Difference between revisions of "Cantanhez National Park"

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[[West Africa]] > [[Guinea-Bissau]] > [[Cantanhez National Park]]
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'''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Cantanhez_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=fr&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Français]''' | '''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Cantanhez_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=pt&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Português]''' | '''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Cantanhez_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=es&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Español]''' | '''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Cantanhez_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=id&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Bahasa Indonesia]''' | '''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Cantanhez_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=ms&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Melayu]'''
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[[West Africa]] > [[Guinea-Bissau]] > [[Cantanhez National Park]]
 
  
= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with a one sentence overview of each of the following sections. can include a site map -->
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__TOC__
<div style="float: right">
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= Summary =
{{#display_map: height=200px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers= OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap
 
|11.19, -15.12~[[Cantanhez National Park]]~Western Chimpanzee
 
}}
 
</div>
 
  
* Western chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes verus'') are present in Cantanhez National Park.  
+
<div style="float: right">{{#display_map: height=190px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers= OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap|11.19, -15.12~[[Cantanhez National Park]]~'Pan troglodytes verus''}}</div>
* It has been estimated that between 376 and 2,632 individuals occur at the site.  
+
* Western chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes verus'') are present in Cantanhez National Park.
* The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.  
+
* It has been estimated that between 376 and 2,632 individuals occur at the site.
* This site has a total size of 1057.67 km².  
+
* The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.
* Key threats to chimpanzees is the loss of habitat due to land-use conversion to agriculture.  
+
* This site has a total size of 1057.67 km².
 +
* Key threats to chimpanzees is the loss of habitat due to land-use conversion to agriculture.
 
* There are efforts to establish tourism at the site.
 
* There are efforts to establish tourism at the site.
  
= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->
+
 
[[File: Cantanhez forest.jpg | 200px | thumb| right | Forest in Cantanhez © Queba Quecuta]]
+
 
Cantanhez is one of the last remaining fragments of humid forest in West Africa and identified as one of the 200 most important ecoregions in the world (World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)) and as one of seven priority areas in West Africa for chimpanzee conservation efforts (Kormos et al. 2003). The Cantanhez National Park (CNP) is a mosaic of settlements, agricultural fields, sub-humid forest, secondary forest, mangrove, and savanna (Catarino 2004). A range of non-human primate species occur in the CFNP, including Campbell’s monkey (''Cercopithecus campbelli''), green monkey (''Chlorocebus sabaeus''), western black and white colobus (''Colobus polykomos''), bush baby (''Galago senegalensis''), Demidoff’s galago (''Galagoides demidoff''), Guinea baboon (''Papio papio''), and Temminck’s red colobus (''Piliocolobus badius temminckii'', Bersacola 2019, Hockings & Sousa 2013). The rainfall in Guinea-Bissau is bimodal with a long dry season from November to May and a rainy season from mid-May to October (Catarino 2004). An average of 1400–2500 mm of rain falls per year and temperatures are at their lowest in January (24.7°C) and their highest in July (28.0°C) (Gippoliti et al. 2003).
+
= Site characteristics =
 +
 
 +
Cantanhez is one of the last remaining fragments of humid forest in West Africa and identified as one of the 200 most important ecoregions in the world (World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)) and as one of seven priority areas in West Africa for chimpanzee conservation efforts (Kormos et al. 2003). The Cantanhez National Park (CNP) is a mosaic of settlements, agricultural fields, sub-humid forest, secondary forest, mangrove, and savanna (Catarino 2004). The rainfall in Guinea-Bissau is bimodal with a long dry season from November to May and a rainy season from mid-May to October (Catarino 2004). An average of 1400–2500 mm of rain falls per year and temperatures are at their lowest in January (24.7°C) and their highest in July (28.0°C) (Gippoliti et al. 2003). A range of non-human primate species occur in the CFNP, including Campbell’s monkey (''Cercopithecus campbelli''), green monkey (''Chlorocebus sabaeus''), western black and white colobus (''Colobus polykomos''), bush baby (''Galago senegalensis''), Demidoff’s galago (''Galagoides demidoff''), and Temminck’s red colobus (''Piliocolobus badius temminckii'', Bersacola 2019, Hockings & Sousa 2013). Western red colobus (''Piliocolobus badius temminckii'') and king colobus (''Colobus polykomos''), both classified as Endangered, are present within some of the protected forest blocks in Cantanhez NP. The main threats are habitat loss and hunting, and these primates are rapidly disappearing from Cantanhez NP. Other conservation important species present in Cantanhez NP include the Guinea baboon (''Papio papio'', Near Threatened) that occurs within some forest blocks in southern Cantanhez NP, and the African forest elephant (''Loxodonta cyclotis'', Critically Endangered) which uses the northern parts of Cantanhez NP as a migration corridor. For other mamma species present and their conservation status, please see Bersacola & Hockings (2023) "Action plan for the conservation of medium- and large-sized terrestrial mammals in Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau".
  
 
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Cantanhez National Park'''
 
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Cantanhez National Park'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Site_characteristics-table"
|Area             <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha    -->
+
|Species
|1057.67 km²
+
|'Pan troglodytes verus''
 +
|-
 +
|Area
 +
|1,057.67 km²
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Coordinates
 
|Coordinates
|11.19, -15.12
+
|Lat: 11.19 , Lon:  -15.12
 
|-
 
|-
|Designation      <!-- National Park, Nature Reserve, etc.  -->
+
|Type of site
|National Park
+
|Protected area (National Park)
 
|-
 
|-
|Habitat types   <!-- List IUCN Habitat Classification 3.0 categories present (Without number), see link below -->
+
|Habitat types
|Moist Savanna, Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Forest, Subtropical/Tropical Mangrove, Forest Vegetation Above High Tide, Level, Subtropical/Tropical Heavily, Degraded Former Forest, Plantations
+
|Subtropical/tropical dry forest, Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, Savanna, Grassland, Wetlands (lakes, rivers, streams, bogs, marshes), Marine coastal/supratidal, Agricultural land, Urban areas, Subtropical/tropical heavily degraded former forest
 +
|-
 +
|Type of governance
 +
|Governance by government
 
|}
 
|}
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/habitat-classification-scheme IUCN habitat categories]  [[Site designations]]
 
  
= Ape status = <!-- a text overview of ape status (population sizes, trends etc), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
+
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/habitat-classification-scheme IUCN habitat categories] [[Site designations]]
 +
[[File: Cantanhez forest.jpg | 200px | thumb| right | Forest in Cantanhez © Queba Quecuta]]
 +
= Ape status =
  
 
There are no regular surveys for chimpanzees and the national park as a whole was never surveyed. Recent research suggests that at least 12 chimpanzee communities occur in Cantanhez (Hockings in prep.). There is ongoing research by Kimberley Hockings and colleagues to assess population numbers and identify land-scape factors that affect the density and distribution of chimpanzees.
 
There are no regular surveys for chimpanzees and the national park as a whole was never surveyed. Recent research suggests that at least 12 chimpanzee communities occur in Cantanhez (Hockings in prep.). There is ongoing research by Kimberley Hockings and colleagues to assess population numbers and identify land-scape factors that affect the density and distribution of chimpanzees.
  
'''Table 2. Great ape population estimates in Cantanhez National Park'''
+
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Cantanhez National Park'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="population-estimate-table"
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Ape_status-table"
! Species
+
!Species
! Year
+
!Year
! Abundance estimate (95% CI)
+
!Occurrence
! Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)
+
!Encounter or vistation rate (nests/km; ind/day)
! Encounter rate (nests/km)
+
!Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)
! Area
+
!Abundance estimate (95% CI)
! Method
+
!Survey area
! Source
+
!Sampling method
! Comments
+
!Analytical framework
! A.P.E.S. database ID
+
!Source
 +
!Comments
 +
!A.P.E.S. database ID
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|2003
 
|2003
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 
|376-2,632
 
|376-2,632
 +
|Cantanhez region (including areas outside the NP such as Cacine and Catio)
 +
|Reconnaissance walk
 
|
 
|
|
 
|Cantanhez region (including areas outside the NP such as Cacine and Catio)
 
|Presence-absence sampling
 
 
|Torres et al. 2010
 
|Torres et al. 2010
 
|Presence of chimpanzee nests recorded walking line transects, method for estimating population abundance not reported
 
|Presence of chimpanzee nests recorded walking line transects, method for estimating population abundance not reported
Line 77: Line 77:
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|2007
 
|2007
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|1.94-2.34
 
|33-40
 
|33-40
|1.94-2.34
 
|
 
 
|Cantanhez National Park
 
|Cantanhez National Park
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
|Sousa (2007)
+
|
 +
|Sousa 2007
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 88: Line 90:
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 
|2007
 
|2007
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|6.18
 
|106
 
|106
|6.18
+
|4 forests (Caiquene, Cibe Cadique, Lautchande, Madina)
 +
|Line transects
 
|
 
|
|4 forests (Caiquene, Cibe Cadique, Lautchande, Madina)
 
|Line transects (Distance)
 
 
|Sousa et al.  2011b
 
|Sousa et al.  2011b
 
|Total survey effort: 28.35km, no robust results,  density estimates range between 1.1-6.18 weaned individuals/km² and between 376 to 2,632 chimpanzees
 
|Total survey effort: 28.35km, no robust results,  density estimates range between 1.1-6.18 weaned individuals/km² and between 376 to 2,632 chimpanzees
 
|
 
|
|}
 
 
= Threats =    <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
 
 
The chimpanzee populations occur in anthropogenic landscapes and are rarely persecuted through hunting or retaliatory killings (Sousa, Barata, Sousa, Casanova, & Vicente 2011a). Local residents report regular crop foraging by chimpanzees (Bessa et al. 2015). The level of negative interactions over cashew appears to be low, as chimpanzees forage on the economically unprofitable pseudofruit and reportedly leave the nuts in manageable piles thereby making nut collection easier for local farmers (Hockings & Sousa, 2013). The foraging of other crops such as oranges in parts of Cantanhez NP are known to have resulted in retaliatory killings of chimpanzees by farmers.
 
Only the greater cane rat (''Thryonomys swinderianus'') and the Gambian pouched rat (''Cricetomys gambianus'') are allowed to be hunted all year round. During the hunting period (1st Nov 1 – 30th April) more species can be hunted, including the common duiker (''Cephalophus dorsalis''), common warthog (''Phacochoerus africanus''), Crested porcupine (''Hytrix cristata'') and Beecroft’s scaly-tailed squirrel (''Anomalurus beecrofti'', IBAP 2018).
 
Primates are under protection (IBAP 2018), but still illegally hunted for meat, mostly green monkeys and Campbell’s monkeys (Minhos et al. 2016, Hockings, Bersacola, Bessa, Ramon pers obs) and baboons are sometimes kept as pets (Hockings & Sousa, 2013a). Meanwhile chimpanzees are not hunted for meat due to local taboos and perceived similarity to humans. However, chimpanzees with snare injuries have been recorded on camera traps (Hockings, Bersacola, Bessa, Ramon unpublished data). An illegal pet trade in infant chimpanzees persists (Casanova & Sousa 2006, Hockings, Bersacola, Bessa, Ramon).
 
