Difference between revisions of "Malebo"

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[[Central Africa]] > [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] > [[Malebo]]
  
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[[Region]] > [[Country]] > [[Site]]
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= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with one sentence for each section. May include a site map -->
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*  Bonobos (''Pan paniscus'') are present in Malebo.
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= 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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* It has been estimated that 39 (CI: 30-53) individuals occur in the site.
 +
* The bonobo population trend is unknown.
 +
* The site has a total size of 1044 km².
 +
* Key threats to bonobos are hunting and habitat encroachment.
 +
* Conservation activities have focused on habituation of bonobos for ecotourism, enforcing local taboos about bushmeat, and employing local villagers as bonobo trackers.
  
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* Ape taxa present
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= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->
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* Ape population size
 
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* Ape population trend
 
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* This site has a total size of XX km².
 
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* Key threats to apes are ...
 
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* Additional information
 
  
 +
The site is located in the Lake Tumba landscape in western Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The region is characterized as a forest-savanna ecosystem, with altitudes ranging from 300 to 700 m (Serckx et al. 2014). The types of forests found at the site include re-colonizing Uapaca sp., old secondary, mixed mature, old growth mono-dominant, riverine gallery and Marantaceae forests (Serckx et al. 2014).The region is also characterized by flood episodes during which water covers ca. 65% of the forest (Inogwabini et al. 2013).
  
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= Site characteristics =
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'''Table 1. Basic site information for Malebo'''
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This section includes a paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, a brief history of the site and on animals and plants that are known to occur at the site.
 
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'''Table 1: Basic site information for XXXX'''
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
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| Area             <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha   -->
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| Area <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha -->
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|
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|1044 km²
 
|-
 
|-
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| Coordinates
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|Coordinates
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|
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| -2.588389 S, 16.469250 E
 
|-
 
|-
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| Designation     <!-- National Park, Nature Reserve, etc.  -->
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|Designation
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|Unclassified
 
|-
 
|-
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|Habitat types   <!-- List IUCN Habitat Classification 3.0 categories present (Without number), see link below -->
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|Habitat types <!-- List IUCN Habitat Classification 3.0 categories present (without number), see link below -->
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|
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|Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical/tropical swamp forest, savanna, subtropical/tropical heavily degraded former forest
 
|}
 
|}
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[http://www.unitar.org/hiroshima/sites/unitar.org.hiroshima/files/Annex%201%20-%20IUCN%20Classification%20Schemes.pdf IUCN habitat categories]   [[Site designations]]
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[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/habitat-classification-scheme IUCN habitat categories] [[Site designations]]
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<br>
 
  
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= Ape status = <!--An overview of ape population status (population sizes, trends, etc.), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
  
 +
In 2005, the presence of a bonobo population in the region was documented by the local NGO Mbou-Mon-Tour and by an extensive survey conducted by the WWF (Serckx et al. 2014). In 2007, a habituation program started. The bonobo population seems to be made up of two communities, inhabiting the Nkala and Mpelu forests (Serckx et al. 2014).
  
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= Ape status =  <!-- a text overview of ape status (population sizes, trends etc), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
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'''Table 2. Ape population estimates in Malebo'''
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This section includes a brief summary of the survey history, the most recent abundance estimate, date of the estimate, and, if available, the population trend (if explicitely stated in a report/paper).
 
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'''Table 2: Ape population estimates in XXXX'''
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="population-estimate-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="population-estimate-table"
 
! Species
 
! Species
 
! Year
 
! Year
−
! Abundance estimate (95% confidence interval)
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! Abundance estimate (95% CI)
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! Density estimate (per km²)
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! Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)
 
! Encounter rate (nests/km)
 
! Encounter rate (nests/km)
 
! Area
 
! Area
Line 72: Line 54:
 
