km2 was estimated through direct observation of 17 chimpanzees within 80 km2 of forest. Extrapolating these estimates of chimpanzee densities to the total forest area of the study zone provided a population size of 8 to 72 chimpanzees depending on the estimation method used. In total, 405 signs of chimpanzee and 286 signs of human activity were recorded along transects, resulting in mean encounter rates of 2.7 and 1.9 signs per km for chimpanzees and human signs, respectively. Encounter rates for chimpanzee signs were significantly higher in connected (3.6±2.3) forest fragment than in isolated fragments (0.7±0.5), (P=0.002). Encounter rates for signs of human activity were significantly higher in isolated forest fragments (6.9±5.4) compared to connected fragments (0.6±0.8), (P=0.003). Hunting, logging and collection of non-timber forest products significantly affected the abundance and distribution of chimpanzees (p<0001). Hunting was the most frequent human activity with a mean encounter rate of 0.9 signs per km. We recommend involving local human communities in bio-monitoring and direct law enforcement activities such as regular ground-based anti-poaching patrols within and around the reserve. Providing incentives to local community 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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members to generate alternative livelihood activities such as beekeeping, piggery and poultry farming may reduce the pressure on forest resources. We propose promotion of conservation education to discourage bushmeat utilisation and maintaining continuous forest through reforestation of degraded areas.

Assessment of the Non- Human Primate Species Occuring in the Illegal Wildlife Markets of Rivers State, Nigeria: Implications for Conservation G. N. Alawa1*& E. A. Eniang2 1

Dept. of Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria nyimagracea@yahoo.com 2

Biodiversity Preservation Center (BPC), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

edemeniang@yahoo.com

We conducted an assessment of the non-human primate species occurring in the illegal wildlife markets within Rivers state, Nigeria from July 2018- April 2019. An undercover market survey of the illegal markets were carried out using direct observation and informal methods including posing as potential buyers and infiltration of clandestine markets. This survey was carried out to document the illegal trade in primates which is becoming popular, after the demise of PANDRILLUS and CERCOPAN a fluorishing trade of primates emerged in Southern Nigeria.

The objective was to check the primate species occurring in the market. The diversity of primate species found in trade at the wildlife markets of Rivers State, included live animals (3Mona monkeys Cercopithecus mona , 8 Patas monkey Erythrocebus patas and 12 olive baboons Papio anubis) were seen at these markets. Questioning of the sellers reveal that their sources vary; both within Rivers state, outside the State and outside Nigeria. The traders claimed that they had no other means of livelihood and that the animals are traded to meet economic gains, social, cultural and traditional medicinal demands amongst other purposes. The threats to their health and that of humans during transportation and when they are brought to the markets pose a real human health challenge. Despite their position on the IUCN Red list, as least concern, and in Appendix II of CITES respectively, the trade has its dangers to all primates. This study confirms that 9 out of 11 known primate species of Southern Nigeria are traded as pets, bushmeat, and trado-medicinal purposes in 3 wildlife markets in Rivers State. The commercial value of each monkey is too high and accelerates profiteering which is more than two months salary of a minimum earner. This trend could lead to eventual extirpation of the primates. The severity of the trade and decline in the populations of most primates in their natural habitat gives rise to a need to monitor the volume of the trade and its impacts on the primate populations to avoid their probable local extinctions.

Mitigating impacts of industrial development projects on primates Geneviève Campbell The Biodiversity Consultancy genevieve.campbell@thebiodiversityconsultancy.com

Current and planned industrial development projects (e.g. infrastructure development, mining, hydroelectric dam) overlap with the distributional range of many threatened African primate species living in protected and non-protected areas. Negative impacts from these projects need to be mitigated effectively to prevent an accelerated decline in African primate populations. The objectives of this presentation are to: 1) summarize potential negative impacts of such projects on primates; 2) present existing best practice standards that can be used to mitigate impacts (e.g. the mitigation hierarchy, which consists of following these sequential steps: avoidance, minimisation,

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restoration, offset); and 3) provide means by which researchers and conservationists can help improve positive outcomes for primates (e.g. studying behavioural responses of primates to project impacts, identifying priority primate populations). The discussion will be supported by examples and one case study where non-invasive genetic surveys were used to inform mitigation for Western Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) present within a mining concession in Guinea.

Application of SMART Solutions to Habituation of Buraiga Chimpanzee Community: Kibale National Park Experience, Uganda Guma Nelson, Balyesiima Godfrey and Agaba Hillary Uganda Wildlife Authority nelson.guma@ugandawildlife.org

Chimpanzee tracking is the principal tourism activity in Kibale National Park. It is mainly undertaken with the Kanyantale chimpanzee community whose habituation started in 1991 and lasted six years to be completed. Due to growing tourist numbers, the habituation of a second chimpanzee community named Buraiga, was started in 2008. After eight years of habituation, there was little success made. One of the major challenges was poor collection and management of paper-based data. With inadequate information, monitoring and evaluation of the exercise and subsequent planning and decision making were a challenge. To address the gap, management moved to use Smartphone applications for collecting and managing data. We show that data collection using Smartphones can expedite primate habituation by supporting timely information.

The Open Data Kit (ODK) Collect application, a free and open source software, was downloaded from Goople Play and installed on smart phones. A data collection form was designed in Microsoft Excel, converted to an ODK Collect readable format and uploaded to a cloud server from where it was downloaded into the Smartphones ready to be used for data collection. Data collected by the Smartphones was downloaded to a computer using the software ODK Briefcase.

Data on time, location, demographics and behavior of the chimpanzees was collected. QGIS and MS Excel were used for spatial and descriptive analysis respectively. In one and half years of ODK Collect, we know that the daily encounter rate is approximately 80% during seasons of high food availability and 60% during seasons of low food. The average contact time is approximately 4 hours per day. The approach distance is averagely 10 m on the ground and 15 m in trees. The average group size per sighting is approximately 10 individuals. Aggressive reactions towards observers have significantly declined to less than 10% of the time. According to spatial analysis, the central community is the one that is being followed consistently. In conclusion, improved data collection in the habituation exercise using SMART solutions has given management a better understanding of the ecology of the chimpanzee community. Strategies have been adapted and the results show clearly that the progress in habituation of this community is quite excellent.

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Conservation Technology and Policy Johannes Refisch Great Apes Survival Partnership, UN Environment, P.O. Box 30552, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia Johannes.Refisch@un.org

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) recently launched the comprehensive Global Assessment Report, which mentions great apes among the large, slowly reproducing species that are disappearing in many regions due to changes in land use, overexploitation of natural resources and climate change, among other factors. Advancing technology represents an unprecedented opportunity to enhance our capacity to conserve Earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primate diversity. However, this great potential is often not fully explored. I argue that unleashing the power of technology for conservation requires an internationally coordinated strategy, which connects the conservation community, information technologists and policy-makers. An international conservation technology entity could achieve its mission by: (i) providing international leadership and coordination for conservation technology development, within the broader technological landscape; (ii) coordinating the delivery of the key services (knowledge clearing house, guidance and technical support) to cover identified needs in a systematic way and (iii) developing institutional links with global policy institutions to provide strategic advice regarding conservation technology. This proposed entity could take the shape of an international alliance of conservations institutions or a formal intergovernmental institution.

This concept is inspired by the structure of the Technology Mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Created to enhance climate technology development and transfer information, methods and tools to developing countries. The policy arm of the institution would explore how technology can support the discussions under the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), an intergovernmental body created to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services. By enhancing on-the-ground management, research and monitoring efforts, improved conservation technology, coupled with wider availability and uptake of such technology, will contribute to fulfilling obligations under international policy such as the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 (Convention on Biological Diversity 2010), the United Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sustainable Development Goals (UN 2015), the Aichi biodiversity targets, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. This presentation will highlight some concrete examples where the effective deployment of technical approaches and innovative methods for data collection, storage and analysis have supported policy-makers to take informed decisions for climate and biodiversity action.

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Habitat suitability modeling for sustainable conservation of the endangered red colobus in lower Tana River Delta, Kenya Johnstone Kimanzi, Jennifer Wanyingi & Nicholas Amuyunzu Department of Wildlife Management, School of Natural Resource Management, University of Eldoret, P. O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya; Corresponding Authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Email: kimanzijo@gmail.com

Tana River red colobus (Piliocolobus rufomitratus, funs 1879) is an endangered primate species endemic in 34 patches of fragmented forest that stretches 60 km from Kipende to Mitipani in the lower Tana River delta in Kenya. Despite various conservation efforts and measures on these fragments, red colobus still face diverse anthropogenic threats, yet a new group of red colobus that was discovered in a communally owned land 70km away from their already known range is thriving well. This study sought to determine if the area between the newly identified group and the known range is suitable for red colobus and come up with ways of promoting contiguous suitable habitat for the red colobus meta-populations in tana delta. Data were collected by mapping bio-geophysical features (vegetation, surface water, roads, settlements and slope) using GIS techniques and recording red colobus movement via ground tracking. Bio-geophysical maps were prepared in ILWIS software and habitat suitability map determined using Logistic regression models. Results showed that red colobus prefers habitats in forests, near surface water, far away from settlements and roads. Most of the area between the newly identified group and the known range is not suitable for the red colobus. The factors contributing to the degradation of the red colobus habitat in this area include: harvesting of trees, charcoal production, fire, abstracting river water for agriculture, infrastructure development and changing river course. The following strategies have been identified for improving the habitat suitability: reforestation of indigenous trees; zonation for different land uses and establishing alternative livelihood projects such as management of stocking levels of drought-resistant mixed livestock breeds, growing of drought resistant crops, bee keeping, growing of medicinal plants and harvesting water for agriculture. If the government and non-governmental conservation bodies work together with local communities on these intervention strategies, there is great possibility of creating a contiguous suitable habitat for all red colobus groups in Tana River delta and thus boost their population and avoid extinction of this endemic and endangered species.

Bonobo Assessment in the Lomami National Park (LNP) and Buffer Zone (BZ): A tool to support evaluation of conservation effort Junior Amboko, John Hart, David Fasbender, Terese Hart, Koko Bisimwa, Jo Thompson, Matthieu Mirambo Frankfurt Zoological Society TL2 project, Democratic Republic of Congo ambokojunior0@gmail.com

Bonobos are an iconic species of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), not found in any other country. Within DRC, the Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba landscape is home to large portion of DRCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bonobos many of which are found within the Lomami National Park, one of two national parks with bonobos (with Salonga NP). Bonobos are completely protected by the laws of the DR Congo. The IUCN Red List classifies bonobos as an endangered species (EN), with conservative population estimates ranging from 15,000 to 50,000 individuals. Major threats to bonobo populations include habitat loss and illegal hunting for bush meat. In the past, conservation focused on protected areas (parks, reserves, etc.). Communities and zones surrounding protected areas were neglected by conservationists. In the past few decades, responding to problems caused

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by the exclusion of local communities, conservation has increasingly integrated development and social status improvement of locals. Conservationists have understood that success in protecting wildlife requires the commitment of local communities. All hunting is illegal in the Lomami National Park and this is well-enforced. However, the surrounding buffer zone is open access to the use of communities for any kinds of activities (hunting, fishing, agriculture) and hunting of endangered species like bonobos is not monitored or well-enforced. Even though bonobo hunting is illegal we hypothesize that bonobo abundance is higher in the park than the buffer zone due to enforcement differences. The gradient is expected to be even starker for other primates given that most can be legally hunted in the buffer zone. To test these predictions, our surveys compare bonobo and other primate abundance between the park and buffer zone. Three transect networks (3 blocks) were established in the South of the Lomami National Park and three blocks in the Southern buffer zone. Bonobo abundance is estimated with marked counts and primate calls and signs are recorded. The goal is to estimate the bonobo density in those two zones (park and buffer zone) comparing blocks from each zone with similar habitats. Our prediction is that the bonobo density will be higher in the park then in the buffer zone. Results will be used by outreach teams to improve the education of local communities about the importance of measures to protect TL2 primates.

Conflits homme-primate à la périphérie de la Forêt des Marais Tanoé-Ehy au sud-est de la Côte d’Ivoire, quelle (s) méthode (s) pour une gestion durable de ce type de conflits?

Kouao, M.L1,2, Béné, K J-C3 & Koné, I1,2 Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, 01 B.P. 1303 Abidjan 01, Km 17, Côte d’Ivoire; UFR-Biosciences, Université de Cocody; 22 B.P. 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire; 3 UFR- Environnement, Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire, BP 150 Daloa 1 2

martlydi@yahoo.fr

Les conflits hommes-primates surviennent généralement quand l’homme et les primates partagent le même espace pour les ressources alimentaires. Ce type de conflit se traduit le plus souvent par des pertes de cultures chez l’humain, des pertes d’individus et d’habitats en ce qui concerne les primates. De tels conflits existent autour de la forêt des Marais Tanoé-Ehy (FMTE) située à l’est de la Côte d’Ivoire. Cette étude menée autour de la Forêt des Marais Tanoé-Ehy, a eu pour objectif de déterminer l’ampleur des dégâts provoqués par les primates sur les cultures et les méthodes utilisées pour lutter contre les incursions des primates dans les champs. Des enquêtes ont été menées dans 103 ménages de quatre villages environnants la FMTE suivies d’observations directes dans 35 parcelles de cultures. Nos résultats ont montré que les pertes se résument en la consommation des plants de manioc et de maïs allant de 0,214 à 0,5 ha. Les observations menées, ont montrées que les espèces de primates impliquées dans ces pertes sont Cercopithecus petaurista, C. lowei and C. roloway. Les méthodes adoptées par les paysans pour protéger leurs biens vont des méthodes conventionnelles telles que les épouvantails, la surveillance sans fusils aux non conventionnelles parmi lesquelles on note, la surveillance avec fusils et l’abattage des arbres. Pour les n=35 parcelles prospectées, nous avons noté n=12 (34%) parcelles surveillées sans indices de cartouches, n=35 (100%) parcelles avec épouvantails et entretenues, n=2 (6%) parcelles surveillées avec présence de cartouches et n=22 (63%) parcelles autour desquelles les grands arbres ont été abattus. Après évaluation de l’efficacité de ces méthodes pratiquées, nous n’avons pas relevé de pertes de cultures sur n=2 (100%) des parcelles surveillées avec présence de cartouches. Nous n’avons également pas relevé de pertes sur n=2 (17%) des parcelles surveillées sans présence de cartouches et sur n=2 (9%) des parcelles autour desquelles les grands arbres ont été abattus. De ce qui précède, nous souhaiterions que les planteurs optent pour une méthode

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conventionnelle à savoir, la surveillance de leurs cultures sans fusils pour éviter l’extinction de certaines de ces espèces de Primates déjà En Danger.

The relevance of ex situ conservation to the conservation of primates Mirembe Dan Uganda Wildlife Conservation and Education Center, Entebbe mirembedan@gmail.com

The rate at which the habitat for primates is being destroyed is very alarming; the depletion and fragmentation of their habitats is the biggest threat to the survival of primates. We lose one hectare of forest in every one minute according to the bio-carbon engineers from the University of California annually. Uganda is one of the countries that has the greatest number of refugees that are around 1.2 million people whereby they are settled in areas in proximity to the protected areas, according to the environmental impact assessment that was carried out in these areas early this year they found out that 58% of the vegetation cover has been destroyed by the refugees coupled with other factors like having primates as pets in the western world as well as the bush meat crisis, this continue to put the survival of primates at a stake and making them highly susceptible to extinction. This presentation is meant to give an over view of how exsitu conservation facilities are very relevant to the conservation of primates in Africa as the facts that have been derived from other facilities globally testifies. Exsitu conservation facilities are the most publicly visited conservation sites, estimating that the 1100 organized zoos in the world receive more than 600 million visitors annually. Globally there is an estimated total of 2,107 aquaria and zoos in 125 countries, this offers a very good platform to create awareness and conservation education about the primates as well as restore and revitalize dysfunctional ecosystems, enhance and support biodiversity in natural state, human harmoniously living with nature, regulate poaching and illicit trade of wildlife, create a sense of ownership of biodiversity, embrace conservation values, enactment and implementation of laws and policies that regulate illicit wildlife practices. The need for establishment of more exsitu conservation facilities in Africa is an appropriate alternative for the conservation of primates.

Assessing the distribution and habitat use of chimpanzees in the corridor forests located between Budongo and Bugoma Forest reserves in the Murchison- Semliki LandscapeMSREDD+ S. Nampindo, S. Ayebare, P. Kihumuro & M. Leal Wildlife Conservation Society, Uganda Program, Plot 802, Kiwafu Road Kasanga P.O.Box 7487, Kampala

snampindo@wcs.org This study presents the findings of a chimp survey (2017) conducted in the forest fragments located within Hoima district in the Murchison – Semliki landscape under the Murchison-Semliki REDD+ (MSREDD+) project. A total of 209 chimp nests were observed during the survey with an average encounter rate of 0.76 nests per km per parish. Chimp nests were observed in 11 (Birungu, Budaka, Bulimya, Bulindi, Igwanjura, Katanga, Kibanjwa, Kibugubya, Kiragura, Kiryangobe, Munteme) of the 25 parishes that were surveyed. The highest number of chimp nests (91) were observed in Kibugubya parish with an encounter rate of 8.5 nests per km walked, followed by Bulindi (27) with an encounter rate of 4.8 nests per km walked, Kibanjwa (24) with an encounter rate of 0.92 nests per km walked, Munteme (21) with 0.68 nests per km walked.

Other primates that were observed in the corridor forests are Uganda Mangabey (Lophocebus ugandae), Blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis), Baboon (Papio anubis), Black & white colobus 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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(Colobus guereza), Red tailed monkey (Cercopithecus Ascanius) and vervet monkey (Chlorocebus tantalus). The Uganda mangabey, an endemic species to Uganda was observed in nine of the twenty five parishes that were surveyed and the blue monkey was only observed in the parish of Bulyango. Black & white colobus, red-tailed monkey and vervet monkey were generally common throughout the survey area while the Baboon was observed in six of the twenty five parishes observed. The results of the survey indicate that the forest fragments between Bugoma and Budongo Forest reserves are providing connectivity for the movement of chimpanzee and other primate species in the landscape. The number of chimpanzee nest counts showed stabilized populations over three years of the MSREDD+ project time frame compared to previous survey results in the landscape. However there is still tremendous pressure (43% of the recce walks were in modified habitat) on corridor forests due to conversion to agriculture. To maintain the functionality of the forest fragments as corridors for chimps and other primates, and increase resilience to climate change in the landscape in the long term, there is need to continue engaging the local governments and communities on reforestation of river banks, conservation farming and agribusiness.

Conservation challenge of Cercocebus lunulatus, a Critically Endangered Species in Comoe National Park, Côte d’Ivoire Karim Ouattara1,2, Juan Lapuente 3,4, Tchinyo Coulibaly1,2, Inza Kone1,2 Université Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, Côte d’Ivoire 3 Würzburg Tierökologie und Tropenbiologie, Germany 4 Comoé Chimpanzee Conservation Project, Kakpin, Côte d’Ivoire 1 2

The white naped mangabey (Cercocebus lunulatus) is on the IUCN Red List of Critically Endangered Species and is endemic to 3 countries in West Africa. To date, while there are conservation efforts in Ghana, there is no established conservation strategy for this species, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso. At the risk of seeing this species disappear in the near future, it is urgent to put in place a conservation strategy that integrates both specific protection policies and specific scientific information in order to better develop this conservation strategy. Even if we note in recent years that the OIPR, the managing institution, is taking over the park with monitoring actions that need additional support, it is necessary to highlight the lack of updated scientific data to develop a more effective protection strategy for the remaining populations in Côte d'Ivoire. It is with this in mind that we conducted the first preliminary studies after the 2011 military-political crisis in Côte d'Ivoire on the structure and distribution of the groups of Cercocebus lunulatus, and the characterization of the habitats they currently occupy. in the savannah-forest mosaic of the Comoé Park. Our first results show that groups have a high percentage of juveniles and groups are distributeded along, water courses mainly in gallery forests at Cynometra 33% followed by 25% deciduous forest galleries, although they also use extensively the forest islands, not linked to watercourses.. These results provide the base for a larger and more intensive study to provide updated scientific data for the development of a good conservation strategy.

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Monitoring as a Conservation Strategy to Study Population Dynamics of Endangered Mountain Gorillas Moses Akantorana, Xavier Pedrol Medialdea, Jack Richardson, Martha M. Robbins Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology mosesakan@gmail.com

Analysis of long-term demographic data on endangered species helps us understand their population dynamics and monitor the impact of conservation strategies. Since the early 1990s, between 2 and 19 groups of Mt. Gorillas have been habituated for tourism and/or research in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. The Gorilla Identification and Demography Project (GIDD) is a collaboration among stakeholders that aim at utilizing information gained from monitoring the demographic events in those gorilla groups (births, deaths, and dispersals). The main goals of GIDD are to ensure that all habituated gorillas can be identified and accounted for

by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) staff and to maintain a demographic database. Specific activities include field visits to ensure staff are accurately identifying the gorillas, liaising with senior park staff, conducting regular meetings with park staff and stakeholders, and compiling data on changes in composition of the gorilla groups. Specific training of park staff includes gorilla identification, sexing, naming of individuals, and estimation of age categories. We create posters and booklets to facilitate the staff’s ability to learn more about the gorillas. The demographic database enabled us to calculate demographic variables such as birth rates, interbirth intervals, mortality rates, dispersal patterns, and the population structure. Such information is valuable for understanding the variability of life history patterns in gorillas and for monitoring the growth patterns of the Bwindi gorilla population. This project serves as an example of how stakeholders with differing focuses can collaborate to conduct life history researches and evidence-based conservation management.

Conservation des primates dans des zones non protégées dans le Bassin du Congo N’Goran Kouamé Paul1 , Le-Duc Yeno Stéphane, Allam Anthelme 1

WWF Regional Office for Africa-Yaoundé Hub, BP 6776 Yaoundé, Cameroon.PNgogran@wwfafrica.org 2 WWF Gabon Country Programme Office, BP 9144 Libreville, Gabon.

SLeducyeno@wwfgab.org, AAllam@wwfgab.org

Le Bassin du Congo, reconnu pour sa grande diversité biologique, abrite encore des populations importantes de plus de 30 espèces de primates. Une grande partie de ces populations vit en dehors des aires protégées où la perte des habitats et la chasse de sont de plus en plus croissantes. En effet, des inventaires fauniques récents menés par le WWF sur près de 6 millions d’hectares dans les paysages transfrontaliers TRIDOM (Tri-national de Dja-Odzala-Minkébé) et TNS (Tri-National de la Sangha), révèlent une densité moyenne de 1 individu sevré /km² de grands singes, aussi bien dans les aires protégées qu’à l’extérieur. Dans l’Espace TRIDOM Interzone Congo (ETIC) et dans le segment TRIDOM du Gabon, le WWF a réalisé des inventaires additionnels par la méthode Distance Sampling (technique de transects linéaires), en 2017 et 2018, dans le cadre de son programme visant à sauvegarder les espèces et leur habitat, et à assurer la connectivité écologique entre les aires protégées du TRIDOM. Les inventaires réalisés dans 5 sites ont permis d’estimer la densité des grands singes (chimpanzés et gorilles) à 0,96 [0,78 – 1,18] individu sevré/km² et de confirmer la présence de 8 espèces de petits primates sur une superficie de 1,369 million d’hectares. Il ressort également que, bien que les pressions humaines soient plus élevées dans la zone ETIC (2,82 indice humain/km) que dans le TRIDOM-Gabon (0,68 indice humain/km), la densité des grands singes dans la zone ETIC (1,16 [0,95 – 1,41] individu sevré/km²) est près de 5

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fois supérieure à celle du TRIDOM Gabon (0,24 [0,15 – 0,37] individu sevré/km²). L’analyse des facteurs influençant la densité et la distribution spatiale des primates montre que la proximité des routes et des villages, ainsi que les activités humaines à l’intérieur des sites, représentent des facteurs clés à effets négatifs. Malgré les différentes pressions humaines, un potentiel faunique constitué de fortes densités de primates reste à protéger. Il est donc important que les efforts du WWF pour la création d’aires protégées et pour la garantie d’une gestion durable des sites par les concessionnaires miniers et forestiers de la zone, soient soutenues.

Perceptions of Hunting, Crop Damage and Conservation of White Throated Monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster) in Communities around Okomu National Park, Nigeria Ojo, V. A., 1* Ayodele, I. A.2 and Akinyemi, A. F. 2 Ogunjemite B. G.3 and Orimaye J.O.4 1

Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism, University of Ibadan, Nigeria 3 Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria 4 Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria 2

biodunojo@gmail.com

The White Throated Monkey (WTM) populations are faced with threats all over their range, due to various anthropogenic activities. Okomu National Park (ONP) in Nigeria reported as the best location for its conservation within its natural range is a good location to assess residents’ attitudes to hunting, consumption, crop damage and conservation efforts of stakeholders. Multistage random sampling technique was used to administer a set of questionnaire on 177 respondents in 4 out of the 17 communities surrounding ONP. Majority (58.8%) of respondents were farmers.

45.2% earned monthly income of £138.89 - £277.78. While most respondents (81.36%) knew a neighbor who hunted WTM, 67.8% hunted within their farms, which were mostly located 5001000m to ONP boundary, 63.2% of respondents hunt throughout the year; however 96.5% were aware of laws prohibiting hunting of WTM. Park Activities (68.1%) was the most common source of information on these laws. Most respondents (84.7%) were willing to stop hunting WTM, though 65% of them consumed WTM, while its preference over other meats was low at 14.8%.

Perception of WTM as a major pest of farm produce was high at 75.1% and notable was banana/plantain (46.3%). Respondents were of the opinion that the efforts of individuals (62.2%); communities (89.3%) and ONP Management (63.8%) at conserving WTM were adequate. Finding suggests that hunting and consumption of white throated monkey was high around Okomu National Park but that many of the residents were willing to stop hunting the species.

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Habitat Structure of the Red cap Mangabey Community in Omo Biosphere reserve and Idanre Forest reserve, Southwest Nigeria Orimaye Jacob Oluwafemi1, Ojo Victor Abiodun2 and Azeez Olakunle Kazeem3 1

Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti. Nigeria.

Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri. Nigeria 3 Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure. Nigeria.

2

jacob.orimaye@eksu.edu.ng

The habitat structure of Red-cap Mangabey communities was studied in two states in the Southwest Nigeria using the Point-Center Quadrat (PCQ) method to assess vegetation structure in the two sites. Data collected were analysed for various parameters using PAST Version 3â&#x201E;˘ model and đ??žđ?&#x2018;&#x153;đ?&#x2018;&#x2122;đ?&#x2018;&#x161;đ?&#x2018;&#x153;đ?&#x2018;&#x201D;đ?&#x2018;&#x153;đ?&#x2018;&#x;đ?&#x2018;&#x153;đ?&#x2018;Ł đ?&#x2018;&#x2020;đ?&#x2018;&#x161;đ?&#x2018;&#x2013;đ?&#x2018;&#x;đ?&#x2018;&#x203A;đ?&#x2018;&#x153;đ?&#x2018;Ł đ?&#x2018;Ąđ?&#x2018;&#x2019;đ?&#x2018; đ?&#x2018;Ą was used to test the significance of the mean data between the two sites. The results shows that 94 species of plants in 44 families were recorded in both Omo Biosphere reserve (OBR) and Idanre Forest reserve (IFR). Forty nine species in 23 families were recorded in OBR while 45 plant species in 21 families were enumerated in IFR, Southwest Nigeria.

Seventy eight (83%) tree species were common to the two sites, some of which include Antiaris africana, Chrisophyllum albidum, Cola gigantae, Funtumia elastica and Irvingia gaboneensis while twenty (62%) families were common to both sites. However, the family Moraceae (Astoni bonei, Ficus asperifolia, Ficus thonnngii, Ficus exasperate), Apocynaceae (Astonia boonei), Sterculiaceae (Cola acuminate, Cola gigantae), Anacardiaceae (Spondia mombin), Annonaceae (Monodora myristical) and Fabaceae (Bligia saphidai) are important to Red cap Mangabey in the two sites. Trees in the middle layer (â&#x2030;Ľ 13 đ?&#x2018;&#x161; â&#x2030;¤ 21 đ?&#x2018;&#x161;) were the most abundant in the two study areas. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) was higher (61 cm) in OBR compare to IFR with 45 cm with no significant difference (pâ&#x2030;Ľ 0.01; đ??žđ?&#x2018;&#x153;đ?&#x2018;&#x2122;đ?&#x2018;&#x161;đ?&#x2018;&#x153;đ?&#x2018;&#x201D;đ?&#x2018;&#x153;đ?&#x2018;&#x;đ?&#x2018;&#x153;đ?&#x2018;Ł đ?&#x2018;&#x2020;đ?&#x2018;&#x161;đ?&#x2018;&#x2013;đ?&#x2018;&#x;đ?&#x2018;&#x203A;đ?&#x2018;&#x153;đ?&#x2018;Ł đ?&#x2018;Ąđ?&#x2018;&#x2019;đ?&#x2018; đ?&#x2018;Ą = 0.003) in their diameters. These results suggest that there are key families of plant species that are very important in red cap mangabey in southwest Nigeria. There are also indications that vertical stratification of plants might be an area of concern in the management of Red-cap Mangabey habitats in Nigeria.

It is therefore recommended that the key tree species that are very important in the habitat of red capped mangabey be protected from illegal felling for the continuous survival of the animal in the region.

Community-based conservation for the protection of critically endangered Prolemur simus in Vohitrarivo, Madagascar.

Rakotoarinivo Toky Hery 1-2 ; Razafindramanana Josia2-3; Rabeony Fenomanantsoa Noella1; Rakotonandrasana Ndimbisoa1 Roullet Delphine 4 1

Impact Madagascar Groupe dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Etude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar (GERP) 3 Mention ADD, Faculty of Sciences, University of Antananarivo 4 Association Française pour la Sauvegarde de Grand HapalĂŠmur (AFSGP/HELPSIMUS) 2

tokyhery10@yahoo.fr

The sustainable management of natural resources can be entrusted to local communities, according to the national laws in Madagascar. The creation of a community-based association for conservation management, also called VOI, constitutes the first action that leads to the protection for both lemurs and their habitat. Vohitrarivo Bamboo forest is located on the peripheral zones of the Ranomafana National parks, and harbours a great population of critically endangered of greater bamboo lemurs (Prolemur simus). To ensure a long-term protection of the forest, it is vital to fully integrate the communities in the management of the area. Therefore, several steps were followed : awareness campaign of the local population to take ownership of the natural resource

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management; creation of a local community conservation association with a management committee ; organize the local management with the Forestry Agency; delineation and inventory of the natural resources; establishment and validation of management tools including management plan, local contract (Dina), and annual workplan. The local management transfer in Vohitrarivo, located at 4 km from the eastern boundary of the Ranomafana National Park, was formalized in 2016, covering the home range of six groups of greater bamboo lemur. A surveillance programme was put in place for patrols of the area. A promotion of income generating activities was implemented for the communities. As results, more than 180 days of patrols were carried out on yearly basis, the number of greater bamboo lemurs increased from 179 in 2016 to 198 in 2017, and 240 in 2018. A net reduction up to 90% was recorded for threats. There is an evidence of forest regeneration in the conservation areas. With regards to improved livelihoods: there is an increase of rice production from 1.8 to 4.18 tonnes / ha from 2016 to 2018 from the improved rice cultivation programme. From 2017 to 2018: the households involved in the improved farming and agriculture increased from 44 to 97 families. Although this local management transfer is still in a 3-year trial, it is already recommended to consider the renewal of this programme with local communities.