 
'''Table 3. Threats to great apes in Cantanhez National Park'''
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="threats-table"
 
!align="left"|Category  <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
 
!Specific threats    <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
 
!Threat level        <!-- For threat level, please use keywords: unknown, low, high -->
 
!Quantified severity <!-- e.g., encounter rate, number of miners etc. (with reference)-->
 
!Description        <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
 
!Year of threat      <!-- if ongoing or unknown add year of reference in brackets-->
 
 
|-
 
|-
|1. Residential & commercial development
+
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|1.1 Housing & urban areas
+
|2021
|Medium
+
|
|110 villages with approximately 22,505 people (20 people/km²; Hockings & Sousa 2013b)
+
|0.74
|Illegal construction of settlements (Quecuta pers. comm. 2023).
+
|
|Ongoing (2023)
+
|
|-
+
|Cantanhez National Park (550 km2)
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
+
|Line transects
|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
+
|Distance sampling (decay time unknown)
|High
+
|Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project; Bersacola et al (in prep)
 +
|Final density estimates tbc
 
|
 
|
|Expansion of cashew and slash-and-burn agriculture (Hockings & Sousa 2013, Quecuta pers. comm. 2023)
 
|2013-Ongoing (2023)
 
 
|-
 
|-
|3. Energy production & mining
+
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 +
|2022
 
|
 
|
|Not reported
+
|5.28
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 +
|Cantanhez National Park (708 km2)
 +
|Reconnaissance walk
 +
|Predictive model
 +
|IBAP, Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project; Bersacola et al (in prep)
 +
|Whole park grid-based survey where each 4km2 cell is covered once (>2km walked). Final estimates tbc.
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
|4. Transportation & service corridors
+
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|4.1 Roads & railroads
+
|2016-2017
|High
+
|
 +
|7.1
 +
|
 
|
 
|
|A road is being upgraded to be passable also during the rainy season (Hockings pers. com.)
+
|Central Cantanhez National Park (180 km2)
|Ongoing (2019)
+
|Camera trap
|-
+
|Predictive model
|5. Biological resource use
+
|Bersacola et al 2022
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
+
|Occupancy model. Occupancy probability 0.55 (±SE 0.07); 7.1 independent events / camera trap days.
|Low
 
 
|
 
|
|Chimpanzees with snare injuries have been recorded on camera traps (Hockings, Bersacola, Bessa, Ramon unpublished data). Some killings of chimpanzees by farmers occurred when they foraged oranges (Hockings & Sousa, 2013).
 
|Ongoing (2013)
 
 
|-
 
|-
 +
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 +
|2020-2022
 +
|Present
 
|
 
|
|5.2 Gathering terrestrial plants
 
|Low
 
 
|
 
|
|Palm oil is frequently collected (Sousa et al. 2011a, Costa et al. 2017), and there is overlap in use of wild plants by chimpanzees and humans (Hockings et al. in review)
 
|Ongoing (2017)
 
|-
 
 
|
 
|
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
+
|Cantanhez National Park (550 km2)
|High
+
|Camera trap
 +
|Predictive model
 +
|Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project; Bersacola et al (in prep)
 +
|Final density estimates tbc.
 
|
 
|
|Wood harvesting for charcoal production (Quecuta pers. comm. 2023).
 
|Ongoing (2023)
 
 
|-
 
|-
|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
+
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
 +
|2003
 
|
 
|
|Absent
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 +
|376-2,632
 +
|Cantanhez region (including areas outside the NP such as Cacine and Catio). Estimates are for Cantanhez National Park
 +
|Survey data
 +
|Predictive model
 +
|Torres et al. 2010
 +
|Based on habitat suitability model, and according to the three different scenarios of population density (range 0.5-3.5 ind/km2).
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
|7. Natural system modifications
+
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|7.1 Fire & fire suppression
+
|2007
|High
 
 
|
 
|
|Slash-and-burn agriculture (Hockings & Sousa 2013)
 
|Ongoing (2013)
 
|-
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
 
|
 
|
|Unknown
+
|6.18
 +
|106
 +
|4 forests (Caiquene, Cibe Cadique, Lautchande, Madina) within Cantanhez National Park
 +
|Line transects
 +
|Distance sampling
 +
|Sousa et al. 2011
 
|
 
|
|There is ongoing work to investigate disease prevalence in chimpanzees (Hockings et al. in prep.)
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|}
 +
 +
 +
= Threats =
 +
 +
The chimpanzee populations occur in anthropogenic landscapes and are rarely persecuted through hunting or retaliatory killings (Sousa, Barata, Sousa, Casanova, & Vicente 2011a). Local residents report regular crop foraging by chimpanzees (Bessa et al. 2015). The level of negative interactions over cashew appears to be low, as chimpanzees forage on the economically unprofitable pseudofruit and reportedly leave the nuts in manageable piles thereby making nut collection easier for local farmers (Hockings & Sousa, 2013). The foraging of other crops such as oranges in parts of Cantanhez NP are known to have resulted in retaliatory killings of chimpanzees by farmers.
 +
 +
'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Cantanhez National Park'''
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Threats-table"
 +
!Category
 +
!Specific threats
 +
!Threat level
 +
!Description
 +
!Year of threat
 
|-
 
|-
|9. Pollution
+
|6 Human intrusions & disturbance
 
|
 
|
 
|Absent
 
|Absent
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
|10. Geological Events
+
|9 Pollution
 
|
 
|
 
|Absent
 
|Absent
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
| 11. Climate change & severe weather
+
|10 Geological events
|
 
|Unknown
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
|12. Other options
+
|2 Agriculture & aquaculture
|Pet trade
+
|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
|High
+
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|
+
|Expansion of cashew and slash-and-burn agriculture (Hockings & Sousa 2013, Quecuta pers. comm. 2023). Cashew plantations are replacing fallow and forested areas, driving deforestation and declines in wild food sources for chimpanzees (Hockings & Sousa 2013, Bersacola & Hockings 2023). In 2019, an estimated 24% of Cantanhez's core areas (coastal forest blocks and savannahriverine forest mosaics) have been lost to cashew and it is a main threat to chimpanzee conservation (Pereira et al. 2022, Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project unpubl. data).
|Capture of chimpanzee infants for pet trade (Quecuta pers. comm. 2023).
+
|2013-Ongoing (2023)
 +
|-
 +
|5 Biological resource use
 +
|5.1.2 Unintentional effects (species is not the target)
 +
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
 +
|Wire cable snares set up to capture other mammals unintentionally harm chimpanzees. Camera trap data since 2015 show multiple individuals across several chimpanzee communities with signs of snare injuries (Jones et al in prep).
 +
|2015-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases
 +
|8.4 Pathogens
 +
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
 +
|Human-chimpanzee interactions are frequent, though most are not direct (i.e. without direct physical contact). However, human interactions with other wildlife, including hunting, keeping non-human primates as pets, and releasing them back into the wild, may affect chimpanzees. Leprosy, caused by ''Mycobacterium leprae'', has been identified in chimpanzees across Cantanhez (Hockings et al. 2021). It is unclear whether transmission to chimpanzees occurred directly from humans, possibly from a released pet chimpanzee, or through another animal host or the environment. The discovery of leprosy in chimpanzees in Cantanhez underscores the potentially high risk of human-derived infectious disease outbreaks in this population. To reduce the threat of disease transmission (especially of respiratory viruses) and negative interactions, chimpanzees have not been habituated for research or for tourism (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024).
 +
|2010-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|5 Biological resource use
 +
|5.2 Gathering terrestrial plants
 +
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
 +
|Palm oil is frequently collected (Sousa et al. 2011a, Costa et al. 2017), and there is overlap in use of wild plants by chimpanzees and humans (Hockings et al. in review)
 +
|Ongoing (2017)
 +
|-
 +
|1 Residential & commercial development
 +
|1.1 Residential areas
 +
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
 +
|Illegal construction of settlements (Quecuta pers. comm. 2023). The establishment of new settlements within Cantanhez is prohibited though sometimes occurs (Quecuta pers. comm. 2023). Additionally, many settlements are expanding, increasing the demand for areas to farm, and the likelihood of human interactions with chimpanzees. The widespread occurrence of chimpanzees near villages across the park has implications for the sustainability of human-chimpanzee coexistence due to competition over crops (particularly orange), potential risks to human safety (particularly children), and risks of disease transmission (Bersacola et al. 2021, Bersacola & Hockings 2023).
 +
|Ongoing (2023)
 +
|-
 +
|5 Biological resource use
 +
|5.1.5 Persecution/human wildlife conflict
 +
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
 +
|Some killings of chimpanzees by farmers occurred when they foraged oranges (Hockings & Sousa, 2013). Reports of conflict with chimpanzees usually increase during the orange fruiting season, when wild fruit is scarce and chimpanzees intensify the use of villages in search of orange and papaya (Bersacola et al 2021). Human retaliatory killings of chimpanzees are infrequent but do occur. Attacks by chimpanzees on local persons are currently rare but have the propensity to increase with increasing habitat loss and human-chimpanzee encounters (Bersacola, Hockings & Quecuta pers. obs. 2024).
 +
|2013-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|3 Energy production & mining
 +
|3.2.3 Artisanal mining
 +
|Present (unknown severity)
 +
|Small scale charcoal mining is present in the northern areas of the park. It is unclear to what extent this impacts chimpanzees (Bersacola & Hockings 2024).
 +
|Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|5 Biological resource use
 +
|5.1.4 Capture for the live animal trade
 +
|Present (unknown severity)
 +
|Capture of chimpanzee infants for pet trade (Quecuta pers. comm. 2023). The pet trade of chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau is small compared to other countries, with fewer than 10 captive individuals identified between 2016 and 2024. Contextual information about some of these captive chimpanzees suggests that they originated from the southern part of the country, possibly including Cantanhez (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024).
 +
|2015-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|5 Biological resource use
 +
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
 +
|Present (unknown severity)
 +
|Wood harvesting for charcoal production (Quecuta pers. comm. 2023). Logging is prohibited within protected forests, and subject to legal permits within buffer zones. No commercial logging is allowed within the National Park. However, illegal logging is present in some parts of the park, particularly of African fan palm (''Borassus aethiopum'') which can be sold commercially for construction (Bersacola & Hockings 2024).
 
|Ongoing (2023)
 
|Ongoing (2023)
 
|-
 
|-
 +
|7 Natural system modifications
 +
|7.1 Fire & fire suppression
 +
|Present (unknown severity)
 +
|Slash-and-burn agriculture (Hockings & Sousa 2013). Fires set at the end of the dry season to clear land for shifting agriculture can sometimes become out of control, affecting the edges of forests and orchards. It is unclear whether these fires threaten the health and safety of chimpanzees or how severe the impact might be (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024).
 +
|2013-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|4 Transportation & service corridors
 +
|4.1 Roads & railroads
 +
|Present (unknown severity)
 +
|Road renovations since 2018 across the park have increased the number and speed of vehicles, with inadequate speed-limiting measures in place to prevent wildlife road mortalities (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024).
 +
|2018-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|4 Transportation & service corridors
 +
|4.2 Utility & service lines
 +
|Present (unknown severity)
 +
|A new power line is currently (2024) being established along the roads across the park. It is unclear to what extent the widening of roads and loss of trees will directly impact chimpanzees, and attract people to migrate into Cantanhez (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024).
 +
|Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|11 Climate change & severe weather
 +
|
 +
|Present (unknown severity)
 +
|Dry seasons are becoming longer as the rainy season is starting several weeks later. Residents report an increasing lack of freshwater during the second half of the dry season (beginning in March), with natural water sources drying out more quickly or previously permanent sources now drying out. It is unclear to what extent this impacts chimpanzees and the implications for human-chimpanzee coexistence (Bersacola & Hockings pers. ob. 2024).
 +
|Ongoing (2024)
 
|}
 
|}
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
 
  
= Conservation activities =       <!-- a text overview of conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->
+
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
[[File: Conservation activity.jpg | 200px | thumb| right | Conservation awareness and education © Queba Quecuta]]
+
 
The Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas Protegidas (IBAP, Agency of Guinea-Bissau government responsible for national parks) implements terrestrial and maritime monitoring missions, so-called ‘missões de fiscalização’. The maritime mission, for example, enables detection of illegal fishing. In addition, IBAP implements law enforcement, and supports local livelihoods by building capacity for using marine resources sustainably, such as oyster farming. An EU funded projects supports farmers in adapting more efficient farming practices.
+
= Conservation activities =
Cantanhez is being developed as a destination for tourists (http://www.ecocantanhez.org/), but the number of visiting tourists is low. It has been reported that local guides were trained and places that could be visited have been identified (Sousa et al. 2014). While current levels of tourism are low, there seems to be strong support from the community to develop it further in the future (Sousa et al. 2014).  
+
 
 +
The Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas Protegidas (IBAP, Agency of Guinea-Bissau government responsible for national parks) implements terrestrial and maritime monitoring missions, so-called ‘missões de fiscalização’. The maritime mission, for example, enables detection of illegal fishing. In addition, IBAP implements law enforcement, and supports local livelihoods by building capacity for using marine resources sustainably, such as oyster farming. An EU funded projects supports farmers in adapting more efficient farming practices. Cantanhez is being developed as a destination for tourists (http://www.ecocantanhez.org/), but the number of visiting tourists is low. It has been reported that local guides were trained and places that could be visited have been identified (Sousa et al. 2014). While current levels of tourism are low, there seems to be strong support from the community to develop it further in the future (Sousa et al. 2014).
  
'''Table 4. Conservation activities in Cantanhez National Park'''
+
'''Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Cantanhez National Park'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="conservation-actions-table"
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Conservation_activities-table"
!align="left"|Category <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
+
!Category
!Specific activity   <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
+
!Specific activity
!Description         <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
+
!Description
!Year of activity         <!-- if ongoing or unknown add year of reference in brackets -->
+
!Implementing organization(s)
|-
+
!Year of activity
|1. Residential & commercial development
 
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
+
|1 Development impact mitigation
|2.11. Farm more intensively and effectively in selected areas and spare more natural land  
+
|1.4 Farm more intensively and effectively in selected areas and spare more natural land
 
|Support efficient farming practices (Hockings pers. obs.)
 
|Support efficient farming practices (Hockings pers. obs.)
|Unknown (2019)
 
|-
 
|3. Energy production & mining
 
|Not reported
 
|
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|Ongoing (2019)
 
|-
 
|-
|4. Transportation & service corridors
+
|1 Development impact mitigation
|Not reported
+
|1.13 Avoid/minimize logging of important food tree species for primates
|
+
|Not formally implemented, but when clearing agricultural fields, local farmers in Cantanhez tend to avoid cutting large trees and palms that are important food sources for chimpanzees and are also used by people for food, medicine, shade, and spiritual reasons. Species protected by farmers include Parinari excelsa, Ceiba pentandra, and Elaeis guineensis (Hockings et al. 2020).
 
|
 
|
 +
|1990-Ongoing (2024)
 
|-
 
|-
|5. Biological resource use
+
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols  
+
|2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
 
|IBAP (responsible park authority) employs local communities to conduct patrols (IBAP 2018). Eight guards are employed to patrol the park (Quecuta pers. comm. 2023).
 
|IBAP (responsible park authority) employs local communities to conduct patrols (IBAP 2018). Eight guards are employed to patrol the park (Quecuta pers. comm. 2023).
 +
|IBAP
 
|2013-Ongoing (2023)
 
|2013-Ongoing (2023)
 
|-
 
|-
|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
+
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|Not reported
+
|2.1 Implement road blocks to inspect cars for illegal ape bushmeat
 +
|Random road blocks to check for illegal bushmeat, including primate bushmeat, are sometimes carried out outside the park on the main road to Bissau (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024).
 +
|Direção Geral das Florestas e Fauna do Ministério de Agricultura, Floresta e Desenvolvimento Rural
 +
|2020-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|3 Species health
 +
|3.1 Wear face-masks to avoid transmission of viral and bacterial diseases to primates
 +
|A research health protocol with stricter rules was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic when research resumed in May 2020. The rules included regular disinfection of hands, boots, and equipment; the use of face masks and gloves when deploying and handling camera traps in the forest; and the use of face masks during survey encounters with (unhabituated) primates. Though the protocol is no longer enforced, parts of it, such as frequent hand washing, defecating in holes, and avoiding work when feeling unwell, remain as recommendations (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024).
 +
|CCP, IBAP
 +
|2020-2021
 +
|-
 +
|3 Species health
 +
|3.2 Keep safety distance to habituated apes
 +
|Tourism guides in Cantanhez have been trained by the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project in best practice guidelines (https://www.iucngreatapes.org/pr otect-great-apes-from-disease). Although the chimpanzees are unhabituated and usually move away in the presence of people during tourism encounters, a minimum distance of 10 meters is recommended. Guides also avoid allowing people to stand directly beneath chimpanzee nests during tourist visits. Guides report a lack of willingness by tourists to engage in disease prevention methods since the end of strict COVID-19 restrictions (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024).
 +
|CCP, IBAP
 +
|2021-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|3 Species health
 +
|3.7 Regularly disinfect clothes, boots etc.
 +
|As per research health protocol and tourism best practice guidelines. No longer enforced as of 2024 (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024).
 +
|CCP, IBAP
 +
|2020-2022
 +
|-
 +
|3 Species health
 +
|3.11 Implement continuous health monitoring (with permanent vet on site)
 +
|There is no veterinarian on site. In 2017, the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project, in collaboration with the Robert Koch Institute and IBAP, began efforts to identify the cause of disease-like signs in chimpanzees that had been detected through camera trap footage by CCP members since 2015. Molecular confirmation of leprosy in chimpanzees was obtained in 2018 through faecal sampling (Hockings et al., 2021). In 2020, a biodiversity monitoring programme was implemented by the University of Exeter/Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project and IBAP, using camera traps to identify physical signs of disease in wildlife (Bersacola et al., 2021b). Intensive faecal sampling and high-resolution camera trap monitoring of three chimpanzee communities were carried out by the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project in 2021–2022 to determine the prevalence of leprosy in chimpanzees (Marina Ramon, unpubl. data). As of 2024, health monitoring by the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project and IBAP continues using camera traps (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024).
 +
|CCP, IBAP
 +
|2020-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|3 Species health
 +
|3.12 Detect & report dead apes and clinically determine their cause of death to avoid disease transmission
 +
|A carcass swabbing protocol, including health and safety rules, has been operational since 2021 by the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project (CCP) and IBAP, in collaboration with the Helmholtz Institute for One Health. Due to the lack of veterinarians in Cantanhez, primate carcasses are only swabbed and then buried on site. Residents are informed of the potential dangers posed by wildlife carcasses – particularly those of chimpanzees and other non-human primates – to human health, and are advised to avoid touching or approaching carcasses and to report any sightings to IBAP or CCP immediately (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024).
 +
|IBAP, CCP, Helmholtz Institute for One Health
 +
|2021-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|4 Education & awareness
 +
|4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use
 +
|One Health knowledge sharing sessions have been implemented in 2021 by CCP and ONG NADEL with local communities (142 local women and men) across 11 villages in central Cantanhez (CCP unpubl. data). In 2023, IBAP and CCP implemented an education activity programme with over 500 children (7-14 yrs) at villages across the whole of Cantanhez (A Sanhá, in prep).
 +
|NADEL, IBAP, CCP
 +
|2021-2023
 +
|-
 +
|4 Education & awareness
 +
|4.2 Involve local community in ape research and conservation management
 +
|Cantanhez chiefs (Régulos), some local group associations, and around 30 representatives of villages associated with protected forest blocks are part of the conservation management council, which is formally involved in the management of the park (IBAP 2018a, 2018b).
 +
|IBAP
 +
|2016-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|4 Education & awareness
 +
|4.3 Install billboards to raise ape conservation awareness
 +
|Protect Great Apes from Disease posters have been disseminated across Cantanhez, including at the local hospital in Iemberem.
 +
|CCP, IBAP
 +
|2021.0
 +
|-
 +
|4 Education & awareness
 +
|4.5 Implement multimedia campaigns using theatre, film, print media, discussions
 +
|See 4.1 (One Health knowledge sharing and children education sessions)
 +
|NADEL, IBAP, CCP
 +
|2021-2023
 +
|-
 +
|5 Protection & restoration
 +
|5.2 Legally protect ape habitat
 +
|Designated as national park since 2007 (UNEP-WCMC & IUCN 2019).
 
|
 
|
 +
|2007-Ongoing (2023)
 +
|-
 +
|7 Economic & other incentives
 +
|7.1 Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., REDD, alternative income, employment)
 +
|Local people are employed to conduct patrols (IBAP 2018).
 
|
 
|
 +
|Ongoing (2018)
 
|-
 
|-
|7. Natural system modifications
+
|8 Permanent presence
|Not reported
+
|8.2 Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site
|
+
|Low levels of tourism (Sousa et al. 2014). Ecotourism has existed in the area since 1996 (Quecuta pers. Comm. 2023).
 