! A.P.E.S. database ID
 
! A.P.E.S. database ID
 
|-
 
|-
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|''Pan paniscus''
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|2011-2013
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|39 (30-53)
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|0.41 (0.32-0.56)
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|
 +
|Malebo region (93.84 sq. km)
 +
|Line transects (Distance)
 +
|Sercx et al. 2014
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 +
|-
 +
|''Pan paniscus''
 +
|2011
 +
|31 (15-61)
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|0.56 (0.27-1.13)
 +
|
 +
|Mpelu forest in Malebo (54.26 sq.km)
 +
|Line transects (Distance)
 +
|Sercx et al. 2014
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 +
|-
 +
|''Pan paniscus''
 +
|2012
 +
|11 (7-19)
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|0.21 (0.12-0.35)
 
|
 
|
 +
|Mpelu forest in Malebo (54.26 sq.km)
 +
|Line transects (Distance)
 +
|Sercx et al. 2014
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 +
|-
 +
|''Pan paniscus''
 +
|2013
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|17 (11-28)
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|0.32 (0.19-0.53)
 
|
 
|
 +
|Mpelu forest in Malebo (54.26 sq.km)
 +
|Line transects (Distance)
 +
|Sercx et al. 2014
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
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|''Pan paniscus''
 +
|2011
 +
|20 (12-36)
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|0.63 (0.36-1.12)
 +
|
 +
|Nkala forest in Malebo (32.45 sq.km)
 +
|Line transects (Distance)
 +
|Sercx et al. 2014
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|''Pan paniscus''
 +
|2012
 +
|16 (11-25)
 +
|0.51 (0.32-0.79)
 +
|
 +
|Nkala forest in Malebo (32.45 sq.km)
 +
|Line transects (Distance)
 +
|Sercx et al. 2014
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|''Pan paniscus''
 +
|2013
 +
|17 (9-35)
 +
|0.55 (0.28-1.07)
 +
|
 +
|Nkala forest in Malebo (32.45 sq.km)
 +
|Line transects (Distance)
 +
|Sercx et al. 2014
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 86: Line 134:
 
= Threats =    <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
 
= Threats =    <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
  
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Bonobos are largely respected in the area, and local communities refrain from hunting or eating them, as they believe them to be their ancestors (Inogwabini et al. 2007). However, as other groups and logging companies have moved into the area, this taboo has become degraded; thus, hunting and agricultural expansion now threatens bonobos and other wildlife ([https://www.synchronicityearth.org/partner/mbou-mon-tour/ SynchronicityEarth]).
  
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This sections describes threats at the site, particularly those relevant for apes and thereby provides context for the threats listed in the table below.
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'''Table 3. Threats to apes in Malebo'''
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'''Table 3: Threats to apes in XXXX'''
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="threats-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="threats-table"
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!align="left"|Category <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
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!align="left"|Category <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE THREAT CATEGORIES -->
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!Specific threats   <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
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!Specific threats <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the IUCN list linked below -->
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!Threat level       <!-- For threat level, please use keywords: unknown, low, high -->
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!Threat level <!-- For threat level, please use keywords: low, medium, high, present, absent, unknown-->
−
!Quantified severity <!-- e.g., encounter rate, number of miners etc. (with reference)-->
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!Quantified severity <!-- Enter any available quantification of the threat, e.g., the proportion of the area affected by the threat, hunting sign encounter rates-->
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!Description         <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
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!Description <!-- Add descriptive information -->
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!Year of threat     <!-- if ongoing or unknown add year of reference in brackets-->
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!Year of threat <!-- Enter specific year(s), “ongoing”, or “unknown”. If the threat is ongoing, please add the year of reference in parentheses -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
 
|
 
|
−
|
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|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 107: Line 153:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
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|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
 +
|Present, but threat severity unknown
 
|
 
|
 +
|During a survey conducted between 2011-2013, six villages and twelve farms were directly adjacent to the forest and plantations were located inside the forest (Serckx et al. 2014).
 +
|Ongoing (2014)
 +
|-
 
|
 
|
 +
|2.3 Livestock farming & ranching
 +
|Present, but threat severity unknown
 
|
 
|
−
|
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|Cattle ranching in parts of the savanna patches (Serckx et al. 2014).
−
|
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|Ongoing (2014)
 
|-
 
|-
 
|3. Energy production & mining
 
|3. Energy production & mining
 
|
 
|
−
|
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|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 122: Line 175:
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
 
|
 
|
−
|
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|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 128: Line 181:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|5. Biological resource use
 
|5. Biological resource use
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|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
 +
|Present, but threat severity unknown
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Hunting has grown since new people and logging companies have moved into the area ([https://www.synchronicityearth.org/partner/mbou-mon-tour/ SynchronicityEarth]).
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|
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|Ongoing
−
|
 
