Changes

= Summary =  <!-- An overview of the site, with a one sentence overview of each of the following sections. can include a site map -->

= Summary =  <!-- An overview of the site, with a one sentence overview of each of the following sections. can include a site map -->

 

* Western chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes verus'') are present in Pic de Fon Classified Forest.

* Western chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes verus'') are present in Pic de Fon Classified Forest.

* It has been estimated that 75 (CI: 21-246) individuals occur in the forest.  

* It has been estimated that 75 (CI: 21-246) individuals occur in the forest.  

A rapid biological assessment in 2002 identified 24 villages in the vicinity of Pic de Fon Classified Forest and concluded that villagers rely strongly on the forest as a source of food (e.g., wildlife, fish, fruits), water, wood for fuel and construction, and medicinal plants (McCullough 2004). Hunting was identified as the biggest threat to chimpanzees and wildlife in general (McCullough 2004). Hunting camps were also found inside the classified forest. 35-40% of the forest are impacted by the cultivation of subsistence and cash crops, including coffee (McCullough 2004). Fires are set intentionally to clear land for agriculture.  

A rapid biological assessment in 2002 identified 24 villages in the vicinity of Pic de Fon Classified Forest and concluded that villagers rely strongly on the forest as a source of food (e.g., wildlife, fish, fruits), water, wood for fuel and construction, and medicinal plants (McCullough 2004). Hunting was identified as the biggest threat to chimpanzees and wildlife in general (McCullough 2004). Hunting camps were also found inside the classified forest. 35-40% of the forest are impacted by the cultivation of subsistence and cash crops, including coffee (McCullough 2004). Fires are set intentionally to clear land for agriculture.  

A further concern to chimpanzees is the “Simandou Project”, an iron-ore mining concession held by Rio Tinto and Chinalco (Aluminium Corporation of China, Kormos et al. 2014). Exploration for mining of the iron ore started in 1997 and the mining concession was granted in 2006 by the Guinean government. Mining exploration can cause noise pollution and the presence of more people in the forest further disturbs chimpanzees (Herbinger & Tounkara 2004). Roads were build as part of the mining exploration, indirectly affecting chimpanzees by increasing accessibility by humans and possibly hunting pressure. The current status of the concession is not clear. Rio Tinto tried to sell its share to Chinalco, but the deal failed (Rio Tinto 2018).  

A further concern to chimpanzees is the “Simandou Project”, an iron-ore mining concession held by Rio Tinto and Chinalco (Aluminium Corporation of China, Kormos et al. 2014). Exploration for mining of the iron ore started in 1997 and the mining concession was granted in 2006 by the Guinean government. Mining exploration can cause noise pollution and the presence of more people in the forest further disturbs chimpanzees (Herbinger & Tounkara 2004). Roads were build as part of the mining exploration, indirectly affecting chimpanzees by increasing accessibility by humans and possibly hunting pressure. Part of the concession area overlaps with the forest of Pic de Fon (Konate pers. comm. 2023).  

The 2002 survey of Pic de Fon found hunting pressure and agricultural activities to be most prevalent in lower altitudes and no chimpanzee nests were found below 900 m altitude. As mining activities will be in higher altitudes this would likely strongly impact chimpanzee in their core habitat (Herbinger & Tounkara 2004).

The 2002 survey of Pic de Fon found hunting pressure and agricultural activities to be most prevalent in lower altitudes and no chimpanzee nests were found below 900 m altitude. As mining activities will be in higher altitudes this would likely strongly impact chimpanzees in their core habitat (Herbinger & Tounkara 2004).

In connection with the mining project concerns have also been raised in relation to social issues, environmental damage by pollution and changes in the hydrology, and corruption (Environmental Justice Atlas 2019, Boyes 2014 ).

In connection with the mining project concerns have also been raised in relation to social issues, environmental damage by pollution and changes in the hydrology, and corruption (Environmental Justice Atlas 2019, Boyes 2014 ).

|35-40% of the forest are impacted by agricultural activities (McCullough 2004)

|35-40% of the forest are impacted by agricultural activities (McCullough 2004)

|Ongoing (2004)

|Ongoing (2004)

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|-

|3. Energy production & mining

|3. Energy production & mining

|Medium

|Medium

|

|

|Exploration for mining since 1997, also artisanal mining, mining takes place at higher altitudes in which chimpanzees are ranging (Herbinger and Tounkara 2004)

|Exploration for mining since 1997 (Herbinger and Tounkara 2004). Rio Tinto concession area overlaps with the site, and artisanal mining ongoing (Konate pers. Comm. 2023).

|Ongoing (2004)

|Ongoing (2023)

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|-

|4. Transportation & service corridors

|4. Transportation & service corridors

|High

|High

|

|

|Identified as the most prevalent threat (Herbinger and Tounkara 2004)

|Identified as the most prevalent threat (Herbinger and Tounkara 2004). Hunting is ongoing (Konate pers. Comm. 2023).

|Ongoing (2004)

|Ongoing (2023)

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|

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|11. Habitat Protection

|11. Habitat Protection

|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat

|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat

|Designated as Classified Forest (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2019)

|Designated as Classified Forest in 1953 (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2019)

|1953

|(Ongoing 2023)

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|-

|12. Species Management

|12. Species Management

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|-

|}

|}

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

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

As detailed above surveys on chimpanzees have been implemented (Ham 1998, Herbinger & Tounkara 2004, Kormos et al. 2014).

As detailed above surveys on chimpanzees have been implemented (Ham 1998, Herbinger & Tounkara 2004, Kormos et al. 2014).

===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->

===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->

'''Page completed by:''' A.P.E.S. Wiki Team '''Date:''' 13/6/2019 <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->

'''Page completed by:''' A.P.E.S. Wiki Team '''Date:''' 02/10/2023 <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->

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