|
 
|
 +
|1996-Ongoing (2023)
 +
|}
 +
 +
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
 +
[[File: Conservation activity.jpg | 200px | thumb| right | Conservation awareness and education © Queba Quecuta]]
 +
= Challenges =
 +
 +
The park has faced several long-standing challenges, including a lack of continuous funding, insufficient equipment, and limited transportation, which have complicated effective management since 2011. While funding remains largely dependent on short-term project cycles, transportation is expected to improve in 2025 with new vehicles and motorbikes provided by the GCCA+ project. Infrastructure has also been a concern, but progress has been made with the partial completion of a new park headquarters in 2024, and additional guard outposts are planned for 2025. Additionally, biomonitoring efforts have improved since 2016, with significant capacity-building initiatives taking place since 2020.
 +
 +
Other ongoing challenges include eroding traditional conservation taboos due to expanding cashew farming, limited community engagement, and weak law enforcement. While forest guards conduct patrols, further training and strategy development are scheduled for 2025 through GCCA+ and the Darwin Initiative. Broader issues such as political and economic instability continue to impact conservation efforts, as highlighted by the World Bank. Addressing these challenges will require sustained funding, stronger community involvement, and enhanced enforcement measures to ensure long-term conservation success (Bersacola & Hockings pers. comm. 2024).
 +
 +
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Cantanhez National Park'''
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Challenges-table"
 +
!Challenges
 +
!Specific challenges
 +
!Source
 +
!Year(s)
 +
|-
 +
|2 Resources and capacity
 +
|2.4 Lack of continuous/long-term funding
 +
|Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024
 +
|2011-Ongoing (2024)
 
|-
 
|-
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
+
|2 Resources and capacity
|Not reported
+
|2.5 Lack of equipment/transportation
|
+
|Quecuta pers. obs. 2023
|
+
|2011-Ongoing (2024)
 
|-
 
|-
|9. Pollution
+
|2 Resources and capacity
|Not reported
+
|2.6 Lack of biomonitoring/survey data
|
+
|Bersacola et al. 2022; Bersacola et al 2021b; IBAP unpubl. data; Houldcroft et al in review; Bersacola and Hockings 2023; Bersacola et al. in prep
|
+
|2011-2017
 
|-
 
|-
|10. Education & Awareness
+
|2 Resources and capacity
|Not reported
+
|2.7 Lack of infrastructure
|
+
|Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024
|
+
|2011-2025
 
|-
 
|-
|11. Habitat Protection
+
|3 Engaged community
|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat
+
|3.4 Eroding taboos in favor of conservation
|Designated as national park since 2007 (UNEP-WCMC & IUCN 2019)
+
|Chloe Chesney, unpubl. data; Bersacola & Hockings 2023
|2007-Ongoing (2023)
+
|2011-Ongoing (2024)
 
|-
 
|-
|12. Species Management
+
|4 Institutional support
|Not reported
+
|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
|
+
|Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024
|
+
|2011-Ongoing (2024)
 
|-
 
|-
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives
+
|6 Safety and stability
|13.1. Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g. REDD, employment)
+
|6.1 Political/economic instabilty
|Local people are employed to conduct patrols (IBAP 2018)
+
|WorldBank 2024
|Ongoing (2018)
+
|2011-Ongoing (2024)
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|3 Engaged community
|13.4. Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site
+
|3.1 General lack of community engagement or support
|Low levels of tourism (Sousa et al. 2014). Ecotourism has existed in the area since 1996 (Quecuta pers. Comm. 2023).
+
|Quecuta pers. obs. 2023
|1996-Ongoing (2017)
+
|2018-Ongoing (2024)
 
|-
 
|-
 +
|2 Resources and capacity
 +
|2.1 Lack of capacity/training
 +
|IBAP, unpublished reports; Hockings and Bersacola 2022
 +
|2011-2020
 
|}
 
|}
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
 
  
= Challenges = <!-- Overview of impediments to ape conservation -->
+
 
 +
= Enablers =
  
  
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Cantanhez National Park'''
+
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="impediments-table"
+
'''Table 6. Enablers reported for Cantanhez National Park'''
!align="left"|Challenge  <!-- Do not change categories -->
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="enabler-table"
!Source  <!-- source for impediment mentioned -->
+
!Enablers
 +
!Specific enablers
 +
!Source
 +
!Year(s)
 +
|-
 +
|2 Resources and capacity
 +
|2.5 Sufficient capacity/expertise to advise, design, or implement actions
 +
|Bersacola et al 2021b
 +
|2021-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|2 Resources and capacity
 +
|2.6 External partnerships that add expertise or resources
 +
|Bersacola et al 2021b
 +
|2019-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|3 Engaged community
 +
|3.1 Strong local environmental knowledge
 +
|Sousa et al. 2014, 2017, 2018;Chesney unpubl. data
 +
|2000-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|3 Engaged community
 +
|3.5 Positive past experience/associations with conservation (e.g. postivie image of conservation)
 +
|Chesney unpubl. data
 +
|2023-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|3 Engaged community
 +
|3.6 Local community engagement and support
 +
|IBAP 2018a, 2018b; Bersacola et al. 2021b, DAR31009
 +
|2016-Ongoing (2024)
 +
|-
 +
|3 Engaged community
 +
|3.7 Site has high cultural/religious value
 +
|IBAP 2018a, 2018b
 +
|2011-Ongoing (2024)
 
|-
 
|-
|Not reported
+
|2 Resources and capacity
|
+
|2.4 Adequate data to inform and evaluate conservation actions
 +
|Bersacola & Hockings 2023
 +
|2022-Ongoing (2024)
 
|}
 
|}
  
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
 
  
There are ongoing research efforts in Cantanhez NP, including studying the behavior of specific chimpanzee communities and investigating chimpanzee ranging in relation to food availability and human activities through camera trap based spatiotemporal models (Hockings & Sousa 2012; Hockings & Sousa 2013; Bessa, Sousa & Hockings 2015; Bersacola et al. 2018; Vieira et al 2019; Bersacola 2019 (PhD thesis); Bessa in prep (PhD thesis)).
+
= Research activities =
 +
 
 +
Cantanhez National Park (Cantanhez NP) was created in 2011 (Decree 14/2011) and is under the
 +
management of the national Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Areas (IBAP). Currently, IBAP is under
 +
the supervision of the Minister responsible for the Environment, and has administrative, financial and
 +
patrimonial autonomy, and therefore has the capacity to develop policies and regulations relating to the
 +
conservation of biodiversity and PAs.
 +
The main management objectives of IBAP in Cantanhez NP are the "preservation, conservation and
 +
defence of patches of sub-humid forest with great biological diversity. Cantanhez NP is considered to be the
 +
last patch of sub-humid forest in the country with the greatest floral and faunal diversity. Among other
 +
objectives are the safeguarding of endangered species of rare animals and plants", including western
 +
chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus), through "the promotion of ecotourism and the valorisation of
 +
economic activities as a way of improving the living conditions of the resident populations." (IBAP 2018;
 +
https://ibapgbissau.org/pnc-ap/).
 +
Chimpanzee research in Cantanhez NP began before the establishment of the park and is ongoing.
 +
Chimpanzees in Cantanhez NP have not been habituated for research to reduce the potential negative
 +
impacts associated with reducing fear of humans and the high overlap in space and resource use with the
 +
local human population across the entire park. Chimpanzee research therefore relies on indirect methods of
 +
data collection. Studies have been conducted on chimpanzee feeding ecology (Bessa et al 2015; Hockings
 +
et al 2020); habitat use, densities and distribution (Sousa et al 2011; Torres et al 2010; Bersacola et al
 +
2021a; 2021b; 2022); parasitology (Sá et al 2013), behaviour and cultural repertoires (Bain et al., 2021;
 +
Bessa et al., 2022, 2021; Bersacola et al, in review), interactions with humans (Hockings and Sousa 2012;
 +
2013; Bersacola et al 2019; Sousa et al 2014; 2017; 2018), disease and genetics (Hockings et al 2021;
 +
Marina Ramon, in prep).
 +
The Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project (CCP, co-directed by Dr K Hockings and Dr E Bersacola) is currently
 +
working in collaboration with IBAP to conduct long-term research on the behaviour, ecology and
 +
conservation of chimpanzees in Cantanhez NP. In particular, we carry out research on human-chimpanzee
 +
interactions at the landscape scale, using both biological and social sciences approaches. The primary aim
 +
of CCP is to carry out inter-disciplinary research to inform the development of evidence-based conservation
 +
and management strategies to promote human-chimpanzee coexistence in Cantanhez Np, and to inform
 +
conservation efforts in other protected areas in Guinea-Bissau (Bersacola and Hockings 2023). Additionally,
 +
CCP works in collaboration with IBAP, NGOs (including Nadel, Palmeirinha) and local stakeholders to
 +
promote multi-stakeholder involvement and public support for chimpanzee conservation through information
 +
sharing and knowledge exchange in informal and formal meetings with adult residents and through
 +
children's education.
 +
In 2020, a biodiversity and health monitoring programme was established in Cantanhez NP through a
 +
Darwin Initiative funded project (DAR26018) with IBAP and the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project
 +
(CCP)/University of Exeter as the implementation partner institutions (Bersacola et al. 2021b). We
 +
conducted standardised surveys, including line transects and camera traps, across the park for three
 +
consecutive years (Hockings and Bersacola 2022; Bersacola et al. 2021b). Besides continuing landscapescale camera trap-based biomonitoring, upcoming research activities supported by the Darwin Initiative
 +
(project DAR31009), implemented by IBAP, ONG Palmeirinha, and the University of Exeter through CCP,
 +
will include using camera traps, bioacoustics, interviews, participatory mapping, and informal consultations
 +
with residents to: (1) identify the ecological, social, and environmental drivers of human-chimpanzee
 +
interactions at the chimpanzee-community level across the park; (2) measure the impacts of wildlife,
 +
including chimpanzees, on human wellbeing and livelihoods; and (3) co-develop initiatives with local
 +
communities to support livelihood diversification and human wellbeing (DAR31009
 +
https://www.biodiversitychallengefunds.org.uk/project/DAR31009).
 +
 
 +
 
 +
= Documented behaviours =
  
===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
 
  
Nesting in palm oil trees was reported (Sousa et al. 2011a) and there is ongoing research on chimpanzee behavioral variation across communities (Bessa et al. in prep.).
 
  
'''Table 6. Great ape behaviors reported for Cantanhez National Park'''
+
'''Table 7. Behaviours documented for Cantanhez National Park'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviors-table"
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviours-table"
!align="left"|Behavior <!-- Do not change categories -->
+
!Behavior
!Source   <!-- source for behavior -->
+
!Source
 
|-
 
|-
|Not reported
+
|Honey dipping
|
+
|Bessa et al. 2021, 2022
 +
|-
 +
|Fluid dipping
 +
|Bessa et al. 2022
 +
|-
 +
|Leaf-sponge
 +
|Bessa et al. 2022
 +
|-
 +
|Honey-feed, no tools
 +
|Bessa et al. 2022
 +
|-
 +
|Mangrove-eat
 +
|Bessa et al. 2022
 +
|-
 +
|Saltwater-drink
 +
|Bessa et al. 2022
 +
|-
 +
|Leaf-clipping (fingers and mouth)
 +
|Bessa et al. 2022
 +
|-
 +
|Leaf dragging, leaf pulling
 +
|Bessa et al. 2022
 +
|-
 +
|Rain-dance
 +
|Bessa et al. 2022
 +
|-
 +
|Plant food sharing
 +
|Bessa et al. 2022, Bowland et al. (in prep)
 +
|-
 +
|Raspberry vocalisation
 +
|Bessa et al. 2022
 +
|-
 +
|Infant corpse carrying
 +
|Bersacola et al (in review)
 +
|-
 +
|Nesting on oil palms
 +
|Sousa et al. 2011
 +
|-
 +
|Crop feeding
 +
|Bessa et al. 2015, Hockings et al. 2020
 +
|-
 +
|Meat consumption
 +
|CCP unpubl. data
 
|}
 
|}
  
Line 332: Line 619:
  
 
As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. subm. extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2°C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3°C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.
 
As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. subm. extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2°C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3°C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.
 +
 
The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (see Kiribou et al. subm. for details).
 
The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (see Kiribou et al. subm. for details).
  