−
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
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|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
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|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
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|
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 143: Line 196:
 
|7. Natural system modifications
 
|7. Natural system modifications
 
|
 
|
−
|
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|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 150: Line 203:
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
|
 
|
−
|
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|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 157: Line 210:
 
|9. Pollution
 
|9. Pollution
 
|
 
|
−
|
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|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 164: Line 217:
 
|10. Geological Events
 
|10. Geological Events
 
|
 
|
−
|
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|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|11. Climate change & severe weather
+
| 11. Climate change & severe weather
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 178: Line 231:
 
|12. Other options
 
|12. Other options
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 186: Line 239:
 
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
 
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
  
 +
= Conservation activities =      <!-- A summary of the conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->
  
 +
WWF began working on bonobo conservation in the western part of the country in 2005. To protect the bonobos in this natural reserve, WWF has developed an ecotourism initiative called Picbou (Projet Intégré de Conservation des bonobos de l’ouest) since 2006. The project is implemented in collaboration with the local NGO Mbou-Mon-Tour ([https://www.synchronicityearth.org/partner/mbou-mon-tour/ MMT]). Three groups of bonobos have been habituated in the region to learn more about their socio-ecology and develop more effective conservation strategies. Simultaneously, the ecotourism project aims to bring income to the villagers in order to encourage them preserve their natural heritage (WWF 2017).
  
−
= Conservation activities =      <!-- a text overview of conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->
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'''Table 4. Conservation activities in Malebo'''
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−
 
 
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This sections describes conservation interventions implemented at the site, including information on which organizations are implementing them and thereby provides context for the conservation activities listed in the table below.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
'''Table 4: Conservation activities in XXXX'''
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="conservation-actions-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="conservation-actions-table"
−
!align="left"|Category <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
+
!align="left"|Category <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE CATEGORIES -->
−
!Specific activity   <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
+
!Specific activity <!-- For specific threats, please use list from the list linked below, OR enter “Not reported” -->
−
!Description         <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
+
!Description <!-- Add descriptive information -->
−
!Year of activity         <!-- if ongoing or unknown add year of reference in brackets -->
+
!Year of activity <!-- Add descriptive information -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|3. Energy production & mining
 
|3. Energy production & mining
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|5. Biological resource use
 
|5. Biological resource use
−
|
+
|5.13. Strengthen/support/re-install traditions/taboos that forbid the killing of primates
−
|
+
|To protect the bonobos, the NGO Mbou-Mon-Tour (MMT) has established an awareness raising programme in local villages to revive the bushmeat taboo ([https://www.synchronicityearth.org/partner/mbou-mon-tour/ SynchronicityEarth]).
−
|
+
|Ongoing
 
|-
 
|-
−
|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
+
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|7. Natural system modifications
 
|7. Natural system modifications
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|9. Pollution
 
|9. Pollution
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|10. Education & Awareness  
 
|10. Education & Awareness  
−
|
+
|10.2. Involve local community in primate research and conservation management
−
|
+
|MMT employed local villagers as bonobo trackers ([https://www.synchronicityearth.org/partner/mbou-mon-tour/ SynchronicityEarth]).
−
|
+
|Ongoing
 
|-
 
|-
 
|11. Habitat Protection
 
|11. Habitat Protection
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|12. Species Management
 
|12. Species Management
−
|
+
|12.1. Habituate primates to human presence to reduce stress from tourists/researchers etc.
−
|
+
|Three groups of bonobos have been habituated in the region to learn more about their socio-ecology to develop more effective and adapted conservation strategies (WWF 2017).
−
|
+
|Ongoing
 
|-
 
|-
 
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives  
 
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives  
−
|
+
|13.4. Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site
−
|
+
|WWF has developed an ecotourism initiative named Picbou (Projet Intégré de Conservation des bonobos de l’ouest) since 2006. Picbou is implemented in collaboration with MMT (WWF 2017).
−
|
+
|Ongoing
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
 