Gestion communautaire des ressources naturelles pour la conservation des lémuriens dans la forêt d’Ankirihitra, Madagascar Rakotondrabe Andriamihaja Rado1,2, Razafindramanana Josia2,3 1

Impact Madagascar-Sifaka Conservation Groupe d'Etude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar ou GERP ; 3 Mention ADD, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo Madagascar 2

yazradhoo@hotmail.fr

La forêt d’Ankirihitra abrite plusieurs espèces de lémuriens dont Propithecus coronatus (EN), Eulemur rufus (VU) et Eulemur mongoz (CR). Les lémuriens sont confrontés à d’innombrables menaces pour satisfaire les besoins quotidiens des riveraines. Pour éviter à une éventuelle disparition de la forêt d’Ankirihitra et des lémuriens qu’elle abrite, la population riveraine a été responsabilisée. Depuis 2015, une collectivité de base (COBA), composée de la population locale, a été créée à Ankirihitra, à laquelle, la gestion des ressources naturelles a été confiée. Cette gestion localisée à vocation conservation, est ténue au respect d’un contrat de gestion, d’un cahier de charge et d’un pacte social (appelé Dina). A travers un plan d’aménagement, le terroir géré par la COBA (2592 hectares) est subdivisé en différentes zones, ce qui permet de repartir de manière spécifique l’occupation et l’utilisation des ressources disponibles de chaque zone. Le programme Sifaka Conservation a développé conjointement avec la COBA, des activités de recherches sur les lémuriens, des suivis et patrouilles de l’habitat, des productions de plants en pépinière, de la restauration forestière et des activités génératrices de revenus pour les riverains. Suite au suivi de la densité des lémuriens existantes, de la surface annuelle des forêts restaurés, de la fréquence des patrouilles périodiques effectués et aux nombres des ménages bénéficiaires du volet AGR, il a été démontré que les programmes de conservation ont apporté de la stabilité de la population des lémuriens dans le site, du renforcement de l’habitat des lémuriens, de la réduction des pressions dans la forêt, de l’élargissement des couvertures forestières et de l’amélioration de niveau de vie des ménages. La délégation de gestion des ressources naturelles à la COBA conduit à l’encouragement de la population locale dans la conservation du site. Apercevant les apports bénéfiques liés à leurs responsabilisations, une confiance mutuelle s’installe entre les riverains d’Ankirihitra et le programme – Sifaka Conservation. Ce modèle de gestion avec la communauté doit être renforcé dans la future pour une utilisation rationnelle et durable des ressources naturelle existantes.

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Etat de conservation des populations de grands singes dans le segment Cameroun du Trinational de la Sangha Zacharie Nzooh Dongmo1, Kouamé Paul N’Goran2, Brice Beukou2, Marius Sombambo2 1 2

WWF Cameroon Country Programme Office, BP 6776 Yaounde, Cameroun znzooh@wwfcam.org WWF Regional Office of Africa,

pngoran@wwfafrica.org; gbeukou@wwfcam.org & msombambo@wwfcam.org

Dans le segment Cameroun du paysage Tri-national de la Sangha (TNS), des inventaires de la population des grands singes (Gorille de plaine de l’ouest - Gorilla gorilla gorilla et Chimpanzé Pan troglodytes), ont été réalisés en 2015 et 2018. La zone concernée d’une superficie de 9348,84 km²est constituée de 8 strates, dont le Parc National de Lobéké (PNL) et 7 concessions forestières.

La méthode d’échantillonnage par la distance basée sur les transects linéaires, pour des efforts respectifs de 797 et 695 km, a permis d’estimer la densité des nids. Cette densité a été ensuite convertie en densité d’individus par l’application des taux de dégradation (obtenus dans la période d’inventaire) et de production des nids dans la zone. Il en ressort qu’en 2018, la densité des grands singes est estimée à 2,22 [1,87-2,63] individu/km², pour une population de 14992 [12628-17799] individus, constituée à 83,51 % de gorilles. La densité des gorilles est estimée à 1,85 [1,51-2,27] individu/km2, soit une population de 12520 [10209-15353] individus, tandis que les chimpanzés sont présents à une densité de 0,18 [0,12 - 0,25] individu/km2, correspondant à une population de 1188 [839-1682] individus. En 2015, cette densité des grands singes était estimée à 1,70 [1,362.09] individu/km2, pour une population de 11460 [9292-14133] individus. La densité des gorilles était de 1,57 [1,28-1,93] individu/km2, pour une population de 10609 [8624-13051] individus, tandis que celle des chimpanzés était de 0,19 [0,13-0,27] individu/km2, pour une population de 1293 [902-1852] individus. Sur les deux années, la densité des grands singes reste plus élevée dans les concessions forestières que dans le PNL alors que les chimpanzés sont plus abondants dans le PNL. L’évolution des densités de grands singes entre 2015 et 2018 montre une augmentation non significative de 29.41 % à l’échelle du paysage, et des augmentations significatives ou non dans 07 strates. Dans la région les grands singes ne sont pas principalement ciblés par le braconnage parce que les us et coutumes locaux proscrivent leur consommation.

Cependant la fragmentation de l’habitat affecte négativement cette population, et particulièrement les chimpanzés.

Effects of Gender inequality on Primates Conservation activities in south-eastern Nigeria V. E. Orok Dept. of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State victoriaorok24@gmail.com

The effects of gender inequality in primates conservation activities was purposively assessed within Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, south-eastern Nigeria using a set of 50 structured questionnaires, contact visits to Protected Areas, ex-situ facilities and research institutions from June 2017 - May 2018, specifically focusing on senior-level staff involved in primates conservation with a view to assessing gender perspectives in the profession. Gender based inequality and job perception of the value and attitudes towards primates’ based employment differed remarkably amongst different gender and age classes. The differences in perception and use of primates and other wildlife resources depended on level of conservation awareness, exposure and indigenous knowledge as well as perception of certain primates as totems, bushmeat or misconception of prosimians as non primates. The value and attitudinal differences towards primate species has led to avarice and division of labour based on sexual categorization in 67% of respondents and have a direct effect on Primate conservation as it also amplify women’s 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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attitudes and vulnerabilities to primate biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation in southeastern Nigeria. Since respondents perceived and used forests resources differently, they are bound to make varied negative impacts on primates. The respondents (88%) agreed that the trend has potentials to cause rapid primate population declines and biodiversity loss because women rank high in the value chain of illegal bushmeat trade and do face higher levels of vulnerability when faced with options leading to forest degradation and biodiversity loss. The risk of not taking gender into account in primate conservation can propagate uneven governance, poor benefits sharing, increased social inequalities and practically leads to unplanned negative impacts as well as marginalize participating women thereby reducing the efficiency of primate conservation initiatives. Our results show that women (22%) of respondents are disqualified from consultation processes, project designs and implementation of primate conservation programmes because of existing gender biased cultural norms regarding sex and age. The role of women in primates conservation cannot be over emphasised as women contribute immensely to forest conservation and they can provide valuable inputs in planning and implementation of primate conservation initiatives. Therefore, gender inequality should be discouraged when planning conservation projects targeted at non-human primates in Nigeria.

Bugoma Primate Conservation Project: Research and Conservation within the Bugoma Forest Reserve Catherine Hobaiter1,2 Quentin Gallot1, Iris Berger3, Dephine de Moor4, and Thibaud Gruber1,5 1

Bugoma Primate Conservation Project; Mwera, Hoima, Uganda. PO Box 362 Masindi School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, Scotland, KY16 9JP 3 Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK 4 Department of Behavioral Ecology, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology, Georg-August University of GĂśttingen, Kellnerweg 6, D-37077 GĂśttingen, Germany.

5 Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland 2

clh42@st-andrews.ac.uk

In 2015, in collaboration with the National Forestry Authority, we conducted an ecological survey and feasibility study exploring possible habituation of the chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) and grey-cheeked mangabeys (Lophocebus albigena) in the Bugoma Forest Reserve. Habituation activities started in 2016, and in 2019 we moved our project to a permanent field station at the Mwera site within the Bugoma Forest Reserve. Today, two chimpanzee communities (Mwera and Ndongo) and one mangabey group are under observation. Our staff conduct daily habituation work with the primates, as well as regular conservation work in collaboration with local communities and projects in the surrounding area. We have seen a decrease in illegal activity, including logging and hunting, within our area of work. In addition, we have initiated a successful conservation class program and a bore-hole repair project in collaboration with local communities, which decreases the need for water-collection from within the forest reserve. We recently conducted a chimpanzee food availability survey within the Mwera community range and compared it with that of two chimpanzee communities in the neighbouring Budongo Forest Reserve (Sonso and Waibira). The abundance of known feeding tree species was similar across all three communitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ranges; however, the biomass of these species was greater in Sonso than in Mwera or Waibira. Potential insect feeding species (termites and ants), were more abundant in Mwera and Waibira than in Sonso. We discuss the impact of both managed and illegal logging on food availability for chimpanzees in these two forest reserves, and describe our plans for long-term monitoring, research, and conservation activity at this site.

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Chimpanzee Conservation Challenges in the Vulnerable Ecosystem: Experience from Western Tanzania Kamenya S.M.; Mtiti, E. R.; Pintea, L. and Kohi, E. M The Jane Goodall Institute, P.O. Box 1182, Kigoma, Tanzania. skamenya@janegoodall.or.tz

Western Tanzania is home to about 2200 to 2500 (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) of which about 700-800 chimpanzees live in protected areas of Gombe National Park and Mahale Mountain National Park. Chimpanzee conservation efforts in Tanzania started when research started in those sites in 1960 by Dr. Goodall and in 1965 by Dr. Nishida respectively. Government took initiative to enhance chimpanzee conservation status in those locations by allowing researchers who conducted their research on; socio-ecology, socio-behavior, anthropological and physiological studies. The findings from researches made the government to declare Gombe and Mahale Mountains to national park status in 1968 and 1985 respectively. However, two thirds of chimpanzees of western Tanzania are found in vulnerable and insecure parts within Gombe Masito Ugalla Ecosytem/Greater Mahale Ecosystem and village land forest reserves. This paper discusses how livestock keeping and farming practices affect chimpanzee conservation in western Tanzania and link that to climate change impacts. The discussion will bring out information from previous studies on forest cover changes, socioeconomic trends, livestock and agricultural practices within the ecosystem and see how that negatively affect chimpanzees in the ecosystem. We discuss how human communities are vulnerable and impacted by climate change and the adaptation measures that can benefit human communities, chimpanzees and the habitat at large.

Long-Term Research Presence in a Tropical Rain Forest: Implications for Chimpanzee Conservation Samuel Angedakin Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutcher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany Makerere University Biological Field Station (MUBFS), Kibale National Park, P.O Box 409 Fort Portal, Uganda sangedakin@gmail.com

There is increasing evidence that long-term research presence promotes the protection of biodiversity in their neighborhoods. The mechanisms through which the long-term research presence effect reduces pressure on animal populations are (i) suppression of poaching and other illegal activities (ii) promoting positive attitudes toward protected areas by providing employment and other services for the local people. Kibale National Park in Uganda is a home to the largest known population of the endangered eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) and it is one of the sites with the most diverse primate population on the continent, harboring also two long-term research sites. From January 2016, I have been assessing the contribution of long-term research presence to chimpanzee conservation in the Park, using camera trapping technique and recce surveys. I recorded evidence of illegal activities from recce walks and during work on other research projects, e.g. camera trap maintenance or snare patrols specifically. My preliminary results show that in Kibale National Park, Uganda, snares are rarely found within proximity to the Research Stations. Over the past decade, snaring and other illegal activities within the chimpanzee study communities' home ranges have drastically been reduced in the Park, owing to high patrol effort and the presence of researchers, field assistants, and the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.

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influenced the activity of the poachers within the park and discuss preliminary results of my study and as well show the effectiveness of conservation interventions in Kibale National Park. The results from camera traps and recce surveys have shown that there is link between active research stations and illegal activities. The preliminary results indicate that researchers are a deterrent to poachers, because of the increasing encounter rate of illegal activities as you move away from the research stations and vice versa. Collectively, this provides evidence that presence of active research sites promotes conservation of chimpanzees and their habitats in Kibale National Park.

My results also reinforce the value of camera trap technology for research and conservation efforts.

Challenges for conservation of bonobos at Wamba, Luo Scientific Reserve, DR Congo Takeshi Furuichi1, Tetsuya Sakamaki1, Nahoko Tokuyama2, Aya Yokotsuka3, Naoki Matsuura4, Kazuya Toda1, Shintaro Ishizuka1, Takumasa Yokoyama1, Chie Hashimoto1 1

Kyoto University, Japan The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Japan; 3 Shizuoka University, Japan 2

furuichi.takeshi.7m@kyoto-u.ac.jp

Since we started research and conservation of bonobos at Wamba in 1973, status of bonobos and their habitat forest have experienced various stages. After war in Congo in particular, increased population, increased hunting camps, extension of agricultural field, and changes in people’s recognition of traditional taboos brought great threats to bonobos and other primates in and around Wamba. In this presentation, we will provide an overview of the history and current status of conservation of bonobos at Wamba, especially focusing on current challenges for developing community-based conservation.

The presence of Grauer's gorilla in local community forests, an asset or threat to its survival? Case study of the Nkuba Conservation Area in Walikale Territory, DR Congo Urbain Ngobobo –As- Ibungu1, Tara Stoinski Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International ungobobo@gorillafung.org

Grauer’s gorillas are among the world’s most endangered primates. Its distribution area is about 52,000 km2, 74% of which is located in local community forests. Despite all the conservation efforts made through the Kahuzi Biega National Park, Maiko National Park, Itombwe Nature Reserve, which together make up 14485Km2, only 600km2 are protected in the high altitude of the Kahuzi Biega National Park. The Grauer's gorilla population have declined in the 20 years from ~16900 in 1994 to ~3800 in 2015, 77% of loss in 20 years. In 2002, DFGFI extended Grauer's Gorilla conservation in the community forests. Most of the local community was reluctant to the conservation activities inside their forests. From the lesson learnt, In 2011, DFGFI changed it strategies and applied a model which could make local community more engaged. Initially, only three families agreed to conserve Grauer’s gorilla in their forest, wide of 700Km2. We hired local people to study gorilla presence, abundance, and distribution and continuously tracked a single Grauer’s gorilla group ranging at an altitude of 600m for over 6 years. We combined strategies including (i) Science, (ii) Protection, (iii) Capacity building and (iv) Community commitment, to ensure both (i) better protection of Grauer’s Gorilla and (ii) local Community wellbeing in order to raise their commitment. Where we work abundacy and distribution of the grauer’s gorilla and other large and small mammals increased than in the remaining forest (i) and the permanent and casual jobs created have boosted the local community. As consequence of that, the former reluctant families have jointed the conservation dynamic which led to the extension of the Nkuba 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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Conservation Area (NCA), from 700Km2 to 1300Km2. Integration of local community commitment and capacity building will help conservationists to model a conservation strategy in eastern Congo that are susceptible to host large Grauer’s gorilla populations and will help to protect Grauer’s gorilla outside the protected area. With local community engagement local community, the grauer’s gorilla can be better protected throughout its home range.

DR Congo’s primates: Conservation challenges and opportunities in a mega-diversity country John Hart1, Terese B Hart1, Kate M Detwiler2, Junior Amboko1, Koko Bisimwa1 Jo Thompson3 1

TL2 Project, Frankfurt Zoological Society, Kinshasa, DR Congo Department of Anthropology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA 3 Lukuru Foundation, Marion Ohio johnhartdrc@gmail.com 2

Forty of the 101 species and 58 of the 245 taxa (including species and subspecies) of African monkeys, galagos and pottos, evaluated at the IUCN Primate Specialist Group red list assessment in Rome in April 2016, occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). Twelve of these species and 22 of the combined species and subspecies are endemic or near endemic to the DR Congo (near endemics are defined as species having over 85 percent of current range in DR Congo).

We analyze distribution of DR Congo’s species and selected subspecies relative to existing protected areas, expanding agricultural frontiers, and extractive economic activity. Several taxa appear to include hybrid forms. At least three of DR Congo’s endemic species, and a number of its endemic subspecies are not currently known to occur in any protected area. DR Congo contains a number of large blocks of forest and ecotones that are little surveyed and where primate communities are poorly known. Recent research in the TL2 landscape, an area first surveyed little over a decade ago, has shown that cryptic, previously little known or even unknown species may be more widely distributed and abundant than previously thought.

Conservation of DR Congo’s primates in the upcoming decades must be accomplished in the face of human population growth and economic development. Conservation requires focused interventions applicable to specific socio-economic, political, and environmental contexts. These must be deployed even as the distribution and, in some cases, taxonomic identity of DR Congo’s primates remains in the stage of discovery.

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Distribution and abundance of nocturnal lemurs in Tampolo, littoral forest in Madagascar Rio Heriniaina1, Noelikanto Ramamonjisoa2 1

Ecole Normale Superieure, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar Nagoya University, Japan rioheriniaina@gmail.com 2

Understanding patterns in the distribution and the abundance of species is important in ecology and for the conservation. Few data has been conducted in the littoral forest on lemur densities in the eastern part of Madagascar. By using line transect distance sampling, we found that the population density of Eastern woolly lemur, Geoffroy's dwarf lemur and mouse lemurs were respectively 3.42 individual/km2 , 0.76 individual/km2 and 5.71 individual/km2 in Tampolo, a littoral and fragmented forest in the eastern coast of Madagascar. Habitat characteristics were described by using botanical plots and quadrats in each transect. Interestingly, only mouse lemurs was found affected by habitat structure. This results highlighted a parameter of viability of these species and it provided a crucial information about the current status of the species. Additionally, it will be a useful tool for implementing a new conservation strategy and management for the manager of the reserve in the future.

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Subtheme: Ecology and Behaviour

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Ethology and activity pattern of the Thomas’ galago (Galagoides thomasii): a preliminary study within the Lokoli swamp forest in Southern-Benin.

OLATOUNDJI Yves Adélani, HOUNGBEDJI Mariano Organisation pour le Développement Durable et la Biodiversité (ODDB ONG) Author’s contact: yolatoundji@gmail.com

Many species are still unknown in Benin, especially nocturnal mammals; as the country is crossed by the Dahomey Gap, a strip of forest-savanna mosaic that creates a boundary between the Upper and lower Guinean forest blocks. However, actualized data are still critically lacking on nocturnal primates. The main objective of the study was to gather information on Galagoides thomasii, its habitat use, activity budget and frequency in the Lokoli swamp forest. Data were collected from dusk to dawn. With overall 24 hours of survey’s effort, we collected 03 days of behavior and encounter rate data using the focal sampling method coupled with the recce survey. The focal sampling method was only used in both the degraded forest and the fallow; while the recce survey was used in the main forest. During the recce survey, we used a canoe to move slowly through the Lokoli swamp forest (at approximately 1 km/h) while scanning vegetation with battery-powered head torches. The recce survey’s effort was a total of 04 km. Moreover, Galagoides’s distinctive calls were recorded using tape recorder. In overall, we collected data on heights of initial sight, sleeping/feeding trees, tree parts used, tree’s diameter at breast height (dbh), activity pattern and moving mode. We found that the Thomas’ bushbabies spend most of their time foraging (50%) while they spend less time grooming (04%). We also estimated they spent 22% of their time exchanging calls, and 24% of it leaping. There was no significant relationship between the bush babies’ activities recorded and the habitats where they were found as P-value˃0,05. However, there is a significant relationship between habitat type and the trees parts used by bushbabies for their activity budget throughout the nights (the Chi square test and the factorial analysis of correspondence; P-value<0,0001). Bushbabies were seen between 1.5 m and 30 m above the ground during the study. They were seen on trees species like Alstonia congenesis, Anthocleista vogelii, Khaya senegalensis, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Milletia thonningii, Raphia hookeri, Ficus spp, Albizia spp; feeding on insects, ripe ficus’ fruits and gums. Finally, the encounter rate obtained through the recce survey was 10 ind/km. Our data will serve as basis to define future research projects or clear conservation status and distribution information on Galagoides thomasii, and other nocturnal primate species within the Dahomey Gap.

Behavior and gastrointestinal parasites of the red bellied guenon (Cercopithecus erythrogaster erythrogaster) in Drabo-Gbo Sanctuary, Benin A. K. Oga Okoumassoun1, G. R. Adounke1, M. G. Houngbedji1, C. S. Dakpogan1, A-A. Fleurenceau2, K. Keuk23, A. Krellenstein2 1

Organisation pour le Développement Durable et la Biodiversité, 10PB266 Cotonou, Benin.

Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort (ENVA) 3 Kyoto University Primate Research Institute (PRI) 2

Corresponding Author, E-mail address: ogaalfred1@gmail.com

The red-bellied guenon (Cercopithecus erythrogaster erythrogaster) is an endemic, critically endangered monkey in the Dahomey Gap. Rediscovered in 1996, very few studies investigate its behavior and natural history. The Sanctuaire des singes Drabo-Gbo shelters two habituated groups of free-ranging red-bellied guenon with different level of proximity to humans’ activities (Group 1 and Group 2). Monkeys from Group 1 are very well habituated, and are provided with supplemental food in the morning and afternoon. Group 2 are not as well habituated and are not

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provided with food. We collected preliminary data on the behavior and fecal matter parasites of Cercopithecus e. erythrogaster in Drabo-Gbo forest, in South-Benin during 3 weeks: November 6-24th 2017. Behavioral data were gathered using focal sampling (respectively 30 hours and 13,3 hours of focal on group 1 (n=5 individuals) and Group 2 (n=6 individuals). Cropologic analysis were conducted using 15 fresh fecal samples (Group 1 n=7, Group 2 n=8). Gastrointestinal helminth parasites were identified using a quantitative method. Data were analyzed using Excel for time sampling and Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon U test in R for comparison between groups. From activity budget data, we found that individuals in Group 1 spent more time in activities not related to feeding than those in Group 2. We identified two species of gastrointestinal nematodes (Strongyloides sp. and Trichuris sp.). The number of eggs per gram of feces was 108.83 Âą383.73.

These 2 species of nematode are common among cercopithecines, and were found within both groups. This study is the first on this species and need to be conducted over a longer period in order to improve the knowledge of behavioral ecology of the red-bellied guenon to support conservation decision and population management.

Association patterns among diurnal primates in Idanre Forest Reserve, Ondo State, Nigeria Adekanbi, E.A. and Ogunjemite, B.G. Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. ebunoluwareal1.ea@gmail.com

Non-human primates are essential components of a healthy forest ecosystem. Their presence and interaction among one another and other species of animal informs us about the species richness of a forest in terms of biodiversity conservation. We carried out a survey of the diurnal primates in the Idanre Forest Reserve, Ondo State Nigeria, with the aim of establishing their species composition and the level of association among them within the forest. Three transects of 3km length were established at Omifunfun axis (about 85km2) of graded cocoa plantation-forest mosaic of the Forest Reserve. Five repeated censuses of the primates were carried out in May and June 2016. The mean sighting frequency of each primate for the five repeated censuses was computed at a 95% confidence limit. A total of six diurnal primate species were recorded - Cercopithecus nictitans (CN), Cercopithecus mona (CM), Cercopithecus erythrogaster (CE), Cercocebus torquatus (CT), Papio Anubis (PA), and Pan troglodytes (PT). CN has the highest mean sighting frequency of 33 Âą 8 during the study period while PT and PA were reported only by their nests and calls respectively. According to the polyspecific association pattern, CT/CM and CT/CN were sighted together thrice and four times respectively, while CM/CE and CE/CT were sighted together each twice. The total level of polyspecific association was 28.2% of all the number of sightings within the sighting distance of 100m â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 200m. Principal component analysis (PCA) of poly-specific association patterns observed in the censured diurnal primates of the Forest Reserve showed that CN and CM had Eigen-values of 3.82 and 2.18 respectively and were major determinants of the pattern of primate association in the reserve. This pattern falls into two principal components of PCA1 and PCA2. In PCA1, a positive association existed among the species CN, CE, and PA with component coefficients of 0.51, 0.48 and 0.51 respectively. In PCA2, a positive association existed between CM and CT with component coefficients 0.57 and 0.53 respectively. The associative pattern of Pan troglodytes to other primates could not be ascertained due to the inability of direct sightings. However, the level of disturbance in the forest appeared to be the major factor influencing association pattern among the diurnal primates of the reserve.

Therefore, there is the need to develop a proper management policy that would prevent the reserve from losing its primate diversity value for wildlife conservation.

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Assessment of Colobus monkey habitat selection preference in Karura forest, Nairobi County Kenya Agnes Wekesa , Dr. Thuita Thenya University of Nairobi Department of Geography and Environmental Studies agycheps@gmail.com

Many organisms are distributed unevenly across their geographical ranges, concentrating within certain habitats, whereas under-using others. Habitat selection reflects the responses of individuals to spatial variation in the distribution of resources, other organisms or environmental conditions.

This study assessed the habitat selection of C.guereza monkey in Karura forest. These primates were selected for the study because they were introduced in the forest after their natural habitat faced substantial human wildlife conflict. We compared the use of indigenous forest and exotic forest. The habitat utilization parameters included species distribution, species consumed and vegetation density .The behavioral parameters monitored included feeding, resting, moving, playing and aggression. The habitat comparison were indigenous forest and exotic forest. The study adopted both cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs. We monitored the behavior and habitat use in seven families of the C.guereza over a 12-week period. Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) was used to determine the habitat preference for C.guereza.

Habitat types were classified by using the Landsat 8 satellite images that use Operational Landmanager and Thermal Infrared Sensors. Our results suggest that C.guereza monkeys display an uneven habitat

preference across indigenous and exotic habitat types. These groups show a bias in use towards the indigenous forest, likely as a result of variation in food availability. The most utilized tree species included Vepris trichocarpa (20%) and Vepris simplicifolia (20%), no observations of exotic tree species exploited in their diet, all exotic trees were used for resting. We found that the C. guereza in Karura forest spend relatively little time resting as compared to other studies in the same species. Most studies find that C.guereza have resting times of about fifty percent of their daily budget; in contrast, this study only recorded 22% of the total time in resting and another 22% in feeding. We suggest that Karura forest has relatively low food available and accessible for C. guereza, thus they spend relatively low time in resting and feeding. This Study focused on habitat selection and use by C. guereza, further studies should be conducted on different aspects of colobus socio-ecology in the study area before introducing more Colobus guereza into the forest.

Within-group spatial position and activity budget dynamics of wild female and male sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus atys) in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire Bomey Clément Gba1, 2, 3, 5*, Jean-Claude K. Béné2, 4, Zoro Bertin Goné Bi2, 3, 5, Inza Koné2, 3 1

Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire 3 Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire 4 Unité de Formation et de Recherche Environnement, Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire 5 Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire 2

clement.formula@gmail.com

Spatial positions occupied by an animal within a social group have several important behavioral consequences. Previous studies showed that spatial position influences individual foraging time budgets. An individual's activity budget may vary with respect to its position relative to the rest of the group. However, there is not yet clear evidence of a spatial position effect on activity budgets as a function of sex. To fully understand the tradeoffs of within-group spatial position in relation to a variety of factors, we predicted that individuals' spatial positions would shape their activity

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budgets, with different effects across sexes. We used focal individual samples with within-group spatial position recorded instantaneously at 15-min intervals (N=5054 min) to describe the location and behavior of the focal individual. Using general linear models, we investigated the relationship between spatial positions and activity budgets among females (N=17) and males (N=10) in a group of sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus atys) of Taï national park. Preliminary results show that regardless of the occupied spatial position, females and males spent more time feeding (mean ± SD: =22.37 ± 18.61 min per focal individual) than resting (mean ± SD: 5.77 ± 5.39 min per focal individual) or traveling (mean ± SD: 3.06 ± 2.81 min per focal individual). Specifically, females were more central than males, and, overall, they spent more time feeding, resting, and traveling than males. Males, in contrast, only spent more time feeding, resting, and traveling than females when in peripheral positions. We discuss the links between spatial positions and activity budgets, and how these links can mirror sex differences to improve our understanding of social dynamics within primate groups.

Ecologie alimentaire d’Hapalemur griseus dans l’Aire Protégée de Maromizaha, Andasibe, Madagascar Anselmo Andrianandrasana1, 4 *, Aristide Andrianarimisa2, 6, Sylvia Ralambonirina5, Jeannot Randrianasy1, Harison Rabarison3, Rose Marie Randrianarison4 Mention Anthropobiologie et Développement Durable, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, Madagascar; 3 Mention Biologie et Ecologie Végétale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, Madagascar 4 Groupe d’Etude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar (GERP), Lot 34 Cité des Professeurs Fort Duchesne, Ankatso, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; 5 Centre National d’Application des Recherches Pharmaceutiques (CNARP), Rue RP RAHAJARIZAFY, Ambodivoanjo, BP 702, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar 6 Wildlife Conservation Society, Madagascar Program, Villa Ifanomezantsoa, Soavimbahoaka - P.O. Box 8500. Antananarivo 101, Madagascar 1 2

zandrianselmo@gmail.com

Hapalemur griseus qui appartient à la famille de Lemuridaea est un lémurien de bambou, vivant dans l’Aire Protégée de Maromizaha (Andasibe). L’étude sur l’écologie alimentaire d’Hapalemur griseus a été effectuée pendant la saison humide et sèche en 2016. Elle a pour but de montrer la flexibilité de l’animal au niveau du comportement alimentaire et de déterminer les facteurs qui peuvent influencer ce comportement. L’instantaneuos animal sampling est la méthode adoptée pour collecter les activités comportementales de l’animal. Des résultats montrent que le régime alimentaire d’Hapalemur griseus présente des ressources alimentaires diversifiées. L’animal consomme plus de bambou (64,52 %). Il apprécie également des feuilles de Ficus sorocoides (12,86 %), de Gouania lienata (2,62 %), de Dombeya indica (2,38 %), d’Hypoestes sp (1,19 %) et de Melanophylla sp3 (0,71 %), des fruits de Canthium sp (5,48 %), de Gaertnera sp (3,33 %) et Ficus reflexa (0,95 %) et des champignons (3,81 %). Hapalemur griseus consomme beaucoup plus de diversités végétales pendant la saison sèche que la saison humide à raison de la disponibilité alimentaire. Les fréquences de consommation saisonnière de plantes sont considérablement variées. Hapalemur griseus mange beaucoup de Panicum sp1 (51,63 %) et de Cephalostachyum sp (22,81 %) et de Ficus sorocoides (10,09 %) pendant la saison sèche. Par contre, il préfère surtout la Cephalostachyum sp (25,52 %), la Panicum sp1 (20,83 %), la Canthium sp (10, 42 %), la Gaertnera sp (5,21 %), la Dombeya indica (5,21 %) et la Panicum sp2 (4,69 %) pendant la saison humide. Dans le comportement alimentaire d’ Hapalemur griseus, le criblage phytochimique qui consiste à hydrolyser les molécules d’hétérosides cyanogènes en composés

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carbonylés et acide cyanhydrique dans la poudre végétale des plantes consommées par Hapalemur griseus montre qu’elles présentent dans la plante comme source de sa nourriture. Ces molécules qui libèrent l’acide cyanhydrique, produit toxique qui peut empoisonner l’animal, présentent dans la Panicum sp1. La consommation d’une faible quantité de terre (1,19 %) par Hapalemur griseus est indispensable pour éliminer les éléments toxiques gastriques. Dans la modélisation statistique des facteurs qui peuvent varier le nombre de bouchées d’Hapalemur griseus, la saison sèche est la plus influente. Le test de Wilcoxon (Z = 17146 ; P  0,0001) confirme la différence entre la moyenne du nombre de bouchées en saison sèche et humide. L’animal consomme beaucoup pendant la saison sèche (16,87 ± 0,45 ; n = 228) qu’en saison humide (14,99 ± 0,6 ; n = 192). En outre, Hapalemur griseus occupe la strate basse (0.1-3 m) pendant son comportement alimentaire.

