Changes

* Key threats to chimpanzees are habitat destruction and fragmentation, leading to chimpanzee-human conflict.

* Key threats to chimpanzees are habitat destruction and fragmentation, leading to chimpanzee-human conflict.

* Conservation activities have focused on education, livelihood support, and biomonitoring.

* Conservation activities have focused on education, livelihood support, and biomonitoring.

[[File: Mobonda_Mangroves.JPG | 300px | thumb| right |Mobonda mangroves © TCP]]

[[File: Swamp on the edge of Yelleh forest.JPG | 300px | thumb| right |Swamp on the edge of Yelleh forest © TCP]]

= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->

= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->

The Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest (YSF) and Mai-Mokombo Forest (MMF) are in the South East of Moyamba District, Sierra Leone. The sites are located on the shores of the Bagru creek and the Sherbro river. The area includes five small settlements: Mobondah, Yelleh, Sorbengi, Mai, and Mokombo. The two forest blocks are separated by an area of land confirmed through research as a corridor for the movement of chimpanzees and other wildlife known to exist in the area. The corridor area and the core area of the two forests comprise a matrix of vegetation types and features. Vegetation types in the area include: mangroves, primary and secondary growth forest, swamps, grassy savannah, wild oil palm and agricultural lands. The two forests cover approximately 3 sq.km and the swamp/mangrove ecosystems approximately 50 sq.km. The mangroves are part of the Marine Protected Area Shebro River Estuary. The mangroves are categorised among one of the Marine Protected Areas - Shebro River Estuary in Sierra Leone.  

The Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest (YSF) and Mai-Mokombo Forest (MMF) are in the South East of Moyamba District, Sierra Leone. The sites are located on the shores of the Bagru creek and the Sherbro river. The area includes five small settlements: Mobondah, Yelleh, Sorbengi, Mai, and Mokombo. The two forest blocks are separated by an area of land confirmed through research as a corridor for the movement of chimpanzees and other wildlife known to exist in the area. The corridor area and the core area of the two forests comprise a matrix of vegetation types and features. Vegetation types in the area include: mangroves, primary and secondary growth forest, swamps, grassy savannah, wild oil palm and agricultural lands. The two forests cover approximately 3 sq.km and the swamp/mangrove ecosystems approximately 50 sq.km. The mangroves are part of the Marine Protected Area Shebro River Estuary. The mangroves are categorised among one of the Marine Protected Areas - Shebro River Estuary in Sierra Leone.  

 

'''Table 1. Basic site information for Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest and Mai-Mokombo Forest'''

'''Table 1. Basic site information for Yelleh-Sorbengi Forest and Mai-Mokombo Forest'''

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

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

[[File: Mobonda Community_forest_chimps.JPG | 300px | thumb| right | © TCP]]

[[File: Mobonda_Mangroves.JPG | 300px | thumb| right |Mobonda mangroves © TCP]]

 

Conservation activities involving the use of camera traps and reconnaissance walks have revealed and confirmed evidence of the presence of chimpanzee thriving at the sites through direct capture on camera traps in three successive years: 2016, 2018 and 2019, and indirect signs (nests, trail, feeding remain on fruits and oil palm tops) encountered during the camera trap survey periods (Garriga & Kanneh 2022). Density and abundance estimates were not provided for all three studies. Reported so far are: capture locations of chimpanzees on camera traps and the identification of chimpanzee individuals based on facial and body features as well as individual characteristics such as injuries, and estimated their number, gender. On one event of camera capture of the species, the maximum numbers reported of different individuals were 8 individuals (2016), 5 individuals (2018) and 4 individuals (2019) (Garriga & Kanneh 2022).

Conservation activities involving the use of camera traps and reconnaissance walks have revealed and confirmed evidence of the presence of chimpanzee thriving at the sites through direct capture on camera traps in three successive years: 2016, 2018 and 2019, and indirect signs (nests, trail, feeding remain on fruits and oil palm tops) encountered during the camera trap survey periods (Garriga & Kanneh 2022). Density and abundance estimates were not provided for all three studies. Reported so far are: capture locations of chimpanzees on camera traps and the identification of chimpanzee individuals based on facial and body features as well as individual characteristics such as injuries, and estimated their number, gender. On one event of camera capture of the species, the maximum numbers reported of different individuals were 8 individuals (2016), 5 individuals (2018) and 4 individuals (2019) (Garriga & Kanneh 2022).

= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->

= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->

 

Camera trap survey in 2016, 2018 and 2019; biomonitoring initiated in 2018 and presently on hold due to lack of funds. Community needs assessment (compilation of community profile) through questionnaire surveys in 2016 and 2018 (Garriga & Kanneh 2022).

Camera trap survey in 2016, 2018 and 2019; biomonitoring initiated in 2018 and presently on hold due to lack of funds. Community needs assessment (compilation of community profile) through questionnaire surveys in 2016 and 2018 (Garriga & Kanneh 2022).