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
  
 +
= Challenges = <!-- Overview of challenges in ape conservation -->
  
 +
WWF began working on bonobo conservation in the western part of the country in 2005. To protect the bonobos in this natural reserve, WWF has developed an ecotourism initiative called Picbou (Projet Intégré de Conservation des bonobos de l’ouest) since 2006. The project is implemented in collaboration with the local NGO Mbou-Mon-Tour (MMT). Three groups of bonobos have been habituated in the region to learn more about their socio-ecology and develop more effective conservation strategies. Simultaneously, the ecotourism project aims to bring income to the villagers in order to encourage them preserve their natural heritage ([https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?314614/DRC%2DMalebo%2Dsite%2Dmanaged%2Dby%2DWWF%2Din%2Dthe%2Dtop%2D100%2Dsustainable%2Dtourism%2Ddestinations%2Dof%2D2017%2Din%2Dthe%2DWorld WWF 2017]).
  
−
= Impediments = <!-- Overview of impediments to ape conservation -->
+
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Malebo'''
−
 
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="challenges-table"
−
 
+
!align="left"|Challenge <!-- Do not change categories -->
−
Description of impediments that may hamper conservation activities.
+
!Source <!-- Source for challenge mentioned -->
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
'''Table 5: Impediments reported for XXXX'''
 
−
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="impediments-table"
 
−
!align="left"|Impediment  <!-- Do not change categories -->
 
−
!Source   <!-- source for impediment mentioned -->
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
−
 
  
 
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
 
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
−
 
−
 
−
Short description of past and ongoing research activities at the site.
 
−
 
  
 
===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
 
===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
  
−
'''Table 6: Ape behaviors reported for XXXX'''
+
'''Table 6. Ape behaviors reported for Malebo'''
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviors-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviors-table"
−
!align="left"|Behavior <!-- Do not change categories -->
+
!align="left"|Behavior
−
!Source   <!-- source for behavior -->
+
!Source
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 +
=External links=
  
 
===Relevant datasets===
 
===Relevant datasets===
 
[http://apesportal.eva.mpg.de/database/archiveMap A.P.E.S Portal]
 
[http://apesportal.eva.mpg.de/database/archiveMap A.P.E.S Portal]
−
 
−
<br>
 
−
 
  
 
= References =
 
= References =
−
 
+
Inogwabini, B. I., Mbende, L., Bakanza, A., & Bokika, J. (2013). Crop damage done by elephants in Malebo Region, Democratic Republic of Congo. Pachyderm, 54, 59-65. <br>
 +
Inogwabini, B., Matungila, B., Mbende, L., Abokome, M., & Tshimanga, T. (2007). Great apes in the Lake Tumba landscape, Democratic Republic of Congo: Newly described populations. Oryx, 41(4), 532-538. doi:10.1017/S0030605307414120 <br>
 +
Serckx, A., Huynen, M. C., Bastin, J. F., Hambuckers, A., Beudels-Jamar, R. C., Vimond, M., ... & Kühl, H. S. (2014). Nest grouping patterns of bonobos (Pan paniscus) in relation to fruit availability in a forest-savannah mosaic. PloS one, 9(4), e93742. <br>
 +
WWF. (2017).DRC: Malebo site managed by WWF in the top 100 sustainable tourism destinations of 2017 in the World. Online: https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?314614/DRC%2DMalebo%2Dsite%2Dmanaged%2Dby%2DWWF%2Din%2Dthe%2Dtop%2D100%2Dsustainable%2Dtourism%2Ddestinations%2Dof%2D2017%2Din%2Dthe%2DWorld <br>
  
 
<br>
 
<br>
−
'''Page completed by:'''XXXX '''   Date:''' DD/MM/YY  <br>
+
'''Page completed by: '''A.P.E.S. Wiki team''' Date:''29/10/2021 <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->
−
 
 
−
<i>Please consider whether any information you would like to add is sensitive and could be misused to harm apes. Please do not add such information. If unsure, you can contact the Wiki manager (contact details on start page) for clarification.</i>
 
−
<br><br>
 

Revision as of 10:13, 29 October 2021

Central Africa > Democratic Republic of the Congo > Malebo

Summary

  • Bonobos (Pan paniscus) are present in Malebo.
  • It has been estimated that 39 (CI: 30-53) individuals occur in the site.
  • The bonobo population trend is unknown.
  • The site has a total size of 1044 km².
  • Key threats to bonobos are hunting and habitat encroachment.
  • Conservation activities have focused on habituation of bonobos for ecotourism, enforcing local taboos about bushmeat, and employing local villagers as bonobo trackers.