Il exploite les arbres de deux façons pour récupérer les aliments : la première, il se nourrit sur un arbre, la deuxième, l’animal collecte son aliment en s’appuyant sur un autre arbre. Enfin, l’étude sur l’écologie alimentaire d’Hapalemur griseus permet de dégager que les facteurs déterminants les plus marquants sont la saisonnalité, la disponibilité des ressources notamment la hauteur des arbres et la disponibilité alimentaire de l’habitat.

Is habitat disturbance in Itwara and Matiri forests affecting primate populations? An analysis of threats Moses Chemurot1, Jennifer Wanyingi2, Sam Mugume3, Gilbert Isabirye-Basuta1, Ubaldo Rutazaana1, Chris Bakuneeta1, Grace Karogo4, Deborah Baranga1, Adalbert Aine-Omucunguzi5, Eric Sande1, Furuichi Takeshi6 1

Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, School of Bio-sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062 Kampala, Uganda; 2 Department of Wildlife, University of Eldoret, Kenya; 3 Kabarole District Local Government, P.O. Box 38, Fort Portal, Uganda; 4 Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda; 5 African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD), Uganda Country Office; 6 Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan.

Corresponding email address: mchemurot@cns.mak.ac.ug

This study assessed the relative abundance among five previously recorded primate species in two forest reserves that are similar in protection status but contrast in levels of disturbance. Our objective was to compare the primate abundance in the heavily disturbed Matiri and less disturbed Itwara Central Forest Reserves. We measured anthropogenic activities and/or threats to primates in the two forest reserves. Our findings indicate differences in primate abundance between the two forests, with only one out of five primate species previously recorded found in the heavily disturbed Matiri forest. At this site (Matiri), primate numbers were significantly lower than in the previous census. We found no evidence of the endangered Red colobus (Piliocolobus tephrosceles), which was recorded 5-years ago in both forests. However, the Black-and-white colobus (Colobus guereza) showed slightly higher abundance in the heavily degraded forest and did not show a significant decline in either. We argue that escalating human activities in the two forests has specifically impacted the primate populations through reduction of food resources and exposing them to predators. However, Black-and-white colobus do not seem as affected by the current forest degradation. We suggest that their greater ecological adaptability may explain their resilience and relatively high abundance in the heavily degraded forest. We provide recommendations towards the long-term protection of the area.

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Nest Counts Reveal a Stable Chimpanzee Population in Sapo National Park, Liberia Clement G. Tweh1,2, Célestin Y. Kouakou3,4 Robert Chira2, Benedictus Freeman5, John M. Githaiga2, Shadrach Kerwillain5, Mary Molokwu-Odozi5, Matthew Varney5, and Jessica Junker6,7 1

Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Oldest Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya; 3 Unités de Formation et de Recherche (UFR), Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire ; 4 Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire ; 5 Fauna & Flora International, Oldest Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia; 6 Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany; 7 Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA 2

Email: tweh@wildchimps.org

Surveying and monitoring primate populations are key for conservation decision-making. The western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) has recently been up-listed to “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN Red List. Population status and trends of the remaining populations almost always rely on counts of sleeping nests along line transects. In tropical forests, permanent line transects can facilitate survey work but may also be avoided by animals, complicating data analysis and possibly resulting in erroneous estimates. We conducted surveys in Liberia’s Sapo National Park and its buffer zone along clear-cut (‘permanent’) and uncut (‘temporary’) line transects to estimate chimpanzee abundance and compare chimpanzee densities inside and outside the park. Our analysis revealed a population density of 0.83 individuals/ km² across the park and its buffer zone. Compared to previous estimates, this suggests a stable population over the past eight years of roughly 1,000 chimpanzees. It appears that poaching and habitat encroachment did not have a significant negative effect on population growth over time. Possible reasons for this include local taboos against killing chimpanzees, poachers not targeting chimpanzees directly, and the chimpanzees’ behavioral flexibility. Nest encounter rate inside the park was lower than in the buffer zone and significantly fewer nests were found on or near permanent transect lines (19%) than temporary transects (44%), indicating an avoidance effect of chimpanzees towards the former. The study also shows that permanent transects were frequently used by illegal miners and poachers, providing direct evidence of the impact that humans have on chimpanzee habitat use and the potential negative implications of cutting permanent transect lines on wildlife in the park.

We call for an increase in conservation and law enforcement efforts to protect the depletion of wildlife resources from the park.

From folivory to gummivory: phyletic dwarfing and digestive efficiency in Lepilemur and Microcebus Curswan Andrews1,2, 3, Hajanirina Rakotondrainibe, Fabien Génin, Hajarimanitra Rambeloarivony, Judith Masters 1

Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 2 African Primate Initiative for Ecology and Speciation (APIES), Earth Stewardship Science Research Institute, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 3 Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa crswnandrews@gmail.com

The clade formed by the Malagasy lepilemuridae (sportive lemurs) and cheirogaeidae (dwarf and mouse lemurs) is believed to have experienced a reduction in body size. We investigated two possible consequences of phyletic dwarfing: the evolution of caecotrophy in the largest member

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of the clade Lepilemur; followed by a shift from folivory to exudativory (diet comprising gums, nectar and insect secretions) in cheirogaleids. To test these hypotheses, we first compared the chemical and bacterial contents of the white-footed sportive lemur Lepilemur leucopus faeces, which revealed a decrease in protein content and an increase in non-digested fibres in secondary faeces (latrine faeces) compared to fresh faeces (caecotophic faeces). The analysis revealed a unique bacterial flora dominated by unknown, probably endemic bacteria. Second, we compared the digestion of gums eaten by reddish-grey mouse lemurs (Microcebus griseorufus) and the southern lesser galago (Galago moholi) in South Africa, expecting a better digestion by the galago due to more complex guts. We found little differences in digestive efficiency between the two species, although the mouse lemurs showed shorter retention times. Overall, our study confirmed the dwarfing scenario, and should contribute to resolve a long controversy concerning the unique occurrence of caecotrophy in sportive lemurs.

Baboon group-differences in a forest-woodland mosaic at Gombe D. Anthony Collins, Appolinaire Sindimwo, Marini P. Bwenda, & Jane Goodall.

Gombe Stream Research Centre, P.O. Box 1182, Kigoma, Tanzania. acollins@janegoodall.or.tz

Olive baboons (Papio anubis) have been considered primarily adapted to forest-edge and woodland, and have been studied in such a mosaic habitat at Gombe National Park since 1967. The landscape is rugged, being the west-facing escarpment of the Albertine Rift, falling steeply from 1500 m on the crest to 775 m at the shore of Lake Tanganyika, and dissected by 13 streams flowing west in steep valleys. The vegetation is correspondingly heterogeneous, a mosaic of evergreen and semideciduous forest in the valleys and on some gentler slopes, the valley sides grading from riverine forest below, up to grassy woodland and miombo (Brachystegia) on the ridges, and afro-alpine grasslands above. There are baboons distributed over most of this landscape, apparently preferring the lower forest and mixed woodland and the lakeshore, but using all vegetation-types and locations. At different times up to nine different habituated baboon groups have been studied, recording demographic events and basic diet and ranging. Currently six are being monitored, 187 named individuals. However the long-term records allow us to examine reproductive lives of some of the other groups too, comparing three sets. 1. Lakeside groups benefitting from access to enriched food-supply in the fishermensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; camps and staff village. 2 More typical groups in the rich habitat areas but without food supplement. 3. Fission-groups forced to live further uphill with less forest and more grassland. These groups are compared for female reproductive performance especially age till sexual maturity, age at first birth, subsequent reproductive rate (interbirth interval), and infant mortality.

Differences between them are evaluated in terms of fission-history, group-size, disease, and predation.

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Implications of change in fruiting phenology on primate foraging behavior David Eryenyu1*, Herbert Nyombi 1,3, Caroline Asiimwe1, Moses Businge1, Geoffrey Muhanguzi1, Fred Babweteera1,2,4 1

Budongo Conservation Field Station, Masindi, Uganda; Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 3 Nyabyeya Forestry College, Masindi, Uganda; 4 Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

2

eryenyudave@gmail.com

Tropical forest phenology is known to have strong evolutionary and ecological linkages with tropical species, particularly in the case of frugivorous primates. On the other hand, climatic changes require that phenological changes are bound to occur, considering the strong linkage with climatic factors such as precipitation and temperature. What the impact of anticipated changes mean for long-term phenological patterns, and consequently for frugivorous species is rarely explored because, long-term data sets are needed. In Budongo Forest, Uganda, long-term phenological observations show a decline in fruiting over the years, with over 15% decline in the number of trees fruiting. Here, we explore what the effect of this change may mean for primate foraging behavior, taking advantage of recent and past data. Among the blue (Cercopithecus mitis) and red tailed (Cercopithecus ascanius) monkeys, we observe a shift in the amount of leaves in the diet, with about double the percentage of leaves in the diet. Currently leaves are the main component of the diet, unlike in the 1990â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, when fruits were the main component. These results, though not correlated with fruiting patterns, show an important diet shift. Current results suggest an increase in tannin concentrations of leaves in tropical forest under future climatic and atmospheric scenarios, with potential consequences for the physiology of species relying on leaves for diet. Present health monitoring on chimpanzees in the Budongo Forest suggests probably ephemeral, periods of starvation based on ketone analysis in urine, suggesting negative consequences of a reduced fruit diet. Correlative studies of phenology, diet selection and physiological indicators will be pertinent in corroborating these observations, and generating an understanding of primate adaptive capacity and resilience under future climatic and environmental scenarios. These results also benefit from long-term monitoring data, which are indispensable in elucidating long-term changes, and vindicating long-term research efforts.

Unhabituated chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in the Village Forest Reserves north of Gombe National Park, Tanzania Deus C. Mjungu 1 , Michael L. Wilson 2, Lilian Pintea 3, Hannah Barbian 4, Yingying Li 4, Emily Wroblewski 5, Anne E. Pusey 6 and Beatrice H. Hahn 5 1

Gombe Stream Research Centre, JGI; University of Minnesota; 3 The Jane Goodall Institute, USA; 4 University of Pennsylvania; 5 Stanford University; 6 Duke University.

2

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) of Gombe National Park, Tanzania have played a central role in advancing our understanding of chimpanzee behavior, shedding light on human evolution and contributing to the national revenue through tourism. Currently, however these iconic primates are facing great threats to their continued existence due to the small size of their relict populations and their increasing isolation from each other. Periodic surveys (5-9 October 2015 and 4-10 May 2016) in the mountains 10 -20km north of the Park, and reports from the village forest monitors there,

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have confirmed that a substantial number of chimpanzees live near Gombe along the GombeBurundi Ridge (GBR). To gather essential biological samples and to determine the number, distribution, and connectivity of GBR chimpanzees to Gombe, we conducted an exhaustive twomonth survey of the chimpanzees in the village forest reserves along the GBR in 2017. We used Distance Survey software methodology to create transects, each covering a distance of ~5 km. To guide our survey design and effort, we developed a detailed chimpanzee habitat-suitability model of the area in GIS, using existing chimpanzee presence data; integrating forest, land cover and human land use derived from <1-meter resolution DigitalGlobe satellite images; and elevation and slope from a 2-meter Digital Surface Model. Our survey covered an area of ~50 km2 and recorded habitat characteristic data and evidences of chimpanzees by using GPS enabled mobile devices and an Open Data Kit app. We collected a total of 85 fecal samples and stored them in both RNAlater and 10% buffered formalin for biological analysis. Our survey revealed immediate threats to the chimpanzee population: extensive tree cutting, new permanent dwellings and conversion of significant parts of the area to agriculture. Preliminary analysis from fecal samples confirmed presence of at least seven individuals and possibly up to 20 individuals and suggested genetic connectedness of GBR chimps to those within the park. Genetic connectedness suggesting a possibility of genes flow between two populations. Furthermore, MHC studies revealed chimpanzees in the GBR to harbor protective genes against the SIVcpz virus. Our findings provide vital information on chimpanzees in the GBR region. While these areas have been established by communities as Village Forest Reserves, the rate of degradation is such that new actions and resources are needed to enforce village land use plans and ensure the protection of these chimpanzees and their habitats.

Population Status of Selected Diurnal Primate Species in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria Ajayi, S.R1, Ejidike, B.N.2, Ogunjemite, B.G.2 , Odewumi, O.S.2 & Olaniyi, O.E.2 1

Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, Federal College of Wildlife Management, New Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria; 2 Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. rychy4christ2014@gmail.com

The study aimed to ascertain the population status of the family Cercopithecidae in Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria. Line transects method was employed in the survey of the diurnal primate species from December 2017 to October 2018 within six ranges in two sectors. The three diurnal primate species (Papio anubis, Erythrocebus patas and Chlorocebus aethiops tantalus) were observed. The study revealed that Papio anubis and Erythrocebus patas had the highest mean abundance, population density and relative abundance at Oli and Doro ranges respectively in both dry and wet seasons. Oli range witnessed the highest mean abundance (5 Âą 1), population density (0.005 Âą 0.001) and relative abundance (2 Âą 0) of Chlorocebus aethiops tantalus. The number of individuals and troops recorded during the dry season surpassed those of the wet season in all the sectors. The sex ratio of the primates was 74.7% (female) to 25.3% (male). A reasonable number of sub-adult, juvenile and young characterized the age structure of each primate species, which depicted a successful breeding trend over the years. However, active anti-poaching patrol and participation of host communities are recommended to reduce the effect of anthropogenic activities and encourage the formulation/implementation of related conservation policies respectively.

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Could western gorilla groups ranging close to each other differ in diet and ranging patterns?

Emmanuel Konyal1, Janika Wendefeuer2 & Terence Fuh1 1 2

WWF Central African Republic, BP 1053 Bangui University of Hamburg

ekonyal@wwfcar.org

The optimal use of available resources is important for the survival of a species. Seasonal and inter-annual variation of climatic conditions as well as changes in the spatiotemporal distribution of fruiting trees in the rainforests lead to irregular and variable food availability. Understanding how these resources are used is therefore invaluable for effectively protecting the species. Little is known about the diet and activity pattern of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) compared to well-studied mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei). However, increasing number of habituated western lowland gorilla groups today has increased the possibility to understand their diet and ranging patterns. In this study we compare the diet and ranging data from three habituated western lowland gorilla groups Makumba (n=7), Mayele (n=10) and Mata (n=8) ranging in the Dzanga-Sangha protected areas (and with home ranges less than 10km of each other) for a period of two years (January 2017 to December 2018). We set forth the following predictions: 1) the Mata group will move longer distances than the other groups daily since it is not yet at the same level of habituation as the others, 2) the diet composition of all three groups will be similar given that as neighboring groups they are exposed to same food availability and 3) all three groups will show seasonality in their diet and ranging. As predicted, average daily distance moved by Mata group (mean=6.36ÂąSD0.90km) was significantly higher than that of both Makumba (mean=5.42ÂąSD0.79km) and Mayele (mean=5.40ÂąSD1.09km) groups. Also, average daily distance moved by Mayele was slightly lower than that of Makumba. Interestingly, diet composition varied significantly between the three groups. Mayele group incorporated more fruits and more bark in its diet than both Makumba and Mata groups. On the other hand Makumba group incorporated significantly less stems and more insects in its diet than both Mata and Mayele groups. The groups moved significantly longer distances during high fruigivory season compared to low fruigivory season. Remarkably, high frugivory correlated strongly with the consumption of insects. In contrast, leaves and bark were significantly consumed during low frugivory. We discuss these differences in diet and ranging of the three groups in terms of group behavior, size and vegetation and its implication for the conservation of this species.

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The function of the tree shake in wild Barbary macaques Faical Boutlib Moroccan Association for Protection of Heritage and Barbary Macaques, Rouad Ain Chkef, Ain Amir, 30000 Fez, Morocco faysalbo@gmail.com

The Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus) lives in the forest biotopes of Algeria and Morocco. It is found mostly in the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains, where it lives in structured groups. Little is known about an unusal behavior where these macaques shake branches. A branch shaking display (BSD) is expected to be a complex form of communication and the aims of this study are to establish associations between several factors(namely rank, type of BSD, context, frequency, season, age and sex.) to be able to make predictions in the future concerning this behaviour. However, previous studies considered it as a display, or a stimulus (Milich & Maestripieri, 2016) which does not communicate a “motivation to act in a specific way” (p.59).

One study on Barbary macaques in the Rif region (Mehlman, 1996). He separated BSD into five different types. He considers tree shake and branch shake as one type only. He also emphasized that BSD is performed in two supra-contexts: intergroup context when one group meets another and intragroup contexts. Data were collected ad libitum (Altmann, 1974) from October 7th 2014 until March 31st 2018 in middle Atlas (they are a genetically different population of Rif in a vastly different ecosystem). Variables collected were date, time, GPS Northing and Westing coordinates, signaller ID, tree species, BSD type, context, estimated energy used for the BSD, degree of peripheralisation (meaning the relative spatial status of the individual regarding the group) and the number of series (how much the individual do the behaviour). I considered a serie when there was less than 15 minutes between two occurrences of BSD. In total, 180 occurrences of BSD were recorded. I discriminated six contexts: agonistic, sexual, neutral, disturbance, intergroup encounter and playing. I highlighted contexts as disturbance, playing and witness in aggression that were forgotten in subsequent studies but not all of them were conclusive in the analysis. Results emphasizes a large heterogeneity and disparities with previous studies on the topic. This study suggested that rank and mating season have most influence on occurences of BSD. I introduced the notion of series, a new variable not taken into account in previous studies. This new factor revealed that the number of series in related to the type of BSD so it makes predictions possible for future research. BSD is a flexible mode of communication and can be used to communicate several different things. Finally, I conveyed tool use as a new backdrop to interpret BSD in an innovative approach. I consider BSD as a communicative tool since it an extension of the mouth and trees are external objects. Future studies on BDS should bear in mind this fact to come up with a modern approach in this behaviour’s interpretation.

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Behavior and feeding ecology of gorilla group under habituation in Campo’o man national park (CMNP, South-Cameroon) Fotsing Ernest Dadis Bush1, Bobo Kadiri Serge1 Melataguia Djuatio Ferdinand1, Bogart Stephanie L2 1

Department of Forestry, University of Dschang, Faculty of Agronomic and Agricultural Science, Dschang, Cameroon, Laboratory of Wildlife and Protected Area, Sylviculture and Wood Technology 2 Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 Turlington B137 fotsingernest@yahoo.fr

As there is more and more pressure on wildlife habitat, it is important to understand the strategies developed by primates as a response to variation in resource availability. Complete diet data and systematic long-term dietary information are not yet available from western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) in Campo where illegal activities have increased tremendously in the past decade.

Faced with pressures applied to the gorilla habitat, our main goal is to understand the behavior, feeding and nesting habits of remnant populations of these western lowland gorillas within their home range living in CMNP. As well as recording nesting sites, our research also analyses the diet of the gorillas, looking at how their feeding habits vary as they come into closer contact with humans. We are also collecting data on the density and distribution of the plants and trees the gorillas eat and use to make their nests. Alongside this, we collect data on human activity in and around the gorilla habitat in order to get see how increasing human gorilla interactions are affecting the great apes. This study started in October 2017 and the following data were collected: food availability using phenology data and vegetation plots, behavioral observations through adlibitum and opportunistic data collection, daily gorilla tracking as well as corresponding scan and focus data obtained during contact with our studied group. Daily observation of the group was made, and group size was extrapolated at 17 individuals with average nest size of 30.4 cm. During gorilla tracking (90% of the effort day) we found that: feeding was the main activity of gorilla group (70.8 %), followed by traveling (19.1 %), resting (7 %), and social activities (3.1 %); gorilla diet consisted mainly of stems and leaves (67,41974%), followed by fruits (30,79667 %), and bark (1,783591 %). We found no influence of human activity on gorilla group behavior. Our finding shows that when little fruit is available, gorillas appear to adopt a ‘‘low-energy’’ strategy, by decreasing their day ranges and feeding more on lower-quality herbaceous foods and fibrous fruits.

Our results will help conservation organizations better evaluate the level of gorilla habituation process and Cameroon’s wildlife authorities to better monitor and protect the country’s critically endangered gorilla to help them develop sustainable plan for management of the area, gorilla and other species.

Can galago species be recognised by their calls? Species and speciation in Paragalago Génin, F.1*, Dröscher, I. , Gamba, M., Couette, S., Masters, J. M. 1

African Primate Initiative for Ecology and Speciation, Earth Stewardship Science Research Institute, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth 6031 South Africa.

2 University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700 South Africa fsgenin@gmail.com

Cryptic species, generally distinguished by distinct habitats, genetic make-ups or vocalizations suggest that speciation is unlikely to result from an accumulation of adaptive change but rather results from change in at least one specific-mate recognition signal. We tested this hypothesis starting with the validation of cryptic species of galagos recently assigned to a new genus (Paragalago): (1) starting with a morphometric analysis (taxonomic species); (2) followed by a spatial analysis using the method of habitat modelling (ecological species); (3) a phylogenetic

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analysis (phylogenetic species); (4) a description of specific loud calls (recognition species); (5) a study on soundscape structure and reverberation in the respective habitats of the three forms (sensory drive); (6) ending with an experimental study based on the playback method in three allopatric populations of South Africa (Paragalago granti), Kenya (P. cocos) and Zanzibar Island (P. zanzibaricus) (sensory bias). The three forms have distinct specific habitats and distinct vocalizations but exhibit asymmetrical interspecific recognition of playbacks (vocal response and/or approach). Paragalago granti responded to P. cocos playbacks indicating that they recognise the incremental pattern of the call shared by the two species. P. cocos responded to P. zanzibaricus playbacks indicating that they recognise the trill shared by the two species. Finally, habitats showed differences in reverberation and background noise. The playback method using species-specific loud calls is a reliable tool for attracting, locating and identifying Eastern dwarf galagos in their habitats. Overall, our investigation supports the model of specific-mate recognition, suggesting that speciation in Paragalago occurred in small isolated populations subject to drastic climate change, and as probable effect of decreased reverberation (evolution of a trill and loss of incremental sequence) and decreased background noise (loss of short unit and decrease in ear size).

Diet composition and feeding ecology of chimpanzees (P. t. troglodytes) in a lowland tropical forest of Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon Ghislain Wilfried Ebang Ella Institut de Recherche en Ă&#x2030;cologie Tropicale (IRET), Libreville, Gabon ebang.ghislain@gmail.com

Chimpanzee diets are highly variable from one study site to the next and from one population to the next, but in all cases are dominated by ripe fruit. We describe dietary composition of nonhabituated chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, southwestern Gabon. Based on analysis of 809 fecal samples from two data set (DS-1: 2003 to 2006 and DS-2: 2013 to 2014) and 1119 minutes of observation from DS-2, we show that chimpanzees in Moukalaba are basically frugivorous, as at other rainforest sites. However, their diet composition is distinct from that in other Central African sites in animal consumption: less insects and more meat are consumed. They consumed no termite or driver ants. Ficus was found to be a major or important food. In Moukalaba, rather than using figs fruit as particular fallback foods or preferred food as, chimpanzees flexibly adopt a relatively opportunistic feeding strategy switching their diet to temporally abundant fig fruit and fruit species in response to spatiotemporal fluctuation of fruit availability. However, data obtained from DS-1 to DS-2 did not show a high seasonal trend in meat consumption, although the rate of consumption varied periodically. In addition, because hunting opportunities are generally rare and unpredictable, it is not realistic to suppose meat is a possible fallback food.

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Long-term diet of the chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus, Blumenbach 1779) in Taï National Park: inter-annual variations in the consumption of some key food sources Gone Bi Zoro Bertin1, 2 and Wittig Roman2, 3 UFR Biosciences Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire 3 Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany 1 2

zorobertin@gmail.com; gonebi.zoro@csrs.ci

The Taï Chimpanzee Project was initiated in 1979. After 40 years, four groups of chimpanzees have been habituated to human observers and are followed on daily basis. Data collected on different groups allow us to follow long-term trends in the socio-ecological behavior of the Taï chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are ecologically flexible omnivores with broad diets comprising many plant and animal foods. Like other ecologically flexible nonhuman primates with broad diets, their diets vary across time and habitats. Since strong inter-annual changes in food composition in the diet of wild chimpanzees have been shown to exist, only data collected on the basis of a long-term perception can reveal their diversified food repertoire. This paper aims mainly to list up all the plant and animal foods observed to be eaten by the two oldest habituated chimpanzee groups of the Taï Forest, to point out differences between groups, and years, and to analyze variations in the consumption of some key food species of the two chimpanzee communities with a focus on the plant components of the diet. As for the plant foods, the chimpanzees have been seen to feed on 503 food items from 363 plant species. The fruit represented 73.76 % in terms of number and 85% when considering the feeding time.

Tortoise (Kinixys erosa) predation in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) Harmonie Klein1*, Simone Pika2, Sarah Bunel1, Pauline Baas1, Erwan Théleste1, and Tobias Deschner1 1

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig Germany 2 University of Osnabrück, Institute of Cognitive Science, Comparative BioCognition, Artilleriestrasse 34, 49076 Osnabrück Germany harmonie.klein@hotmail.fr

Similar to humans, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), one of our closest living relatives, frequently hunt and consume a variety of animal taxa. However, predation on reptiles, and more precisely on tortoises, has so far and in contrast to several bird and other mammal species, never been directly observed in chimpanzees. Here, we provide the first observations of hingeback tortoise (Kinixys erosa) predation by individuals of a newly habituated community of central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) living in the Loango National Park, Gabon. The behavior was customary in adult males, who accessed the meat by using a distinct percussive technology. Tortoise consumption represented an important supplement to the general diet of the chimpanzees (69 predation events observed in two years), and always resulted in meat sharing with other group members present. We furthermore report a case of food storage suggesting further evidence that chimpanzees plan for the future. Our results expand the knowledge of wild chimpanzees’ behavioral plasticity and flexibility, and shed new light on their percussive technology use and dietary repertoire. The findings suggest that we are still far from having grasped the rich behavioral diversity of chimpanzees. Future investigations of new chimpanzee communities are thus

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mandatory to gain reliable insights into the purpose cognitive abilities serve and to investigate evolutionary precursors to human central place foraging and central place provisioning.

Impact of human pressures on a fauna with Grauer´s gorilla, Gorilla beringei graueri (Hominidae, Primate), a species on the verge of extinction in Tshiabirimu Mountain in the National Park of Virunga, Nord-Kivu, DRC Kyungu Kasolene1*, Malekani Mukulire2, Brou Yao³, KamabuVasombolwa⁴, Liz Williamson⁵, Jillian Miller⁶, Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka⁷ 1

Goma University, DRC Wildlife Authority; Kinshasa University, DRC; Université de la Réunion, République de la Réunion ; 2 Kisangani Univsersity, DRC; 3 University of Sterling,UK; 4 The Gorilla Organization,UK; 5 Conservation Through Public Health,Uganda jckyungu@gmail.com

Successful management of protected areas depends on the cooperation and support of local communities. Then, conflicts on the use of natural resources can arise when local communities are excluded from management decisions or receive insufficient compensation for the costs they incur from establishment of protected areas. Such conflicts can be expressed actively through physical or verbal acts of aggression or passively through negative attitudes or failure of one side to engage with the other. An understanding of the drivers of conflicts is the first step toward its resolution.

Conflicts are the expression of divergent interests between resource-poor households neighboring a conservation area. Tshiabirimu Mountain in the National Park of Virunga, Nord-Kivu, DRC, likely hosts one of the critically endangered and unique remaining small populations of Grauer´s gorillas, Gorilla gorilla graueri (Hominidae, Primates) and a number of species of other animals in the Great Virunga. Looking the understanding of this, a socioeconomic survey was done around some villages from which 400 persons per village individually or by focus group tried to answer some questions. By using SPSS analyzes method: (1) a background and trends in human occupation was determined (2) the analysis (on the periphery and within the park) of causes of conflicts which drives the impact of socio-economy and conservation sustainability in the region is now known and (3) an alternative frameworks which will expose challenges faced in managing human–wildlife co-existence for the survival of the species on the verge of extinction has been developed. According to the results, local communities should be involved in the protection of gorillas.

New insights into the nutritional ecology of rainforest primates in Uganda Jessica M. Rothman Department of Anthropology, Hunter College of CUNY, New York, USA jessica.rothman@hunter.cuny.edu

Adequate nutrition is key for survival and reproduction, yet many primates are faced with fluctuating food resources that are limited in their habitats. As well, many primates live with others in communities and must coexist with other species that share the same food resources. To understand the nutritional strategies of primates, the diets and nutrition of sympatric monkeys (Procolobus rufomitratus, Colobus guereza, Lophocebus albigena and Cercopithecus ascanius) in Kibale National Park, Uganda as well as mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei) in Bwindi 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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Impenetrable National Park, Uganda were studied. Focal follows of primates were conducted and the foods they ate were collected and analyzed for their nutritional compositions. Using nutritional geometry, the intake of macronutrients and fiber in the diets of these folivorous and frugivorous primates was investigated. Primates balanced the non-protein energy and protein in their diets in disparate ways, suggesting that frugivorous and folivorous primates have different nutritional priorities. In addition, primates within the same feeding guild balanced their diets in different ways. For example, the red colobus (Procolobus rufomitratus) and the black-and-white colobus (Colobus guereza), have a diet comprised almost entirely of young leaves (>85%), and dietary overlap varies from 50-76% yet the mean daily dietary ratios of non-protein energy to available protein consumed by the two colobines were different (red colobus 2:1, black-and-white colobus 1:1, p < 0.01). The more frugivorous primates ate diets that were higher in non-protein energy in relation to protein compared to colobines; for example, mountain gorillas ate diets that comprised 4:1 non-protein energy in relation to protein. In addition, frugivorous monkeys eat diets that are higher in their ratio of non-protein energy to protein than gorillas. These results suggest that primates in similar feeding guilds may eat similar foods, but eat them in different amounts, and balance macronutrients and energy in disparate ways.

Chimpanzee abundance and floristic diversity in the transitional ecosystem of MbamDjerem National Park in Cameroon Kamgang, S. A.1,2,5*, Bobo, K.S.3, Gonder, M. K.4, and Sinsin, B.5 1

Garoua Wildlife School, P. O. Box 271 Garoua, Biodiversity-Environment and Sustainable Development, P. O. Box: 25 Garoua 3 Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222 Dschang, Cameroon; 4 Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA; 5 Laboratory of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 P.O.Box 526 Cotonou, BĂŠnin 2

sergekamgang@gmail.com

Understanding the relationship between great apes and habitat is essential for developing successful conservation strategies. The Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee Pan troglodytes ellioti occupies an ecologically diverse range of habitats from forests to forest-savannah mosaic in Mbam-Djerem National Park (MDNP) in Cameroon. Habitat variation in chimpanzee range is poorly understood in MDNP and our research highlights this issue by providing data on chimpanzee abundance and floristic diversity. Data were collected using distance and plot sampling. We randomly established 66 transects of 2 km each in the study area of which 34 were in dense forest and 32 in forest-savannah. While twenty-seven sampling plots of 30 m x 30 m were surveyed. We counted 249 nests of which 119 were in dense forest and 130 in forest-savannah.

Chimpanzee density was 0.88 [95% CI (0.55-1.41)] individuals/km² in the dense forest and 0.59 [95% CI (0.19-1.76)] in the forest-savannah. Nest abundance was higher in areas with dense canopy cover and altitudes. A total of 103 species belonging to 42 families and 78 genera were identified. Based on Jaccard similarity index (30.09), the study area consists of two distinctly independent habitats, with Uapaca guineensis (88.75) and Hymenocardia lyrata (80.86) being the most important trees in dense forest and Hymenocardia acida (68.26) and Ochna afzelii (59.04) in forest-savannah. The Shannon diversity index of these two habitat types indicates a high diversity of the core zone in MDNP. Most of species recorded were Not Evaluated on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.Our findings provide a baseline to inform chimpanzee monitoring

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and habitat management in MDNP although the conservation status of some important trees still need to be evaluated.

