Difference between revisions of "Loango National Park"

From A.P.E.S. wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "<!-- INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING SITE INFORMATION - Please consider whether any information you would like to add is sensitive and could be misused to harm apes. Please do no...")
 
 
(26 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
<!-- INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING SITE INFORMATION
+
<!-- INSTRUCTIONS FOR UPLOADING SITE INFORMATION
−
 
+
- Wiki pages contain information in paragraphs, tables, lists, and images.
−
- Please consider whether any information you would like to add is sensitive and could be misused to harm apes. Please do not add such information. If unsure, you can contact the Wiki manager (contact details on start page) for clarification.
+
- Text and images are not restricted, and their formats can be chosen as desired.  
−
 
+
- Tables and lists are extracted as data, so the following restrictions apply to them:
−
- Wiki site pages contain information in paragraphs of text, tables, keyword lists, and images
+
   1) Table structure cannot be changed.
−
- Text paragraphs and images are not restricted, so text format and images can be chosen as desired.  
+
   2) List format should not change, i.e. they are comma separated lists, not bullet points or numbered lists.  
−
- Tables and keyword lists are extracted as data, and so have the following restrictions:
+
   3) To make information comparable across wiki pages, keywords must be taken from the list of permitted words, or added to the list of permitted keywords. This is why we use official lists, e.g., IUCN classification lists, in our tables.
−
   1) Table structure cannot be changed
 
−
   2) Keyword format should not change, i.e. they are comma separated lists, not bullet points or numbered lists.  
 
−
   3) Keywords must be taken from the list of permitted words, or added to the list of permitted keywords. A link to the keyword list page is found adjacent
 
−
    to the relevant table or keyword list. This ensures that the same keyword always refers to the same concept, e.g. Everybody uses "Industrial mining",  
 
−
    rather than several keywords such as "Industrial mining", "Large-scale mining", and "Mining".  
 
 
-->
 
-->
 +
[[Central Africa]] > [[Gabon]] > [[Loango National Park]]
  
−
[[Region]] > [[Country]] > [[Site]]
+
= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with one sentence for each section. May include a site map -->
−
 
+
[[File: chimpanzee loango woods.jpg | 500px | thumb| right | © Lara Southern]]
−
= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with a one sentence overview of each of the following sections. can include a site map -->
+
* Central chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes troglodytes'') & western lowland gorillas (''Gorilla gorilla gorilla'') are present in Loango National Park.
−
 
+
* The population sizes are unknown.
−
* Ape taxa present  
+
* The population trends are unknown.
−
* Ape population size
+
* The site has a total size of 1,550 km².
−
* Ape population trend
+
* Key threats to great apes include poaching, disturbance due to tourism and human presence and oil exploration.
−
* This site has a total size of XX km².
+
* Conservation activities have focused on anti-poaching patrols and involving local communities in research activities.
−
* Key threats to apes are ...
 
−
* Additional information
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
= Site characteristics =
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
This section includes a paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, a brief history of the site and on animals and plants that are known to occur at the site.
 
−
 
 
  
 +
= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->
 +
[[File: chimpanzees loango coast.jpg | 500px | thumb| right | © Lara Southern]]
 +
Loango National Park is located in the south west of Gabon and borders the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of a mosaic of different habitat types varying from marine, coastal lagoons, mangrove swamps, coastal forest, secondary and primary forest and open savannah. It is ecologically distinct from other long-term chimpanzee sites thereby providing the rare opportunity to enable unique insights into chimpanzees’ behavioral plasticity (REF). In addition to central chimpanzees, the national park is also home to western low-land gorillas (''Gorilla gorilla gorilla''), forest buffaloes (''Syncerus caffer''), forest elephants (''Loxodonta cyclotis''), as well as several resident and migratory bird species, such as rosy bee-eaters (''Merops malimbicus'') (REF).
  