Site characteristics

The site is located in the Lake Tumba landscape in western Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The region is characterized as a forest-savanna ecosystem, with altitudes ranging from 300 to 700 m (Serckx et al. 2014). The types of forests found at the site include re-colonizing Uapaca sp., old secondary, mixed mature, old growth mono-dominant, riverine gallery and Marantaceae forests (Serckx et al. 2014).The region is also characterized by flood episodes during which water covers ca. 65% of the forest (Inogwabini et al. 2013).

Table 1. Basic site information for Malebo

Area 1044 km²
Coordinates -2.588389 S, 16.469250 E
Designation Unclassified
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical/tropical swamp forest, savanna, subtropical/tropical heavily degraded former forest

IUCN habitat categories Site designations

Ape status

In 2005, the presence of a bonobo population in the region was documented by the local NGO Mbou-Mon-Tour and by an extensive survey conducted by the WWF (Serckx et al. 2014). In 2007, a habituation program started. The bonobo population seems to be made up of two communities, inhabiting the Nkala and Mpelu forests (Serckx et al. 2014).

Table 2. Ape population estimates in Malebo

Species Year Abundance estimate (95% CI) Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI) Encounter rate (nests/km) Area Method Source Comments A.P.E.S. database ID
Pan paniscus 2011-2013 39 (30-53) 0.41 (0.32-0.56) Malebo region (93.84 sq. km) Line transects (Distance) Sercx et al. 2014
Pan paniscus 2011 31 (15-61) 0.56 (0.27-1.13) Mpelu forest in Malebo (54.26 sq.km) Line transects (Distance) Sercx et al. 2014
Pan paniscus 2012 11 (7-19) 0.21 (0.12-0.35) Mpelu forest in Malebo (54.26 sq.km) Line transects (Distance) Sercx et al. 2014
Pan paniscus 2013 17 (11-28) 0.32 (0.19-0.53) Mpelu forest in Malebo (54.26 sq.km) Line transects (Distance) Sercx et al. 2014
Pan paniscus 2011 20 (12-36) 0.63 (0.36-1.12) Nkala forest in Malebo (32.45 sq.km) Line transects (Distance) Sercx et al. 2014
Pan paniscus 2012 16 (11-25) 0.51 (0.32-0.79) Nkala forest in Malebo (32.45 sq.km) Line transects (Distance) Sercx et al. 2014
Pan paniscus 2013 17 (9-35) 0.55 (0.28-1.07) Nkala forest in Malebo (32.45 sq.km) Line transects (Distance) Sercx et al. 2014

Threats

Bonobos are largely respected in the area, and local communities refrain from hunting or eating them, as they believe them to be their ancestors (Inogwabini et al. 2007). However, as other groups and logging companies have moved into the area, this taboo has become degraded; thus, hunting and agricultural expansion now threatens bonobos and other wildlife (SynchronicityEarth).

Table 3. Threats to apes in Malebo

Category Specific threats Threat level Quantified severity Description Year of threat
1. Residential & commercial development Unknown
2. Agriculture & aquaculture 2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops Present, but threat severity unknown During a survey conducted between 2011-2013, six villages and twelve farms were directly adjacent to the forest and plantations were located inside the forest (Serckx et al. 2014). Ongoing (2014)
2.3 Livestock farming & ranching Present, but threat severity unknown Cattle ranching in parts of the savanna patches (Serckx et al. 2014). Ongoing (2014)
3. Energy production & mining Unknown
4. Transportation & service corridors Unknown
5. Biological resource use 5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals Present, but threat severity unknown Hunting has grown since new people and logging companies have moved into the area (SynchronicityEarth). Ongoing
6. Human intrusion & disturbance Unknown
7. Natural system modifications Unknown
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases Unknown
9. Pollution Unknown
10. Geological Events Absent
11. Climate change & severe weather Unknown
12. Other options Absent