 
+
'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Cantanhez National Park'''
'''Table 7. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Cantanhez National Park'''
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="clima-table"
{| border='1' cellpadding='5' cellspacing='0' class='EE-table'
+
!'''Value'''
|
+
!'''1981-2010'''
|'''1981-2010'''
+
!'''2021-2050, RCP 2.6'''
|'''2021-2050, RCP 2.6'''
+
!'''2021-2050, RCP 6.0'''
|'''2021-2050, RCP 6.0'''
+
!'''2071-2099, RCP 2.6'''
|'''2071-2099, RCP 2.6'''
+
!'''2071-2099, RCP 6.0'''
|'''2071-2099, RCP 6.0'''
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Mean temperature [°C]
 
|Mean temperature [°C]
Line 371: Line 658:
 
|7
 
|7
 
|5.5
 
|5.5
|-
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
  
'''Table 8. Projected exposure of apes to extreme climate impact events in Cantanhez National Park'''
+
'''Table 9. Projected exposure of apes to extreme climate impact events in Cantanhez National Park'''
{| border='1' cellpadding='5' cellspacing='0' class='EE-table'
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="clima2-table"
|
+
!'''Type'''
|'''No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 2.6)'''
+
!'''No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 2.6)'''
|'''% of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 2.6)'''
+
!'''% of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 2.6)'''
|'''No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 6.0)'''
+
!'''No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 6.0)'''
|'''% of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 6.0)'''
+
!'''% of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 6.0)'''
|'''No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 2.6)'''
+
!'''No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 2.6)'''
|'''% of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 2.6)'''
+
!'''% of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 2.6)'''
|'''No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)'''
+
!'''No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)'''
|'''% of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)'''
+
!'''% of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)'''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Crop failure
 
|Crop failure
Line 446: Line 732:
 
|29
 
|29
 
|1.8
 
|1.8
|-
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
<div><ul>
+
 
<li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:PrecipAnomaly_Cantanhez Forest.png | 450px | thumb| right | Precipitation anomaly in Cantanhez National Park]] </li>
+
<div><ul><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:PrecipAnomaly_Cantanhez Forest.png | 450px | thumb| right | Precipitation anomaly in Cantanhez National Park]] </li><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File: TempAnomaly_Cantanhez Forest.png | 450px | thumb| right | Temperature anomaly in Cantanhez National Park]] </li></ul></div>
<li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File: TempAnomaly_Cantanhez Forest.png | 450px | thumb| right | Temperature anomaly in Cantanhez National Park]] </li>
+
 
</ul></div>
+
= External links =
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
= Relevant datasets =
 +
 
  
  
 
= References =
 
= References =
Bessa J, Sousa C, Hockings KJ. 2015. Feeding ecology of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) inhabiting a forest-mangrove-savanna-agricultural matrix at Caiquene-Cadique, Cantanhez Forest National Park, Guinea-Bissau. American Journal of Primatology77:651–665 DOI 10.1002/ajp.22388.<br>
+
 
Brugiere D, Badjinca I, Silva C, Serra A. 2009. Distribution of chimpanzees and interactions with humans in Guinea-Bissau and Western Guinea, West Africa. Folia Primatologica 80:353–358.<br>
+
Bersacola, E., 2019. Zooming in on human-wildlife coexistence: primate community responses in a shared agroforest landscape in Guinea-Bissau (PhD). Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK. <br>
Casanova, C. and C. Sousa. 2006. Distribuição das comuni- dades de chimpanzés (Pan troglodytes verus) na região costeira da República da Guiné-Bissau e a sua relação com as comunidades humanas locais. Mission Report (March 2006). Lisboa, Portugal.<br>
+
Bersacola, E., Hill, C.M., Hockings, K.J., 2021a. Chimpanzees balance resources and risk in an anthropogenic landscape of fear. Scientific Reports 11, 4569. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-83852-3 <br>
Catarino, L. 2004. Fitogeografia da Guiné-Bissau. PhD thesis, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Lisboa.<br>
+
Bersacola, E., Hill, C.M., Nijman, V., Hockings, K.J., 2022. Examining primate community occurrence patterns in agroforest landscapes using arboreal and terrestrial camera traps. Landsc Ecol 37, 3103–3121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-022-01524-7 <br>
Costa S, Casanova C & Lee P. 2017. What Does Conservation Mean for Women? the Case of the Cantanhez Forest National Park. Conservation and Society, 15(1), 168–178. https://doi.org/10.4103/cs.cs<br>
+
Bersacola, E., Hockings, K.J., 2023. Action plan for the conservation of medium- and large-sized terrestrial mammals in Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau (2023-2033). IBAP, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. <br>
Gippoliti S, Dell’Omo G. 1996. Primates of the Cantanhez Forest and the Cacine Basin, Guinea-Bissau. Oryx 30:74–80. <br>
+
Bersacola, E., Houldcroft, A., Clarke, L., Jaló, M., Sanhá, A., Quecuta, Q., Benante, J.E., Regalla de Barros, A., De Rivera Ortega, O.R., Hockings, K.J., in prep. Improving great ape monitoring across the heterogeneous continuum: A spatially explicit joint model using standard surveys. <br>
Gippoliti S, Dell’Omo G. 2003. Primates of Guinea-Bissau, West Africa: distribution and conservation status. Primate Conservation 19:73–77.<br>
+
Bersacola, E., McLennan, M.R., Bessa, J., Camara, H., Jaló, M., Kiiza, V., Mamy, G., Mpanga, N., Oelze, V.M., Ramon, M., Sanhá, A., van Holstein, L., Fitzgerald, M., Stewart, F.A., Koops, K., Hockings, K.J., in review. Camera traps document infant corpse carrying behaviour in multiple unhabituated chimpanzee populations. Ecology and Evolution. <br>
Gippoliti, S. and G. Dell’Omo. 2003. Primates of Guinea- Bissau, West Africa: distribution and conservation status. Primate Conserv. (19): 73–77.<br>
+
Bersacola, E., Parathian, H., Frazão-Moreira, A., Jaló, M., Sanhá, A., Regalla, A., Saíd, A.R., Quecuta, Q., Camará, S.T., Quade, S.M.F.F., Jaquite, S.M., Lopes, A.G., Patrono, L.V., Ramon, M., Bessa, J., Godley, B.J., Bonneaud, C., Leendertz, F.H., Hockings, K.J., 2021b. Developing an Evidence-Based Coexistence Strategy to Promote Human and Wildlife Health in a Biodiverse Agroforest Landscape. Front. Conserv. Sci. 2, 735367. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2021.735367 <br>
Gippoliti, S., D. Embalo and C. Sousa. 2003. Chimpanzee conservation status in Guinea-Bissau. In: West African Chimpanzees. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan, R. Kormos, C. Boesch, M. I. Bakarr and T. M. Butynski. (eds.), pp.55–61. IUCN/SSC Primate Special- ist Group, Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge, UK<br>
+
Bessa, J., Biro, D., Hockings, K., 2022. Inter-community behavioural variation confirmed through indirect methods in four neighbouring chimpanzee communities in Cantanhez NP, Guinea-Bissau. Royal Society Open Science 9, 211518. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.211518 <br>
Hockings KJ & Sousa C. 2012. Differential utilization of cashew—a low-conflict crop—bysympatric humans and chimpanzees.Oryx46:375–381DOI 10.1017/S003060531100130X<br>
+
Bessa, J., Hockings, K., Biro, D., 2021. First evidence of chimpanzee extractive tool use in Cantanhez, Guinea-Bissau: Cross-community variation in honey dipping. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 9, 180. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.625303 <br>
Hockings KJ & Sousa C. 2013. Human-Chimpanzee Sympatry and Interactions in Cantanhez Forest National Park, Guinea-Bissau: Current Research and Future Directions. Primate Conservation, 26(1), 57–65. https://doi.org/10.1896/052.026.0104<br>
+
Bessa, J., Sousa, C., Hockings, K.J., 2015. Feeding ecology of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) inhabiting a forest-mangrove-savanna-agricultural matrix at Caiquene-Cadique, Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau. American Journal of Primatology 77, 651–665. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22388 <br>
IBAP. 2018. Regulamento interno Parque Nacional de Cantanhez<br>
+
Brugiere, D., Badjinca, I., Silva, C., Serra, A., 2009. Distribution of chimpanzees and interactions with humans in Guinea-Bissau and Western Guinea, West Africa. Folia Primatologica 80, 353–358. <br>
IUCN & Chimbo. 2016. The conservation of the Savannah Chimpanzees of Guinea Bissau and Senegal. (February), 1–19. Retrieved from http://chimbo.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/The-conservation-of-the-Savannah-Chimpanzees-of-Guinea-Bissau-and-Senegal-Report-Workshop-Beli-14-16.2.2016.pdf<br>
+
Casanova, C., Sousa, C., 2006. Distribuição das comunidades de chimpanzés (Pan troglodytes verus) na região costeira da República da Guiné-Bissau e a sua relação com as comunidades humanas locais. Mission Report (March 2006). Lisboa, Portugal. <br>
Kormos, R., C. Boesch, M. I. Bakarr and T. M. Butynski. 2003. West African Chimpanzees. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge, UK<br>
+
Catarino, L., 2004. Fitogeografia da Guiné-Bissau. PhD thesis, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Lisboa. <br>
 +
Costa, S., Casanova, C., Lee, P., 2017. What Does Conservation Mean for Women? The Case of the Cantanhez Forest National Park. Conservation and Society 15, 168–178. https://doi.org/10.4103/cs.cs <br>
 +
Gippoliti, S., Dell’Omo, G., 1996. Primates of the Cantanhez Forest and the Cacine Basin, Guinea-Bissau. Oryx 30, 74–80. <br>
 +
Gippoliti, S., Dell’Omo, G., 2003. Primates of Guinea-Bissau, West Africa: Distribution and conservation status. Primate Conservation 19, 73–77. <br>
 +
Gippoliti, S., D. Embalo and C. Sousa. 2003. Chimpanzee conservation status in Guinea-Bissau. In: West African Chimpanzees. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan, R. Kormos, C. Boesch, M. I. Bakarr and T. M. Butynski. (eds.), pp.55–61. IUCN/SSC Primate Special- ist Group, Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge, UK <br>
 +
Hockings KJ & Sousa C. 2012. Differential utilization of cashew—a low-conflict crop—bysympatric humans and chimpanzees.Oryx46:375–381DOI 10.1017/S003060531100130X <br>
 +
Hockings KJ & Sousa C. 2013. Human-Chimpanzee Sympatry and Interactions in Cantanhez Forest National Park, Guinea-Bissau: Current Research and Future Directions. Primate Conservation, 26(1), 57–65. https://doi.org/10.1896/052.026.0104 <br>
 +
Hockings, K.J., Bersacola, E., 2022. Darwin Initiative Main Project 26-018: Final Report. <br>
 +
Hockings, K.J., Mubemba, B., Avanzi, C., Pleh, K., Düx, A., Bersacola, E., Bessa, J., Ramon, M., Metzger, S., Patrono, L.V., Jaffe, J.E., Benjak, A., Bonneaud, C., Busso, P., Couacy-Hymann, E., Gado, M., Gagneux, S., Johnson, R.C., Kodio, M., Lynton-Jenkins, J., Morozova, I., Mätz-Rensing, K., Regalla, A., Saíd, A.R., Schuenemann, V.J., Sow, S.O., Spencer, J.S., Ulrich, M., Zoubi, H., Cole, S.T., Wittig, R.M., Calvignac-Spencer, S., Leendertz, F.H., 2021. Leprosy in wild chimpanzees. Nature 598, 652–656. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03968-4 <br>
 +
IBAP, 2018a. Plano de Gestão do Parque Nacional Cantanhez. Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas Protegidas, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. <br>
 +
IBAP, 2018b. Parque Nacional de Cantanhez: regulamento interno. Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas Protegidas, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. <br>
 +
IUCN & Chimbo. 2016. The conservation of the Savannah Chimpanzees of Guinea Bissau and Senegal. (February), 1–19. Retrieved from http://chimbo.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/The-conservation-of-the-Savannah-Chimpanzees-of-Guinea-Bissau-and-Senegal-Report-Workshop-Beli-14-16.2.2016.pdf <br>
 +
Kormos, R., C. Boesch, M. I. Bakarr and T. M. Butynski. 2003. West African Chimpanzees. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge, UK <br>
 
