Catarina Casanova

Chimpanzee oil-palm use in southern Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau

Cantanhez National Park in southern Guinea‐Bissau is a mosaic of forest, mangrove, savanna, and agricultural fields, with a high prevalence of oil‐palm trees (Elaeis guineensis). It hosts many different animal species, including the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus). Very little is known about the ecology of chimpanzees inhabiting this area. The main aims of this study were to evaluate chimpanzee nesting behavior, define trends of habitat use, and estimate chimpanzee density in four separate forests by applying the marked nest counts methodology. From the 287 new nests counted, 92% were built in oil‐palm trees with a significantly higher frequency of nests in the forest edge than in forest cores. Differences in nest detection rates were observed in the four monitored forests, with two forests being more important for chimpanzees nesting demands. The number of nests documented in the forests seemed to be correlated with the frequency of other signs of chimpanzee activity. Although chimpanzees selected nests on the forest edge, they were most frequently observed in forest core areas. Constraints associated with estimating chimpanzee density through oil‐palm nest counting are discussed. Am. J. Primatol. 73:485–497, 2011.

The good, the bad and the ugly: perceptions of wildlife in Tombali (Guinea-Bissau, West Africa)

Human-animal communication ; Human-animal relationships ; Wildlife conservation ; Chimpanzees

Non-Human Predator Interactions with Wild Great Apes in Africa and the Use of Camera Traps to Study Their Dynamics

The slow life histories of great apes (hereafter ‘apes’) combined with a growing inventory of predation incidents suggest that apes may be strongly affected by direct predation, as well as by predation risk. Predation risk may shape and increase behavioural flexibility by forcing individuals to adapt their behaviour to predator patterns. Forest leopards are an apex predator of primates in African rain forests and may represent a significant risk to ape populations. More field data are needed to further elucidate the behavioural modifications of apes in response to predation. We present research methods that combine the use of remote camera traps, capture-mark-recapture statistics and occupancy modelling to study predator-African ape relationships and potential antipredator behaviour through spatial variation in species co-occurrence patterns.

Ethnicity and Perceptions of Bushmeat Hunting Inside Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park (LCNP), Guinea-Bissau

West African managed forests are zones where domestic stock does not thrive, and bushmeat continues to be a major source of animal protein for many people. Given rising human populations across Africa the harvesting and trade in bushmeat is unsustainable, resulting in dramatic declines of local populations of wild animals. Accessing local villagers’ perceptions on bushmeat hunting, consumption and trade is important for gaining a better understanding of attitudes towards wildlife in the protected area of Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park (LCNP), Guinea-Bissau. Positive attitudes regarding wildlife may ultimately determine if there is the capacity for sustaining populations of wild animals within LCNP boundaries. Thus, our study of perceptions and attitudes on bushmeat hunting, consumption and trade on the part of the Beafada community – the major ethnic group present in the LCNP (77.4%) – and the Balanta – the second most populous group (8.7%) - was important for understanding how local communities will influence the future of wildlife inside LCNP. Results come from a range of complementary qualitative and quantitative approaches consisting of: i) survey questionnaires (N=258); ii) in-depth interviews (N=40 men); iii) six focus-groups (N=62 women); and, iv) non-participant observation. Our results has shown that the Beafada as professional hunters rely on bushmeat hunting as a source of protein but particularly as a source of income while the Balanta rely on bushmeat mainly as a source of protein. It was expected that these two subsistence groups would value and perceive wildlife differently, although gender tended to express the most distinct differences in attitudes. Religion also appeared to underlie some major differences in the local preferences of species for consumption. Hunting and the bushmeat trade represent major threats to wildlife in Guinea-Bissau; understanding their contribution to livelihoods and perceptions of protected areas may help ensure the persistence of wildlife inside LCNP.

Contents Vol. 80, 2009

106 3rd Congress of the European Federation for Primatology Zürich, August 12–15, 2009 Editor: van Schaik, C. (Zürich)