Haut Niger National Park
West Africa > Republic of Guinea > Haut Niger National Park
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Summary
- Western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) are present in Haut Niger National Park.
- It has been estimated that more than 400 chimpanzees occur in the park.
- The chimpanzee population trend is not known, but there is evidence that it is decreasing.
- This site has a total size of 12,000 km².
- Key threats to chimpanzees are hunting, agriculture and presence of humans in the core area for fishing and honey collection.
- The Chimpanzee Conservation Center rehabilitates orphaned chimpanzees and released a group into the wild in 2008. It also conducts an awareness raising program.
- The site protects one of the last open dry forests in West Africa and serves key hydrological functions. It features a high biodiversity including lions, hippos and a diversity of fish and bird species, and contains a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, an Important Bird Area and two Ramsar sites.
Site characteristics
The Haut Niger National Park (also called Upper Niger National Park) is situated in the Niger basin in east-central Guinea. It has been designated a National Park in 1997 and consists of two distinct core areas, Mafou forest (554 km²) and Kouyah forest (674 km²), and a buffer zone (Fleury-Brugière & Brugière 2010). The total area of the park, meaning core areas and buffer zone, is around 12,000 km2 (Fleury-Brugière & Brugière 2010). The two core areas are designated as IUCN category II and the buffer zone is designated as IUCN category V (Brugière & Kormos 2009).
Table 1. Basic site information for Haut Niger National Park
| Species | Pan troglodytes verus |
| Area | 12,000 km² |
| Coordinates | Lat: 10.21 , Lon: -10.09 |
| Type of site | Protected area (National Park) |
| Habitat types | Subtropical/tropical dry forest, Savanna, Shrubland, Wetlands (lakes, rivers, streams, bogs, marshes), Agricultural land |
| Type of governance |
IUCN habitat categories Site designations
Ape status
In a nationwide survey from 1995 to 1997 Rebecca Kormos identified Mafou forest as an “area of particular interest thought to have a healthy population of chimpanzees” based on reconnaissance surveys (Ham 1998). From 2001 to 2002 transect surveys were conducted in the Mafou core area and a total abundance of 480 individuals was estimated for that core area (Fleury-Brugière & Brugière 2010). Extrapolated to the entire park it has been suggested that the park protects up to 650 chimpanzees (Kormos et al. 2003). A follow-up survey conducted between 2008 and 2009 in the northern part of Mafou found a lower chimpanzee density and derived an estimate of 334 individuals (200-601) for Mafou (Humle et al. 2009a). It was concluded that the population likely decreased (Humle et al. 2009a). Yet another transect survey in 2009 found even lower densities for Mafou and estimated 288 individuals (190-437, WCF 2012). At the same time Kouyah core area was sampled for the first time and 132 individuals (60-290) were estimated to occur there (WCF 2012).
Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Haut Niger National Park
| Species | Year | Abundance estimate (95% CI) | Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI) | Encounter rate (nests/km) | Area | Method | Source | Comments | A.P.E.S. database ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pan troglodytes verus | 1995-1997 | Present | Mafou forest | Reconnaissance walk | Ham 1998 | Reconnaissance survey | |||
| Pan troglodytes verus | 1995-1997 | Present | Kouyah forest | Informed guess | Ham 1998 | Anectodal reports | |||
| Pan troglodytes verus | 2001-2002 | 480 | 0.87 | 7.9 | Mafou core area | Line transects | Fleury-Brugière & Brugière 2010 | Total survey effort: 103.83 km, encounter rate 7.9 (range 0.16–11.7) | |
| Pan troglodytes verus | 2008-2009 | 334 (200-601) | 0.60 (0.36-1.1) | 7.6 | Mafou core area | Line transects | Humle et al. 2009a | Total survey effort: 60.5 km | |
| Pan troglodytes verus | 2009 | 420 (250-727) | 0.7 | 2.34 | Mafou + Kouya core area | Line transects | WCF 2012 | Total survey effort: 196 km, abundances Mafou: 288 (190-437), Kouyah: 132 (60-290), densities Mafou: 0.47, Kouyah: 0.23 |
Threats
The main threats to chimpanzees in Haut Niger National Park are hunting, agriculture and presence of humans in the core area for fishing and honey collection. Humle et al. (2009) identified hunting as one of the most prevalent pressures in the park with an encounter rate of poaching signs of 0.15/km. A similar encounter rate was found by the WCF survey with 0.18 signs/km (WCF 2012). Chimpanzees are also hunted opportunistically. In the bushmeat survey in 2001 Brugière and Magassouba (2009) found 14 chimpanzee carcasses offered for sale over the course of a year.
Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Haut Niger National Park
| Category | Specific threats | Threat level | Description | Year of threat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Residential & commercial development | 1.1 Residential areas | Medium | Fishing camps along the rivers, also inside core areas, with up to 100 people living in these camps for up to 6 months (Humle et al. 2009a, WCF 2012) | Ongoing (2009, 2012) |
| 2 Agriculture & aquaculture | 2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Medium | Signs of agricultural throughout Kouyah core area (WCF 2012) and widespread in buffer zone (Humle et al. 2009a, WCF 2012); people also use trees in the periphery of Mafou core area for setting up self-made bee hives (Humle et al. 2009a) | Ongoing (2009, 2012) |
| 3 Energy production & mining | Absent | |||
| 4 Transportation & service corridors | 4.1 Roads & railroads | Medium | Trails and path can be found also in the core area and these are used by hunters and fishers (Humle et al 2009a, WCF 2012), the threat from such trails to chimpanzees is indirect as they facilitate access for humans | Ongoing (2009, 2012) |
| 5 Biological resource use | 5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | High | Widespread hunting especially in the buffer zone but also in the core areas (Humle et al 2009a, WCF 2012), chimpanzees also hunted opportunistically (Brugière and Magassouba 2009); wild honey collection (Humle et al. 2009a) | Ongoing (2009, 2012) |
| 5 Biological resource use | 5.3 Logging & wood harvesting | Medium | Illegal logging in the buffer zone (Humle et al. 2009a) | Likely ongoing (2009) |
| 5 Biological resource use | 5.3 Logging & wood harvesting | Low | Fishing in the rivers, also using dynamite and chemicals, is widespread (Ramsar 2017); effect on chimpanzees is indirect due to presence of humans in the core area | Ongoing (2017) |
| 6 Human intrusions & disturbance | Absent | |||
| 7 Natural system modifications | 7.1 Fire & fire suppression | Medium | Fires are set at night by hunters to shoot fleeing animals (Humle et al. 2009a), can effect behavior of chimpanzees | Ongoing (2009) |
| 8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Unknown | |||
| 9 Pollution | Absent | |||
| 10 Geological events | Absent | |||
| 11 Climate change & severe weather | Unknown | |||
| 12 Other threat | Absent |
Conservation activities
As part of the “Programme Regional d’Aménagement des Bassins Versants du Niger et de la Gambie” (PRABV) which was funded by the European Union in the 1990’s, biodiversity surveys were conducted in and around Mafou and Kouya forest, which ultimately led to the creation of the Haut Niger National Park in 1997 (Brugière & Kormos 2009). From 1995 to 2005 the European funded AGIR project (Programme Régional d’Appui à la Gestion Intégrée des Ressources Naturelles des Bassins du Niger et de la Gambie) implemented a management plan in collaboration with government officials and supported law enforcement within the park (Humle et al. 2009a). When funding ceased government authorities were lacking the financial, logistical and technical means to continue these efforts at the same level (Humle et al. 2009a).
Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Haut Niger National Park
| Category | Specific activity | Description | Implementing organization(s) | Year of activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Counter-wildlife crime | 2.1 Implement road blocks to inspect cars for illegal ape bushmeat | The road blocks set up to control illegal logging were used to also control illegal bushmeat (Humle et al. 2009a) | 2008-2009 | |
| 2 Counter-wildlife crime | 2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols | The AGIR project supported law enforcement within the park (Humle et al. 2009a) | Unknown (2009) | |
| 4 Education & awareness | 4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use | As part of awareness program by Chimpanzee Conservation Center (CCC, Projet Primates 2016) | Ongoing (2016) | |
| 4 Education & awareness | 4.4 Regularly play TV and radio announcements to raise ape conservation awareness | As part of awareness program by CCC (Projet Primates 2016) | Ongoing (2016) | |
| 4 Education & awareness | 4.5 Implement multimedia campaigns using theatre, film, print media, discussions | As part of awareness program by CCC (Projet Primates 2016) | Ongoing (2016) | |
| 5 Protection & restoration | 5.2 Legally protect ape habitat | Designated as National Park since 1997 (Fleury-Brugière and Brugière 2010) | Since 1997 | |
| 6 Species management | 6.8 Reintroduction of apes (captively-bred or rehabilitated indviduals) | 12 individuals released in Mafou core area (Humle et al. 2009a, Projet Primates 2016) | 2008 | |
| 6 Species management | 6.9 Rehabilitate injured/orphaned apes | CCC takes care of and rehabilitates orphaned chimpanzees (Projet Primates 2016) | Since 1997 | |
| 8 Permanent presence | 8.3 Permanent presence of staff/manager | Permanent presence of CCC staff since 1997 (Projet Primates 2016) | Since 1997 |
Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)
Challenges
Lack of funding as well as logistical and technical support were cited as impediments to making and implementing a new management plan for the park (Humle et al. 2009a). The evaluation of management effectiveness concluded, that due to a lack of financial and technical means as well as lack of training, an efficient monitoring and law enforcement throughout the park was not possible (METT 2009).