−
'''Table 1: Basic site information for XXXX'''
+
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Loango National Park'''
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
−
| Area             <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha   -->
+
| Area <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha -->
−
|
+
|1,550 km²
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Coordinates
+
|Coordinates
−
|
+
| -2.118840  S, 9.605397 E
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Designation     <!-- National Park, Nature Reserve, etc.  -->
+
|Designation
−
|
+
|National Park
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Habitat types   <!-- List IUCN Habitat Classification 3.0 categories present (Without number), see link below -->
+
|Habitat types <!-- List IUCN Habitat Classification 3.0 categories present (without number), see link below -->
−
|
+
|Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical/tropical mangrove vegetation above high tide level, subtropical/tropical swamp, coastal saline lagoons/marine lakes
 
|}
 
|}
−
[http://www.unitar.org/hiroshima/sites/unitar.org.hiroshima/files/Annex%201%20-%20IUCN%20Classification%20Schemes.pdf IUCN habitat categories]   [[Site designations]]
+
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/habitat-classification-scheme IUCN habitat categories] [[Site designations]]
−
<br>
 
  
 +
= Ape status = <!--An overview of ape population status (population sizes, trends, etc.), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
  
 +
To date there has only been one survey conducted regarding chimpanzee abundance in Loango National park. This was done through the collection of wild chimpanzee fecal samples for genetic capture-recapture analyses over a four-year period (2005-2008) in a 132 km2 area of the National Park (Arandjelovic et al. 2011).
  
−
= Ape status =  <!-- a text overview of ape status (population sizes, trends etc), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
+
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates in Loango National Park'''
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
This section includes a brief summary of the survey history, the most recent abundance estimate, date of the estimate, and, if available, the population trend (if explicitely stated in a report/paper).
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
'''Table 2: Ape population estimates in XXXX'''
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="population-estimate-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="population-estimate-table"
 
! Species
 
! Species
 
! Year
 
! Year
−
! Abundance estimate (95% confidence interval)
+
! Abundance estimate (95% CI)
−
! Density estimate (per km²)
+
! Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)
 
! Encounter rate (nests/km)
 
! Encounter rate (nests/km)
 
! Area
 
! Area
Line 72: Line 55:
 
! A.P.E.S. database ID
 
! A.P.E.S. database ID
 
|-
 
|-
 +
|''Pan troglodytes troglodytes''
 +
|2005-2008
 +
|283 (208 – 316)
 +
|2.14 (1.57 – 2.39)
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|132 sq.km
−
|
+
|Capture-recapture method
−
|
+
|Arandjelovic et al. 2011
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 85: Line 68:
  
 
= Threats =    <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
 
= Threats =    <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
 +
[[File:Chimpanzees loango savanna.jpg | 300px | thumb| right | © Lara Southern]]
 +
Gabon boasts an important store of natural resources, the most prominent being oil. In 2006 and 2007 a petroleum company conducted seismic exploration inside Loango National Park (Rabanal et al. 2010). It has been shown that the most common behavioral change exhibited by wildlife to intense human-produced noise is active avoidance. The study modeled seismic impact over different spatial scales (small, intermediate and large) and found that apes avoided seismic activity on the intermediate and small scales (REF).
 +
Additionally, hunting, although relatively non-existent around the study site, may pose a threat to ape populations in other areas of the park such as the forest inlets boarding the lagoon (REF).
 +
Lastly, health risks related to human-chimpanzee disease transmission may be increased due to increased human presence in the park and the potential for new ecotourism ventures (REF). 
  
−
 
+
'''Table 3. Threats to apes in Loango National Park'''
−
This sections describes threats at the site, particularly those relevant for apes and thereby provides context for the threats listed in the table below.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
'''Table 3: Threats to apes in XXXX'''
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="threats-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="threats-table"
−
!align="left"|Category <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
+
!align="left"|Category <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE THREAT CATEGORIES -->
−
!Specific threats   <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
+
!Specific threats <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the IUCN list linked below -->
−
!Threat level       <!-- For threat level, please use keywords: unknown, low, high -->
+
!Threat level <!-- For threat level, please use keywords: low, medium, high, present, absent, unknown-->
−
!Quantified severity <!-- e.g., encounter rate, number of miners etc. (with reference)-->
+
!Quantified severity <!-- Enter any available quantification of the threat, e.g., the proportion of the area affected by the threat, hunting sign encounter rates-->
−
!Description         <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
+
!Description <!-- Add descriptive information -->
−
!Year of threat     <!-- if ongoing or unknown add year of reference in brackets-->
+
!Year of threat <!-- Enter specific year(s), “ongoing”, or “unknown”. If the threat is ongoing, please add the year of reference in parentheses -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 108: Line 91:
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 114: Line 97:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|3. Energy production & mining
 
|3. Energy production & mining
 +
|3.1 Oil & gas drilling
 +
|Medium
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Effect of seismic oil exploration on large mammal distribution (Rabanal et al. 2010)
−
|
+
|2006-2007
−
|
 