Female dominance, affiliation and aggression in western woolly lemurs Ramanankirahina Rindrahatsarana¹, Marine Joly², Elke Zimmermann³ ¹Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animal, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar ²Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom ³Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany hatsarana@yahoo.fr

Female dominance over males is generally defined as the ability of adult females to consistently evoke submissive behavior in adult males on an individual level. The direction of aggressive or submissive behaviors in agonistic encounters and the outcome of intersexual conflicts are frequent measures of dominance. A correlation between dominance and the direction of social grooming was found in primates, in which the submissive animal initiated grooming towards the dominant animal more often than vice versa. Female dominance is a rare trait in social systems of mammals and within primates but seems to widespread among the lemurs of Madagascar. The pattern of female dominance is variable among lemurs of Madagascar. In order to understand the evolution of female dominance, we observed one species of the only nocturnal genus in the family of Indriidae. Western woolly lemur is a small cat-sized folivourous lemur, living in the dry deciduous forests in northwestern Madagascar. They are nocturnal socially cohesive pair living primates, living in groups consisting of a pair and its immature offspring. This study was carried out in the National Park of Ankarafantsika, a western Malagasy dry deciduous forest. We followed six adult males and six adult females by focal animal sampling with continuous recording during activity period. All occurrences of social interactions in which a focal animal was involved, were recorded such as agonistic, allogrooming, and body contact. We noted as well the context and the initiator of the interactions. We found only 15 agonistic conflicts and the conflicts could be scored as decided. For the affiliative interactions, a total of 181 body contacts and 209 allogrooming were observed during the study period. Despite of its nocturnal activity, the western woolly lemurs show the same pattern of pair relations as its diurnal relatives. The pattern of grooming between pair partners in the western woolly lemurs was not biased to one sex, despite the female dominance.

Our findings add a new species on the understanding of female dominance in lemurs.

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Feeding Ecology of the De Brazza’s Monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus) in Mathew’s range, Kenya 1

Lenguya JL, 2Njagi PF, 2Moinde NN & 2Kivai SM

1

University of Nairobi, School of Biological Sciences, P.O Box 30197-00100 Nairobi, Kenya Institute of Primate Research-National Museums of Kenya, Department of Conservation Biology, P.O Box 24481-00502, Nairobi, Kenya 2

lenguyajohn@gmail.com & skivai@primateresearch.org

The De Brazza’s monkeys are semi-arboreal and mostly occupy the mid and lower forest canopies while also foraging and travelling on the ground. Previously, the species was not known to occur to the east of the Eastern Rift Valley until 2004 when researchers located a new eastern population in the Mathew’s Range forest reserve in Kenya. Relatively, the ecology of this population is unknown and is yet to be studied rigorously by primatologists, impeding its conservation efforts.

Similar to other wild primates, the De Brazza’s monkey in Mathew’s range forest are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. This is as a result of increasingly frequent and severe livestock overgrazing within the species home range during the dry spells. Such anthropogenic activities potentially influence the feeding and reproductive behavior of the De Brazza’s monkey, but such effects are yet to be investigated.To address this knowledge gap, we focused on two habituated groups of De Brazza’s monkey in Murit and Nkare Narok to understand; i) dietary composition of the De Brazza’s monkey in Mathew’s range forest reserve, ii) mean group size, and iii) species distribution along the elevational gradient. To achieve these objectives we conducted animal focal sampling to understand the dietary composition and sweep counts to establish mean group sizes and distribution. We found that De Brazza’s monkey consumed majorly fruits and leaves.

Primarily, fruit (47%) contributed the highest percentage food item in the diet followed by (37%) leaves. The keystone species in the diet of De Brazza’s monkey were; Ficus sycomorus, Acacia tortilis and Turraea mombassana. The De Brazza’s mean group size was 13.85 ± 2.70. The distribution of the De Brazza’s along the elevational gradients ranged from 1045m to 1765m above sea level. Our findings provide crucial ecological information necessary for informing the conservation of the eastern population of the De Brazza’s monkeys, especially in terms of prioritizing areas to target for conservation of the species and key plant foods to be protected in their habitats.

Mineral Composition of the Tana River Mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus) Diet and the Conservation Implications 1,2

Kivai S.M, 1,3 Vogel E.R., 1,3Palombit R., 2Kivasu C.M & 4Rothman J. M

1

Department of Anthropology, Rutgers University, 131 George street, New Brunswick, New Jersey, Department of Primate Conservation Biology, Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, P.O Box 24481-00502, Nairobi, Kenya, 3 Center for Human Evolutionary Studies, Rutgers University, 4Department of Anthropology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, USA stankivai@gmail.com 2

Minerals play an essential role in an individual’s growth, maintenance, and health, thus, having a potentially major impact on long-term fitness. However, minerals are required in small quantities, and either excesses or deficiencies in intake can cause severe health problems. Although studies on primate nutritional ecology have advanced in the past two decades, there has been little focus on dietary mineral composition. To redress this knowledge gap, we collected data on: (1) feeding behavior of Tana River mangabeys (Cercocebus galeritus) through focal animal sampling; and (2) nutritional content of 217 foods samples through laboratory analysis. We measured food

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concentrations and dietary intake of five macro-minerals (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and sodium) and micro-minerals (iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and molybdenum), and compared intake between juveniles and lactating females in an anthropogenically disturbed and undisturbed forest site. We found that mean concentrations of different minerals in mangabey foods varied significantly (macro-mineral: H = 717.90, df = 4, p < 0.0001, N = 217; microminerals: H = 868.40, p < 0.0001, N = 217). Phosphorus (0.30%), sodium (0.07), zinc (26.46  1.79 ppm), manganese (28.95  2.49), copper (8.26  0.76 ppm) and molybdenum (0.97  0.20 ppm) concentrations in mangabey foods fell below the National Research Council's (NRC) recommendations for the species in captivity, while iron concentration (196  28.16 ppm) exceeded the recommended daily intake requirements. Mineral concentrations also varied with habitat type. Except for potassium and magnesium, the concentrations of all other minerals were higher in foods consumed in the disturbed forest patches compared to undisturbed forest patches (p < 0.0001). Compared to lactating females, juveniles ingested more calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and molybdenum per unit of metabolic body mass (p < 0.0001). While Tana River mangabey foods are characterized by serious mineral deficiencies it is unclear how the species deal with such mineral constraints. Anthropogenic disturbance appears to increase mineral concentrations of foods, but also reduces their availability, potentially affecting population growth negatively. Future studies should focus on understanding how individuals of the species cope with the observed mineral deficiencies in their diet to inform the habitat restoration efforts and conservation of this monkey species.

Female dominance, affiliation and aggression in western woolly lemurs Ramanankirahina Rindrahatsarana¹, Marine Joly², Elke Zimmermann³ ¹Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animal, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar ²Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom ³Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany hatsarana@yahoo.fr

Female dominance over males is generally defined as the ability of adult females to consistently evoke submissive behavior in adult males on an individual level. The direction of aggressive or submissive behaviors in agonistic encounters and the outcome of intersexual conflicts are frequent measures of dominance. A correlation between dominance and the direction of social grooming was found in primates, in which the submissive animal initiated grooming towards the dominant animal more often than vice versa. Female dominance is a rare trait in social systems of mammals and within primates but seems to widespread among the lemurs of Madagascar. The pattern of female dominance is variable among lemurs of Madagascar. In order to understand the evolution of female dominance, we observed one species of the only nocturnal genus in the family of Indriidae. Western woolly lemur is a small cat-sized folivourous lemur, living in the dry deciduous forests in northwestern Madagascar. They are nocturnal socially cohesive pair living primates, living in groups consisting of a pair and its immature offspring. This study was carried out in the National Park of Ankarafantsika, a western Malagasy dry deciduous forest. We followed six adult males and six adult females by focal animal sampling with continuous recording during activity period. All occurrences of social interactions in which a focal animal was involved, were recorded such as agonistic, allogrooming, and body contact. We noted as well the context and the initiator of the interactions. We found only 15 agonistic conflicts and the conflicts could be scored as decided. For the affiliative interactions, a total of 181 body contacts and 209 allogrooming were observed during the study period. Despite of its nocturnal activity, the western woolly lemurs show the same pattern of pair relations as its diurnal relatives. The pattern of grooming between pair

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partners in the western woolly lemurs was not biased to one sex, despite the female dominance.

Our findings add a new species on the understanding of female dominance in lemurs.

Diet of the critically endangered southern ruffed lemur Varecia variegata editorum in Maromizaha Protected Area, Madagascar Rose Marie Randrianarison1, 2, Chia L. Tan2 and H. Rabarison3 1

Department of Biological Anthropology and Sustainable Development, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar; 2 LVDI International, San Marcos, CA 92078 U.S.A. 3 Department of Biology and Plant Ecology, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar sissienarda@yahoo.fr

We conducted the first long-term study of the critically endangered southern ruffed lemur Varecia variegata editorum in Maromizaha Protected Area (MPA) in eastern Madagascar. The purpose of the research was to expand our knowledge about the lemur’s diet. We studied three habituated Varecia groups from August 2017 to September 2018 (14 months) for a total of 177 days. We employed focal animal sampling and recorded the behavior of the focal animal at five-minute intervals. A total of 866.2 hours of behavioral data were collected. Varecia, on average, spent 28.7% of the time feeding. In the warmer-wet season (October – April), the animals spent more time feeding than in the cool-dry season (May – September). During our study period, we observed Varecia eating at least 87 different plant species. Over 90% of the lemur’s diet consisted of fruit.

Mushrooms also were consumed but only on an opportunistic basis. Food plant species richness was highest in February (34 plant species) and lowest in June (4 plant species). Species of Cryptocarya (Lauraceae), Eugenia (Myrtaceae), Pandanus (Pandanaceae), Protorhus (Anacardiaceae) and Canarium (Burseraceae) were present in the lemur’s diet throughout much of the year. Key food plants as determined by overall feeding records included about 25 species; in particular, species of Homalium (Salicaceae), Pandanus (Pandanaceae), Cryptocarya (Lauraceae), Eugenia (Myrtaceae) and Protorhus (Anacardiaceae) were the most frequently eaten plants and represented over 50% of total feeding records. We discuss our findings in relation to the forest composition of MPA and offer recommendations for establishing a suitable reforestation program to aid Varecia conservation at this site. Supported by LVDI International and Groupe d'Etude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar.

Effects of Habitat Modification and Landscape Structure on Habitat Utilization by Mount Kenya guerezas (colobus guereza kikuyuensis) at Karura Forest, Kenya Rose Njambi Gathura1, Peter Fundi2 1

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Department of Land Resources Planning and Management; Email rosenjambi.rn@gmail.com; Mobile 0703713814 2 Chuka University, Department of Environmental Resources Development; Email peter.fundi@gmail.com; Mobile 0714648440 rosenjambi.rn@gmail.com

Habitat loss resulting from encroachment of riverine agroecosystems of Kipipiri, which, are key Mount Kenya guereza (Colobus guereza kikuyuensis) habitats led to accelerated human-guereza conflicts, hence, their translocation to Karura forest. Over the years, however, Karura forest has suffered encroachment, fragmentation and the associated forest cover loss hence the emergence of different microhabitats including indigenous forest, artificial plantations and built up areas. This has also led to modification of habitat and the landscape structure of areas in and outside the forest.

Wildlife dispersal zones outside the forest have undergone profound modifications owing to the

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high appetite for housing within serine environments by the city dwellers. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of habitat modifications inside and outside the forest on habitat use by the translocated guerezas. Six habitat types were classified through the help of satellite imagery and GPS locations both inside the forest and surrounding areas. Preference index function was used to understand habitat selection and utilization. Suitability of areas surrounding the forest as potential dispersal zones was determined by analysing utilization of these habitats by guerezas. To achieve this, guereza presence-absence in different habitat types both inside and outside the forest was conducted and the group’s activities in their habitat was assessed once a group was encountered.

Guerezas were found in all the habitat types comprising of indigenous vegetation and preferring the riverine forests (32% of the groups) while none of the groups was found within the Eucalyptus and Aruacaria plantations. Despite a large population of guerezas preferring areas outside the forest (NDVI of 40-80), 36% of the population utilized the areas outside the forest preferring areas with indigenous trees. Despite the rapid growth of built up areas outside the forest, guerezas do utilize these habitats, hence, the need to expand on vegetation cover targeting guereza food trees.

Comparison of feeding behaviour and diet between Olive colobus monkey (Procolobus verus) groups in forest fragments and continuous forest, Benin S. Djego Djossou1*,2 ; E. Wiafe3 ; D. Hakizamana 4; G. A. Mensah5 & B. A. Sinsin2 1

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science and Technique, University of Abomey-Calavi (Bénin) 01 BP 6270; 2 Laboratory of Applied Ecology; 3 Faculty of Agrornomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi (Bénin); 4 Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, Presbyterian University College, Ghana; 5 Department of Biology, University of Burundi, Burundi; Centre de Recherches Agricoles d’Agonkanmey, Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin, djegosyl@yahoo.fr

In order to understand the feeding behavior of olive colobus (Procolobus verus), in southern Benin (West Africa), we conducted a study on diet and feeding ecology of this species in two different habitats (fragmented forest and continuous forest). Data were collected over 8 months on four unhabituated groups of olive colobus: two groups living in continuous forest (Protected Forest of the Lama) and two in forest fragments (patches forests of Domè).We used the sampling procedure, ad libitum to determine the diet and feeding ecology of this primate species at both forests. Olive colobus monkeys were mainly folivorous with 58% and 61% of their time spent feeding on leaves respectively in forest fragments and contiunous forest. Olive colobus had a diversified diet including 25 food plant species (37% of species occurred in forest) in forest fragments and 32 food plant species (20% of the species occurred in central core) in continuous forest. Further, diet diversity value was lower (37 items) in forest fragments compared to continuous forest (42 items).

Plant species richness at both forests is 47 species when we combine food plants species for the two types forests. In addition, Sorensen similary index is 18% in value and 10 plant species commonly occurred in the two forests types: Albizia zygia, Cleistopholis patens, Cynometra megalophylla, Leucaniodiscus cupanioides, Pauridiantha hirtella, Psychotria calva, Pterocarpus santalinoides, Spondianthus preussii, Terminalia avicennioides, Xylopia parviflora. This preliminary study on feeding and diet must be continue particularly in forest fragments in order to provide the exhaustive list of fallback food and diet of this primate species.

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West African chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) nest building behaviour and their sympatric mammals in the Niokolo Koba National Park (Senegal): new site discovered Serigne Fallou Sylla1, Papa Ibnou Ndiaye1*, Stacy M. Lindshield2, Stephanie L. Bogart3 and Jill D. Pruetz4 1

Département de Biologie animale, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Cheikh Anta Diop (Dakar, Senegal) 2 Department of Anthropology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; 3 Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; 4 Department of Anthropology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA ibnou.ndiaye@ucad.edu.sn

The Niokolo Koba National Park (NKNP) is one of the most important in West Africa for biodiversity conservation. It is a World Heritage Site but it is endangered since 2007 due to many anthropogenic factors. West African chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes verus, is one of the emblematic animals of this park. P. t. verus is classified as “Critically Endangered” in 2018 in the redlist of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and listed during 2017 in the Annexe II of the Convention on the Conservation of the Migratory Species (CMS) and in Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Distribution of the chimpanzee in the NKNP is not well know. For this reason, we aim to do this study in Antenna area discovered firstly by JD Pruetz for increase knowledge in this site. Thus, we focused our study in nesting behaviour of chimpanzee and their sympatric large wild mammals.

Outputs of this study showed us that chimpanzee made their nests in the same tree species than in others sites of Senegal but the most preferred species is Hexalobus monopetalus, then Pterocarpus erinaceus. These species bear 68 % of the 262 nests identified nest during the study. Nests heights in antenna area are lower than Assirik (the principal chimpanzee habitat in the NKNP) and in Fongoli and Diaguiri (in the unprotected area outside of the park) despite the presence of predators (Lion, Leopard and Spotted hyena) in the area. Evaluation of the vegetation cover has showed us a lack of modification of the vegetation cover between 2000 and 2017. As a result of this study, we hypothesized that the group of chimpanzees in the antenna area is different than that of Assirik.

However, we intend to continue this study for collect more data about chimpanzees’ ecology and behaviour in this site. These data will be very useful for the management plan of the park and building an action plan of chimpanzee in Senegal.

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Mode of dispersal and its influence on dominance in male vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in a human-modified landscape Simon L’Allier1, Dina Greenberg1, Colin A. Chapman2 & Valerie A.M. Schoof1,3 1

Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele St, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada; Department of Anthropology and McGill School of Environment, McGill University, 855 Sherbrooke St West, Montréal, QC H3A 2T7, Canada; 3 Deparment of Multidisciplinary Studies, York University – Glendon College, 2275 Bayview Ave, North York, ON M4N 3M6, Canada 2

slallier@yorku.ca

Dispersal of individuals from one social group to another has important consequences for individual fitness. Dispersal patterns may be altered for species living in human-modified habitats.

This may be especially true for primates living outside protected areas, where anthropogenic habitat modifications may influence matrix permeability and the success of these strategies. While there are many possible benefits to dispersal, such as inbreeding avoidance, increased reproductive opportunities, and increased dominance rank, it is also associated with costs. These costs may include the loss of social partners and increased aggression and risk of predation. The importance of balancing the costs and benefits of dispersal should favor individuals who make dispersal decisions that optimize their survival and reproductive output. Primates may mitigate the potential costs of dispersal by engaging in parallel dispersal. Parallel dispersal can occur sequentially when individuals transfer alone but join a group containing familiar individuals or kin (i.e., sequential dispersal), or it can occur jointly when individuals travel simultaneously with familiar individuals or kin into a new social group (i.e., joint dispersal). In the present study, we use long-term data on a population of vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) living in the human-modified landscape on the shores of Lake Nabugabo, Uganda, to investigate male dispersal in three neighboring social groups. We examine and contextualize 18 dispersal events from 13 identifiable males from our three study groups (M group: 2012-2018; HC & KS groups: 2016-2018). Using long-term demographic (i.e., record of births, deaths, disappearances, immigrations, emigrations) and behavioural scan and ad libitum data of identifiable individuals, we examine whether males engage in joint parallel dispersal, sequential parallel dispersal, or lone dispersal, and whether the mode of dispersal is influenced by male age. We also examine the consequences of dispersal mode by examining changes in male dominance rank by calculating Elo-ratings for males 60 and 30 days before and after dispersal events. A male’s ability to join a new social group, increase his dominance rank, and possibly increase his reproductive success, might be dependent on the dispersal strategy employed.

How do wild female chimpanzees manage the energetic demands of pregnancy and lactation?

Stephanie A. Fox1*, Zarin P. Machanda2, Martin N. Muller1, Emily Otali3, Richard W. Wrangham4, Melissa Emery Thompson1 1

Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico; Department of Anthropology, Tufts University; 3 Kibale Chimpanzee Project, Fort Portal, Uganda; 4 Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University 2

safox@unm.edu

Female primates face intense energetic demands during gestation and lactation. These demands are often met by increasing caloric intake, which can mean lengthening the active period, spending

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a greater proportion of time feeding, or focusing on higher-quality foods. Increased foraging effort is expected to compromise other activities, particularly social behaviour. We investigated how reproductive state influences activity in wild female chimpanzees (N=16) at Kanyawara in Kibale National Park, Uganda, using full-day focal follow data from 2009-2016. For each day, we determined females’ day length and the amount of time she spent social, resting, feeding, feeding only on ripe fruit, and travelling. We compared these activity measures between pregnancy, the first two cost-intensive years of lactation (‘early lactation’), and all other times (‘late postpartum’).

Day length did not vary with female reproductive state (Cox proportional hazard, robust logrank test N=1222 with 124 events, p=0.41, χ2(3)=2.86). Contrary to expectation, time spent feeding and time spent feeding on ripe fruit did not vary with reproductive state. Females spent less time socializing when pregnant compared to during early lactation (LMM: N = 1013, B = -1.0, p < 0.001) and late postpartum (B = -0.7, p = 0.03). They also spent marginally more time resting when pregnant than during early lactation (LMM: N = 1013, B = -12.1, p = 0.06) and late postpartum (B = -11.8, p = 0.08). Regarding time spent travelling, we found an unexpected interaction effect between reproductive state and age, whereby younger females travelled less during pregnancy than females in other reproductive states, and older females travelled more during pregnancy than females in other reproductive states (LMM: N = 1013, B = 1.62, p < 0.001).

It is possible that female chimpanzees partially accommodate the energetic demands of pregnancy by decreasing social time and mildly increasing resting time. However, it is also possible that pregnant females avoid socializing during this time for other reasons, such as avoiding aggression from males. The finding that feeding behaviour did not change across states suggests that female chimpanzees are constrained from altering their foraging efficiency. Thus, females must accommodate their energetic demands in ways other than increased feeding time or shifting toward higher quality fruit.

Effects of research presence and human settlements on the distribution of central chimpanzees and western lowland gorillas in Southeast Cameroon Luc Roscelin Dongmo Tédonzong1,2, Jacob Willie1,2*, Sandra Makengveu1,3, Luc Lens2 & Nikki Tagg1 1

Projet Grands Singes (PGS), PO Box 5619, Yaoundé, Cameroun; Centre for Research and Conservation (CRC), Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp (RZSA), Koningin Astridplein 20-26, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium 2 Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC), Department of Biology, Ghent University (UGent), K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium 3 Department of Forestry, University of Dschang, PoBox 222, Dschang, Cameroon jacob.willie@kmda.org

Ecological factors such as predation can cause a shift in habitat utilization by inducing fear in prey species. Humans who are more and more present in almost all natural areas may incur similar effects and are therefore now considered super predators. Hence, it is crucial to determine how human presence can modify the distribution of animal species. We applied this study to sympatric great apes (Gorilla gorilla gorilla and Pan troglodytes troglodytes). We collected data on great ape nest locations and habitat distribution, and we used other spatial features such as trails, villages, a research site, permanent rivers, and topographic data to determine how different types of variables (ecological and anthropogenic) affect the distribution of wildlife species. Here, we show that human disturbances are important predictors of the distribution of wild animals. In the models with ecological variables only, the distribution of gorilla nests was predicted by the availability of their preferred nesting habitats, while chimpanzee nests were predicted first by elevation, followed by their preferred nesting habitats. When including human settlements in the

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models, the major predictors of gorilla nesting changed to human features, while the major predictors of chimpanzee nesting remained elevation and the availability of their preferred nesting habitats. Great apes avoided nesting near almost all human features. Our results demonstrate that the long history of human presence in natural systems has modified ecosystems, and they highlight the need to consider anthropogenic variables when studying wildlife response to ecological factors. We anticipated our essay to be a starting point for defining conservation measures for animal communities in human-dominated landscapes even where hunting is controlled. For example, the evidence suggests that chimpanzees may survive in human-encroached areas whenever the availability of their nesting habitat and preferred fruits can support their population, while gorillas are threatened by a certain level of human activity. This research extends our knowledge of predator-prey systems and emphasizes the need to consider the effects of humans on animal behaviour.

Nutritional Coping Mechanisms among Mangabey in Lwamunda Forest Reserve in Uganda M. Masette, G. Isabirye-Basuta, D. Baranga and M. Chemurot Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

moseschemurot@gmail.com In a severely degraded forest reserve like Lwanunda, food is not readily available to meet the nutritional requirements of the Mangabey (Lophocebus ugandae Groves). As a consequence, they tend to devise copping mechanism to breach the nutritional gap. However, these coping mechanisms remain poorly understood. A three year study was undertaken to generate information on the diet, fruiting phenology and quality of fruits from ten priority trees species commonly utilized as food by Mangabeys. Using standard methods, relevant data was collected and analyzed.

The results show that there were four copping mechanism employed by Magabeys to meet their nutritional requirements. These included: fruit processing, avoidance of fruits with high tannin levels, consumption of fallback fruits and crop raiding. It was observed that 60% of the fruits commonly utilized by Mangabeys were processed to access the desired fruits parts like ripe pulp and endosperm. It was noted that Magabeys only consumed fruit parts which had less than 2.6g/100g catechin equivalent. Fall-back fruits (FBFs) that were available for most of the time contributed to Mangabey diet during periods of low food availability. The ratio of fallback to preferred fruit was 2:1, indicating the severity of fruit scarcity. During scarcity, Magabeys frequently raided domesticated crops. It was concluded that Magabeys in Lwamunada relied on different foraging and food selection criteria to cope with periods of food scarcity. We recommend the development of credible strategies and policies for conservation of forest reserves to sustain Mangabey population in Lwamunda. Further studies should be conducted to include secondary metabolites like terpenoids and alkaloids.

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Call combinations in chimpanzees?

Maël Leroux1, Katie E. Slocombe2, Anne M. Schel3, Klaus Zuberbühler3,4 & Simon W. Townsend1,6 1

Department of Comparative Linguistics, University of Zurich, Switzerland; 2Department of Psychology, University of York, UK; 3Animal Ecology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands; 4Department of Comparative Cognition, University of Neuchatel, Switzerland; 5School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, UK; 6 Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, UK mael.leroux@uzh.ch

A key feature of language often argued to distinguish it from other animal communication systems is its compositionality: meaningful words are combined together into larger structures with derived meaning (Hurford, 2011). Despite its significance, we know very little regarding how unique this capacity is to humans or the evolutionary progression of this trait. By searching for core features of language, such as its compositionality, in the communication systems of our closest-living relatives, particularly the apes, it is possible to shed light on whether the components of language are de novo evolved traits in humans or whether they have their origins rooted in the primate lineage. Using a high-density data approach, we are currently investigating the forms of vocal combinatorial structures in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii). Preliminary data collected in the Budongo forest, Uganda, indicates that call combinations represent 14% of the total vocal production in chimpanzees and that the context of production is a good predicator of the call types combined. Moreover, predator presentations revealed that chimpanzees combine calls (alarm-hoos with waa-barks) when encountering a snake, specifically when other individuals are present, potentially to recruit group members in a dangerous situation. Ongoing playback experiments aim to further investigate the meaning and function of this call combination and to test whether chimpanzees process it as a compositional-like structure. This work will help elucidate whether one of the core building blocks of language, compositionality, also exists in the communication systems of our closest relative and therefore is evolutionarily more ancient.

Behavior patterns of the Tana River Mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus) along habitat disturbance gradient in the lower Tana River, Kenya Maingi C. K. 1, 2, S. M. Kivai2, J. M. Githaiga1 & J. I. Kanya1 1

School of Biological Sciences, Chiromo Campus, University of Nairobi, P.O Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya 2 Department of Conservation Biology, Institute of Primate Research, P.O. Box 24481-00502, Nairobi, Kenya maingikivasu@gmail.com

Tana River mangabey, Cercocebus galeritus, is an endangered monkey endemic to the lower Tana River forest fragments in Kenya. This species is faced by a myriad of threats such as slash and burn farming, proposed upstream damming, and infrequent flooding. With all these threats, monitoring of behavior patterns of these non-human primates in disturbed and less disturbed forest fragments is essential to understand how they cope in these habitats. We conducted a study in two forest fragments (Mchelelo and Mkomani) within the Tana River National Primate Reserve from February to August, 2015. The aim was to compare behavior patterns of two habituated groups in the forests. To collect behavioral data, we conducted animal focal sampling for 10 minutes with an interval of 5 minutes between each focal individual, which were rotationally selected in each group. We calculated the average time spent in several activity categories and compared the behavior patterns in both groups. Within Mchelelo group, the average time spent on any activity was highest for feeding (19.9 ± 0.5) followed by resting (11.0 ± 0.3), moving (5.1 ± 0.2) and less time allocated to social interaction (2.4 ± 0.1). Feeding behavior pattern was higher (21.4 ± 0.6) 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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compared to the rest of activities; resting (6.1 ± 0.2), social interaction (5.2 ± 0.2) and moving (4.7 ± 0.2) for the Mkomani group. Comparison of the behavior patterns in both groups showed a significant difference in feeding (t = 1.73, d.f = 626, n = 254 and 374, P = 0.084), resting behavior (t = 14.1, d.f = 524, n = 254 and 374, P < 0.001), and social interaction data (t = 10.6, d.f = 626, n = 254 and 374, P < 0.001). However, time allocated to moving (t = 1.51, d.f = 626, n = 254 and 374, P = 0.13) between the two groups was not significantly different. The findings of this study will help add to the existing information on the behavior of this nonhuman primate. Also, it will help in informing strategies aimed at monitoring the behavior of this species in disturbed and undisturbed habitats in the region. Further research is required to better understand the effects of habitat disturbance on the behavior of the Tana River mangabey.

Ecomorphological Analysis of Plio-Pleistocene Cercopithecidae from the Lower Omo Basin: Implications for Dietary Adaptation and Paleoenvironment Reconstruction Mezgebu Ashagrie1 and Solomon Yirga2 1 Bahir Dar University, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences 2 Addis Ababa University, College of Natural Sciences mezgebu1@gmail.com This study was undertaken to reconstruct the Plio-Pleistocene cercopithecidae dietary adaptation, and environmental changes at lower Omo. Their dietary adaptations were reconstructed through shearing quotient based ecomorphological analysis. The proportions of taxa with specific dietary adaptation across geologic time were taken to reconstruct paleoenvironmental changes. Shearing quotient analysis revealed shear crest developments were significantly different among the cercopithecidae taxa at P < 0.001.

Reconstructed dietary adaptations showed that except the Theropithecus lineage the rest of the cercopithecidae taxa both in colobinae and cercopithecinae were adapted like that of their contemporary groups. Exceptionally, the Theropithecus lineage had different dietary adaptations along their successive geologic time, i.e., frugivory in T. brumpti, hard food items in T. oswaldi and more grass blades in T. gelada. This dietary adaptation together with other environmental evidences indicate that T. oswaldi were living in open habitats, while the rest of the fossil cercopithecidae were dwelling in environments with more tree covered habitats like forests to woodland/bushland habitats. As a result of this habitat implication, the study showed that the lower Omo valley had been a closed environment from 3.6 - 2.95Ma. However, environmental changes had been observed at the later period, particularly from closed to a mosaic of closed and open environment from 2.85 – 2.52 Ma and progressively open and most probably extreme aridity from 1.90-1.74 Ma. These environmental changes coincide with the East African climatic change recorded from Marine records of the African climate variability document as well as to the evolution of hominids such as Paranthropus aethiopicus and Homo erectus. These co-occurrence of events on fauna, environmental and climatic changes suggest that the observed major late Pliocene-Pleistocene events in the lower Omo might have been climatically mediated.

Polyspecific associations in the Tana River mangabey, Cercocebus galeritus in Lower Tana River, Tana River County, Kenya Mutinda1,2 J & Kivai, S.M2 1 2

Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya Chuka University, Department of Environment and Resource Development

*Correspondence: junemutinda81@gmail.com OR skivai@primateresearch.org

Polyspecific associations serve as an adaptive strategy to promote feeding efficiency and defense against predation. Mixed associations, however, require balancing the associated costs with the potential benefits. While in such associations there is a diluted effect of predation, large groups also attract predators. large mixed groups are characterized by high feeding efficiency but feeding competition may be elevated. Thus, balancing the costs and benefits of polyspecific associations 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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may confer an important survival advantage and thereby acting as a key evolutionary driving force shaping and maintaining such associations among primates. Despite the possible evolutionary significance of polyspecific associations in primates, little has been done to understand their nature and ecological costs and benefits, especially in endangered primates. To address this problem we focused on the endangered Tana River mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus) in the lower Tana River forests to understand the nature of mixed associations the species form and whether the associations vary with habitat disturbances. To achieve this, we conducted group focal follows of two mangabey groups living in two forest patches experiencing different levels of anthropogenic disturbances (i.e., Kitere and Mchelelo), and recorded frequencies and contact duration of the groups with other species in the habitat from April â&#x20AC;&#x201C; December 2015. Our results indicated that the Tana River mangabey formed mixed associations with the Tana River red colobus monkey (Piliocolobus rufomitratus), lowland Sykes monkey (Cercopithecus mitis), Yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus) and other non-primate species in the forest such as the red duiker and the bushbuck.