Table 5. Challenges reported for Haut Niger National Park
| Challenges | Specific challenges | Source | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Resources and capacity | 2.1 Lack of capacity/training | METT 2009 | |
| 2 Resources and capacity | 2.3 General lack of funding | Humle et al. 2009a, METT 2009 | |
| 1 Site management | 1.2 Need for improved coordination | Humle et al. 2009a, METT 2009 | |
| 2 Resources and capacity | 2.5 Lack of equipment/transportation | Humle et al. 2009a, METT 2009 |
Enablers
Table 6. Enablers reported for Haut Niger National Park
| Enablers | Specific enablers | Source | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Site management | |||
| 2 Resources and capacity | |||
| 3 Engaged community | |||
| 4 Institutional support | |||
| 5 Ecological context | |||
| 6 Safety and stability |
Research activities
To inform the creation of the National Park several biomonitoring studies have been undertaken targeting different taxa, such as mammals (Ziegler 2002), fish (Crespi 1998), ungulates (Brugière 2005), birds (Nikolaus 1999), and amphibians and reptiles (Greenbaum & Carr 2005). As detailed above several surveys on chimpanzees have been implemented (Ham 1998, Humle et al. 2009a, Fleury-Brugière & Brugière 2010, WCF 2012).
Documented behaviours
Table 7. Behaviours documented for Haut Niger National Park
| Behavior | Source |
|---|---|
| Hand-clasp grooming | Humle et al. 2009b |
Exposure to climate change impacts
External links
Relevant datasets
References
Bauer H et al. 2003. Research needs for lion conservation in West and Central Africa, C. R. Biologies, 326: S112–S118
BirdLife International. 2018. Important Bird Areas factsheet: Mafou. Online: www.birdlife.org
Brugière D et al. 2005. Large- and medium-sized ungulates in the Haut Niger National Park, Republic of Guinea: population changes 1997–2002, Oryx, 39:50-55
Brugière D et al. 2006. Population abundance of the common hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius in the Haut Niger National Park, Republic of Guinea, Mammalia:14-16
Brugière D, Kormos R. 2009. Review of the protected area network in Guinea, West Africa, and recommendations for new sites for biodiversity conservation, Biodiversity and Conservation, 18:847
Brugière D, Magassouba B. 2009. Pattern and sustainability of the bushmeat trade in the Haut Niger National Park, Republic of Guinea, African Journal of Ecology, 44:630-639
Crespi V. 1998. Preliminary study on the fishery resources of the River Niger in the Upper Niger National Park, Guinea, Fisheries Management and Ecology, 5:201–208
Fleury-Brugière MC, Brugière D. 2010. High Population Density of Pan troglodytes verus in the Haut Niger National Park, Republic of Guinea: Implications for Local and Regional Conservation, International Journal of Primatology, 31: 383-392
Greenbaum E, Carr JL. 2005. The Herpetofauna of Upper Niger National Park, Guinea, West Africa, Natural History Museum The University of Kansas, 37:1-21
Ham R. 1998. Nationwide chimpanzee census and large mammal survey Republic of Guinea.
Humle T et al. 2009a. Report on chimpanzee surveys conducted in Parc National du Haut Niger, Republic of Guinea 2008-09
Humle T et al. 2009b. Preliminary Report on Hand-Clasp Grooming in Sanctuary-Released Chimpanzees, Haut Niger National Park, Guinea, Pan Africa News, 16(1): 7-10
Humle T et al. 2011. Group Release of Sanctuary Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in the Haut Niger National Park, Guinea, West Africa: Ranging Patterns and Lessons So Far, International Journal of Primatology, 32:456-473
Humle T, Konate A. 2015. Primates and Bushmeat Hunting Around the High Niger National Park, Guinea, West Africa: Drivers and Patterns of Change, Folia Primatol, 86:235–386
Kormos R et al. 2003. The Republic of Guinea, in Kormos, R. Boesch, C., Bakarr, M.I. & Butynski, T.M. [eds.] Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan, IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK
Kormos R, Boesch C. 2003. Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees in West Africa. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group and Conservation International, Washington DC.
Lion Alert. 2012. Online: Lion Alert
METT. 2009. Management Effectiveness Evaluations – Parc National du Haut Niger. Online: papaco.org
Nikolaus G. 1999. The birds of the Parc National du Haut Niger, Guinea, Malimbus, 22, 1–22
Projet Primates. 2016. Online: Chimpanzee Conservation Center (CCC)
Ramsar. 2002. Online: Ramsar 2002
Ramsar. 2017. Online: Ramsar 2017
UNESCO MAB. 2011. UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserve Directory. Haut Niger. Online: www.unesco.org
WCF. 2012. Etat de la faune et des menaces dans les aires protégées terrestres et principales zones de forte biodiversité de Rep. de Guinée. Report. Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Sangaredi, Republic of Guinea. Online: Wild Chimpanzee Foundation
Ziegler S et al. 2002. High mammalian diversity in the newly established National Park of Upper Niger, Republic of Guinea, Oryx, 36:73-80
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