−
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 128: Line 111:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|5. Biological resource use
 
|5. Biological resource use
 +
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
 +
|Low
 
|
 
|
 +
|Signs of poacher trails in the far North of the territory (REF).
 +
|Ongoing (2021)
 +
|-
 +
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
 +
|6.1 Recreational activities
 +
|Low
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Loango National park is open to tourism and therefore there is the possibility of exposure of apes to humans outside of the research area. Additionally, vehicles for safari outings may pose a disturbance to ape populations along these routes.
−
|
+
|Ongoing (2021)
−
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|6.3 Work & other activities
 +
|Low
 
|
 
|
 +
|The very presence of the research camp itself poses a disturbance to great apes and territory avoidance may take place.
 +
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|-
 
|-
 
|7. Natural system modifications
 
|7. Natural system modifications
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 150: Line 140:
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 157: Line 147:
 
|9. Pollution
 
|9. Pollution
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 164: Line 154:
 
|10. Geological Events
 
|10. Geological Events
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|11. Climate change & severe weather
+
| 11. Climate change & severe weather
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 178: Line 168:
 
|12. Other options
 
|12. Other options
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 186: Line 176:
 
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
 
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
  
 +
= Conservation activities =      <!-- A summary of the conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->
 +
[[File: chimpanzee loango camp.jpg | 400px | thumb| right | © Lara Southern]]
 +
In 2005 the first research camp was set up as a Pan African Programme (PanAf) study site, and this later became the Ozouga camp and base of the Loango Chimpanzee Project. The establishment of this site ensures the continued presence of researchers in the study area, which, at other sites, has been shown to have a positive influence on local chimpanzee densities (Campbell et al. 2011).
 +
There is a strong connection and collaboration between the local people, primarily of the Miene (Myene) ethnicity, and the research site. At present, five permanent eco-guides native to the area are employed. Their direct involvement at this research site make them important stakeholders for the future of the park and the livelihood of those living around it. Additionally, educational programs and activities have been conducted in the village that borders the Northern edge of the park; these were performed in partnership with WCS (Southern pers. comm.).
  
−
 
+
'''Table 4. Conservation activities in Loango National Park'''
−
= Conservation activities =      <!-- a text overview of conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
This sections describes conservation interventions implemented at the site, including information on which organizations are implementing them and thereby provides context for the conservation activities listed in the table below.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
'''Table 4: Conservation activities in XXXX'''
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="conservation-actions-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="conservation-actions-table"
−
!align="left"|Category <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
+
!align="left"|Category <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE CATEGORIES -->
−
!Specific activity   <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
+
!Specific activity <!-- For specific threats, please use list from the list linked below, OR enter “Not reported” -->
−
!Description         <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
+
!Description <!-- Add descriptive information -->
−
!Year of activity         <!-- if ongoing or unknown add year of reference in brackets -->
+
!Year of activity <!-- Add descriptive information -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|3. Energy production & mining
 
|3. Energy production & mining
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|5. Biological resource use
 
|5. Biological resource use
−
|
+
|5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
−
|
+
|Anti-poaching patrols are conducted regularly by the ANPN.
−
|
+
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
+
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|7. Natural system modifications
 
|7. Natural system modifications
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|9. Pollution
 
|9. Pollution
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|10. Education & Awareness  
 
|10. Education & Awareness  
−
|
+
|10.2. Involve local community in primate research and conservation management
−
|
+
|The Loango Chimpanzee project has recruited members of the local community as guides who are trained to collect data since 2006.
−
|
+
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|-
 
|-
 
|11. Habitat Protection
 
|11. Habitat Protection
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|12. Species Management
 
|12. Species Management
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives  
 
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives  
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 270: Line 256:
 
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
 
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
  
 +
= Challenges = <!-- Overview of challenges in ape conservation -->
  
−
 
+
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Loango National Park'''
−
= Impediments = <!-- Overview of impediments to ape conservation -->
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="challenges-table"
−
 
+
!align="left"|Challenge <!-- Do not change categories -->
−
 
+
!Source <!-- Source for challenge mentioned -->
−
Description of impediments that may hamper conservation activities.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
'''Table 5: Impediments reported for XXXX'''
 
−
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="impediments-table"
 
−
!align="left"|Impediment  <!-- Do not change categories -->
 
−
!Source   <!-- source for impediment mentioned -->
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
−
 
  
 
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
 
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
−
 
−
 
−
Short description of past and ongoing research activities at the site.
 