The Tana River mangabey spent (41.99%) of their time with Sykes monkeys, (38.67%) with the red colobus, (12.68%) with the olive baboon and (6.66%) with other species. The mangabey interacted with more than one species a day in an unpredictable manner. Habitat disturbance did not have any effect on polyspecific associations and there was no significant difference in group interactions with other species between the two groups (t = 0.844, d.f= 346, p = 0.108, N = 242;,106). Species interactions occurred mostly while feeding and traveling through the forest suggesting they could function to promote feeding efficiency and minimizing predation risks.

Future research should focus on seasonal variation in polyspecific associations of the Tana River mangabey.

Correlates of threats on diurnal primates of Akure Forest Reserve, Southwest Nigeria Ogunjemite B. G., Adekanbi , E. A., Awoku, G. S. and Olaniy, O. E. Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria bgogunjemite@futa.edu.ng

Populations of non-human Primates in Southwestern Nigeria are becoming more threatened as human activities impact deeper into their habitation. The objective of this work is to assess threats to non-human primates of Akure Forest Reserve, Ondo State Nigeria. Twelve threat activities were evaluated on the distribution of diurnal primate species of the reserve. Primate activities and threats were sampled on five line transects of three kilometres each. Censuses along the transects were conducted twice daily for two weeks between the month of June and July 2018. Five non-human primates were present in the reserve. They are Mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona), White-throated monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster), Red-capped managabey (Cercocebus torquatus), Putty-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus nictitans), and Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). A total of 113 records of the animals was made. There was a very strong correlation between the sightings in the morning and evening (P< 0.05, r = 0.99). Based on the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), the first two axes explained that 84.43% of the variance of nonhuman primate species data can be explained by anthropogenic threat variations. The CCA ordination biplot diagram indicated that only four (farming, gin trap, gunshots and cattle activities) out of the twelve anthropogenic threat indicators were identified as the constrained variables.

Gunshots and gin trap had the highest positive (0.139) and negative (-0.725) biplot scores along the axes 1 and 2 respectively. The biplot revealed that Pan troglodytes ellioti shows a strong negative relationship with gin trap, cattle activities, gunshots and farming. Cercopithecus erythrogaster, Cercopithecis nictitans and Cercocebus torquatus showed a strong association with positive axis 1. But, Cercopithecus erythrogaster had a weaker positive relationship with cattle activities, gunshots and farming. Mitigating disturbances caused through agriculture and hunting 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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is parts of the major issues to address in the effort to curb escalating pressures on diurnal forest primates in Southwestern Nigeria.

Genetic structure of re-introduced primates, anthropogenic activities and implications for their survival in Cross River National Park (Oban Division), Nigeria Adeola Oluwakemi Ayoola1, 2* and Babafemi George Ogunjemite 2 1

State Key laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, China; 2 Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. adeola@mail.kiz.ac.cn, adeolaayoola90@yahoo.com and ogunjemitefuta@gmail.com

Nigeria has the second highest deforestation rate in West Africa. The remaining forest, which occurs within national parks or forest reserves, i.e. protected areas (PAs), is being destroyed by anthropogenic activities. Less than 10% of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rain forests remains, and more than half of what remains occurs in Cross River State, which makes it one of the key rainforest areas in Nigeria.

Our research focuses on assessing the survival status of the four primate species (red-eared guenons, putty-nose guenons, mona guenons and red-capped mangabeys) recently reintroduced

by Centre for Education Research and Conservation of Primates and Nature (CERCOPAN) to the area. In order to assess the status of the 103 non-human primates re-introduced in Cross River National Park (Oban Division) Nigeria, we estimated the relative abundance of primates based on encounter rate per km, and the intensity of threat encountered per km. Primate activities and survival were also monitored with the aid of a radio-transmitter and chips fitted to the primates, thus making it easier to follow them. Using this approach only 57Âą2.0 individual of the NHPs reintroduced were encountered and sighted. With grazing activities having the highest no of threat of 2.83 encounter rate per km. The importance of daily post-release monitoring, involving observations of the primates over their full active period, cannot be overemphasised. Reduction in the number of reintroduced primates could be as a result of human activities, loss of connection with the radiotransmitter and poor genetic adaptation. During the surveys we encountered a puttynosed monkey carcass which could have died as a result of human activities or of poor genetic adaptation to its new environment. Given signs of human activity in the national park, urgent conservation action is required to protect the primates found there. Moreover, urgent measures to safeguard the reintroduced species should be put in place, and efforts should be made to understand the adaptive capabilities of the reintroduced species. There is a need to ensure that the released primates are the appropriate taxa for the release area, and genetic studies to address population viabilities given the low numbers of individuals reintroduced.

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Energetic management in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire Prince D. Valé1,2,3, Cédric Girard-Buttoz3, Inza Kone1,2, Roman M. Wittig3,4 1

Université Félix Houphouët Boigny, Department of Bioscienses Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire; Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire; 3 Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Leipzig, Germany.

4 Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, Abidjan, Ivory Coast 2

valeprince15@yahoo.fr

Energetic management, i.e. balancing energy intake and expenditure, is a key determinant of animal reproductive success and survival. Despite the high energetic needs of primates to maintain their costly large brains, they appear to have developed social strategies allowing them to gain sustainable levels of energy available to other functions. Chimpanzees, that possess one of the largest brain-body mass ratios in non-human animals, are a good model species to study this energetic paradox. Males engage in intense mating competition, can coerce females, and females nurse their offspring for several years. In Eastern chimpanzees, variation in energy balance is associated with male-male mating competition, with lower energy levels during times of high competition. Here we studied the effect of mating competition, dominance rank and seasonal variation in food availability on energy balance in Western chimpanzees, a subspecies characterized by less male-male mating competition and lower occurrence of female coercion by males. We studied one community of chimpanzees over 12 months in Tai National Park. We combined phenological measures to assess food availability, focal behavioural observations and measures of urinary c-peptide (UCP), a marker of energy balance, on 186 urine samples. With a general linear model in R software, we found sex differences in the factors affecting the relationship between dominance rank and UCP levels. Higher-ranking females had higher UCP levels than lower-ranking ones only in periods when no oestrus females were present in the group.

For males, the relationship between rank and UCP levels was positive in presence of oestrus females and negative in the absence of oestrus females. This suggests that the presence of oestrus females possibly alleviated the effect of dominance rank on energy gain through feeding competition in female chimpanzees, while low-ranking males suffered higher energetic costs of mating competition than dominants. Overall, our results indicate that, for chimpanzees of both sexes, competition seems to determine their energy balance, suggesting that social strategies can prove useful tools to sustain high energetic demands.

Population status of western chimpanzee in the Bia conservation area, Ghana Paul Tehoda1*, Emmanuel Danquah1 and Tatyana Humle2 1

Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

2 Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK. paultehoda@yahoo.com

Information on population parameters such as size, density and distribution of species and its associated threats are prerequisite for science-based conservation management and policy guidance to safeguard and monitor long term persistence of species. However, such data may be lacking on chimpanzees in parts of their range or where available data may not be up to date. To contribute towards filling this gap in scientific knowledge about chimpanzees’ of Ghana, this study investigated the population status of the chimpanzees in the Bia Conservation Area (BCA) in southwestern Ghana. A total of 112.4 km line transects and 90.1 km recce transects were

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systematically laid and surveyed to gather data on signs of chimpanzee and human activities from January to March 2018. Overall encounter rate of chimpanzee nests was 0.18 nests/km and 0.21 nests/km on only line transects. Using distance sampling methods, chimpanzee density was estimated as 0.08 weaned individuals per km2, yielding population size of 24 weaned individuals for the BCA during the survey period. Chimpanzee presence was confirmed in both the Bia National Park and Bia Resource Reserve sections of the BCA but their activities were clumped in the southeastern part of the BCA. Illegal human activities were recorded across the whole study area with an encounter rate of 1.21 signs per km. Illegal human activities showed a weak positive correlation with distribution of chimpanzee which was also demonstrated by an overlap in spatial distribution of human and chimpanzee activities encountered in the BCA. This situation, as well as the low chimpanzee density and population estimates recorded in this study, are alarming and pose serious concerns for the long term persistence of this subspecies in its most easterly geographical distribution. Urgent conservation action is needed to prevent the extinction of chimpanzee in the BCA and Ghana as a whole.

Demographic dynamics of a translocated Mount Kenya guereza (Colobus guereza kikuyuensis) population at Karura Forest, Kenya P. Fundi1,2 , W. Kiiru2 and S. Muya2 1 2

Conservation Biology Department, Institute of Primate Research; Department of Zoology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Correspondence to peter.fundi@gmail.com

Demographic studies provide crucial information for monitoring change in a population and for predicting population dynamics necessary in species management. In this study we investigated Mount Kenya guerezaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Colobus guereza kikuyuensis) population response to habitat change following reintroduction of 142 individuals, in 22 groups to Karura forest. Post-reintroduction monitoring of the groups was undertaken twice every month between May 2014 and May 2019 to determine group composition, evaluate habitat choice after release, natality and mortality rates and causes, infant survivability, and fission-fusion and infanticide instances. Natural mortality after the release accounted for 30% of all the deaths while accidents associated with loss of arboreality accounted for 70% of the observed deaths. Despite 35% of the translocated individuals being adult females, births after release were delayed for 26Âą2 months. All the infants born at Karura (36) have nonetheless exhibited 100% survivability. However, five of the eight females translocated while pregnant miscarried during the 4Âą1 days the groups were held at the acclimatization cage.

Additionally, only a single case of infanticide was reported after an attempted group take over by a released male, and one case of group fission after release which is attributable to unbalanced group composition of 6 males and 3 female. In three cases out of the five groups where two adult males were in the same group, subordinate male left the group for lone bachelorhood. The success of Mount Kenya guereza translocation could be attributed to availability of suitable micro habitats at Karura forest including rivers since 86% of the released groups chose their territories in the riverine areas. The high individual survivability, birth rate and low mortality affirms to the fact that well planned translocations can be used as species conservation tool meant for curbing the challenges associated with human-nonhuman primate conflicts.

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Steps and Lessons from integrating orphans primate infants (Cercopithecus aethiops & Cercopithecus albogularis) into a captive social group of unrelated individuals in Diani, Kenya Janeserah Mukundi and Pamela Cunneyworth Colobus Conservation, Diani, Kenya janeserahmukundi@gmail.com

Colobus Conservation, started in 1997, is a not-for-profit organization promoting conservation, and protection of Dianiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primates and their forest habitat. The center operates a 24 hour rescue for sick and injured primates, and attends to over 200 call outs per year with infants coming into their care. Infants are placed into a rehabilitation process; the ultimate goal of releasing them into the wild. Upon arrival, infants receive a veterinary health check, diet is determined based on weight/age, and care-giver identified. With very young infants, night-time warmth is provided.

Integration does not begin until infants reach specific milestones, such as displaying independence by playing on their own, and able to respond to potential threats and vocalizes appropriately.

Infants are trained to come to a milk bottle when presented, this is a crucial precursor to the integration process, ensuring adequate food intake when the infant no longer requires direct management of a care-giver. From the captive group, the team identifies a potential surrogate mother. Selected females are moved from the enclosure into a nursery enclosure. Care-giver and infant enter the nursery antechamber, where determination of suitability is evaluated. Suitability is determined by repeated behaviors such as smelling and grooming of infants. This step is repeated until a suitable surrogate mother is identified. Introduction of other group members occurs after the surrogate mother is carrying and caring for the infant while simulating wild mother/infant interactions. The rationale for the order of individuals introduced, is least dominant individuals added first. This enables the mother to actively protect the infant while bonds between them and group members develop. When individuals are added, that are dominant to the mother, positive bonds already exist between infant and other group members. Care must be taken during this process and time is a crucial consideration. The process shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be rushed, and adjustments made whenever new infants are introduced. If aggression from the last introduced individual happens, the individual should be removed with time allowed for the 2 troops to adjust. Infanticide occurs in both Sykes and vervets. Care must be taken adding adult males near the end of the process with the alpha male added last.

Macronutrient Balancing Drives Foraging Strategies in Female Chimpanzees Moreen Uwimbabazi1*,2, David Raubenheimer3, Mnason Tweheyo4, Richard Wrangham5, and Jessica Rothman6 1

Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University 2 National Forestry Resources Research Institute-NARO, Mukono, Uganda 3 Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 4 Department of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University 5 Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University 6 Department of Anthropology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York muwimbabazi@gmail.com

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Primate foraging is influenced by spatial and temporal distribution of food resources, which may in turn cause deviations from optimal nutrient intakes. Female chimpanzees in the Kanyawara community in Kibale National Park, Uganda are reported to prefer drupes than figs and tend to increase foraging and decrease diet-quality when drupes are scarce. Here we examine their food intake following fluctuations in diet composition in relation to macronutrient balancing using the geometric framework of nutrition. We used continuous focal observations to record feeding behavior and analysed foods for macronutrients. Female chimpanzees consumed significant proportion of figs (33%) even when drupes were abundant and figs were the most dominant food type. They also subsisted on proteinaceous lower quality herbaceous vegetation (THV) whether drupes or figs were abundant. It was further determined that chimpanzees consumed less THV on drupe-days than on fig-days. Chimpanzees consumed larger quantities of non-protein energy (NPE) on fruit-days (when drupes or figs were abundant) than on non-fruit days ( whenTHV was abundant). On the other hand, chimpanzees did not consume significantly distinguishable amount of protein (P) when their diet was dominated by THV than when it was dominated by ripe fruits, demonstrating that they prioritized protein. The NPE:P ratio of female chimpanzee diets at 7:1 is close to that of other frugivorous primates. These findings demonstrate that: (1) chimpanzees may include proportions of THV in their daily diet even when fruit is available to meet protein needs; (2) chimpanzees prioritize protein; (3) chimpanzees reached their intake target (balance between protein and nonprotein energy intake) by adjusting the proportions of nutritionally balanced foods (figs and drupes) and nutritionally complementary foods (fruits and THV) in their diet; and (4) figs and THV are not just fallback foods which are consumed when drupes are scarce but are important foods in that they help chimpanzees meet their NPE and P targets respectively.

Adaptability of Hapalemur griseus griseus to a diet containing cyanogenic heteroside Anselmo Andrianandrasana1,4 , Aristide Andrianarimisa2,6, Sylvia Ralambonirina5, Jeannot Randrianasy1, Harison Rabarison3, Ruffin Andriamiarison4, Marolahy Ndrianasolo4, Rose Marie Randrianarison4 1

Mention Anthropobiology and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Sciences, BP 906, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar; 2 Mention Zoology and Animal Biodiversity, Faculty of Sciences, BP 906, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar; 3 Mention Biology and Plant Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, BP. 906, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; 4 Groupe dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Etude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar (GERP), Lot 34 CitĂŠ des Professeurs Fort Duchesne, Ankatso, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; 5 Centre National dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Application des Recherches Pharmaceutiques (CNARP), Rue RP RAHAJARIZAFY, Ambodivoanjo, BP 702, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; 6 Wildlife Conservation Society, Madagascar Program, Villa Ifanomezantsoa, Soavimbahoaka - P.O. Box 8500. Antananarivo 101, Madagascar zandrianselmo@gmail.com

The feeding ecology of primates depends on the morphological adaptations of the dentition and digestive tract and on physiological adaptations (Hladik, 2006). The eastern lesser bamboo lemur (Hapalemur griseus griseus) is a folivorous bamboo lemur (Wright, 1986; Tan, 1999; Grassi, 2002; Mittermeier et al., 2014), classified as Vulnerable (Andriaholinirina, 2014). The aim of this work was to enhance our understanding of feeding preferences of eastern lesser bamboo lemurs; specifically foods consumed per season, habitat types and diets of the species. An ecological survey of foods consumed by two groups of eastern lesser bamboo lemurswas undertaken in the Maromizaha rainforest during 2016. The study spanned two seaons: one wet and hot season

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(November to April) and one dry and cool season (May to October). Data was gathered over 12 days per month; observations were equally split between study groups (6 days per month ~ 1346.25hrs per group total). In order to understand more about the cyanogenic properties of plant species consumed by eastern bamboo lemurs, phytochemicalscreening was undertaken to determine the presence or absence of cyanogenic glycosides. This analysis was undertaken using a Grignard test. Cyanogenic glycosides release toxic hydrocyanic acid (HCN) after hydrolysis.

The Grignard test involves the use of an indicator paper (Whatman filter paper).Samples were impregnated with an aqueous solution of sodium picrate. The filter paper taking on a red hue is indicative of the presence of cyanogenic glycosides. Although this method is qualitative, it served to provide more information about the presence (or absence) of cyanogenic glycosides in the eastern bamboo lemur diet. The eastern lesser bamboo lemurs in this study predominantly consumed plants belonging to the Poaceae family, a type of bamboo including Cephalostachyum sp., Panicum sp1, and Panicum sp2 (64.52%). Preference was shown for young shoots and leaves of these plants. However they also exploited other plants such as Hypoestessp (Acanthaceae).

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Subtheme: Diversity, Taxonomy, and Status

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Assessing blue monkey (Cercopithecus mitis) distribution in Malawi Amanda Harwood1, James Stranks1,2, Eleanor Darby3, Emma Stone4 1

Lilongwe Wildlife Trust; Georg-August-Universität-GÜttingen; 3 Oxford Brookes University; 4 University of the West of England Bristol 2

Mandy@lilongwewildlife.org

Very few studies address primate research and conservation in Malawi, although the presence of up to seven primate species has been recorded throughout the country. Primate species suffer a lack of baseline data required to create effective management and conservation strategies. We aim to provide such data by assessing the occupancy, distribution, and habitat characteristics of Cercopithecus mitis across nine sites in Malawi from 2017-2019. We used presence/absence surveys in Nyika National Park, Lifuwa Hill, Ntchisi Forest Reserve, Viphya Complex Forest Reserve, Zomba Plateau, Zulunkhuni Forest Reserve, Satemwa Tea Plantation, Lukwe Forest Reserve, Kaningina Forest Reserve, and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. At each site we conducted walking transects and vegetation plots. Habitat characteristics were measured for spatial geometry of each forest patch using satellite imagery and floral composition from vegetation plots. Area and irregularity of patch shape, as well as vegetation composition, had influence on the presence of C. mitis. Several adaptations were observed in fragmented landscapes and observed troop size appeared small with an average of less than 20 individuals. Anthropogenic disturbances were recorded in nearly all of the forest areas surveyed. Data from this ongoing study will inform local area management as well as add knowledge to adaptations of forest-dwelling primates in response to increasing habitat fragmentation. We recommend further research on blue C. mitis populations and the creation of a conservation action plan for their protection in Malawi.

Habitat Loss: A Cry of Ashy Red Colobus in Ufipa Plateau Amani Kitegile1*, 2Arafat Mtui and 3Kuluthumu Mwamende 1

Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture; Udzungwa ecological Monitoring Centre, Udzungwa Mountains National Park; 3 Department of Animal Aquaculture and range Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture 2

akitegile@sua.ac.tz; 2armtui@gmail.com; 3ummy1410@sua.ac.tz

For centuries, forests in Africa have been converted into farm lands and human habitats through various anthropogenic activities, leading into habitat loss for forest dwelling mammals especially primates. Although the last century witnessed no primate extinction, an extensive destruction of primate populations worldwide mostly through habitat destruction was recorded as indicated in the list of 25 most endangered primate species 2014-2016. Here we present some preliminary findings on the vegetation cover of Mbuzi and Mbizi forests the remaining forests of the Ufipa Plateau, evaluating their quality as habitat of Ashy Red Colobus monkeys (Piliocolobus tephrosceles) in the southwestern Tanzania. Using plotless visual forest assessment, we conducted a two day survey in each forest assessing forest canopy cover. We also conducted six days complete senses using GPS transect assessing population status of Ashy red Colobus in Mbizi forest. The disturbance was higher in unprotected Mbuzi forest than in protected Mbizi forest. In 2007, Mbuzi forest was estimated to have an area of 611ha, however based on visual assessment, we anticipate this area has been much reduced to remnants of forest fragments and patches with no primates as observed during the survey. Few groups of Colobus monkeys are reported to be restricted in small woodland vegetation at the escarpment facing the plateau. The disturbance in Mbizi forest was in the form of degradation of natural forest through restoration program. The restoration program has turned the previously natural forest into commercial forest of exotic pine trees, only leaving remnants of natural forests in the midst as habitat for primates. A total of 518 individual Ashy red Colobus were counted in Mbizi forest during six days census survey, with 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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Mean group size of 25.9 (n=20; SD=11.6; range 2-52). These findings highlight threats to both populations and suggest that urgent conservation attention is required.

Habitat specialization and loud call specificity of the needle-clawed galagos (Euoticus spp) in Cameroon Derick Nomuh Forbanka APIES, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa dericknomuh@gmail.com

The distribution of strepsirhines has been explained by various hypotheses including Gondwana vicariance, the use of rafts as well as episodic subaerial exposure. Most taxonomists maintain that there are two species of the needle-clawed galagos, namely, Euoticus elegantulus and E. pallidus.

These two nocturnal strepsirhines are medium-sized forest dwellers and are morphologically distinguishable from other galagids. They are allopatrically distributed in Cameroon but very few studies have been conducted about them. Like all nocturnal primates, needle-clawed galagos rely on sounds and scents to a greater extent than their diurnal counterparts. Consequently, variations in pelage coloration may not constitute specific distinctions, but may be the result of environmental selection or camouflage. Loud calls among nocturnal primates have been shown to be indicative of species status. There are few studies comparing loud calls and habitat preferences of the needle-clawed galagos. Therefore this study was designed to compare loud calls and habitat preference among purported species of needle-clawed galagos. Nocturnal surveys were conducted in different forest in the Centre, East and South West Regions of Cameroon. Trees in which animals were found were tagged and a 10 x 10 m quadrat made for the measurement of habitat characteristics. Loud calls of these animals were also recorded opportunistically. All data collected were analyzed and compared statistically. Results showed that needle-clawed galagos are selective in terms of preferred habitats irrespective of forest type. Statistical analyses of loud calls however failed to detect any significant differences between the two species but the maximum energy of reverberation of the loud calls of E. pallidus was at lower frequencies than those of E. elegantulus indicating different acoustic habitats. Provided there is a continuous canopy cover, needle-clawed galagos will continue to thrive in degraded habitats. Loud calls of these species have potential for non-invasive population monitoring in all forest types.

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Preliminary results of the survey of nocturnal primate species in the Dahomey Gap Houngbedji, M.G. Dakpogan, S.C., Y. Olatoundji Organisation pour le Développement Durable et la Biodiversité, Benin, 10PB266 Cotonou, Benin mhoungbedji@oddbong.org

In the Dahomey Gap - a strip of forest-savanna mosaic, which interrupts the two lowland rain forest blocks in West Africa - primate biodiversity is poorly known. Recently, several species of bushbabies, particularly Galagoides have been described from Easthern Africa. Although these studieswere mainly based on their calls, a similar study for West Africa is still lacking. This research aims to clarify which nocturnal primate species are present in Benin and to compare their relative frequencies. Data were collected spanning mostly the years 2016-18 in Lama gazetted forest, Lokoli forest, Gnanhouizoun forest and Drabo-Gbo forest in Benin and in Togodo-nord Faunal Reserve in Togo. An average of two night’s survey were conducted in every forest. Data were collected from 7:00 – 11:00 pm and from 3:00-5:00 am using recce surveys after dusk and before dawn. We made a total survey time of 87 hours and 35 minutes. During surveys, two observers walked slowly (at approximately 1 km/h) while scanning vegetation with batterypowered head torches. Prosimians were detected by the distinctive “eye shine” reflected from the torchlight and/ or their distinctive calls. We noted the position and height in the forest canopy of each sighting. We attempted to keep animals in view as long as possible, and recording their calls with a tape recorder. The calls were compared to referential calls from the Nocturnal Primate Specialist Group and confirmation was provided by Simon Bearder. In overall, 2 nocturnal primate species were recorded: the Thomas’s dwarf bushbaby (Galagoides thomasi) and the Benin potto (Perodicticus potto juju). We found that the Thomas’ dwarf bushbabby is the most common nocturnal primate species found in all the five surveyed forests. Galagoides thomasi were seen at all level of the forest’ stages, from lower undergrowth to the canopy. The species were recorded in dense forest, degraded forest as well as in old farm bush. Therefore, the Benin potto were recorded in Drabo-Gbo, Lama and Gnanhouizounmè forests. The relative frequency of sighting was 0.9 ind/h for Thomas’s dwarf galago while the relative frequency of sighting for the Benin potto was 0.07 ind/h. Thomas’s Galago seems entirely occupied the niche of Demidoff’s galago but deeper study are required. The calls of tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax arborealis sp nov.) were very common except in Drabo-Gbo forest where no calls have been recorded. The other mammals observed were the large-spotted genet (Genetta maculata) and the Beecroft's scaly-tailed squirrel (Anomalurus beecrofti).

Comparison of methods to monitor a diverse primate community at a large species scale: case study of TL2 landscape in Democratic Republic of Congo Koko Bisimwa, John Hart, Junior Amboko, Henri Silegowa, Frankfurt Zoological Society TL2 Project, Kinshasa, Rep Démocratique du Congo

DRC contains several large protected forest landscapes with diverse communities of anthropoid primates that range across a variety of forested habitats. Several of the landscapes have national parks with large buffer zones whose management is important for the protection of the park Many of the buffer zones comprise mosaics of intact forest, agriculture, and regenerating forest of different ages. Hunting of primates is widespread in many landscapes. A major challenge is how to monitor these diverse primate communities at a landscape scale and across the range of varying human impacts. We investigate this problem in the Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba (TL2) landscape in

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central DRC. The TL2 includes the 9,000km2 Lomami National Park (LNP) and a 12,000 km2 buffer zone, which is divided by sectors based on ethnic and administrative territories. Eleven species of diurnal primates are known to occur in the TL2 landscape, to-date. Habitats range from closed upland forest to forest savanna ecotone, on upland to seasonally inundated sites and across a range of human disturbance. Human population in the LNP buffer zone ranges from less than 1 to over 10 people per km2. Primates are hunted in all areas of the buffer zone, in some areas intensively. We compare three methods for rapid primate assessment over large spatial scale: direct encounters of primates on compass oriented reconnaissance surveys (recces), counts of primates on fixed line transects, and dawn surveys of calling primates. Six species can be surveyed by all three methods. We compare estimates of distribution and relative abundance across habitat differences and protection gradients to evaluate population stability from 2008 to 2018. These surveys allow us to identify species-specific habitat preferences, evaluate population stability over time in both protected and hunted sites, and detect species-specific vulnerability to hunting.

Multiple methods are required to monitor this large community.

The behavioral biology of hamadryas baboons in comparative perspective, with implications for hominin evolution Larissa Swedell1,3-5 and Shahrina Chowdhury2,3-5 1

Queens College, City University of New York (CUNY) Brooklyn College, CUNY 3 New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology (NYCEP) 4 The Graduate Center, CUNY 5 Filoha Hamadryas Project 2

LarissaSwedell@gmail.com

Baboons (Papio spp.) share many features with hominins that have long made them excellent analogs for human evolution, including large body size, terrestriality, gregariousness, and a generalist ecological strategy. Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) in particular, however, have traditionally been viewed as an outlier in the baboon behavioral continuum, as their rigid multilevel society and male-controlled behavioral repertoire lie at the extreme end of known variation in primate behavior as a whole. While hamadryas baboons deviate from the Papio norm in important ways, the socioecological characteristics that make hamadryas distinctive papionins are precisely why they may be even more suitable referential models for hominin evolution than other baboons. This multilevel social system also links them to other primate taxa with similar societies that together demonstrate the interplay between ecological variation and social flexibility. Here we present new data from the Filoha field site in Ethiopia and discuss the current state of knowledge of the behavioral biology of hamadryas baboons in comparative perspective.

We compare hamadryas to other Papio species with regard to diet and feeding ecology, ranging behavior, patterns of social bonding, and reproductive strategies. Our goal is to situate hamadryas in the continuum of baboon behavior with the aim of highlighting both the unique aspects of hamadryas behavior that evolved during their specific evolutionary history as well as the commonalities that they share with other papionin monkeys despite these differences, with the further goal of highlighting the utility of this species for studies of socioecology and hominin evolution. The Filoha Hamadryas Project has been generously supported over the years by the Leakey Foundation, the Wenner-Gren Foundation, the National Science Foundation, the National Geographic Society, and the PSC-CUNY Award Program.

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Consolidating & expanding the IUCN SSC A.P.E.S. database as a tool for assessing ape status and effectiveness of interventions in ape habitats Tene Sop1,2 & Hjalmar S. Kühl1,2 1 2

Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Leipzig-Jena, Leipzig, Germany

tenekwetche_sop@eva.mpg.de

More than 10 years after its establishment, the IUCN SSC A.P.E.S. database has compiled, processed and archived a wealth of great ape population survey data for all 14 currently recognized taxa and is now acknowledged, by conservation institutions as a reliable resource for deriving information on population abundance, distribution and trends of great ape taxa. The available data which are accessible to scientist/conservationists, have allowed for the first time, the estimation of population sizes for almost all great ape taxa in Africa and Asia. This information is important for decision-making and conservation planning, as well as for assessing effectiveness of conservation interventions in great ape habitats. The existing infrastructure and the experience acquired during the past years, provide a good basis for expansion of the IUCN SSC A.P.E.S. database to the small apes and eventually to others critically endangered primates. This will strongly depend on the commitment of the ape community and foremost, on resource availability to continue the A.P.E.S. project. **A.P.E.S: Ape Populations, Environments and Surveys

Stimulation de l’engagement communautaire pour la sauvegarde du dernier refuge du colobe bai de Miss Waldron Bogui Elie Bandama1, Koffi Djaha André1,2, Ouattara Karim1,3, Konan Ernest1, Kone Inza1,3 Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire; Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé de Daloa; 3 Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny d’Abidjan 1 2

elie.bogui@csrs.ci/eliebogui2003@yahoo.fr

Le colobe bai de Miss Waldron est une espèce En Danger Critique d’Extinction. La Forêt des Marais Tanoé-Ehy (FMTE), dans le sud-est de la Côte d’Ivoire est le dernier refuge de cette espèce. Cet espace est sujet à de nombreuses agressions dues à l’action des populations riveraines de cette forêt. Ces agressions sont caractérisées surtout par l’exploitation anarchique, illégale du bois et par le braconnage. Face à ces menaces, le programme de Recherches et Actions pour la Sauvegarde des Primates en Côte d’Ivoire du Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire a décidé de soutenir les communautés qui ont opté pour la conservation de la forêt. Ce soutien est basé sur la sensibilisation, le renforcement de capacité de ces communautés et surtout par le financement des activités de developpement. Cette approche participative a favorisé la création des associations villageoises de conservation et de developpement qui effectuent des patrouilles dans la forêt pour réduire l’exploitation du bois et le braconnage. L’approche participative a également permis la mise en place de groupement de femme productrice de manioc avec des pratiques respectant l’environnement. Cette activité vise à réduire les sources de revenus des femmes provenant de l’exploitation de la forêt. De plus les femmes de ce groupement sont disposées à contribuer à la conservation de la FMTE en mettant en place un fond d’appui à la conservation. Toutes ces actions des communautés vivant autour de la FMTE favoriseront son maintien et par conséquent la sauvegarde du colobe bai de Miss Waldron.