Minhos et al. 2016. Genetic consequences of human forest exploitation in two colobus monkeys in Guinea Bissau. Biological Conservation. 194:194-208.<br>
 
Minhos et al. 2016. Genetic consequences of human forest exploitation in two colobus monkeys in Guinea Bissau. Biological Conservation. 194:194-208.<br>
Rui M. Sá, Petrášová J., Pomajbíková K., Profousová I., Petrželková K. J., Sousa C., Cable J., Bruford M. W., Modrý D. 2013. Gastrointestinal symbionts of chimpanzees in Cantanhez Forest National Park, guinea-bissau with respect to habitat fragmentation, American journal of primatology, https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22170<br>
+
Parathian, H.E., McLennan, M.R., Hill, C.M., Frazão-Moreira, A., Hockings, K.J., 2018. Breaking through disciplinary barriers: human–wildlife interactions and multispecies ethnography. Int J Primatol 39, 749–775. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-018-0027-9 <br>
Sousa JV. 2007. Densidade de Pan troglodytes verus e Veículos de Sensibilização Ambiental: Quatro Florestas de Cantanhez, República da Guiné-Bissau. Lisboa: Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa. 130 p<br>
+
Rui M. Sá, Petrášová J., Pomajbíková K., Profousová I., Petrželková K. J., Sousa C., Cable J., Bruford M. W., Modrý D. 2013. Gastrointestinal symbionts of chimpanzees in Cantanhez Forest National Park, guinea-bissau with respect to habitat fragmentation, American journal of primatology, https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22170 <br>
Sousa, J., Barata, A. V., Sousa, C., Casanova, C. C. N., & Vicente, L. 2011. Chimpanzee oil-palm use in southern Cantanhez Forest National Park, Guinea-Bissau. American Journal of Primatology, 73(5), 485–497. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.20926<br>
+
Sousa, J., Vicente, L., Gippoliti, S., Casanova, C., Sousa, C., 2014. Local knowledge and perceptions of chimpanzees in Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau. American Journal of Primatology 76, 122–134. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22215 <br>
 +
Sousa JV. 2007. Densidade de Pan troglodytes verus e Veículos de Sensibilização Ambiental: Quatro Florestas de Cantanhez, República da Guiné-Bissau. Lisboa: Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa. 130 p <br>
 +
Sousa, J., Barata, A. V., Sousa, C., Casanova, C. C. N., & Vicente, L. 2011. Chimpanzee oil-palm use in southern Cantanhez Forest National Park, Guinea-Bissau. American Journal of Primatology, 73(5), 485–497. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.20926 <br>
 
Sousa J, Vicente L, Gippoliti S, Casanova C, Sousa C. 2014. Local knowledge and perceptions of chimpanzees in Cantanhez Forest National Park, Guinea-Bissau. American Journal of Primatology 76:122–134.<br>
 
Sousa J, Vicente L, Gippoliti S, Casanova C, Sousa C. 2014. Local knowledge and perceptions of chimpanzees in Cantanhez Forest National Park, Guinea-Bissau. American Journal of Primatology 76:122–134.<br>
 
Torres J, Brito JC, Vasconcelos MJ, Catarino L, Gonçalves J, et al. (2010) Ensemble models of habitat suitability relate chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) conservation to forest and landscape dynamics in western Africa. Biological Conservation 143: 416–425.<br>
 
Torres J, Brito JC, Vasconcelos MJ, Catarino L, Gonçalves J, et al. (2010) Ensemble models of habitat suitability relate chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) conservation to forest and landscape dynamics in western Africa. Biological Conservation 143: 416–425.<br>
UNEP-WCMC, IUCN. 2019. Protected Planet: The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), Cambridge, UK: UNEP-WCMC and IUCN Online: [https://www.protectedplanet.net/cantanhez-forest-national-park  www.protectedplanet.net]<br>
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UNEP-WCMC, IUCN. 2019. Protected Planet: The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), Cambridge, UK: UNEP-WCMC and IUCN Online: www.protectedplanet.net<br>
 +
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 +
 
  
  
<br>
+
'''Page created by: '''Elena Bersacola, Kimberley Hockings''' Date:''' 2024-08-09
'''Page completed by:'''Kimberley Hockings, Elena Bersacola, Joana Bessa, Marina Ramon & Queba Quecuta'''Date:''' 06/12/2023  <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->
 
<br><br>
 

Latest revision as of 09:50, 18 March 2025

West Africa > Guinea-Bissau > Cantanhez National Park

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Summary

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  • Western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) are present in Cantanhez National Park.
  • It has been estimated that between 376 and 2,632 individuals occur at the site.
  • The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.
  • This site has a total size of 1057.67 km².
  • Key threats to chimpanzees is the loss of habitat due to land-use conversion to agriculture.
  • There are efforts to establish tourism at the site.


Site characteristics

Cantanhez is one of the last remaining fragments of humid forest in West Africa and identified as one of the 200 most important ecoregions in the world (World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)) and as one of seven priority areas in West Africa for chimpanzee conservation efforts (Kormos et al. 2003). The Cantanhez National Park (CNP) is a mosaic of settlements, agricultural fields, sub-humid forest, secondary forest, mangrove, and savanna (Catarino 2004). The rainfall in Guinea-Bissau is bimodal with a long dry season from November to May and a rainy season from mid-May to October (Catarino 2004). An average of 1400–2500 mm of rain falls per year and temperatures are at their lowest in January (24.7°C) and their highest in July (28.0°C) (Gippoliti et al. 2003). A range of non-human primate species occur in the CFNP, including Campbell’s monkey (Cercopithecus campbelli), green monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus), western black and white colobus (Colobus polykomos), bush baby (Galago senegalensis), Demidoff’s galago (Galagoides demidoff), and Temminck’s red colobus (Piliocolobus badius temminckii, Bersacola 2019, Hockings & Sousa 2013). Western red colobus (Piliocolobus badius temminckii) and king colobus (Colobus polykomos), both classified as Endangered, are present within some of the protected forest blocks in Cantanhez NP. The main threats are habitat loss and hunting, and these primates are rapidly disappearing from Cantanhez NP. Other conservation important species present in Cantanhez NP include the Guinea baboon (Papio papio, Near Threatened) that occurs within some forest blocks in southern Cantanhez NP, and the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis, Critically Endangered) which uses the northern parts of Cantanhez NP as a migration corridor. For other mamma species present and their conservation status, please see Bersacola & Hockings (2023) "Action plan for the conservation of medium- and large-sized terrestrial mammals in Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau".

Table 1. Basic site information for Cantanhez National Park

Species 'Pan troglodytes verus
Area 1,057.67 km²
Coordinates Lat: 11.19 , Lon: -15.12
Type of site Protected area (National Park)
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical dry forest, Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, Savanna, Grassland, Wetlands (lakes, rivers, streams, bogs, marshes), Marine coastal/supratidal, Agricultural land, Urban areas, Subtropical/tropical heavily degraded former forest
Type of governance Governance by government

IUCN habitat categories Site designations

Forest in Cantanhez © Queba Quecuta

Ape status

There are no regular surveys for chimpanzees and the national park as a whole was never surveyed. Recent research suggests that at least 12 chimpanzee communities occur in Cantanhez (Hockings in prep.). There is ongoing research by Kimberley Hockings and colleagues to assess population numbers and identify land-scape factors that affect the density and distribution of chimpanzees.

Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Cantanhez National Park

Species Year Occurrence Encounter or vistation rate (nests/km; ind/day) Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI) Abundance estimate (95% CI) Survey area Sampling method Analytical framework Source Comments A.P.E.S. database ID
Pan troglodytes verus 2003 376-2,632 Cantanhez region (including areas outside the NP such as Cacine and Catio) Reconnaissance walk Torres et al. 2010 Presence of chimpanzee nests recorded walking line transects, method for estimating population abundance not reported
Pan troglodytes verus 2007 1.94-2.34 33-40 Cantanhez National Park Unknown Sousa 2007
Pan troglodytes verus 2007 6.18 106 4 forests (Caiquene, Cibe Cadique, Lautchande, Madina) Line transects Sousa et al. 2011b Total survey effort: 28.35km, no robust results, density estimates range between 1.1-6.18 weaned individuals/km² and between 376 to 2,632 chimpanzees
Pan troglodytes verus 2021 0.74 Cantanhez National Park (550 km2) Line transects Distance sampling (decay time unknown) Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project; Bersacola et al (in prep) Final density estimates tbc
Pan troglodytes verus 2022 5.28 Cantanhez National Park (708 km2) Reconnaissance walk Predictive model IBAP, Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project; Bersacola et al (in prep) Whole park grid-based survey where each 4km2 cell is covered once (>2km walked). Final estimates tbc.
Pan troglodytes verus 2016-2017 7.1 Central Cantanhez National Park (180 km2) Camera trap Predictive model Bersacola et al 2022 Occupancy model. Occupancy probability 0.55 (±SE 0.07); 7.1 independent events / camera trap days.
Pan troglodytes verus 2020-2022 Present Cantanhez National Park (550 km2) Camera trap Predictive model Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project; Bersacola et al (in prep) Final density estimates tbc.
Pan troglodytes verus 2003 376-2,632 Cantanhez region (including areas outside the NP such as Cacine and Catio). Estimates are for Cantanhez National Park Survey data Predictive model Torres et al. 2010 Based on habitat suitability model, and according to the three different scenarios of population density (range 0.5-3.5 ind/km2).
Pan troglodytes verus 2007 6.18 106 4 forests (Caiquene, Cibe Cadique, Lautchande, Madina) within Cantanhez National Park Line transects Distance sampling Sousa et al. 2011


Threats

The chimpanzee populations occur in anthropogenic landscapes and are rarely persecuted through hunting or retaliatory killings (Sousa, Barata, Sousa, Casanova, & Vicente 2011a). Local residents report regular crop foraging by chimpanzees (Bessa et al. 2015). The level of negative interactions over cashew appears to be low, as chimpanzees forage on the economically unprofitable pseudofruit and reportedly leave the nuts in manageable piles thereby making nut collection easier for local farmers (Hockings & Sousa, 2013). The foraging of other crops such as oranges in parts of Cantanhez NP are known to have resulted in retaliatory killings of chimpanzees by farmers.

Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Cantanhez National Park

Category Specific threats Threat level Description Year of threat
6 Human intrusions & disturbance Absent
9 Pollution Absent
10 Geological events Absent
2 Agriculture & aquaculture 2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops High (more than 70% of population affected) Expansion of cashew and slash-and-burn agriculture (Hockings & Sousa 2013, Quecuta pers. comm. 2023). Cashew plantations are replacing fallow and forested areas, driving deforestation and declines in wild food sources for chimpanzees (Hockings & Sousa 2013, Bersacola & Hockings 2023). In 2019, an estimated 24% of Cantanhez's core areas (coastal forest blocks and savannahriverine forest mosaics) have been lost to cashew and it is a main threat to chimpanzee conservation (Pereira et al. 2022, Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project unpubl. data). 2013-Ongoing (2023)
5 Biological resource use 5.1.2 Unintentional effects (species is not the target) High (more than 70% of population affected) Wire cable snares set up to capture other mammals unintentionally harm chimpanzees. Camera trap data since 2015 show multiple individuals across several chimpanzee communities with signs of snare injuries (Jones et al in prep). 2015-Ongoing (2024)
8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases 8.4 Pathogens High (more than 70% of population affected) Human-chimpanzee interactions are frequent, though most are not direct (i.e. without direct physical contact). However, human interactions with other wildlife, including hunting, keeping non-human primates as pets, and releasing them back into the wild, may affect chimpanzees. Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, has been identified in chimpanzees across Cantanhez (Hockings et al. 2021). It is unclear whether transmission to chimpanzees occurred directly from humans, possibly from a released pet chimpanzee, or through another animal host or the environment. The discovery of leprosy in chimpanzees in Cantanhez underscores the potentially high risk of human-derived infectious disease outbreaks in this population. To reduce the threat of disease transmission (especially of respiratory viruses) and negative interactions, chimpanzees have not been habituated for research or for tourism (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024). 2010-Ongoing (2024)
5 Biological resource use 5.2 Gathering terrestrial plants Low (up to 30% of population affected) Palm oil is frequently collected (Sousa et al. 2011a, Costa et al. 2017), and there is overlap in use of wild plants by chimpanzees and humans (Hockings et al. in review) Ongoing (2017)
1 Residential & commercial development 1.1 Residential areas Medium (30-70% of population affected) Illegal construction of settlements (Quecuta pers. comm. 2023). The establishment of new settlements within Cantanhez is prohibited though sometimes occurs (Quecuta pers. comm. 2023). Additionally, many settlements are expanding, increasing the demand for areas to farm, and the likelihood of human interactions with chimpanzees. The widespread occurrence of chimpanzees near villages across the park has implications for the sustainability of human-chimpanzee coexistence due to competition over crops (particularly orange), potential risks to human safety (particularly children), and risks of disease transmission (Bersacola et al. 2021, Bersacola & Hockings 2023). Ongoing (2023)
5 Biological resource use 5.1.5 Persecution/human wildlife conflict Medium (30-70% of population affected) Some killings of chimpanzees by farmers occurred when they foraged oranges (Hockings & Sousa, 2013). Reports of conflict with chimpanzees usually increase during the orange fruiting season, when wild fruit is scarce and chimpanzees intensify the use of villages in search of orange and papaya (Bersacola et al 2021). Human retaliatory killings of chimpanzees are infrequent but do occur. Attacks by chimpanzees on local persons are currently rare but have the propensity to increase with increasing habitat loss and human-chimpanzee encounters (Bersacola, Hockings & Quecuta pers. obs. 2024). 2013-Ongoing (2024)
3 Energy production & mining 3.2.3 Artisanal mining Present (unknown severity) Small scale charcoal mining is present in the northern areas of the park. It is unclear to what extent this impacts chimpanzees (Bersacola & Hockings 2024). Ongoing (2024)
5 Biological resource use 5.1.4 Capture for the live animal trade Present (unknown severity) Capture of chimpanzee infants for pet trade (Quecuta pers. comm. 2023). The pet trade of chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau is small compared to other countries, with fewer than 10 captive individuals identified between 2016 and 2024. Contextual information about some of these captive chimpanzees suggests that they originated from the southern part of the country, possibly including Cantanhez (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024). 2015-Ongoing (2024)
5 Biological resource use 5.3 Logging & wood harvesting Present (unknown severity) Wood harvesting for charcoal production (Quecuta pers. comm. 2023). Logging is prohibited within protected forests, and subject to legal permits within buffer zones. No commercial logging is allowed within the National Park. However, illegal logging is present in some parts of the park, particularly of African fan palm (Borassus aethiopum) which can be sold commercially for construction (Bersacola & Hockings 2024). Ongoing (2023)
7 Natural system modifications 7.1 Fire & fire suppression Present (unknown severity) Slash-and-burn agriculture (Hockings & Sousa 2013). Fires set at the end of the dry season to clear land for shifting agriculture can sometimes become out of control, affecting the edges of forests and orchards. It is unclear whether these fires threaten the health and safety of chimpanzees or how severe the impact might be (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024). 2013-Ongoing (2024)
4 Transportation & service corridors 4.1 Roads & railroads Present (unknown severity) Road renovations since 2018 across the park have increased the number and speed of vehicles, with inadequate speed-limiting measures in place to prevent wildlife road mortalities (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024). 2018-Ongoing (2024)
4 Transportation & service corridors 4.2 Utility & service lines Present (unknown severity) A new power line is currently (2024) being established along the roads across the park. It is unclear to what extent the widening of roads and loss of trees will directly impact chimpanzees, and attract people to migrate into Cantanhez (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024). Ongoing (2024)
11 Climate change & severe weather Present (unknown severity) Dry seasons are becoming longer as the rainy season is starting several weeks later. Residents report an increasing lack of freshwater during the second half of the dry season (beginning in March), with natural water sources drying out more quickly or previously permanent sources now drying out. It is unclear to what extent this impacts chimpanzees and the implications for human-chimpanzee coexistence (Bersacola & Hockings pers. ob. 2024). Ongoing (2024)

IUCN Threats list

Conservation activities

The Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas Protegidas (IBAP, Agency of Guinea-Bissau government responsible for national parks) implements terrestrial and maritime monitoring missions, so-called ‘missões de fiscalização’. The maritime mission, for example, enables detection of illegal fishing. In addition, IBAP implements law enforcement, and supports local livelihoods by building capacity for using marine resources sustainably, such as oyster farming. An EU funded projects supports farmers in adapting more efficient farming practices. Cantanhez is being developed as a destination for tourists (http://www.ecocantanhez.org/), but the number of visiting tourists is low. It has been reported that local guides were trained and places that could be visited have been identified (Sousa et al. 2014). While current levels of tourism are low, there seems to be strong support from the community to develop it further in the future (Sousa et al. 2014).

Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Cantanhez National Park

Category Specific activity Description Implementing organization(s) Year of activity
1 Development impact mitigation 1.4 Farm more intensively and effectively in selected areas and spare more natural land Support efficient farming practices (Hockings pers. obs.) Ongoing (2019)
1 Development impact mitigation 1.13 Avoid/minimize logging of important food tree species for primates Not formally implemented, but when clearing agricultural fields, local farmers in Cantanhez tend to avoid cutting large trees and palms that are important food sources for chimpanzees and are also used by people for food, medicine, shade, and spiritual reasons. Species protected by farmers include Parinari excelsa, Ceiba pentandra, and Elaeis guineensis (Hockings et al. 2020). 1990-Ongoing (2024)
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols IBAP (responsible park authority) employs local communities to conduct patrols (IBAP 2018). Eight guards are employed to patrol the park (Quecuta pers. comm. 2023). IBAP 2013-Ongoing (2023)
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.1 Implement road blocks to inspect cars for illegal ape bushmeat Random road blocks to check for illegal bushmeat, including primate bushmeat, are sometimes carried out outside the park on the main road to Bissau (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024). Direção Geral das Florestas e Fauna do Ministério de Agricultura, Floresta e Desenvolvimento Rural 2020-Ongoing (2024)
3 Species health 3.1 Wear face-masks to avoid transmission of viral and bacterial diseases to primates A research health protocol with stricter rules was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic when research resumed in May 2020. The rules included regular disinfection of hands, boots, and equipment; the use of face masks and gloves when deploying and handling camera traps in the forest; and the use of face masks during survey encounters with (unhabituated) primates. Though the protocol is no longer enforced, parts of it, such as frequent hand washing, defecating in holes, and avoiding work when feeling unwell, remain as recommendations (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024). CCP, IBAP 2020-2021
3 Species health 3.2 Keep safety distance to habituated apes Tourism guides in Cantanhez have been trained by the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project in best practice guidelines (https://www.iucngreatapes.org/pr otect-great-apes-from-disease). Although the chimpanzees are unhabituated and usually move away in the presence of people during tourism encounters, a minimum distance of 10 meters is recommended. Guides also avoid allowing people to stand directly beneath chimpanzee nests during tourist visits. Guides report a lack of willingness by tourists to engage in disease prevention methods since the end of strict COVID-19 restrictions (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024). CCP, IBAP 2021-Ongoing (2024)
3 Species health 3.7 Regularly disinfect clothes, boots etc. As per research health protocol and tourism best practice guidelines. No longer enforced as of 2024 (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024). CCP, IBAP 2020-2022
3 Species health 3.11 Implement continuous health monitoring (with permanent vet on site) There is no veterinarian on site. In 2017, the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project, in collaboration with the Robert Koch Institute and IBAP, began efforts to identify the cause of disease-like signs in chimpanzees that had been detected through camera trap footage by CCP members since 2015. Molecular confirmation of leprosy in chimpanzees was obtained in 2018 through faecal sampling (Hockings et al., 2021). In 2020, a biodiversity monitoring programme was implemented by the University of Exeter/Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project and IBAP, using camera traps to identify physical signs of disease in wildlife (Bersacola et al., 2021b). Intensive faecal sampling and high-resolution camera trap monitoring of three chimpanzee communities were carried out by the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project in 2021–2022 to determine the prevalence of leprosy in chimpanzees (Marina Ramon, unpubl. data). As of 2024, health monitoring by the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project and IBAP continues using camera traps (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024). CCP, IBAP 2020-Ongoing (2024)
3 Species health 3.12 Detect & report dead apes and clinically determine their cause of death to avoid disease transmission A carcass swabbing protocol, including health and safety rules, has been operational since 2021 by the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project (CCP) and IBAP, in collaboration with the Helmholtz Institute for One Health. Due to the lack of veterinarians in Cantanhez, primate carcasses are only swabbed and then buried on site. Residents are informed of the potential dangers posed by wildlife carcasses – particularly those of chimpanzees and other non-human primates – to human health, and are advised to avoid touching or approaching carcasses and to report any sightings to IBAP or CCP immediately (Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024). IBAP, CCP, Helmholtz Institute for One Health 2021-Ongoing (2024)
4 Education & awareness 4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use One Health knowledge sharing sessions have been implemented in 2021 by CCP and ONG NADEL with local communities (142 local women and men) across 11 villages in central Cantanhez (CCP unpubl. data). In 2023, IBAP and CCP implemented an education activity programme with over 500 children (7-14 yrs) at villages across the whole of Cantanhez (A Sanhá, in prep). NADEL, IBAP, CCP 2021-2023
4 Education & awareness 4.2 Involve local community in ape research and conservation management Cantanhez chiefs (Régulos), some local group associations, and around 30 representatives of villages associated with protected forest blocks are part of the conservation management council, which is formally involved in the management of the park (IBAP 2018a, 2018b). IBAP 2016-Ongoing (2024)
4 Education & awareness 4.3 Install billboards to raise ape conservation awareness Protect Great Apes from Disease posters have been disseminated across Cantanhez, including at the local hospital in Iemberem. CCP, IBAP 2021.0
4 Education & awareness 4.5 Implement multimedia campaigns using theatre, film, print media, discussions See 4.1 (One Health knowledge sharing and children education sessions) NADEL, IBAP, CCP 2021-2023
5 Protection & restoration 5.2 Legally protect ape habitat Designated as national park since 2007 (UNEP-WCMC & IUCN 2019). 2007-Ongoing (2023)
7 Economic & other incentives 7.1 Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., REDD, alternative income, employment) Local people are employed to conduct patrols (IBAP 2018). Ongoing (2018)
8 Permanent presence 8.2 Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site Low levels of tourism (Sousa et al. 2014). Ecotourism has existed in the area since 1996 (Quecuta pers. Comm. 2023). 1996-Ongoing (2023)

Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)

Conservation awareness and education © Queba Quecuta

Challenges

The park has faced several long-standing challenges, including a lack of continuous funding, insufficient equipment, and limited transportation, which have complicated effective management since 2011. While funding remains largely dependent on short-term project cycles, transportation is expected to improve in 2025 with new vehicles and motorbikes provided by the GCCA+ project. Infrastructure has also been a concern, but progress has been made with the partial completion of a new park headquarters in 2024, and additional guard outposts are planned for 2025. Additionally, biomonitoring efforts have improved since 2016, with significant capacity-building initiatives taking place since 2020.