−
 
  
 
===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
 
===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
  
−
'''Table 6: Ape behaviors reported for XXXX'''
+
'''Table 6. Ape behaviors reported for Loango National Park'''
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviors-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviors-table"
−
!align="left"|Behavior <!-- Do not change categories -->
+
!align="left"|Behavior
−
!Source  <!-- source for behavior -->
+
!Source
 +
|-
 +
|Ant eating without tools
 +
|SOURCE
 +
|-
 +
|Bathing
 +
|SOURCE
 +
|-
 +
|Branch dragging
 +
|SOURCE
 +
|-
 +
|Branch shaking
 +
|SOURCE
 +
|-
 +
|Buttress beating
 +
|SOURCE
 +
|-
 +
|Fruit cleaning
 +
|SOURCE
 +
|-
 +
|Honey eating
 +
|SOURCE
 +
|-
 +
|Honey eating with tools
 +
|Estienne et al. 2015, 2017, 2019
 +
|-
 +
|Honey extraction with tools
 +
|Estienne et al. 2015, 2017, 2019; Boesch et al. 2009
 +
|-
 +
|Honey extraction without tools
 +
|Estienne et al. 2015, 2017, 2019
 +
|-
 +
|Hunting and meat eating
 +
|Pika et al. 2019
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
|Leaf cushion
−
|
+
|SOURCE
 +
|-
 +
|Leaf sponging for drinking water
 +
|SOURCE
 +
|-
 +
|Lethal intragroup aggression
 +
|Martinez-inigo et al. (in press)
 +
|-
 +
|Termite eating without tools
 +
|SOURCE
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 +
=External links=
 +
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chIzPMJDgXE The Loango Chimpanzee Project in Gabon] <br>
  
 
===Relevant datasets===
 
===Relevant datasets===
 
[http://apesportal.eva.mpg.de/database/archiveMap A.P.E.S Portal]
 
[http://apesportal.eva.mpg.de/database/archiveMap A.P.E.S Portal]
−
 
−
<br>
 
−
 
  
 
= References =
 
= References =
−
 
+
Arandjelovic, M., Head, J., Rabanal, L. I., Schubert, G., Mettke, E., Boesch, C., Robbins, M. M., & Vigilant, L. (2011). Non-Invasive genetic monitoring of wild central chimpanzees. PLoS ONE,6(3): e14761.<br>
 +
Boesch, C., Head, J., & Robbins, M. M. (2009). Complex tool sets for honey extraction among chimpanzees in Loango National Park, Gabon. Journal of Human Evolution, 56(6), 560-569.<br>
 +
Estienne, V. L., Robira, B., Mundry, R., Deschner, T., & Boesch, C. (2019). Acquisition of a complex extractive technique by the immature chimpanzees of Loango National Park, Gabon. Animal Behaviour, 147, 61-76.<br>
 +
Estienne, V., Mundry, R., Kuehl, H.S., Boesch, C. (2017). Exploitation of underground bee nests by three sympatric consumers in Loango National Park, Gabon. Biotropica, 49(1), 101-109.<br>
 +
Estienne V, Stephens C, Boesch C. (2017). Extraction of honey from underground bee nests by central African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) in Loango National Park, Gabon: Techniques and individual differences. Am J Primatol, 79(1).<br>
 +
Estienne, V. L. (2017). Tool-use technique for the extraction of underground honey by central African chimpanzees in Loango National Park, Gabon. PhD Thesis, Universität, Leipzig.<br>
 +
Estienne, V., & Boesch, C. (2015). Underground honey extraction by chimpanzees, honey badgers and forest elephants in Loango National Park, Gabon. Folia Primatologica, 86(4), 276-277.<br>
 +
Martinez-inigo, L., Baas, P., Klein, H., Pika, S., Deschner T. (in press). Intercommunity interactions and killings in central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) from Loango National Park, Gabon. Primates. <br>
 +
Rabanal, L. I., Kuehl, H., Mundry, R., Robbins, M. M., & Boesch, C. (2010). Oil prospecting and its impact on large rainforest mammals in Loango National Park, Gabon. Biological Conservation, 143(4), 1017-1024. <br>
 +
Pika, S., Klein, H., Bunel, S., Baas, P., Théleste, E., & Deschner, T. (2019). Wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) exploit tortoises (Kinixys erosa) via percussive technology. Scientific Reports, 9(1). <br>
  