IUCN Threats list

Conservation activities

WWF began working on bonobo conservation in the western part of the country in 2005. To protect the bonobos in this natural reserve, WWF has developed an ecotourism initiative called Picbou (Projet Intégré de Conservation des bonobos de l’ouest) since 2006. The project is implemented in collaboration with the local NGO Mbou-Mon-Tour (MMT). Three groups of bonobos have been habituated in the region to learn more about their socio-ecology and develop more effective conservation strategies. Simultaneously, the ecotourism project aims to bring income to the villagers in order to encourage them preserve their natural heritage (WWF 2017).

Table 4. Conservation activities in Malebo

Category Specific activity Description Year of activity
1. Residential & commercial development Not reported
2. Agriculture & aquaculture Not reported
3. Energy production & mining Not reported
4. Transportation & service corridors Not reported
5. Biological resource use 5.13. Strengthen/support/re-install traditions/taboos that forbid the killing of primates To protect the bonobos, the NGO Mbou-Mon-Tour (MMT) has established an awareness raising programme in local villages to revive the bushmeat taboo (SynchronicityEarth). Ongoing
6. Human intrusion & disturbance Not reported
7. Natural system modifications Not reported
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases Not reported
9. Pollution Not reported
10. Education & Awareness 10.2. Involve local community in primate research and conservation management MMT employed local villagers as bonobo trackers (SynchronicityEarth). Ongoing
11. Habitat Protection Not reported
12. Species Management 12.1. Habituate primates to human presence to reduce stress from tourists/researchers etc. Three groups of bonobos have been habituated in the region to learn more about their socio-ecology to develop more effective and adapted conservation strategies (WWF 2017). Ongoing
13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives 13.4. Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site WWF has developed an ecotourism initiative named Picbou (Projet Intégré de Conservation des bonobos de l’ouest) since 2006. Picbou is implemented in collaboration with MMT (WWF 2017). Ongoing

Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)

Challenges

WWF began working on bonobo conservation in the western part of the country in 2005. To protect the bonobos in this natural reserve, WWF has developed an ecotourism initiative called Picbou (Projet Intégré de Conservation des bonobos de l’ouest) since 2006. The project is implemented in collaboration with the local NGO Mbou-Mon-Tour (MMT). Three groups of bonobos have been habituated in the region to learn more about their socio-ecology and develop more effective conservation strategies. Simultaneously, the ecotourism project aims to bring income to the villagers in order to encourage them preserve their natural heritage (WWF 2017).

Table 5. Challenges reported for Malebo

Challenge Source
Not reported

Research activities

Documented behaviours

Table 6. Ape behaviors reported for Malebo

Behavior Source
Not reported

External links

Relevant datasets

A.P.E.S Portal

References

Inogwabini, B. I., Mbende, L., Bakanza, A., & Bokika, J. (2013). Crop damage done by elephants in Malebo Region, Democratic Republic of Congo. Pachyderm, 54, 59-65.
Inogwabini, B., Matungila, B., Mbende, L., Abokome, M., & Tshimanga, T. (2007). Great apes in the Lake Tumba landscape, Democratic Republic of Congo: Newly described populations. Oryx, 41(4), 532-538. doi:10.1017/S0030605307414120
Serckx, A., Huynen, M. C., Bastin, J. F., Hambuckers, A., Beudels-Jamar, R. C., Vimond, M., ... & Kühl, H. S. (2014). Nest grouping patterns of bonobos (Pan paniscus) in relation to fruit availability in a forest-savannah mosaic. PloS one, 9(4), e93742.
WWF. (2017).DRC: Malebo site managed by WWF in the top 100 sustainable tourism destinations of 2017 in the World. Online: https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?314614/DRC%2DMalebo%2Dsite%2Dmanaged%2Dby%2DWWF%2Din%2Dthe%2Dtop%2D100%2Dsustainable%2Dtourism%2Ddestinations%2Dof%2D2017%2Din%2Dthe%2DWorld


'Page completed by: A.P.E.S. Wiki team Date:29/10/2021

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