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Preliminary results of the survey of nocturnal primate species in the Dahomey Gap Houngbedji, M.G. Dakpogan, S.C., Y. Olatoundji Organisation pour le Développement Durable et la Biodiversité, Benin, 10PB266 Cotonou, Benin mhoungbedji@oddbong.org

In the Dahomey Gap - a strip of forest-savanna mosaic, which interrupts the two lowland rain forest blocks in West Africa - primate biodiversity is poorly known. Recently, several species of bushbabies, particularly Galagoides have been described from Easthern Africa. Although these studieswere mainly based on their calls, a similar study for West Africa is still lacking. This research aims to clarify which nocturnal primate species are present in Benin and to compare their relative frequencies. Data were collected spanning mostly the years 2016-18 in Lama gazetted forest, Lokoli forest, Gnanhouizoun forest and Drabo-Gbo forest in Benin and in Togodo-nord Faunal Reserve in Togo. An average of two night’s survey were conducted in every forest. Data were collected from 7:00 – 11:00 pm and from 3:00-5:00 am using recce surveys after dusk and before dawn. We made a total survey time of 87 hours and 35 minutes. During surveys, two observers walked slowly (at approximately 1 km/h) while scanning vegetation with batterypowered head torches. Prosimians were detected by the distinctive “eye shine” reflected from the torchlight and/ or their distinctive calls. We noted the position and height in the forest canopy of each sighting. We attempted to keep animals in view as long as possible, and recording their calls with a tape recorder. The calls were compared to referential calls from the Nocturnal Primate Specialist Group and confirmation was provided by Simon Bearder. In overall, 2 nocturnal primate species were recorded: the Thomas’s dwarf bushbaby (Galagoides thomasi) and the Benin potto (Perodicticus potto juju). We found that the Thomas’ dwarf bushbabby is the most common nocturnal primate species found in all the five surveyed forests. Galagoides thomasi were seen at all level of the forest’ stages, from lower undergrowth to the canopy. The species were recorded in dense forest, degraded forest as well as in old farm bush. Therefore, the Benin potto were recorded in Drabo-Gbo, Lama and Gnanhouizounmè forests. The relative frequency of sighting was 0.9 ind/h for Thomas’s dwarf galago while the relative frequency of sighting for the Benin potto was 0.07 ind/h. Thomas’s Galago seems entirely occupied the niche of Demidoff’s galago but deeper study are required. The calls of tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax arborealis sp nov.) were very common except in Drabo-Gbo forest where no calls have been recorded. The other mammals observed were the large-spotted genet (Genetta maculata) and the Beecroft's scaly-tailed squirrel (Anomalurus beecrofti).

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Sub-theme: Health and Disease

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Isolation of Bacteriophages against Salmonella Isolates From Environmental Water Samples and Gorilla Feces Collected From Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Bukamba Nelson1, J. Nakavuma1, B. Ssebidde2 1

Jane Goodall Institute Uganda; College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Uganda; 2 Gorilla Doctors, Uganda bukambafrance@gmail.com 1

Salmonella spp is considered an important cause of enteric disease in gorillas and also a public health threat. This study aimed at establishing a stock of bacteriophages against Salmonella spp isolates from Gorillas from Bwindi Impenetrable National park (BINP) as an insight for future exploration of bacteriophage therapy in both animals and humans to combat antimicrobial resistance. A cross sectional study was carried out between November, 2017 and February 2018, and a total of 93 samples (62 fecal and 30 stream water samples) were collected from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for isolation of Salmonella; while for bacteriophages, sewage samples from the National Water and Sewage Corporation (NWSC) plant were also obtained by agar overlay and spot method. Salmonella spp was isolated by culturing on Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate (OXOID UK) and then confirmed by biochemical tests. Out of the 62 gorilla fecal samples, only two tested positive for Salmonella (3.2% prevalence). Bacteriophages against Salmonella isolates were obtained from the sewage samples and none was found water from the park. The bacteriophages exhibited no activity against Salmonella stock cultures earlier isolated from reptiles; Crocodylus niloticus (Nile crocodile), Bitis gabonica (Gaboon viper), Stigmochelys pardalis (Leopard tortoise) and Leptoptilos crumenifer (Marabou stork). The plaque forming titer value of the two Salmonella bacteriophages was 7.0×108 pfu ml-1 and 7.0×1011 pfu ml-1, respectively. Developing phage products for application in conservation medicine as future alternatives to conventional antibiotic therapy which is currently challenged by antimicrobial resistance will address Salmonellosis which is considered an important cause of enteric disease in Gorillas and other wild primates.

Facial dysplasia in wild forest olive baboons (Papio anubis) in Sebitoli, Kibale National Park, Uganda: use of camera-traps to detect health defects Camille Lacroux 1,2*, Nelson Guma 3, Sabrina Krief 1,2 1

UMR 7206 CNRS/MNHN/P7, Ecoanthropology, Department « Hommes, et Environnements », Museum national d'Histoire naturelle, Musée de l'Homme, 17 place du Trocadéro, 75116 Paris, France; 2 Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project, Great Apes Conservation Project, Kibale National Park, Fort Portal, Uganda; 3 Uganda Wildlife Authority, Kibale National Park, Uganda camille.lacroux@gmail.com

Three quarters of the world's primate populations are declining, mainly affected by agriculture, leading to habitat loss and fragmentation. However, another more insidious threat for wildlife is associated with agriculture: exposure to pollution by the chemical inputs used. The northern part of Kibale National Park, Sebitoli area, is a tropical rainforest home of non-human primates including the threatened chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) and olive baboons (Papio anubis). Sebitoli forest area is today surrounded by industrial plantations of tea, eucalyptus and banana, as well as food crops and congenital facial dysplasias have been observed in a significant proportion of Sebitoli chimpanzees. The purpose of this study was to identify possible health problems that may be attributable to this threat in another primate species present in the area. and used to feed on crops as chimpanzees do. Over an area covering 20km², 14 cameras traps were set

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up inside the forest and at the park/forest interface. A total of 25,390 clips recorded between January 2017 and April 2018 were analyzed. Presence of baboons was observed in 3,238 clips.

Among them, 30 individuals with facial malformations including 16 belonging to the same social group were identified. Most of them have malformed nostrils (n = 25), ectopic nostrils (n = 12), interruption of nasal cartilage (n = 10) and sometimes associations of these malformations but never of wounds, allowing to remove an infectious cause. The affected individuals were mainly observed in the northwest of the Sebitoli area, bordered by food crops (mostly maize) that baboons consume frequently and where detected inputs are more abundant than in the east of the zone.

These findings provide new evidences of facial malformations in primates and complement the observations previously done on chimpanzees. This study highlights the importance of noninvasive and non-observational methods for detecting health problems in wild primates. A possible effect of pesticides used in crops at the border of their habitat is suspected to alter the embryonic development and need to be further investigate. This study emphasizes the importance of noninvasive methods for detecting possible health effects such as physical malformations in wild primates that can act as sentinels for human health.

Prevalence and associated risk factors for respiratory disease outbreaks in habituated Chimpanzee communities under chimpanzee health monitoring in the Albertine Rift of Uganda in the past five years Caroline Asiimwe, Walter Akankwasa and Timothy Mugabe Budongo Conservation Field Station carolineasiimwe@gmail.com

Although habituating chimpanzees for either research or tourism is a conservation strategy recommended for the protecting the endangered species from threats such as habitat loss and poaching, it comes with an associated disease risk. In recent years, respiratory infections have become major threats to chimpanzee health in wild communities in Uganda. In some chimpanzee communities, the etiological agent of the respiratory infection has been traced back to human pathogens however, most outbreaks have gone by without proper diagnosis due to challenges of disease diagnosis in wild populations. Of the nine chimpanzee communities involved in active chimpanzee health monitoring program in Uganda, at least six of them have recorded respiratory outbreak infections in the past five years. Respiratory outbreaks occur when at least 20% of the individuals seen in that period present respiratory signs. Of the six chimpanzee communities infected, five (83%) registered some fatalities attributed to the outbreak although most remain suspected case fatalities. Across all communities, adult males especially the high ranking individuals seem to be more susceptible to the infection. Among other cofounding factors are; sex, location of the community in relation to the human settlement and purpose of habituation; research versus tourism. More data is still needed to establish health trends, etiology and associated factors in wild chimpanzees. However, current data shows that close contact with humans and a stressful environment could threaten the existence to our closest cousin. Thus, intensified health monitoring to establish disease trends in both chimpanzees and forest edge human communities is needed for early conservation mitigation measures.

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Evaluation of a community-based health and conservation model at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Edwin Ainerukundo1, Lynne Gaffikin3, Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka2 1,2

Conservation Through Public Health, Headquarters: Plot 3 Mapera Lane, Uring Crescent, Entebbe, Uganda; Field office: Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, California, USA edwin@ctph.org

Since 2007, CTPH has been implementing a Village Health and Conservation Team (VHCT) model at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) within two frontline human and gorilla conflict parishes, Mukono and Bujengwe. VHCTs are government-supported Village Health Teams who are taught to promote gorilla and forest conservation while delivering health services to an average of 40 households within their villages. Early on CTPH established a system for documenting, monitoring and evaluating VHCT activities in terms of household-level knowledge, attitude and practices. This logbook-based system enables CTPH to assess how timing and frequency of VHCT visits affect the achievement of key programme outcomes. To this end, in 2019, CTPH conducted a self-evaluation of this model to identify what has worked well over time and why or why not. The key objectives were to (i) recommend needed modifications to the VHCT scope of work, their motivation strategies and documentation abilities; and (ii) identify and improve gaps in delivery of VHCT interventions. Using a sentinel study design, CTPH investigated two groups of households: the most and least visited by a subset of “best performing” VHCTs. The latter were identified by analyzing VHCT annual reporting rates from CTPH’s VHCT database and subsequent ranking by CTPH’s Community Health Field Officer and VHCT leaders. Six (three from each of the 2 parishes) among the 24 VHCTs with the highest reporting rate were ultimately chosen as the “most active” VHCTs. Next, CTPH extracted raw logbook data for each of the selected VHCTs and an in-person interview was conducted in sixty most- and sixty least-visited households, selected according to a visit ranking formula. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed on the two datasets and comparisons across the two to identify any important differences. There were some notable differences between the two groups in select sanitation, hygiene and conservation indicators. Family Planning use was relatively high in both groups and the percentage difference between groups was small for these indicators, potentially due to gradual changes initiated by CTPH in the two parishes in society norms around the sensitive issue of birth control and family sizes. These findings imply that visit frequency, and timing can make a difference for the VHCT model to most effectively bring about conservation as well as health outcomes. Knowing this, the model should be strengthened to effectively reach all “at risk” homes around BINP, and scaled to other habitats with great apes in Africa.

Prevalence and Intensity of Gastro-intestinal parasites in Non–Human Primates in the Limbe Wildlife Centre, South West Region, Cameroon.

Egbe, C.K1*., Sumbele I.U.N1 Anchang-Kimbi.J. K1 Akih, E2 and Kiyang, J2 1

Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63 Buea, SWR, Cameroon; 2 Department of vetenary, Limbe Wildlife Centre, P.O Box 878 Limbe, SWR, Cameroon egbe.confidence@ubuea.cm

Gastro-intestinal parasites infect almost all major groups of Non-Human Primates (NHPs) in the wild as well as in captivity. A cross sectional study was carried out between July –December 2014, to assess the health status of endangered NHPs in the Limbe wildlife centre (LWC). The study aimed at obtaining a baseline data on the prevalence and intensity of parasitic infections in captive NHPs of various groups in the centre. Faecal samples were collected from 176 NHPs, processed and examined using standard 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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parasitological techniques. Fresh faecal samples collected from the animals were analysed by utilising both sodium-nitrate floatation and formol-ether concentration (sedimentation) methods to recover the gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs). Data obtained were summarized as means ± Standard deviation. Infestation rates between the sexes and age groups were determined and compared statistically using the Chi-square (χ²) test. Differences were considered statistically significant at P<0.05. Coprologic analysis revealed that the overall prevalence of GIPs infection was 85.2%, of which 79.5% were helminths and 51.1% were gastrointestinal protozoan (GIT protozoan). The identified protozoans in the study were, Balantidium coli (32.4%), Troglodytella abrassarti (23.3%), Entamoeba coli (8.0%), E. hartmani (3.4%), E. hyistolytica (2.8%), Endolimax nana (2.3%), and Blastocystis hominis (2.3%) while, helminths were Strongyloides sp (45.5%), hookworm (24.2%), Trichuris sp (18.8%), Ascaris sp (13.6%), Enterobius sp (11.4%) and Taenia sp (9.1%).The overall prevalence of mixed infection of helminths and GIT protozoan was 45.4%. The high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in the captive NHPs highlights the need for regular monitoring to improve upon the health of the animals.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Bacteria Isolated from Upper Respiratory Tract of Humans who Interact with Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Fred Nizeyimana1,2, John Bosco Nizeyi1,2, Lawrence Mugisha1,3, Benard Ssebide2, Kirsten Gilardi2,4 Michael Cranfield2,4, Innocent Rwego1,5 1

College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda 2 Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project Inc., Gorilla Doctors, Davis, CA, USA; 3 EcoHealth Research Group, Conservation & Ecosystem Health Alliance (CEHA), Kampala, Uganda; 4 Wildlife Health Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; 5 One Health Division, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA frednizeyimana@ymail.com

Respiratory tract infections have been recorded as the most prevalent human infections in communities around great ape habitats and second cause of morbidity and mortality in mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei). We aimed to establish prevalence of respiratory tract infections and antimicrobial resistance in humans living in proximity to, and those working with, mountain gorillas and the associated risk factors to gorillas. 295 respondents were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires and secondary data on respiratory infections/symptoms retrieved from medical records archived by health centers adjacent to the park and Gorilla Doctors.

Nasal samples (117) were collected from humans out of 295 enrolled in the study. The collected samples were cultured on selective microbiological media and drug susceptibility testing was done using disc diffusion method. We isolated Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Klebsiella pneumoniae in the examined nasal swabs. Staphylococcus aureus and K. pneumoniae were most common bacteria with prevalence of 54.4% and 28.1% respectively. Streptococcus pneumoniae was highly resistant to Gentamicin (100%) and Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim (100%). Haemophilus influenzae was highly resistant to Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim (100%) and Ciprofloxacin (100%) while K. pneumoniae was highly resistant to Vancomycin at 100%. Living within a distance of 0 to 5km from park boundary (OR = 4.6; 95% CI = 1.5–14.4; p = 0.008), working with gorillas (OR = 13.7; CI = 2.5–75.5; p = 0.003), interacting with gorillas (OR = 8.8; CI = 3.3–23.6; p = 0.001), grazing of livestock inside the park (OR = 20.8; CI = 7.1–60.6; p = 0.001), working with gorillas while sick (OR=24; CI = 6.3–91.4; p = 0.001) and visiting gorillas while sick (OR = 19.7; CI = 5.6–69.9; p = 0.001) were the key risk factors in transmitting respiratory tract infections to mountain gorillas. Records of respiratory infections in humans from archives of health centers coincided with the documented respiratory disease outbreaks in gorillas from 2014 to 2016. Our data highlights the occurrence

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and potential impacts of respiratory tract infections to both human and gorilla health posing further challenges to conservation of endangered mountain gorillas.

Respiratory disease outbreak in habituated Chimpanzee community in Kibale National Park, Uganda, East Africa Margaret Driciru1*, Nelson Guma1, Hillary Agaba1, Charles Tumwesigye1, Timothy Mugabe2, Fred Nizeyimana3, Steven Balinande4 1 Uganda Wildlife Authority; 2 Budongo Conservation Field Station; 3 Gorilla Doctors; 4Uganda Virus Research Institute margaret.driciru@gmail.com

A fatal respiratory disease outbreak occurred affecting Kanyantale habituated chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schwenfurthii) community at Kanyanchu in Kibale National Park in Western Uganda from 6th to 25th June 2018. The purpose of this study was to determine the etiology and assess any significant epidemiological patterns associated with the outbreak that could be used to inform disease outbreak management, control and prevention. Organoleptic tissue samples and swabs from two cases were obtained through standard postmortem procedures. A PCR based multipathogen detection assay using Taqman Array cards was used to detect targets to a panel of 37 pathogens of both viral and bacterial etiology. Bacterial cultures were performed using standard microbiological procedures. Cases were identified using standard clinical, postmortem and diagnostic definitions and classified according to severity of infection in individuals. Spatial and temporal patterns were assessed using Quantum GIS and descriptive analysis and standard epidemic curves. The findings revealed a Streptococcal pneumonia outbreak characterized by rapid onset and spread lasting for 16 days, with a prevalence of 30.6%, mortality of 3.6% and case fatality rate of 11.7%. The clinical and epidemiological patterns observed were suggestive of an aggressive, propagated contagious disease with an age-sex predisposition. These findings have public health implications and guided outbreak management, and will be used to design control strategies to avert future possible outbreaks. S. pneumonia is an invasive pathogen with potential for cross species transmission. Its occurrence in habituated chimpanzees bears potential implications for primate tourism and species conservation. There is need for targeted surveillance and analytical studies to establish the magnitude of the problem and potential impacts which will guide control strategies and tourism activities.

Mountain Gorilla Health Monitoring in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through regular analysis of Intestinal Helminth Parasites Stephen Rubanga1, Enos Nahabwe2, Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka2 1,2

Conservation Through Public Health, Headquarters: Plot 3 Mapera Lane, Uring Crescent, Entebbe, Uganda Field office: Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. rubanga@ctph.org

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) is home to an estimated 400 of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population of 1004 endangered mountain gorillas. Habituated gorillas come into frequent contact with impoverished people, when they leave the park to forage on community land and risk getting infected with human and livestock pathogens. Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) partnered with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to establish a long-term gorilla health monitoring program at the human/gorilla/livestock interface. Between July 2005 and May 2019, gorilla fecal samples collected from night nests at monthly intervals in 10% formalin, RNA later and as fresh samples were analysed at the Gorilla Health and Community Conservation Centre field laboratory for analysis of parasites and other pathogens. Samples were collected together

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with park rangers and community members of the Human and Gorilla Conflict Resolution (HUGO) team. Samples were analysed using: (i) MacMaster Method; (ii) Formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation; (iii) Magnesium sulphate flotation; and (iv) Direct smear for abnormal samples to also check for mobile Entamoeba histolytica sps. protozoa. A total of 8,541 gorilla fecal samples were analysed from habituated gorillas and 494 from non-habituated gorillas during three gorilla censuses in 2006, 2011 and 2018. Two main types of parasites were found (i) Strongylid eggs from Strongyloides sps., Oesophagostomum stephanostomum, Murshidia devians, Paralibyostrongylus kalinae, and Hyostrongylus kigeziensis of gorilla origin; and Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus of human origin that could only be differentiated using larval culture or Polymerase Chain Reaction and (ii) Anoplocephala gorillae eggs, which are a gorilla commensal parasite that has evolved with the species. Unusual parasites occurring at an infection rate of less than 2% in gorillas foraging in community land were: Trichuris trichuria and Ascaris lumbricoides of human origin and Moniezia sps. of livestock origin. Nkuringo gorilla group with over 90% parasite infection rate led to UWA increasing the number of HUGO members who chase gorillas from the community to the park, that resulted in a reduced parasite infection rate.

CTPH, UWA and partner NGOs are implementing: (i) Interventions in gorillas with high fecal parasite egg counts and corresponding clinical signs (ii) Strengthening HUGOs to reduce the time that gorillas spend in community land (ii) Regular deworming of livestock around the park (iv) Deworming of Bwindi local communities and improvement of their hygiene and sanitation to reduce incidences of diarrhea. This program should expand to guide timely health management of gorillas while measuring the effectiveness of interventions at the human/gorilla/livestock interface.

The Gombe Ecohealth Project: long-term integrated health-monitoring in wild chimpanzees Mwacha, D1., Lonsdorf, E.V2., Travis, D.A3., Gillespie, T.R4., Terio, K.A5., Murray, C.M6, Mjungu, D1., Collins, D.A1., Hahn, B.H7., Pusey, A.E8.

1

Gombe Stream Research Centre, Kigoma, Tanzania; Franklin & Marshall College, PA, USA; 3 College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; 4 Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; 5 University of Illinois, Maywood, IL, USA 6 The George Washington University, Washington DC; 7University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 8Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. 2

dmwacha@janegoodall.or.tz

Disease and other health hazards pose serious threats to the persistence of wild ape populations.

The total chimpanzee population at Gombe National Park, Tanzania has declined from perhaps 120-150 in the 1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to less than 100 today, with death associated with observable signs of disease as the leading cause of known mortalities. In 2004, we began an observational healthmonitoring program in the two habituated communities in the park to determine population prevalence of clinical signs of ill health. Health data is collected in a standardized format on known individuals during focal follows conducted by Tanzanian field staff. Fecal samples are also collected for diagnostic testing and a complete necropsy is conducted for deceased animals when the body is recovered. Respiratory disease continues to be of great concern with an average of one respiratory outbreak per year. An outbreak in the Kasekela community in 2015 resulted in the deaths of at least one, but possibly several individuals. Outbreaks in the Mitumba community in 2016 and 2017 affected a large number of animals, but did not cause any confirmed mortalities.

Despite great advances in non-invasive diagnostic capabilities, the pathogen responsible for these

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outbreaks has not been identified. However, autopsies of respiratory disease outbreaks in 1999, 2004, and 2006, at TaŨ Forest Cote dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire revealed that each of seven chimpanzees that died tested positive for human paramyxoviruses, so the risk of disease transmission from humans to chimpanzees must be considered. Here we will discuss the work of the Gombe Eco-health project to identify and minimize the health risks in and around the park. Our work highlights the need for a large, collaborative team and long-term data to fully understand the impacts of disease on a wild ape population.

Common illnesses and conditions in captive chimpanzees at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary Titus Mukungu & Joshua Rukundo Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust sanctuarymanager@ngambaisland.org

Chimpanzees at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary live in a semi-captive environment with a forest enclosure where they roam during the day and spend a night in a holding facility. This kind of living environment allows the chimpanzees to stay in close contact and enhance the transmission of infection in case of a disease outbreak. Despite the sanctuary having robust veterinary procedures and protocols aimed at preventing disease outbreaks and transmission, the chimpanzees occasionally experiences infectious and/or noninfectious illnesses and conditions which requires medical intervention. Health records for 49 Chimpanzees at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary were reviewed to determine the common illnesses and conditions in the chimp community for a period of 10 years. Data was summarized and analyzed using R to generate proportions and to test for associations between risk factors such as age and sex with disease conditions. The purpose of the review was to determine the health threats to conservation of chimpanzees in captivity and the outcome could be useful in devising preventive measures to mitigate the threats. The most common illnesses and/or conditions were as follows: respiratory tract infections (67.07% of the cases recorded), injuries (17.32%), other viral, parasitic, fungal and bacterial infections (7%), dental decay (4.39), eye infections (1.71%), hypertension and inflammations due to insect stings. Respiratory tract infections are airborne and highly contagious and as such chimpanzees contracted the infections irrespective of their sex and age. The injuries on the other hand were more common in male and juvenile chimpanzees as compared to the female and adult chimpanzees. The trend of the diseases and conditions was analyzed and there were significant variations associated with chimp behavior dynamics. The results of this review are useful in design of disease prevention and control measures for captive chimpanzees.

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Subtheme: Tourism

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Behavioral observations of visitors during chimpanzee ecotourism reveals opportunity for multiple modes of pathogen transmission Darcey B. Glasser 1, Tony L. Goldberg2, Nelson Guma3, Godfrey Balyesiima 3, Hillary Agaba3, Simplicious J. Gessa3, Jessica M. Rothman4 1

Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, USA; Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of WisconsinMadison, USA; 3 Uganda Wildlife Authority, Kampala, Uganda; 4 Department of Anthropology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, USA 2

jessica.rothman@hunter.cuny.edu

Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) tracking is a popular ecotourism activity in East Africa offering visitors a chance to view apes in their natural habitats. Payments for ecotourism support conservation efforts; however, chimpanzee tracking may increase the risk of disease transmission between chimpanzees and people. Reverse zoonotic transmission of respiratory pathogens in particular may emerge as a major threat to chimpanzee conservation. This study assessed how tourist behaviors might facilitate cross-species disease transmission at a chimpanzee tracking site in Kibale National Park, Uganda. We collected observational data during 101 chimpanzee-tracking excursions (n=235 hours). We recorded behaviors of approximately 500 tourists, guides, and student interns. Common behaviors included coughing, sneezing, and urinating, which respectively occurred during 88.1%, 65.4%, and 36.6% of excursions. Per excursion, individuals touched their faces an average of 125.84 ± 34.45 times and instances of touching large tree trunks or branches averaged 230.14 ± 108.66. These results reveal a diversity of modes by which pathogens might move from humans to chimpanzees directly (e.g. via aerosol transmission) or indirectly (e.g. though the environment or on fomites). Regulations to minimize the impact of ecotourism should consider tourist behavior and the full range of modes by which pathogen transmission might occur between species.

Assessment of Health Risks Posed by Tourists Visiting Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda Allison C. Hanes1,3, Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka2, Magdalena S. Svensson3, and Catherine M. Hill3 1.One Health Productions, Brooklyn, New York, NY, USA 2. Conservation Through Public Health, Headquarters: Plot 3 Mapera Lane, Uring Crescent, Entebbe, Uganda Field office: Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 3. Anthropology Centre for Conservation, Environment and Development, Department of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK allison@onehealthproductions.com, gladys@ctph.org

The mountain gorilla, Gorilla beringei beringei, is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Endangered. About 1000 individuals remain in the wild, and the loss of even a single animal has implications for the viability of their two populations.

Poaching, political instability and risk of anthropozoonotic disease transmission are potential threats to this species’ recovery. Consequently, reducing the risk of infectious disease transmission by humans to the approximately 400 mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, must be a priority for conservationists, tourists and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Tourist revenue from gorilla trekking is significant and vital to the local communities and the UWA, and for the total gross revenue of Uganda. Data collected through a questionnaire survey (N = 136) and semi-structured interviews (N = 25) were used to (i) document tourists’ self-reported health status, (ii) explore risk of disease transmission to gorillas, and (iii) assess tourists’ reported

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willingness to wear disposable face masks during gorilla trekking. Results show that tourists pose a health risk to gorillasâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;contact and proximity to gorillas while trekking has increased compared to previous studies, and most respondents reported an average viewing distance of 5 m or less.

Twenty-five percent of respondents indicated they might trek if sick, especially when symptoms were not severe and even when aware of regulations forbidding they do so. However, tourists are willing to adapt to new protocols, especially the use of face masks (51%). The introduction of face masks for tourists and guides during gorilla trekking is unlikely to reduce tourism revenue by reducing tourist numbers or reducing their willingness to pay. There is a need for improved access to information regarding potential risks of tourist-gorilla disease transmission in order to encourage responsible health-related behavior in tourists.

Primate Tourism in Tanzania: Are We There Yet? Amani Salum Kitegile1 and John Thomas Mgonja2 1 2

Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture Department of Tourism and Recreation, Sokoine University of Agriculture

akitegile@sua.ac.tz; mgonjajt@sua.ac.tz

Primate tourism is the rapidly expanding form of tourism, focusing not only in enjoyment but also as a tool for conservation of primates and their habitats through generated revenues. However, this form of tourism is still uncommon in Tanzania despite it being the most primate-diverse country in mainland Africa. The main objective of this review study was to assess the applicability and success of primate tourism as a conservation tool in Tanzania. We used metadata analysis to address the objective of the study. During the analysis, we focused on the number of tourists visited primate popular National Parks, revenues generated and management tools especially existence of regulations and guidelines for primate tourism. The study found that mainland Tanzania has five National Parks; Udzungwa, Gombe, Mahale, Kitulo and Rubondo that harbor most of the flagship primate species. Among these, only Gombe and Mahale are promoted using primate as tourists attraction. A total of 1,028, 564 tourists visited National Parks in Tanzania in 2017; out of which 12,500 (1.2%) visited the five primate-rich national parks, with Gombe and Mahale visited by 3104 tourists. With this visits, the country accumulated approximately 2.25 billion US dollars as revenues, of which an estimate of 1.8 billion US dollars were collected from visits to national parks, with Gombe and Mahale National Parks estimated to generate at least 5.45 million US dollars. However, there were no records indicating how much of this revenue was set solely for primate conservation. It was further found that, of the five primate-rich national parks, only Mahale, Gombe and Udzungwa have specific regulations as management tool for guiding primate viewing. Lack of knowledge on local communitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perception toward primate tourism was observed as the major setback to a success of primate tourism as a conservation tool. We therefore, recommend that for primate tourism to succeed as conservation tool in Tanzania, flagship primate species should be used to promote tourism, also conservation education and capacity building should be provided to local communities living adjacent to primate-rich national parks.

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Rule-Adherence During Mountain Gorilla Ecotourism Encounters in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda Annalisa Weber1,2, Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka3, Nancy J. Stevens4 1

Applied Research and Evaluation, Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, USA 2 Environmental Studies Program, Voinovich School for Leadership and Public Affairs, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA 3 Conservation Through Public Health, Headquarters: Plot 3 Mapera Lane, Uring Crescent, Entebbe, Uganda Field office: Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 4 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA stevensn@ohio.edu, gladys@ctph.org

Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are an endangered primate species, with around 1000 individuals remaining on the planet today. Nearly half of those live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) in southwest Uganda. These primates are at the heart of an ecotourism industry that has incentivized their continued protection, but close proximity between humans and gorillas during these encounters presents risks for disease transmission.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has embraced rules to help maintain the health of the gorillas, namely that humans maintain a >7m distance from gorillas at all times. A number of studies have documented that rules are often not followed. This project explores rule-adherence during gorilla ecotourism encounters at BINP using observational and survey-based data collected during the tourism high season between May-August, 2014. Observational data reveal that the 7m distance rule was violated during all but one of the 53 tours in this study. During the encounters, sample scans were collected at 2 minute intervals, documenting the nearest distance between any tourist and a gorilla (n=1574), of which 1086 observations (68.9%) took place at a distance less than or equal to 7m. In some groups, the 7m distance rule was violated for most or all of the duration of the encounter period. In 275 observations, the distance between tourists and gorillas was 3m or less. Of those, 166 were initiated by gorillas closing the distance, and 109 were initiated by tourists. Survey data (n=243) revealed promising opportunities to improve tourist understanding of park rules, and notably indicated that 73.6% of respondents would be willing to engage in the precautionary measure of wearing a facemask during encounters to protect gorilla health.

Habituation of Dry Habitat Chimpanzees in Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve: Review of Two Years of Habituation Data Philemon Tumwebaze1, Nelson Guma2 1 2

Uganda Wildlife Authority, Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve

tmon305@gmail.com

Chimpanzee habituation in Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve remains incomplete despite efforts by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Semliki Chimpanzee Project (SCP) to have them fully habituated for Tourism and Research, a process which began in 1996. This reserve is estimated to have 36 individuals being followed in the four distinct areas of Nyaburogo, Mugiri, Wasa and Muzizi. The dry habitat nature of these chimpanzees poses a great challenge; during the food scarce dry season, chimpanzees reduce vocalization and can be totally silent for months. Few studies have been done to scientifically confirm whether these 36 individuals range between these four areas. Little information also exists to explain whether these chimpanzees are capable of being

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habituated and the status of current efforts is also unknown. The purpose of this review therefore, was to identify the habituation level of these chimpanzees and the current efforts with the view of suggesting strategies to have the habituation exercise completed. Daily chimpanzee data collected

by UWA Rangers from March 2017- March 2019 was analyzed using Microsoft excel sheet.