 
<br>
 
<br>
−
'''Page completed by:'''XXXX '''   Date:''' DD/MM/YY  <br>
+
'''Page completed by: '''Lara Southern''' Date:''' 13/10/2021 <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->
−
 
 
−
<i>Please consider whether any information you would like to add is sensitive and could be misused to harm apes. Please do not add such information. If unsure, you can contact the Wiki manager (contact details on start page) for clarification.</i>
 
−
<br><br>
 

Latest revision as of 15:19, 18 November 2024

Central Africa > Gabon > Loango National Park

Summary

© Lara Southern
  • Central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) & western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are present in Loango National Park.
  • The population sizes are unknown.
  • The population trends are unknown.
  • The site has a total size of 1,550 km².
  • Key threats to great apes include poaching, disturbance due to tourism and human presence and oil exploration.
  • Conservation activities have focused on anti-poaching patrols and involving local communities in research activities.

Site characteristics

© Lara Southern

Loango National Park is located in the south west of Gabon and borders the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of a mosaic of different habitat types varying from marine, coastal lagoons, mangrove swamps, coastal forest, secondary and primary forest and open savannah. It is ecologically distinct from other long-term chimpanzee sites thereby providing the rare opportunity to enable unique insights into chimpanzees’ behavioral plasticity (REF). In addition to central chimpanzees, the national park is also home to western low-land gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), forest buffaloes (Syncerus caffer), forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis), as well as several resident and migratory bird species, such as rosy bee-eaters (Merops malimbicus) (REF).

Table 1. Basic site information for Loango National Park

Area 1,550 km²
Coordinates -2.118840 S, 9.605397 E
Designation National Park
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical/tropical mangrove vegetation above high tide level, subtropical/tropical swamp, coastal saline lagoons/marine lakes

IUCN habitat categories Site designations

Ape status

To date there has only been one survey conducted regarding chimpanzee abundance in Loango National park. This was done through the collection of wild chimpanzee fecal samples for genetic capture-recapture analyses over a four-year period (2005-2008) in a 132 km2 area of the National Park (Arandjelovic et al. 2011).

Table 2. Ape population estimates in Loango 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 troglodytes 2005-2008 283 (208 – 316) 2.14 (1.57 – 2.39) 132 sq.km Capture-recapture method Arandjelovic et al. 2011

Threats

© Lara Southern

Gabon boasts an important store of natural resources, the most prominent being oil. In 2006 and 2007 a petroleum company conducted seismic exploration inside Loango National Park (Rabanal et al. 2010). It has been shown that the most common behavioral change exhibited by wildlife to intense human-produced noise is active avoidance. The study modeled seismic impact over different spatial scales (small, intermediate and large) and found that apes avoided seismic activity on the intermediate and small scales (REF). Additionally, hunting, although relatively non-existent around the study site, may pose a threat to ape populations in other areas of the park such as the forest inlets boarding the lagoon (REF). Lastly, health risks related to human-chimpanzee disease transmission may be increased due to increased human presence in the park and the potential for new ecotourism ventures (REF).

Table 3. Threats to apes in Loango National Park

Category Specific threats Threat level Quantified severity Description Year of threat
1. Residential & commercial development Absent
2. Agriculture & aquaculture Absent
3. Energy production & mining 3.1 Oil & gas drilling Medium Effect of seismic oil exploration on large mammal distribution (Rabanal et al. 2010) 2006-2007
4. Transportation & service corridors Absent
5. Biological resource use 5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals Low Signs of poacher trails in the far North of the territory (REF). Ongoing (2021)
6. Human intrusion & disturbance 6.1 Recreational activities Low Loango National park is open to tourism and therefore there is the possibility of exposure of apes to humans outside of the research area. Additionally, vehicles for safari outings may pose a disturbance to ape populations along these routes. Ongoing (2021)
6.3 Work & other activities Low The very presence of the research camp itself poses a disturbance to great apes and territory avoidance may take place. Ongoing (2021)
7. Natural system modifications Unknown
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases Unknown
9. Pollution Unknown
10. Geological Events Absent
11. Climate change & severe weather Unknown
12. Other options Absent

IUCN Threats list

Conservation activities

© Lara Southern

In 2005 the first research camp was set up as a Pan African Programme (PanAf) study site, and this later became the Ozouga camp and base of the Loango Chimpanzee Project. The establishment of this site ensures the continued presence of researchers in the study area, which, at other sites, has been shown to have a positive influence on local chimpanzee densities (Campbell et al. 2011). There is a strong connection and collaboration between the local people, primarily of the Miene (Myene) ethnicity, and the research site. At present, five permanent eco-guides native to the area are employed. Their direct involvement at this research site make them important stakeholders for the future of the park and the livelihood of those living around it. Additionally, educational programs and activities have been conducted in the village that borders the Northern edge of the park; these were performed in partnership with WCS (Southern pers. comm.).