Other ongoing challenges include eroding traditional conservation taboos due to expanding cashew farming, limited community engagement, and weak law enforcement. While forest guards conduct patrols, further training and strategy development are scheduled for 2025 through GCCA+ and the Darwin Initiative. Broader issues such as political and economic instability continue to impact conservation efforts, as highlighted by the World Bank. Addressing these challenges will require sustained funding, stronger community involvement, and enhanced enforcement measures to ensure long-term conservation success (Bersacola & Hockings pers. comm. 2024).

Table 5. Challenges reported for Cantanhez National Park

Challenges Specific challenges Source Year(s)
2 Resources and capacity 2.4 Lack of continuous/long-term funding Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024 2011-Ongoing (2024)
2 Resources and capacity 2.5 Lack of equipment/transportation Quecuta pers. obs. 2023 2011-Ongoing (2024)
2 Resources and capacity 2.6 Lack of biomonitoring/survey data Bersacola et al. 2022; Bersacola et al 2021b; IBAP unpubl. data; Houldcroft et al in review; Bersacola and Hockings 2023; Bersacola et al. in prep 2011-2017
2 Resources and capacity 2.7 Lack of infrastructure Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024 2011-2025
3 Engaged community 3.4 Eroding taboos in favor of conservation Chloe Chesney, unpubl. data; Bersacola & Hockings 2023 2011-Ongoing (2024)
4 Institutional support 4.1 Lack of law enforcement Bersacola & Hockings pers. obs. 2024 2011-Ongoing (2024)
6 Safety and stability 6.1 Political/economic instabilty WorldBank 2024 2011-Ongoing (2024)
3 Engaged community 3.1 General lack of community engagement or support Quecuta pers. obs. 2023 2018-Ongoing (2024)
2 Resources and capacity 2.1 Lack of capacity/training IBAP, unpublished reports; Hockings and Bersacola 2022 2011-2020


Enablers

Table 6. Enablers reported for Cantanhez National Park

Enablers Specific enablers Source Year(s)
2 Resources and capacity 2.5 Sufficient capacity/expertise to advise, design, or implement actions Bersacola et al 2021b 2021-Ongoing (2024)
2 Resources and capacity 2.6 External partnerships that add expertise or resources Bersacola et al 2021b 2019-Ongoing (2024)
3 Engaged community 3.1 Strong local environmental knowledge Sousa et al. 2014, 2017, 2018;Chesney unpubl. data 2000-Ongoing (2024)
3 Engaged community 3.5 Positive past experience/associations with conservation (e.g. postivie image of conservation) Chesney unpubl. data 2023-Ongoing (2024)
3 Engaged community 3.6 Local community engagement and support IBAP 2018a, 2018b; Bersacola et al. 2021b, DAR31009 2016-Ongoing (2024)
3 Engaged community 3.7 Site has high cultural/religious value IBAP 2018a, 2018b 2011-Ongoing (2024)
2 Resources and capacity 2.4 Adequate data to inform and evaluate conservation actions Bersacola & Hockings 2023 2022-Ongoing (2024)


Research activities

Cantanhez National Park (Cantanhez NP) was created in 2011 (Decree 14/2011) and is under the management of the national Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Areas (IBAP). Currently, IBAP is under the supervision of the Minister responsible for the Environment, and has administrative, financial and patrimonial autonomy, and therefore has the capacity to develop policies and regulations relating to the conservation of biodiversity and PAs. The main management objectives of IBAP in Cantanhez NP are the "preservation, conservation and defence of patches of sub-humid forest with great biological diversity. Cantanhez NP is considered to be the last patch of sub-humid forest in the country with the greatest floral and faunal diversity. Among other objectives are the safeguarding of endangered species of rare animals and plants", including western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus), through "the promotion of ecotourism and the valorisation of economic activities as a way of improving the living conditions of the resident populations." (IBAP 2018; https://ibapgbissau.org/pnc-ap/). Chimpanzee research in Cantanhez NP began before the establishment of the park and is ongoing. Chimpanzees in Cantanhez NP have not been habituated for research to reduce the potential negative impacts associated with reducing fear of humans and the high overlap in space and resource use with the local human population across the entire park. Chimpanzee research therefore relies on indirect methods of data collection. Studies have been conducted on chimpanzee feeding ecology (Bessa et al 2015; Hockings et al 2020); habitat use, densities and distribution (Sousa et al 2011; Torres et al 2010; Bersacola et al 2021a; 2021b; 2022); parasitology (Sá et al 2013), behaviour and cultural repertoires (Bain et al., 2021; Bessa et al., 2022, 2021; Bersacola et al, in review), interactions with humans (Hockings and Sousa 2012; 2013; Bersacola et al 2019; Sousa et al 2014; 2017; 2018), disease and genetics (Hockings et al 2021; Marina Ramon, in prep). The Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project (CCP, co-directed by Dr K Hockings and Dr E Bersacola) is currently working in collaboration with IBAP to conduct long-term research on the behaviour, ecology and conservation of chimpanzees in Cantanhez NP. In particular, we carry out research on human-chimpanzee interactions at the landscape scale, using both biological and social sciences approaches. The primary aim of CCP is to carry out inter-disciplinary research to inform the development of evidence-based conservation and management strategies to promote human-chimpanzee coexistence in Cantanhez Np, and to inform conservation efforts in other protected areas in Guinea-Bissau (Bersacola and Hockings 2023). Additionally, CCP works in collaboration with IBAP, NGOs (including Nadel, Palmeirinha) and local stakeholders to promote multi-stakeholder involvement and public support for chimpanzee conservation through information sharing and knowledge exchange in informal and formal meetings with adult residents and through children's education. In 2020, a biodiversity and health monitoring programme was established in Cantanhez NP through a Darwin Initiative funded project (DAR26018) with IBAP and the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project (CCP)/University of Exeter as the implementation partner institutions (Bersacola et al. 2021b). We conducted standardised surveys, including line transects and camera traps, across the park for three consecutive years (Hockings and Bersacola 2022; Bersacola et al. 2021b). Besides continuing landscapescale camera trap-based biomonitoring, upcoming research activities supported by the Darwin Initiative (project DAR31009), implemented by IBAP, ONG Palmeirinha, and the University of Exeter through CCP, will include using camera traps, bioacoustics, interviews, participatory mapping, and informal consultations with residents to: (1) identify the ecological, social, and environmental drivers of human-chimpanzee interactions at the chimpanzee-community level across the park; (2) measure the impacts of wildlife, including chimpanzees, on human wellbeing and livelihoods; and (3) co-develop initiatives with local communities to support livelihood diversification and human wellbeing (DAR31009 https://www.biodiversitychallengefunds.org.uk/project/DAR31009).


Documented behaviours

Table 7. Behaviours documented for Cantanhez National Park

Behavior Source
Honey dipping Bessa et al. 2021, 2022
Fluid dipping Bessa et al. 2022
Leaf-sponge Bessa et al. 2022
Honey-feed, no tools Bessa et al. 2022
Mangrove-eat Bessa et al. 2022
Saltwater-drink Bessa et al. 2022
Leaf-clipping (fingers and mouth) Bessa et al. 2022
Leaf dragging, leaf pulling Bessa et al. 2022
Rain-dance Bessa et al. 2022
Plant food sharing Bessa et al. 2022, Bowland et al. (in prep)
Raspberry vocalisation Bessa et al. 2022
Infant corpse carrying Bersacola et al (in review)
Nesting on oil palms Sousa et al. 2011
Crop feeding Bessa et al. 2015, Hockings et al. 2020
Meat consumption CCP unpubl. data


Exposure to climate change impacts

As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. subm. extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2°C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3°C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.

The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (see Kiribou et al. subm. for details).

Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Cantanhez National Park

Value 1981-2010 2021-2050, RCP 2.6 2021-2050, RCP 6.0 2071-2099, RCP 2.6 2071-2099, RCP 6.0
Mean temperature [°C] 26.8 27.7 27.7 27.8 29
Annual precipitation [mm] 2036 1911 1890 1934 1665
Max no. consecutive dry days (per year) 136.6 127.9 127.2 128.9 128.5
No. days with heavy precipitation (per year) 3.8 6.6 6.2 7 5.5


Table 9. Projected exposure of apes to extreme climate impact events in Cantanhez National Park

Type No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 2.6) % of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 2.6) No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 6.0) % of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 6.0) No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 2.6) % of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 2.6) No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 6.0) % of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)
Crop failure 4 0.13 3 0.07 3.5 0.08 7 0.13
Drought 0 0 0.25 25 0 0 4.5 100
Heatwave 1 50 0.5 50 0 0 1.5 50
River flood 0 0 1 2.03 1 0.21 1.25 3.94
Tropical cyclone 1 7.7 2 6.91 2.5 3.94 1 1.09
Wildfire 30 2.5 30 2.4 29 2.4 29 1.8


  • Precipitation anomaly in Cantanhez National Park
  • Temperature anomaly in Cantanhez National Park

External links

Relevant datasets

References

Bersacola, E., 2019. Zooming in on human-wildlife coexistence: primate community responses in a shared agroforest landscape in Guinea-Bissau (PhD). Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
Bersacola, E., Hill, C.M., Hockings, K.J., 2021a. Chimpanzees balance resources and risk in an anthropogenic landscape of fear. Scientific Reports 11, 4569. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-83852-3
Bersacola, E., Hill, C.M., Nijman, V., Hockings, K.J., 2022. Examining primate community occurrence patterns in agroforest landscapes using arboreal and terrestrial camera traps. Landsc Ecol 37, 3103–3121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-022-01524-7
Bersacola, E., Hockings, K.J., 2023. Action plan for the conservation of medium- and large-sized terrestrial mammals in Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau (2023-2033). IBAP, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.
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