Collected data included; areas searched, GPS location, individuals seen, whether or not they were nested, time spent with chimpanzees and food. From March 2017 to March 2019, chimpanzees were followed for 672 days at an average of 28 days per month.There were 242 chimpanzee sightings, with an average of 13 individual sightings per month. Groups were nested 02 days, denested 05 days. Time spent with chimpanzees was 12,549 minutes (209.15hours) at an average of 349 minutes (6hours per month). Sabaflorida, Cynometraalexandri, Tamarindusindica, Phoenix reclinata was the food fed on, no GPS coordinates were recorded and the habituation activities were only in Mugiri area. According to the results, the current habituation process still remains incomplete. On average 6 hours were spent with these chimpanzees per month, nested and denested 02 and 05 times respectively in a period of two years. Also given that 93% of the habituation effort per month was in Mugiri areas alone with little success, there is need for spreading habituation activities to Nyaburogo, Muzizi and Wasa areas to increase chances of success while emphasizing recording of chimpanzee encounter locations with GPS.

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Subtheme: Conservation Education and Capacity Building

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Using Village Health Teams to promote Gorilla Conservation Alex Ngabirano1*, Lynne Gaffikin3, Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka2 1,2

Conservation Through Public Health, Headquarters: Plot 3 Mapera Lane, Uring Crescent, Entebbe, Uganda; Field office: Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

3 Evaluation and Research Technologies for Health (EARTH Inc.), California, USA alex@ctph.org

Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), a Ugandan NGO and US registered non-profit has since 2007 implemented an award-wining community health and conservation model at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to an estimated half of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1004 endangered mountain gorillas to reduce threats to the gorillas and their habitat. Community health is implemented through Village Health Teams (VHTs), a recognized Ministry of Health (MOH) structure in Uganda. CTPH turned these community health volunteers into conservationists - Village Health and Conservation Teams (VHCTs) who deliver integrated community based public health services while promoting gorilla and forest conservation. The 270 Village Health and Conservation Teams (VHCTs) including Batwa pygmies were selected by engaging local leaders through meetings or having the community elect them in a participatory manner to ensure good relations between the volunteers and their communities, essential for effective service delivery. Village Health and Conservation Teams are trained to improve community health and conservation practices through behavior change to individual households and in group talks. Each VHCT parish network is sustained through group livestock income generating projects, which they reinvest into Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). Village Health and Conservation Teams have sensitized people within 6 frontline parishes with approximately 6,000 households comprising over 30,000 people about integrated population, health and environment (PHE) issues. Gorillas are now better protected in community land. There is a three-fold to seven-fold increase in homes with hand washing facilities. There is reduced human related disease outbreaks in the gorillas with no scabies outbreaks since 2002, as well as reduced giardia infection rates to non-detectable levels in gorillas.

There is an increase from 22% to 67% women on modern family planning, above the national average increase from 30% to 45% in rural areas in Uganda. This model of conservation education has effectively brought about desired behaviour change through home visits and group talks to community members bordering protected areas, simultaneously improving their health and conservation practices, resulting in reduced threats to gorillas and their habitats. CTPH is working with protected areas authorities, local governments, local communities and NGO conservation partners to expand the model to other great ape habitats in Africa.

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The Impact of Conservation Education on Students’ Attitudes and Behaviour towards Wildlife and Conservation around Kibale National Park, South Western Uganda Bruce Ainebyona, Tinka John, Corinne Kendall, Austin Leeds North Carolina Zoo’s UNITE for the Environment bruceaine@gmail.com

Kibale National Park which is around 766 square kilometers has one of the highest densities of primates in the world. The park is a home to 13 primate species including around 1500 individuals of the endangered chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii), the biggest population in East Africa and a viable population of the endangered Red colobus monkey (Procolobus tephrosceles).

Habitat loss and poaching are significant threats to the primates of Kibale National Park. North Carolina Zoo’s UNITE for the Environment, in a bid to create awareness, and to change attitudes and behaviors, works with 11 primary schools within a radius of 5 kilometers from the park. In this study, 20% of Primary Three and Primary Six students from 11 primary schools we work in and four control schools were randomly selected and interviewed to assess their attitudes and behaviors on wildlife and conservation of Kibale National Park. These interviews were done at the beginning and end of year in between which teachers were trained on various conservation topics to pass on to the students. We also visited students’ homes at the end of the year to assess if they were implementing conservation projects. The results of the study showed that there was more improvement in attitudes and behaviors towards conservation and the environment in schools we worked in compared to control schools. From the results, it is evident that conservation education can help improve people’s attitudes and behaviors towards wildlife and conservation around primate habitats.

Increasing Conservation Education in schools around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Emilly Turinawe, Jack Richardson, Xavier Pedrol, and Martha M. Robbin Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology emillyturinawe@gmail.com

Local people in the communities around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda (BINP) typically know very little about the environment, conservation issues, or the critically endangered mountain gorillas living nearby. BINP is one of Africa’s most unique and biodiverse habitats and is home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas. The area surrounding the park has one of the highest human population densities in Africa. The Bwindi Apes Conservation Education Partnership’s (BACEP’s) mission is to help conserve the endangered great ape species of BINP through community conservation awareness programs. BACEP has been working with primary schools that border BINP Uganda since 2008. BACEP’s ambition is to educate pupils and teachers about the national park and to get them engaged in its conservation. BACEP teaches interactive classroom lessons at four local primary schools to educate the pupils about great apes and conservation. This has contributed to the conservation of the endangered species in a way that through lessons, pupils know the usefulness of having special forest and special animals near their homes. In addition to classroom teaching, in 2018, BACEP successfully organized three school competitions (debates, drama, and athletics) This has given children a good exercise which makes them physically strong and increases their strength. Regular sports activities make children active and lead to good health. BACEP has organized conducted nature walks in the national park for 300 pupils. BACEP schools also maintained tree nurseries, resulting in the distribution of 1772 tree seedlings to the communities. Through routine evaluation we can measure the effectiveness of the programme and monitor the pupils’ perceptions about conservation. BACEP assesses the impact of this program through annual student evaluations, by asking knowledge and attitude 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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questions and comparing the performance of pupils at the beginning and the end of the year. In 2018, significant improvement in correct answers given was made for 11 of 29 questions at the BACEP schools (n = 54 students) compared to improvement in 8 of 29 questions at two control schools (n = 23 students). The evaluations showed that the majority of the pupils already have positive attitudes towards the conservation of Bwindi, but there was change in knowledge based questions. BACEP also showed films about great ape conservation to 23 communities, reaching approximately 6000 people. Effective conservation education programs are a key component to conservation of primates and it is imperative to educate the communities in areas of great ape habitats about primate conservation.

Education pour la conservation des primates avec l’Association du Calao dans les écoles en Côte d’Ivoire.

Kanté Oumar, Sophie Decelle Association du Calao Asbl biloumar@gmail.com

L’association du Calao est une association internationale spécialisée dans l’éducation pour la conservation de la biodiversité. Elle œuvre depuis 2011 en Côte d’Ivoire pour la conservation de la riche biodiversité ivoirienne. Après son soutien aux programmes d’éducation au Zoo National d’Abidjan qui abrite des chimpanzés, des mangabeys, des vervets, des pétauristes, des patas et des babouins, elle intervient aujourd’hui dans les écoles afin d’éduquer les communautés à l’éducation de la conservation des primates ivoiriens. Calao, dont la devise est Education = Conservation, est consciente que l’éducation des enfants d’aujourd’hui permettra la préservation des primates par les adultes de demain a pour objectif principal de permettre aux élèves la prise de conscience de leurs capacités de protéger les primates et d’accepter d'investir des efforts à cet effet. Les objectifs spécifiques sont : -

permettre aux élèves de connaitre les différents primates du pays, identifier les menaces qui pèsent sur la conservation de ces primates, prendre une décision pour la protection des primates.

Deux méthodes éducatives sont utilisées par Calao :

(i) La méthode effective : elle consiste à faire des observations, des visites guidées, des projections de films, ou de pièces de théâtre pour convaincre les enfants de l'importance de sauver les primates afin de développer chez eux une sensibilité aux primates, (ii) La prédiction des impacts des activités humaines sur les primates (il s’agit de faire réaliser aux élèves que la disparition de certains primates a réellement des effets dans leur milieu et dans leur vie, et les amener à leur faire prendre conscience.

L’intervention de Calao qui se fait à travers des activités extrascolaires a permis la création de clubs environnementaux dans les écoles, permet aux élèves de connaitre les primates du pays et de participer à la sensibilisation de leurs amis.

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Harnessing the Role of Conservation Education: Implications for Wildlife Conservation among Local Residents in South Western, Nigeria Oyegbami A. I.1*, Soewu D.A.2, Oyatogun M.O.3 1

Department of Environment Management and Toxicology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria; 2 Fisheries and Wildlife Department, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria; 3 Forestry and Wildlife Department, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria oyegbami.akinleyei@pg.funaab.edu.ng

Conservation education and raising levels of awareness within the local communities at Southwestern, Nigeria is essential. This study determines the level of awareness about wildlife conservation among Bushmeat Users’ in Osun State, Nigeria and the location was selected due to availability of trade markets. Stratified random sampling technique was employed to select respondents from 12 out of 30 local governments in the State. Copies of semi-structured questionnaire were randomly administered to 120 respondents. An open–ended questionnaire was administered on food vendors and bushmeat sellers in selected local governments in order to determine their perception in respect to wild animals’ conservation. The study revealed that 70% were not aware about the need to conserve wild animals, in this same vein, 54.2% were willing to support biodiversity conservation. Ten (10) species were identified nine (9) were listed I, II and III of CITES, the whole ten (10) species encountered during this study were listed in least concern, data deficient and near threatened under IUCN Conservation status, two species were listed in 1 and 2 of Nigeria, decree 11 (1985). People generally should be educated in all level of life about the importance of conservation. The domestication of species traded by bushmeat traders is encouraged in order to satisfy the market demand for bushmeat.

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Posters

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Poster Subtheme: Conservation and Management

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Translocation of Arboreal Mount Kenya guerezas monkeys (Colobus guereza kikuyuensis) to Karura Forest, Kenya P. Fundi1,2, S. Kivai2, H. Croze, C. Mariott3, and T. Kariuki4 1

Chuka University, Department of Environmental Resources Development; Email peter.fundi@gmail.com; Mobile 0714648440 2 Institute of Primate Research, Conservation Biology Department; Email skivai@gmail.com; Mobile 0702550376 3 Friends of Karura Forest chantal.mariotte@gmail.com ; hcroze@gmail.com 4

African Academy of Sciences, Email tkariuki@africaonline.com

peter.fundi@gmail.com

Translocation is a powerful tool in conservation of a wide range of wildlife taxa especially in resolving human-wildlife conflicts. Between May 2014 and March 2016 the tool was used in translocating 142 individuals (22 groups) of Mount Kenya guerezas (Colobus guereza kikuyuensis) from the fragmented riverine habitats of Nyandarua to Karura forest. Critical riverine guereza habitats of the target population had reduced in the face of rapidly increasing riverine area’s clearance for irrigation agriculture. The operation involved community sensitization at capture and release site, careful selection of release site, planning for habituation, capture, transportation, acclimatization, release and post-release monitoring. Selection of the release site entailed consideration of guereza habitat requirements and potential human-guereza conflicts upon release. For 6-8 weeks before capture, groups were partially habituated to ground foraging and feeding inside capture traps using preferred baits – maize and potatoes. The operation targeted whole family units. Trapping was done early in the morning, and captured animals transported individually one hour after capture. At the release site, within the indigenous section of Karura Forest Reserve, and just over 100km from the capture site, the animals were released into a spacious well enriched acclimatization cage and held for three nights. Release involved exit door modification on top of the cage to ensure family members left together, hence maintaining group cohesion. Eighty percent of individuals preferred ground movement two weeks after release.

Additionally, high-canopy adaptation for monkeys originating from highly fragmented, virtually treeless habitat proved challenging resulting in five fatal falls from trees. However, there has been 100% survival rate for the 36 births recorded at Karura Forest bringing the guereza population in Karura to 158 individuals. The project provides a stepwise guideline to future planning and implementation of guereza translocation exercise, and its success underlines the necessity for careful planning and implementation to achieve desired conservation results.

Community led conservation in the Littoral Region, Cameroon: Five years experiences with the “Club des Amis des Gorilles” to save Ebo Gorilla Mfossa M. Daniel1*, Ekwoge E. Abwe1, 2, Beudels J. Roseline3, Huynen Marie-Claude4, Tchouamo I. Roger5, Bethan J. Morgan1, 2 1

Ebo Forest Research Project; San Diego Zoo Global; 3 Royal Institute of Natural Sciences of Belgium; 4 The University of Liege, Belgium; 5The University of Dschang, Cameroon.

2

daniel@eborest.org

The Ebo forest in Cameroon, one of the biodiversity hotspots in the Gulf of Guinea harbors a rich diversity of plants and animals, including a geographically isolated gorilla population of less than

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25 individuals. This forest is not legally protected and its rich biodiversity is threatened by unsustainable activities by local adjacent communities. In 2012, the Ebo Forest Research Project (EFRP) encouraged local traditional authorities to initiate a community-led conservation initiative called the ‘Club des Amis des Gorilles (CAG)’ in three communities closest to Ebo gorilla habitat that include Iboti, Logndeng and Lognanga. The goal of these clubs was to conserve the Ebo gorillas and their habitat for posterity through sensitization work in the communities, gorilla habitat monitoring and supporting small-scale livelihoods activities to improve villagers’ life condition. This paper aim to evaluate the impact of the CAG after five years of existence. We led a questionnaire study, focus group discussion and personal observations to assess the perception of the local communities about the role of CAG in biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic household improvement. Our results revealed that, 1) there was a greater awareness about the importance of the biodiversity of the Ebo within adjacent communities and beyond, 2) based on monthly monitoring in the gorilla habitat, the communities have suggested better protection for Ebo gorillas and their habitat through the creation of a community-sanctioned ‘no-go zone’ and 3) livelihood activities implemented so far by CAG stand on various donation to improve household income and villagers’ welfare. This study reiterates the role of local communities in biodiversity conservation. To perpetuate community-led conservation initiatives in this region, there is a need for substantial livelihood activities and full support from other stakeholders such as traditional authorities, local government administration in biodiversity conservation.

Analysing Drivers of Environmental Changes to implement Adaptive Management for threatened lemurs of Andriantantely Lowland Forest in Madagascar Maholy Ravaloharimanitra1, Hery Nirina Ramdriahaingo2, Tony King2 1,2

The Aspinall Foundation, Antananarivo, Madagascar

rrmahooly@gmail.com

Madagascar is reputed for its high biodiversity and endemism and for the rapid loss of habitat due to anthropogenic activities. As a result of increasing habitat loss, Madagascar is the country with the secondhighest number of threatened mammals with Madagascar‘s primates, the lemurs, being the world‘s most threatened mammal group. In order to prevent their extinction, The Aspinall Foundation's Madagascar Programme is working with numerous local community organizations, known in Malagasy as Vondron’Olona Ifotony (VOI) to reconcile human livelihoods with their natural environment. The main focus lies on the protection of Andriantantely forest, which is the home to four Critically Endangered primate species (Prolemur simus, Varecia variegata, Propithecus diadema, Indri indri). The human population around Andriantantely forest is highly dependent on its natural resources, which are often exploited unsustainably and threaten lemurs, their habitat and biodiversity in general. We collected data on the various use of natural resources like house construction, as source of energy, as charcoal to be sold in the market, as medicinal plants, as food or as materials for craft. We also identified and measured threats and pressures in the area. We undertook research on food availability for lemurs using botanical plots and measured food intake for each species. Using GIS, we identified the effects of land use practices and the use of timber-based forest products on forest dynamics over time. Using different scenarios in simulation, we predicted future forest dynamics in order to help design a strategy for the future use of natural resources.

Our results show that the quantity and quality of natural resource use have not changed over time. What has increased is the number of people who are directly dependent on natural resources as well as the demand for natural resources. Based on temporal and spatial simulation, the results provide evidence that, without adequate reforestation and regulations on forest utilization, the use of natural resources is unlikely to become sustainable and will ultimately result in future biodiversity loss and increased hardship for local communities. Our results are to be used to establish a concise strategy to ensure biodiversity conservation and sustainability for Andriantantely forest in collaboration with several VOI. We are facilitating

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management plans to ensure long-term sustainability of natural resource use by VOI and legitimate local communities' right to enforce self-governed regulatory schemes.

Socio-economic and Ecological Implications of Human and Nonhuman Primates Interactions in the Lower Tana River, Kenya Zainab F. M. & Kivai S.M Department of Primate Conservation Biology, Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya

nabufais@gmail.com Human encroachment in wildlife habitats rapidly changes both global and local ecologies. Consequently, nearly half of the known non-human primates are faced with eminent threat of extinction as majority occupies fragile ecosystems such as forests and wetlands. Shrinking wild primatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; habitats has led to increased human and non-human primate conflicts. This reduction in habitat has caused decline in food resources. The agricultural fieldsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; causes conflict as wild primates try to meet their nutritional demands.

The conflicts precipitate significant economic losses, negative attitude towards primates, community resistance to primate conservation initiatives, and pose major risk of zoonotic infections. Thus, the conflict impacts on human socio-economic and health well-being as well as the wild primate welfare and conservation efforts. Although crop-raiding has been reported among the lower Tana River primates, the socio-economic, ecological and conservation implications on the local people and the critically endangered Tana primates are yet to be understood. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the effects of humannonhuman primatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interactions in the lower Tana River by addressing the following questions: which areas are more affected by conflict and the primate species involved? Which crops are the most affected by primate crop raiding? Which deterrent methods are used? And, what are the implications on food security and conservation of the endangered Tana River mangabeys and red colobus. To answer the questions we used a structured questionnaire and performed informal interviews. We found that Makere East village (28.7%) while Ngagwe village experienced the least. Baboons (80.7%) were considered as the most destructive in all locations and the endangered Tana River Mangabey and Tana Red Colobus (5.07%) were also implicated. Maize (39.6%) was ranked as the highest raided crop followed by Mangoes (32.6%) which affects the socio-economic welfare of the people. Sling (35%) and guarding (34%) were considered the most popular and effective deterrent strategies. Involvement of the endangered Tana River mangabey and Red colobus in the conflict, threatens their conservation efforts and long-term survival. Findings from this study can be used to develop effective, humane methods to mitigate any negative conflict outcome which may hinder any conservation initiatives.

An effective environmental impact management for lemur conservation at Ambatovy, Madagascar Hajanirina Rakotondrainibe, Gilbert Rakotondratsimba, Justin Andrianasolo, Ndranto Rabemananjara, Tony Andrianaivo, Tsilavina Randrianaly , Josia razafindramanana 1

Ambatovy Minerals S.A., Antananarivo, Madagascar; Madacan, Antananarivo, Madagascar; 3 Madd, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar 2

Hajanirina.Rakotondrainibe@ambatovy.mg

The Ambatovy mine site is located in an area of mid-altitude forest that consists of a matrix of various habitat types with high level of endangered biodiversity. Eleven (11) species of lemurs occur in Ambatovy site, where a Lemur Management Plan is being implemented to mitigate possible impacts of the mining activities. Part of the mitigation activities, being conducted to protect the lemur population are follows: intensive lemur inventories both in impacted and conservation areas, salvaging and radio-collaring of lemurs, and demography and spatial monitoring. The Ambatovy area is divided into impacted area (where the mine footprint is) and 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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the conservation zone. Since 2007, more than 919 lemurs individuals were immobilized and marked; of which 38% are located from impacted area, 45% in the future impacted area (both during pre-impact inventories) and 16% from non-impacted conservation zones. Unexpectedly, 4,1% of lemurs observed during pre-impact inventories, only, require salvaging, whereas, the majority of marked individuals were not recorded in same impacted area. The approach called paced and unidirectional tree clearing process promotes effective free migration of the lemur populations. The installation of bridges for lemur crossing enables habitat connectivity and gene flows among the lemur species. Through regular radio tracking, the observation of increased birth rate suggests a demography gain, particularly among 02 critically endangered lemur species. The home ranges recorded from impacted and non-impacted lemurs groups are comparable, however, transferred animals tend to split and exhibit widespread territory during the first year post release.

The stability of home range could result from the adaptation of the species, but requires long-term survey to assess the effectiveness of the mitigation measures applied to manage the impact of mining activities. This lemur management programme could serve as a model for other extractive industries.

Challenges and opportunities to conserve chimpanzees in Sebitoli area, Kibale National Park, Uganda John Paul Okimat1, Nelson Guma2 and Sabrina Krief13 1

Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project (SCP), Great Apes Conservation Project, Fort Portal, Uganda Uganda Wildlife Authority, Fort Portal, Uganda 3 UMR 7206 EcoAnthropology, MusĂŠum National dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France 2

Paulamugiet@gmail.com

Kibale National Park (KNP) in Uganda is home to the endangered chimpanzees and aims at conserving this flagship species. Several chimpanzee communities in Kibale, including a 100individual community resident to the Sebitoli area, the northern part of the park, are under scientific survey to better understand and protect them. In contrast to other chimpanzee communities in the park, the Sebitoli chimpanzee community has 82% of its territoryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boundaries in contact with human activities, and so faces many threats which the Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project aims at evaluating their effects as well as alleviating them. Firstly, the Sebitoli forest area is under massive pressure from agriculture, mostly industrial tea plantations but also subsistence farming.

The communities around Sebitoli chimpanzee home range are characterised by a high human population density of approximately 300 inhabitants/km2, including a large number of tea company employees, surviving on about one dollar a day. The forested area where chimpanzees live experiences clandestine use by adjacent communities and notable extractive activities include pole cutting, debarking of Prunus africana, charcoal burning, Piper guineese harvesting and snaring for bushmeat. Survey of illegal activities between 2016 and 2018 indicate that at least 1500 incidences of tree cutting have been encountered, and over 800 deadly snares confiscated. In relation to snaring, more than 30% of the Sebitoli chimpanzees have snare-related injuries, and of these, some are permanently disabled. Agriculture is also responsible for excessive pesticide usage. Indeed pesticides are hypothesised to have contributed to facial dysplasia observed in 12 of the 60 identified and monitored Sebitoli chimpanzees. Secondly, the Sebitoli chimpanzee territory is crossed by a tarmac road, characterized by a high traffic density of 90 motorized vehicles per hour, cruising at 120 km/h in sloppy sections yet the limit is 40km/h. In 2018, two Sebitoli chimpanzees were knocked dead by over speeding vehicles. Thirdly, the road is also a cause of pollution, specifically the deposition of plastic soda and water bottles by travelers. In July

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2019, the Sebitoli Chimpanzee Project collected 3090 plastic bottles along the 4 km stretch of the road that cuts through the park. In addition, travelers in many cases feed animals and dump food remains in the park, increasing the risk of disease transmission to chimpanzees. In order to protect chimpanzees in this area of the park, we propose strategies that are required on the policy as well as the local level to supplement the sensitization and anti-poaching works already in place. We suggest the construction of speed-bumps, establishment of strict controls by traffic police with fines not only for over speeding but also for feeding animals and depositing garbage in the park.

Crucial is the installation of signposts stipulating, for example, but not limited to, “speed limit 40” , “do not feed animals” and “do not litter” as well as sensitization of bus and taxi drivers. We recommend that special emphasis be put to improve people’s livelihoods by reducing poverty and crop damage by wildlife, promotion of organic agriculture to produce safe food, hence safeguarding human health and reducing the risk of pollution to chimpanzees and wildlife in general.

Human influence on primate distribution in Ebo Forest, Littoral Region of Cameroon: preliminary results Vianny Rodel NGUIMDO VOUFFO1*, Ekwoge ABWE1,2, Fiona MAISELS3 and Bethan MORGAN1,2 1

Ebo Forest Research Project; San Diego Zoo Global; 3 Wildlife Conservation Society 2

*rodelvouffo@gmail.com

Across Africa, large mammals are threatened by human activities including hunting, disease and habitat loss. Due to their vocal characteristics, primates are more vulnerable to hunting. The Ebo forest in the Littoral Region, Cameroon harbours many primate species including chimpanzees, gorillas and many monkeys from the genus Cercopithecus. We conducted a survey 23 parallel guided recces, separated by 4km, totalling c. 400km, and oriented perpendicular to the main rivers from November 2018 to March 2019 to determine the impact of human activities on primate distribution in the proposed Ebo National Park. We recorded all primate and human signs and for each observation we described the site (canopy cover, visibility, undergrowth, vegetation type, and slope) and collected a GPS location. We used Microsoft Excel for data analysis and Quantum GIS 3.0 for mapping. We recorded 78 chimpanzee signs including nesting sites, prints and vocalizations across the forest; 61 signs of Cercopithecus monkeys (C. mona, C. nictitans, C. pogonias and, C. erythrotis) including sightings and vocalizations. We observed 733 human signs including farms, machete cuts, snares, tree cut, death cartridges, trails, vocalizations and encounters. The study revealed that chimpanzee signs were distributed all over the forest, but their encounter rate decreased from the central part of the forest to the periphery. Conversely, human signs decreased as the distance from the village increased. Most chimpanzee nests were recorded on areas with steep slopes that were not easily accessible to humans. The guenons were found in closed canopy forest. The distribution of chimpanzee and guenon signs could be linked to predation avoidance. Some primate species are at risk of local extinction in Ebo due to hunting.

There is the need for greater protection through the upgrade of the forest into a national park, and greater awareness campaigns in adjacent human communities.

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Long-term Partnerships in Uganda creating long lasting changes Kemigisa, Margaret, Goldstone Rebecca Director/Founder, Community Action Project, Project manager, New Nature Foundation Co-Founder & Director, New Nature Foundation info@newnaturefoundation.org communitykibale@gmail.com

Around the world, wildlife habitats are threatened by a variety of human activities. In Ugandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kibale National Park (KNP), a primary threat is small-scale logging for cooking fuel. Since 2006, the New Nature Foundation has partnered with Ugandan CBO Community Action Project to promote realistic ways for people around Kibale National Park to live in greater harmony with nature. New Nature Foundation (NNF) is actively working to conserve the primates of Kibale and other endemic and endangered species in this unique area through the achievement of three primary objectives: 1) Facilitating cost effective fuel efficiency and eco-friendly fuel sources, 2) Providing innovative and integrated environmental education (including 5 community science centers, a traveling video show and yearly conservation competitions) and 3) Empowering Ugandans to take charge of conserving their flora and fauna while improving their daily lives. In and around KNP, fulfilling these objectives means that less wood is poached as the families who border the park become more self-sufficient in their energy needs, and more knowledgeable about the forest and the role they can play in protecting it. The talk will detail the evolution of the work over the past 13 years and highlight aspects that can be easily replicated in any primate range state.

Lemur Portal: A tool for research, capacity building, and conservation Alihasina Rakotondramanana3, Josia Razafindramanana1,2, Dimby Razafimpahanana4, Jonah Ratsimbazafy 1,2, Tsiky Rabetrano4, Christoph Schwitzer5, Alison Clausen4, Holinirina Rabemananjara1 and Serge Ratsirahonana3 Groupe dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Etude et de Recherche de Madagascar, GERP; Mention ADD, Univeristy dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Antananarivo Madagascar; 3 Madagascar Biodiversity Foundation, FAPBM, Madagascar; 4 Widlife Conservation Society, Madagascar; 5 Bristol Science and Conservation Society, UK 1 2

alihasina.r@gmail.com

The biodiversity resources found in Madagascar are under extreme pressure from activities generated by a predominantly rural, natural resource dependent population. The most significant impacts arise from habitat loss through slash-and-burn agriculture, however hunting and fuelwood extraction also have significant impacts in many locations throughout Madagascar. The existing tools for lemur conservation seem to not supply the need of a direct exchanges between all stakeholders especially those who are directly or indirectly involved in Lemur conservation. Besides, the results of research are dispersed, are often difficult to access, and are not available in forms or developed in tools that can readily applied by community managers or NGOs carrying out field-based conservation. To tackle this issue, a Lemur Portal has been initiated and established to allow for the sharing of primate data and knowledge, and it enables a wide range of users to access information on every kind of lemur in Madagascar. The Lemur portal provides the following functions: online forum, species database, visualization and mobile application for citizen science. The online forum which is integrated in the lemur Portal, will create an opportunity for real time exchange and discussion, mentoring, capacity building, and other opportunities. The tool provides information on opportunities for partnerships and mentoring, and will allow for development and sharing of interactive and offline training tools which are useful for conservation decision and capacity building.

Species database and visualization are another innovative tools, integrated on the portal. Through these components, users will be able to download a range of visualizations of species distribution, threat data,

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relevant environmental layers, and conservation action interventions. Every researcher, practitioner, conservationist, student and citizen, working on lemur and/or primate research, lemur and habitat conservation is invited to contribute by making use of the tool for lemur conservation in Madagascar.

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Poster Subtheme: Ecology and Behaviour

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What to expect when you are expecting an infant Colobus Janeserah Mukundi1, Andrea Donaldson2, Pamela Cunneyworth1 1 2

Colobus Conservation, Diani, Kenya Durham University, United Kingdom

janeserahmukundi@gmail.com

Colobines are folivorous and have evolved a digestive system to ferment and digest leaf cellulose.

Specialized diets and associated physiological adaptions make hand-rearing challenging. Colobus Conservation, is the only organization to successfully hand rear an infant colobus (Colobus angolensis palliatus) from 10 days of age. The infant was rescued in 2011, raised to adulthood and passed away from non-diet related issues in 2018. Infants on arrival should be handled by one care-giver. In theory this supports the bonding process reducing stress in the long term. Infants typically do not survive the initial period when stress is at its greatest. One should expect long durations of stress-related crying throughout the day for up to three weeks. Development of mitigations to reduce stress of the newly orphaned colobus is a priority. Colobus die from ingestion of human baby formula likely due to sugar content instead, goat’s milk can be used when mixed with water. For the first 48 hours, the infant is given a mix of 10% goat’s milk 90% water, after which the percentage is increased by 5-10% increments with amount dependent on weight. If diarrhea occurs, revert to previous percentage. In addition to goat’s milk, infants should be provided with supplements until fully weaned. Supplements include: probiotics administered once daily mixed into one milk feed; oral multi-vitamins containing iron administered once daily; wild colobus fecal transplant administered weekly, establishing a normal gastrointestinal flora. Dehydration is possible despite an infant drinking plenty of fluid and urinating. As an infant will not readily take water mixing water with Hartmann’s solution (50/50) may increase acceptance of the liquid. The infant should also spend as much time as possible seeing, hearing and smelling other colobus; however, care must be taken to safeguard the infant and care-giver against attack from group, especially adult males, in this infanticide species. We

suspect that the dramatic changes of diet and high levels of stress for a newly orphaned infant are typically root causes of unsuccessful hand rearing attempts. These manifest themselves as stomach distention with diarrhea or constipation and/or pneumonia-type disease. The use of antibiotics given to mitigate bacterial infections negatively affects the gastro-intestinal flora causing death.

Relevance of hunter’s knowledge in updating the behavioral ecology of threatened species: a case study of Preuss’s red colobus Procolobus preussi in the Korup region, South-west, Cameroon F. Florence Mariam Aghomo, K. Serge Bobo, Bonito C. Ntumwel and K. Gnetegha. Aurele Ayemele Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang. P.O. Box: 222 Dschang, Cameroon aghomoflorence@yahoo.com

The behavioral ecology of the critically endangered Preuss’s red colobus Procolobus preussi remains largely undocumented in behavioral scientific literature. Recent data are absent, and although direct observations are difficult as the species are scarce and rare, local knowledge is rarely used in ecological surveys of the species. The present paper aims to provide new data on the behavioural ecology of Procolobus preussi based on a questionnaire administered to survey 178 local hunters in 31 villages, all located in the direct neighbourhood of five protected areas in the Korup region, South-west Cameroon. Hunters’ knowledge was particularly important in 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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determining that the species is: (1) diurnal and can be encountered mainly during the dry season; (2) inhabits little disturbed, high canopy, hilly and moist forest areas; (3) usually found in mixed groups, averaging 30.08 Âą 8.96 individuals and usually found with 2.88Âą0.79 species of the Cercopithecus genus; (4) a herbivore; (5) strictly arboreal; (6) not very agile and, upon encounter with man, it shouts to alert other group members, then climbs further up the tree and hides. If the threat continues, they flee by jumping from one tree to another; and (7) social structure in groups is assured by a dominant male. Given the limited available information on this rare/threatened species, the use of local knowledge from primary users, such as hunters in the present study is of great relevancy.