Table 4. Conservation activities in Loango National Park

Category Specific activity Description Year of activity
1. Residential & commercial development Not reported
2. Agriculture & aquaculture Not reported
3. Energy production & mining Not reported
4. Transportation & service corridors Not reported
5. Biological resource use 5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols Anti-poaching patrols are conducted regularly by the ANPN. Ongoing (2021)
6. Human intrusion & disturbance Not reported
7. Natural system modifications Not reported
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases Not reported
9. Pollution Not reported
10. Education & Awareness 10.2. Involve local community in primate research and conservation management The Loango Chimpanzee project has recruited members of the local community as guides who are trained to collect data since 2006. Ongoing (2021)
11. Habitat Protection Not reported
12. Species Management Not reported
13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives Not reported

Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)

Challenges

Table 5. Challenges reported for Loango National Park

Challenge Source
Not reported

Research activities

Documented behaviours

Table 6. Ape behaviors reported for Loango National Park

Behavior Source
Ant eating without tools SOURCE
Bathing SOURCE
Branch dragging SOURCE
Branch shaking SOURCE
Buttress beating SOURCE
Fruit cleaning SOURCE
Honey eating SOURCE
Honey eating with tools Estienne et al. 2015, 2017, 2019
Honey extraction with tools Estienne et al. 2015, 2017, 2019; Boesch et al. 2009
Honey extraction without tools Estienne et al. 2015, 2017, 2019
Hunting and meat eating Pika et al. 2019
Leaf cushion SOURCE
Leaf sponging for drinking water SOURCE
Lethal intragroup aggression Martinez-inigo et al. (in press)
Termite eating without tools SOURCE

External links

The Loango Chimpanzee Project in Gabon

Relevant datasets

A.P.E.S Portal

References

Arandjelovic, M., Head, J., Rabanal, L. I., Schubert, G., Mettke, E., Boesch, C., Robbins, M. M., & Vigilant, L. (2011). Non-Invasive genetic monitoring of wild central chimpanzees. PLoS ONE,6(3): e14761.
Boesch, C., Head, J., & Robbins, M. M. (2009). Complex tool sets for honey extraction among chimpanzees in Loango National Park, Gabon. Journal of Human Evolution, 56(6), 560-569.
Estienne, V. L., Robira, B., Mundry, R., Deschner, T., & Boesch, C. (2019). Acquisition of a complex extractive technique by the immature chimpanzees of Loango National Park, Gabon. Animal Behaviour, 147, 61-76.
Estienne, V., Mundry, R., Kuehl, H.S., Boesch, C. (2017). Exploitation of underground bee nests by three sympatric consumers in Loango National Park, Gabon. Biotropica, 49(1), 101-109.
Estienne V, Stephens C, Boesch C. (2017). Extraction of honey from underground bee nests by central African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) in Loango National Park, Gabon: Techniques and individual differences. Am J Primatol, 79(1).
Estienne, V. L. (2017). Tool-use technique for the extraction of underground honey by central African chimpanzees in Loango National Park, Gabon. PhD Thesis, Universität, Leipzig.
Estienne, V., & Boesch, C. (2015). Underground honey extraction by chimpanzees, honey badgers and forest elephants in Loango National Park, Gabon. Folia Primatologica, 86(4), 276-277.
Martinez-inigo, L., Baas, P., Klein, H., Pika, S., Deschner T. (in press). Intercommunity interactions and killings in central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) from Loango National Park, Gabon. Primates.
Rabanal, L. I., Kuehl, H., Mundry, R., Robbins, M. M., & Boesch, C. (2010). Oil prospecting and its impact on large rainforest mammals in Loango National Park, Gabon. Biological Conservation, 143(4), 1017-1024.
Pika, S., Klein, H., Bunel, S., Baas, P., Théleste, E., & Deschner, T. (2019). Wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) exploit tortoises (Kinixys erosa) via percussive technology. Scientific Reports, 9(1).


Page completed by: Lara Southern Date: 13/10/2021

Retrieved from "https://wiki.iucnapesportal.org/index.php?title=Loango_National_Park&oldid=7484"