Changes

= Ape status =  <!-- a text overview of ape status (population sizes, trends etc), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->

= Ape status =  <!-- a text overview of ape status (population sizes, trends etc), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->

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) ([http://www.wildchimps.org  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).

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, [http://www.wildchimps.org  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).

Haut Niger National Park was identified as an ‘Exceptionally Important Priority Area’ in the Regional Conservation Action Plan for western chimpanzees in 2003 (Kormos & Boesch 2003).

Haut Niger National Park was identified as an ‘Exceptionally Important Priority Area’ in the Regional Conservation Action Plan for western chimpanzees in 2003 (Kormos & Boesch 2003).