Activities and Social interactions between males and females of crowned sifaka in gallery forests in Madagascar Sahoby Randrianaly1, Josia Razafindramanana1, Hasina Ravaoarisoa1, Andoniaina Rakotoarisoa2, Brigitte Raharivololona1, Jamie Craig3, Delphine Roullet4.

1

Mention Anthropobiologie et DĂŠveloppement Durable, University of Antananarivo ; Sifaka Conservation Program, Impact Madagascar 3 Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens; 4 EEP/EAZA 2

sahobiarisoa@gmail.com

Madagascar is known for its biodiversity coupled with high anthropogenic threats across various types of habitat. More research and conservation programs are implemented in the eastern part where the rainforest is considered as part of the natural heritage, internationally recognized. It has been reported that the dry deciduous and gallery forests in the western and southern parts of the island are neglected for research and conservation. This study examines the social behavior of the critically endangered crowned sifaka (Propithecus coronatus), occurring mostly in dry forests and the remaining gallery forests. The study was conducted in Mandrava gallery forests, Madiromirafy-Maevatanana, aiming to provide the first information on activities and social interactions between males and females of crowned sifaka during the mating season. Data were collected between December 2017 to March 2018, during which two groups of crowned sifaka were followed from 8am to 4pm every day. Focal animal and ad-libitum sampling were conducted to assess the daily activity budget, the dietary and interactions of the species in the forests. As a result, there is no significant difference between males and females in terms of general activity, such as resting, feeding and travelling. Both spend more time in resting (66% for females vs. 67% for males). The diet is mainly composed of leaves (70% for females vs. 67% for males), and seeds and fruits (31% for both sexes). Males have more diverse plant species representing more than 4% (7 plant species) compared to females (5 species). Males remain active both before and after mating. Males play protector role to the target female, in front of the other males of the group. The mating male spends more time close to the female (up to 85%). Females participate more in between-group aggression (62%) than males (38%). Contrary, males actively participate in intragroup aggression (81% vs. 19% females). As for marking, males practice more markings (86%) compared to females (14%) during the mating season. This study contributes to the little information currently known on the species and will help the ongoing Sifaka Conservation program for the remaining the crowned sifaka across the western Madagascar.

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Evidence of prolonged carrying of deceased infants in Zanzibar red colobus monkeys Zoe E. Melvin1, 2, Ali Kassim2, Isabelle C. Winder1,2, Ann-Sophie Warketin1,2, Alexander V. Georgiev1,2 1 2

School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK Zanzibar Red Colobus Project

zoe.melvin@bangor.ac.uk

In non-human primates, death of conspecifics can elicit both behavioural and physiological responses. Females in particular can display intensive care-taking and prolonged carrying of their deceased infants. This has been documented in several species including Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), chimpazees (Pan troglodytes), gorillas (Gorilla beringei), Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus), geladas (Theropithecus gelada) and common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus).

Here we report previously undocumented interactions of adult females with dead infants in the Zanzibar red colobus (Piliocolobus kirkii) in Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, Zanzibar. In the first case (31 July 2018), a feral dog attacked and killed an infant (approx. < 3 months old). The mother then picked up its body and carried it for the next two days. In a second case (29 August 2019) the putative mother from a different colobus group was seen carrying an already mummified infant corpse high in the canopy. She remained with the group during these observations and continued to perform normal behaviors such as feeding, self-directed scratching and resting. While moving between trees, she always carried the infant in her left hand. While resting she either held it in her left hand or laid it across her legs in order to use her hands. The mother was observed investigating the corpse by sniffing it and moving its limbs. She groomed it and swatted away flies from it on multiple occasions. The rest of the group did not show obvious signs of aversity or avoidance. While the first case occurred in a group living in a highly modified habitat and the infantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death could be seen as a result of indirect human disturbance, the second case was observed deeper in the forest, suggesting that carrying of deceased infants is likely part of the natural behavioural repertoire of this species of primate. This study contributes to the growing literature on thanatology in non-human primates which demonstrates the widespread occurrence of such behaviours across primate taxa.

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What are the implications of tree cover loss for chimpanzees and humans across the greater Nimba landscape in Guinea?

Maegan Fitzgerald1, Janet Nackoney2, Peter Potapov2, Svetlana Turubanova2, and Satoshi Hirata1 1 2

Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States

maeg2nimba@gmail.com

Historically, the Upper Guinean Forest stretched across west Africa, but this once contiguous, dense canopy forest is now a highly fragmented ecosystem. The Forestière region of southeastern Guinea contains some of the last remaining patches of Upper Guinean Forest in the country.

Within this region, the Nimba mountains are one such remnant patch of this forest ecosystem and are habitat for a variety of endemic and threatened flora and fauna, including the Critically Endangered Western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus). The Nimba mountains are also rich in natural resources such as iron ore and provides essential ecosystem services for a rapidly growing human population. The ability to reconcile sustainable development with biodiversity conservation requires knowledge of not only the current situation in the region, but of its history and how this landscape has changed over time. This presentation will give an overview of historic (2001 to 2018) tree cover loss across the greater Nimba landscape and its implications for both chimpanzees and humans.

Relevance of SMART Ranger Based Monitoring in Primate Conservation Agaba Hillary, Guma Nelson, and Masereka Joshua Uganda Wildlife Authority kumanya@gmail.com

Kibale National Park is popularly known as the primate capital of the world. It has 13 unique primate species more than any other in-situ site in the world. However, the biodiversity within park faces a number of threats majorly poaching, illegal resource access and human wildlife conflicts. On a regular basis, park rangers collect data about these threats during patrols so that managers can base on the information to design and adapt strategies to mitigate the threats. The Uganda Wildlife Authority in collaboration with partners has been utilizing the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) to manage and process data collected through the Ranger Based Monitoring System to inform management decisions. In this presentation, we will show how Kibale National Park is using SMART to manage the park. We will show the trends in threats in the PA using SMART and demonstrate how these trends have influenced management decisions.

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Primate and human overlap in needs: the Human Wildlife Conflicts situation in the Bugoma Landscape Rukundo Joshua, Kasozi Nebat Atuhura Chimpanzee Trust director@ngamabisland.org and conservation@ngambaisland.org

Protected areas such as Bugoma Central Forest Reserve (CFR) and wildlife habitats outside protected areas such as private and community forests harbor wild animal populations that pose threats while inflicting costs on communities. The concerns include crop raiding, economic and social losses and the loss of human life or injury. In turn, local residents develop negative attitudes towards protected areas and wildlife exacerbating the conflict and undermining conservation efforts. With human population growth of 4.3% in Hoima and 5.5% in Kibaale and deforestation rate of 7% on private land; there is an increase in the overlap of needs between humans and chimpanzees resulting in ecological and behavioral evolution. The Trust used locally trained Conservation Ambassadors for data collection. We present here a human wildlife conflicts study for the Bugoma CFR landscape resulting from overlap in needs between wildlife and the people.

We collected data in 32 villages around the Bugoma landscape, studied cropping regimes, small animal rearing and how primates are impacting on livelihoods of the communities at the frontline.

The study analyzed and reported on the data collected, in addition to identifying seasonal variances for the landscape, this as a means of supporting informed decision making for the conservation of primates especially the endangered chimpanzees. Results showed that there are cultural differences for crops raided by different primates in differing sections of Bugoma landscape.

Analysis for planting season crop raids showed that the first season (March to June) is the most affected.

Mise-à-jour des données sur le petit hapalémur du nord (Hapalemur occidentalis) dans la forêt d’Anjahambe, Vavatenina, Madagascar Vonjy Andrianarimalala1*, Josia Razafindramanana2,3, Harizo Rijamanalina2, Delphine Roullet4 1

Impact Madagascar, Facultés des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, 3 Mention ADD – Faculté des Sciences Université d’Antananarivo, 4 AFSGH HelpSimus 2

vonjykoely@gmail.com

Madagascar abrite différentes espèces de lémuriens dans divers types d’habitats. La forêt de bambou d’Anjahambe à Vavatenina, fait partie des endroits encore inconnus et non protégés mais riche en biodiversité abritant Hapalemur occidentalis, espèce classée Vulnérable selon l’UICN. Les menaces affectant H. occidentalis sont principalement la chasse et la destruction de son habitat. Peu d’information reste cependant disponible sur l’écologie et le comportement de cette espèce. Un recensement et un suivi écologique de la population de l’espèce ont été menés en Février et Mars 2018 à Anjahambe situé au Nord-Est de Madagascar dans la région d’Analanjirofo. La méthode de comptage directe a permis de trouver 49 individus répartis dans 14 groupes. La densité est estimée de 151,47 individus /km2. La mise en place des 18 plots botaniques a montré les caractéristiques de l’habitat dominé par le bambou Valiha diffusa. Une diversité spécifique de 88 espèces a été enregistrée sur le site. Cet habitat est entouré par des Cultures sur-

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brulis pour de riz, du manioc et des girofliers. Le comportement de l’espèce est dominé par le repos (68%). Le déplacement constitue 18% des activités. L’alimentation et les interactions sociales représentent respectivement 10% et 8% du budget d’activité de H. occidentalis. L’espèce fréquente le plus souvent des hauteurs supérieures à 10 m ou elle passe jusqu’à 56% de son temps.

L’espèce passe 14% de son temps au niveau des hauteurs inférieures à 2m. Les bambous, Valiha diffusa, restent l’alimentation principale (80%) de H. occidentalis et l’espèce Clidemia hirta (ou tabac-bœuf) constitue son source complémentaire (20%). Le domaine vital est estimé à 2.1 Ha. Ces résultats préliminaires pourraient indiquer des stratégies d’adaptation comportementales face aux pressions et menaces. Plus de recherche sur l’écologie de cette espèce est requise pour compléter ces informations. Un programme de conservation communautaire et de sensibilisation est recommandé pour un tel endroit qui représente actuellement la limite sud, récemment découvert, de la distribution de Hapalemur occidentalis. Cette étude, même préliminaire, a présenté des nouvelles informations pour mettre à jour les données scientifiques surtout sur la distribution de cette espèce à Madagascar.

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Poster Subtheme: Diversity, Taxonomy and Status

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Population Estimates of Diurnal Primates on Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Sierra Leone Jonathan A. Musa1 and Ibrahim Abu-Bakarr2 1,2

Department of Wildlife Management & Conservation, Njala University, Sierra Leone

Corresponding Author: jonathanamusa@gmail.com

Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for the high density and diversity of its diurnal primate fauna. Unfortunately, there has been no systematic survey of the abundance of primates for more than 30 years. In order to provide an updated information on the population status of diurnal primates, surveys were conducted along 3 transects in 2018 to generate estimates for abundance, diversity and group composition. A total of 8 species (Colobus polykomos, Cercopithecus campbelli, Pan troglodytes verus, Cercopithecus diana, Procolobus verus, Procolobus badius, Cercocebus atys and Cercopithecus petaurista.) belonging to three families were recorded.

However, this survey failed to record Chlorocebus sabaeus aethiops that was previously recorded on the island. A comparative assessment with previous studies indicates that the population of Procolobus badius appears to have increased while the population of Cercocebus atys and Cercopithecus diana are more or less stable. The Critically Endangered, Pan troglodytes verus is too rare to estimate whether the population is stable or not. Populations of 2 other species, Colobus polykomos and Cercopithecus petaurista were observed to have declined. Hunting and mining although limited were observed as the only key threats on the island. Several recommendations are made including repeated studies to confirm these findings.

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A Survey of the Population Status of Diurnal Primates of Okomu National Park, Nigeria O. K. Azeez1*, I. M. Goni2, T. A. Kareem3 and J.O. Orimaye4 1 National Park Service; 2 Okomu National Park, Nigeria azeezolakunlekazeem@gmail.com

An investigation of the population status of diurnal primates and anthropogenic threats in Okomu National Park (ONP) was carried out during 2017- 2018. Data were collected using ground technique and sample counts by line transect foot survey and focus group discussion with stakeholders. Enumerations were carried out thrice in a week for a period of 4 months in the rainy season (July â&#x20AC;&#x201C; October) and 4 months in the dry season (January- April). A total of sixteen (16) independent line transects tally 67.6 km of transect length were randomly selected from existing tracks and trails in ONP. Fifteen (15) groups of farmers and hunters were also engaged in focus group discussion. ArcGIS 10.3 software was used to analyze the tracks and observations recorded using GPS (Garmin 72XL). Data on number of individual of the species sighted and identified threats were evaluated using encounter rates and Relative Threat Factor Severity Index. The findings revealed four diurnal primate species, which include Red capped mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus), Mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona), White-throated monkey (C. erythrogaster pocoki) and Putty-nosed monkey (C. nictitans ludio). Mona monkeys were the most commonly sighted (39 times producing 0.22 sighting/km, this is followed by White throated monkeys (sighted 18 times = 0.11/km) while Red - capped mangabey had 18 sightings represents 0.1/km. The Puttynosed monkeys had the lowest sightings (3 times = 0.02/km). There is very strong correlation between sightings in the morning and evening (r =0. 89, p < 0.05). Seasonal variability in the number of anthropogenic activities encountered within ONP was tested using Constrained Redundancy Ordination modelling analysis. The findings revealed seven (7) disturbance threats of both direct and indirect pressures within the habitat of diurnal primates in ONP, The biplot diagram of CCA analysis revealed that diurnal primates were associated with highest positive biplot scores along axis 1 signifying a strong positive relationship with logging (0.9753) and lowest negative biplot scores NTFPs (-0.3022) in axis 2. There are indication that ONP remain the only protected areas of national and international recognition in that region which is the transition zone between the lowland forest of South Western Nigeria and the Dahomey gap harboring at least four different species of forest guenons.

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New records of the Black and white Colobus (Colobus vellerosus) in Nigeria 1

Ogunjemite, B. G., 2Orimaye, J. O. 3Kazeem, A.O. 1Adetola, B. O., 4Adeyemo, B. and 5 Okosodo, F. E. 1

Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.

3 Nigerian National Park Service, Okomu National Udo Edo State, Nigeria.

4 Department of Applied Geology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria 5 Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Management, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria 2

bgogunjemite@futa.edu.ng

There are not much systematic studies of the non-human primates of the region of southwestern Nigeria except those of chimpanzee and white throated monkey. The new information on the distribution of the subspecies of white throated monkey necessitated a thorough and systematic study of the primate in the region in relation to the long-held opinion of the Dahomey-Gap as a biogeography barrier particularly on speciation of non-primates. We constituted a team of local primate specialists. From 3rd January 2019, we embarked on a regional survey of the primates with initial attention on the woodland environment of the region. Minimum of four members go out each month to designated areas of primate diversity for an average of three days primate tracking and interaction with community people. Locations coordinate were taken and plotted based on the initiative of Bird-laser, an app designed for bird atlassing. Six of such localities had been visited and assessed. They are Ochokochoko/Obajana/Lokoja axis of Kogi State, Lafiagi/Koro/Kampe Forest of Kwara State, Eda/Ayede-Isan Forests of Ekiti State, Kainji Lake National Park of Niger State, Osun Grove/Ibodi Monkey Forests of Osun State and Iporo/Odeda area of Ogun States. The presence of the Black and white colobus monkey was confirmed in two sites; Lafiagi/Koro/Kampe and Iporo/Odeda. The monkeys were observed in several of the isolated patches of the Lafiagi/Koro/Kampe forest often foraging along mona monkeys. They were found to be ranging alone at Iporo/Odeda. While the Iporo/Odeda (Ogun State) site is close to the documented range of the animal along Nigeria/Benin border, the Lafiagi/Koro/Kampe sites is about 200km east of the reported range. Black and white colobus monkey has extended range in Nigeria that goes beyond what had been documented. Habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic factors appears to be responsible for the patchy distribution in the range of the animal in southwestern Nigeria.

Infant survival in Colobus guereza: 10 years of demographic data Hayley Roberts1, Dr. Jessica Rothman2 1 2

Department of Anthropology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia Department of Anthropology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, USA

Hayley.Roberts1@anu.edu.au

Long term data is integral to understanding patterns of reproduction and survival, particularly in animals with slow life histories, such as primates. Infant survival directly effects population stability and growth, and can be affected by various factors including: group composition, resource availability, predation and disease. Previous studies of Colobus suggest that multimale groups are unstable and of lower quality than unimale groups, exposing infants to risky situations such as infanticide. We analysed survival outcomes of 65 births from 8 guereza (Colobus guereza) groups in Kibale National Park, Uganda between 2008 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2019 in relation to whether the group had one

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male or was multimale. The guereza population in Kibale exhibited a 60% infant survival rate. Of the infants that died or disappeared before reaching the juvenile stage (n=26), four deaths were attributed to chimpanzee attacks, one was caused by between group aggression and three were cases in which a group transitioned from a multi male to a uni male group within a month of the infantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disappearance; the other infants had unknown outcomes. A chi squared test was used to examine differences in survival between unimale/multifemale and multimale/multifemale groups.

There were no significant differences in infant survival between unimale and multimale groups (P=0.74). This result suggests that guereza face similar levels of infant mortality risk, irrespective of the presence of multiple males. In closely related Colobus vellerosus, multimale groups represented a higher rate of infant mortality, hypothesised to be the result of greater infanticide risk associated with instable male hierarchies and regular migration of new males to a group.

Contrary to this hypothesis our results suggest that the number of adult males in a group does not affect infant survival.

Gap dynamics and their influence on the chimpanzee food tree regeneration: case of Musanga leo-errerae, chimpanzeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fall back fruit in Kalinzu forest 1

Humphrey Kato and 2Grace Kagoro-Rugunda

1,2

Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) Box No. 1410, Mbarara, Uganda

1

katohumn@gmail.com, 2kgraceug2002@must.ac.ug

Kalinzuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tourism potential relies on the existence and sustenance of chimpanzees, which in turn relies on the existence of various chimpanzee food trees. Studies have documented that there are about twenty one chimpanzee food tree species in Kalinzu with Musanga leo-errerae being a significant food tree for chimpanzees because of its perennial fruiting. Like many Ugandan forests, Kalinzu forest experiences a lot of gaps due to timber harvesting and other disturbances, and it is not clear how the introduced gaps affect regeneration of chimpanzee food trees and Musanga leoerrerae in particular, whose fruit is a significant food source for chimpanzees. This study showed the extent of regeneration of chimpanzee food trees in relation the gap dynamics within the ranging of the chimpanzee M-group of Kalinzu forest. The study was done using ten 5km long parallel transects and Global Positioning System to document forest gap dynamics and the regeneration of chimpanzee food trees therein. Preliminary results indicated an occurrence of 124 gaps ranging from 13.163 m2 to 518.86m2 within the chimpanzee M-group ranging habitat. The gaps were distributed throughout the habitat. The gaps located in the south of the study area were mainly caused by timber harvesting and charcoal burning. Within the center, gap causes were mainly tree falls while those in the northern part of the study area were as a result of gold mining. The regeneration in the gaps were mainly dominated by Creterispermum laurinum followed by Musanga leo-errerae at seedling level and vice versa at sapling level. Regeneration of Ficus spp was poorest in all the gaps encountered. Regeneration in the gaps is much higher than in the forest understory an indication that gaps favor the regeneration of most secondary chimpanzee food trees especially Musanga leo errerae at Kalinzu.

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A preliminary behavioural study of the re-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer) at the Sahofika forest, southeastern Madagascar Natacha L. Andrianirina Faculty of Sciences, BP 906, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar. natachaandria15@gmail.com

Little is known about the ecology and biology of the red-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer) within the unprotected degraded forest of Sahofika, southeastern Madagascar. This present study addressed this lack by conducting behavioral study from 26th of February to 20th of April 2018.

Activities of four individuals within one group were recorded using focal animal sampling method.

The results showed that the red-bellied lemur spent 72% of their time resting while travelling 13%.

Feeding occupied 12% and 3% other activities. We found that the red-bellied lemur is frugivorous, consuming mainly 3 types of plants including Gaertnera; Dypsis and Saldinia. However, the animal consumed leaves (28%). In term of habitat use, we observed found that the majority of their time, the red-bellied lemur spent beyond 5m above the ground (68%). Despite the degraded habitat of the red-bellied lemur in Sahofika, activities of the animal are similar to those in protected forests such Ranomafana National Park. This study was the first research on the red-bellied lemur conducted in the degraded forest of Sahofika. Findings of this research will allow us to implement a long-term study on the species.

Statut de conservation des primates non humains dans le complexe forestier de Missahohe, Yikpa-Dzigbé et Assimé dans le Sud-Ouest du Togo K.G. Eric Agbessi1*, Assou Délagno1, Hoinsoudé Segniagbeto1 Mouhameth Camara2 Et André T. Kabre3 ; 1

Université De Lomé, Université De Thies, 3 Université Nazi Boni agbe18@gmail.com; Tel: (+228) 90 16 66 74 2

Le complexe forestier Missahohe, Yikpa-Dzigbé et Assimé est constitué de trois reliques forestières dans la zone écologique IV du Togo. C’est un complexe de forêts de montagne dont la composition floristique et la physionomie de la végétation témoignent de l’existence d’une réelle forêt semi-décidue actuellement très fragmentée, envahie et menacée notamment par la surexploitation des ressources forestières et l’agriculture extensive. Ces reliques forestières abritent de nombreuses espèces d’animaux dont quelques espèces de primates non humains.

L’habitat de ces primates est, de plus en plus sous pression en raison des activités agricoles extensives et des exploitations forestières illicites. Très peu d’informations sont disponibles sur les primates restants dans les reliques forestières face à ces pressions sans cesse croissante depuis plusieurs années. A cet effet, la présente étude vise à faire un inventaire des espèces de primates non humains, déterminer leur distribution spatiale et caractériser les menaces qui pèsent sur leur conservation durable. La méthodologie utilisée a consisté en des enquêtes auprès des communautés riveraines des reliques des forêts et en des prospections pédestres à travers la technique de recce. Les groupes des espèces des primates rencontrés ont été identifiés et les coordonnées géographiques de leur position ont été relevées. Les activités et le comportent des individus des groupes ont été notés; ainsi que la distance d’observation et autres informations utiles. Les données collectées ont été traitées grâce à Ms Excel 2013 et au logiciel R version 3.4.3.

Le logiciel libre Qgis 2.18 a été exploité pour l’analyse spatiale de la distribution des différentes espèces des primates non humains rencontrés. Au total, 6 espèces de primates ont été identifiées dans le complexe forestier Missahohe, Yikpa-Dzigbé et Assimé: Colobus vellerosus, 2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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Cercopithecus petaurista petaurista, Cercopithecus mona, Erythrocebus patas, Chlorocebus tantalus et Galago senegalensis. Les populations de ces espèces de primates autrefois très fréquentes dans l’ensemble de ces trois reliques forestières, sont aujourd’hui en nette régression, voire absentes dans certains écosystèmes. C’est le cas des Colobus vellerosus et Cercopithecus petaurista petaurista dont les individus ne se rencontrent que dans la forêt communautaire de Yikpa-Dzigbé. Les différentes menaces sont essentiellement d’ordre anthropique.

La survie des singes dans les fragments de forêts dans la Région du Tonkpi (ouest Côte d’Ivoire) compromise par la chasse commerciale Béné Jean-Claude Koffi, Bamba Kramoko, Kouakou Claude-Victorien, Kouakou Yao Célestin, Koffi Djaha André et Kouamé N’Guessan Antoine Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, UFR Environment, Côte d’Ivoire k_bamba@ymail.com

Le couvert forestier actuel de la Côte d’Ivoire se résume en des fragments de différentes tailles dans lesquels les singes sont chassés et commercialisés suivant un circuit bien déterminé. La connaissance des acteurs de la filière viande de brousse ainsi que celle des espèces de singes chassées sont des moyens pour la compréhension du phénomène ainsi que l’élaboration des stratégies efficaces pour une conservation durable des singes. Nonobstant cette vérité, très peu d’études se consacrent aux activités de chasse commerciale dans ces espaces. Cette étude a été réalisée autour des forêts classées de Goulaleu et de Krozialé en plus d’une forêt villageoise de la Région du Tonkpi à l’ouest de la Côte d’Ivoire pour pallier ce déficit d’information dans cette Région. La méthodologie utilisée a consisté d’abord en des enquêtes auprès des populations riveraines de ces fragments de forêts afin de se faire une idée générale des espèces de singes chassées dans ces forêts puis vendues sur les marchés de Danané et de Zouan-Hounien. Les enquêtes ont duré du 1er septembre au 30 septembre 2015. Ensuite, des inventaires de gibiers pour identifier les espèces de singes vendues ont été organisés dans les marchés de Danané et de ZouanHounien. A l’issue de cette étude, quatre (04) différentes espèces de singes ont été identifiées sur les marchés. Il s’agit du Cercopithèque blanc-nez, de la Mone de Campbell, du Galago de Thomas et du Potto de Bosman. Toutes ces espèces de singes ont une fréquence de rencontre mensuelle sur les marchés avec une biomasse totale de 112,69 kg de singes sur le marché de Danané contre 78,7 kg sur celui de Zouan-Hounien. Un total de quatre (04) espèces de singes a été identifié sur le marché de Danané contre trois (03) sur celui de Zouan-Hounien. Aussi, l’espèce Cercopithèque blanc-nez menacée de disparition selon l’UICN a été observée sur les deux marchés. Cette étude a permis de mettre à la disposition des agents de la SODEFOR, des données actualisées sur la commercialisation des singes dans les départements de Danané et de Zouan-Hounien. En effet, la présence de singes sur ces marchés présente un danger pour la conservation durable de ces mammifères dans les reliques forestières présente dans la Région du Tonkpi. Ces travaux s’étendront aux 20 forêts classées restantes et autres marchés de la Région du Tonkpi en vue d’une gestion durable des singes en Côte d’Ivoire.

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Bio-monitoring forêts coutumiers et les résultats pour la planification de la conservation des espèces protégées et de leurs habitats Chrysostome Kaghoma1, Dr. Marc Fourrier2, Dr. Christina Ellis3 1

The Jane Goodall Institute République Démocratique du Congo; The Jane Goodall Institute USA; 3 The Jane Goodall Institute République Démocratique du Congo 2

cellis@janegoodall.org

La planification pour la conservation efficace dans les forêts coutumières de Wassa et d'Utunda, en territoire de Walikale, République Démocratique de Congo bordant le Parc national de la Maïko, nécessite une connaissance des espèces présentes pour identifier les zones clés pour la protection et une compréhension de la présence humaine et les menaces pour élaborer un plan d’aménagement adresant les moteurs et les comportements. Depuis quatre ans, The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) a rassemblé des données pour répondre à la question de savoir quelle valeur ces forêts ont pour la conservation des chimpanzés et de leurs habitats. Riche en biodiversité, avec une faible densité de population humaine et des effets réversibles, ces forêts n'ont pas fait l'objet d'une surveillance régulière en raison de l'isolement et du manque de système de gestion efficace malgré le souhait exprimé par les communautés locales depuis plus de 20 ans. Douze déploiements/deux par mois de suivi-écologique par 14 membres des communautés locales suivant un échantillonnage de 144 waypoints ont permis un effort de 583 hommes-jours sur 479 km sur 120 transects parallèles. Les données enregistrées sont des indices de présence (empreinte, crotte, nid, outil, cri) et des observations directes grâce au logiciel SMART. 17 espèces de mammifères ont été identifiées, dont plus de 253 signes ou observations de chimpanzés. La présence connue de chimpanzés et d’autres espèces protégées comme le bongo, le sitatunga, le buffle, l’okapi, le pangolin géant, l’éléphant, le léopard, l’oryctérope, a notamment constitué l’un des six critères de sélection d’une forêt coutumière pour allocation comme concession forestière de communautés locales (CFCL). Trois dossiers (Motondo, Undisa, Kaami) ont été soumis au gouvernement des communautés. Les prochaines étapes pour JGI consistent à continuer à renforcer les capacités des structures locales pour la gouvernance de ces futures CFCLs, notamment une étude de la biodiversité et l’élaboration d’un simple plan d’aménagement pour assurer la conservation et planifier d’actions de développement durable fondé sur les ressources forestières et la gestion des terres. Tout au long des prochaines phases, les activités de biomonitoring continueront d'informer la gestion de ces forêts.

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Caractérisation des facteurs de menace sur une population sauvage de Mones de Lowe Cercopithecus lowei (Thomas, 1923) dans la relique forestière l’université Nangui Abrogoua, Côte d’Ivoire Sami Blaise Kambire 1, 3; Karim Quattara1, 3; Adama Bakayoko1, 2; Inza Kone 1, 3 1

Laboratoire de Zoologie et Biologie Animale, Université Félix Houphouët Boigny, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.

2 Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences de la Nature, l’Université Nangui Abrogoua, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’ivoire.

3 Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire (CSRS), 01 BP 1303 Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire sammidjokambire@vahoo.fr

Ces dernières décennies, les Primates non-humains (PNH) sont observés dans les milieux périurbains où leur survie devient cruciale. Cette étude se propose de contribuer à une meilleure caractérisation des facteurs de menace sur une population sauvage de Mones de Lowe vivant dans la relique forestière de l’Université Nangui Abrogoua (UNA). De façon spécifique, il s’agit d’inventorier toutes les formes de menace pesant sur les rescapés de Mones de Lowe puis d’évaluer l’impact de ces menaces sur ces Mones et leur habitat en les situant dans le temps et dans l’espace. La méthode du groupe d’observation «Ad libitum» a permis de noter les indices directes et indirectes de forme d'agression sur la forêt et sur les Mones. Cette méthode a été complétée par les interviews de personnes qui côtoient ou parcourent régulièrement la forêt de faire l’inventaire et d’évaluer les différentes menaces qui pèsent sur ces primates et leur habitat. Deux grandes catégories de facteurs biotiques et abiotiques repartis en 17 menaces ont été inventoriées. Les facteurs biotiques (le ramassage de bois mort; les nuisances olfactives; les émondes de gazon; les nuisances sonores; le braconnage; un dépotoir d'ordures ménagères; les lieux de toilette , les champs de cultures vivrières; le prélèvement des plantes médicinales; le prélèvent des arbres pour la construction des serres , les espaces de prière; les espace d’étude et de repos; les ‘hôtels; les espaces récréatifs‘’; le manque de statut de conservation) constituent la plus grande menace sur la biodiversité de la relique de l’UNA infligée par les personnes internes de l’université. Ces variables contribuent non seulement à réduire l’habitat et la population des Mones mais aussi à dégrader la relique. Une des conséquences directes qui en résulte est la destruction de la relique forestière, habitat naturel privilégié des singes. Les facteurs abiotiques sont essentiellement l’isolement de la relique et la fragilité des arbres qui affectent la stabilité de la relique. Ce travail a permis non seulement de faire l’inventaire des différentes menaces en montrant leur degré de destruction mais aussi de connaître les agents de ces pressions majeurs qui menacent la biodiversité de cette relique. Les résultats indiquent également que la relique est devenue le seul refuge pour les Mones de Lowe qui ont développé des facultés cognitives de résilience, de flexibilité alimentaire et de mémoire spatiale pour faire face à leur habitat changeant.

Cette étude met en exergue l’importance de la relique pour la conservation de la biodiversité au sein de cette université. Cette étude servira d’outil de décision en permettant à l’autorité universitaire de mieux définir les actions prioritaires en vue de la restauration et de la conservation de la relique forestière.

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2nd APS CONFERENCE 2019

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