Difference between revisions of "Loango National Park"

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[[Central Africa]] > [[Gabon]] > [[Loango National Park]]
 
[[Central Africa]] > [[Gabon]] > [[Loango National Park]]
  
−
= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with one sentence for each section. May include a site map -->
+
'''[https://wiki-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Loango_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/Loango_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/Loango_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/Loango_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/Loango_National_Park?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=ms&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Melayu]'''
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[[File: chimpanzee loango woods.jpg | 500px | thumb| right | © Lara Southern]]  
+
 
 +
__TOC__
 +
= Summary =
 +
 
 +
<div style="float: right">{{#display_map: height=190px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers= OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap|-2.118840  , 9.605397 ~[[Loango National Park]]~Pan troglodytes troglodytes}}</div>
 
* Central chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes troglodytes'') & western lowland gorillas (''Gorilla gorilla gorilla'') are present in Loango National Park.
 
* Central chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes troglodytes'') & western lowland gorillas (''Gorilla gorilla gorilla'') are present in Loango National Park.
 
* The population sizes are unknown.
 
* The population sizes are unknown.
Line 18: Line 14:
 
* Conservation activities have focused on anti-poaching patrols and involving local communities in research activities.
 
* Conservation activities have focused on anti-poaching patrols and involving local communities in research activities.
  
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= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->
+
 
−
[[File: chimpanzees loango coast.jpg | 500px | thumb| right | © Lara Southern]]  
+
[[File: chimpanzee loango woods.jpg | 500px | thumb| right | © Lara Southern]]
 +
= Site characteristics =
 +
 
 
Loango National Park is located in the south west of Gabon and borders the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of a mosaic of different habitat types varying from marine, coastal lagoons, mangrove swamps, coastal forest, secondary and primary forest and open savannah. It is ecologically distinct from other long-term chimpanzee sites thereby providing the rare opportunity to enable unique insights into chimpanzees’ behavioral plasticity (REF). In addition to central chimpanzees, the national park is also home to western low-land gorillas (''Gorilla gorilla gorilla''), forest buffaloes (''Syncerus caffer''), forest elephants (''Loxodonta cyclotis''), as well as several resident and migratory bird species, such as rosy bee-eaters (''Merops malimbicus'') (REF).
 
Loango National Park is located in the south west of Gabon and borders the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of a mosaic of different habitat types varying from marine, coastal lagoons, mangrove swamps, coastal forest, secondary and primary forest and open savannah. It is ecologically distinct from other long-term chimpanzee sites thereby providing the rare opportunity to enable unique insights into chimpanzees’ behavioral plasticity (REF). In addition to central chimpanzees, the national park is also home to western low-land gorillas (''Gorilla gorilla gorilla''), forest buffaloes (''Syncerus caffer''), forest elephants (''Loxodonta cyclotis''), as well as several resident and migratory bird species, such as rosy bee-eaters (''Merops malimbicus'') (REF).
  
 
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Loango National Park'''
 
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Loango National Park'''
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{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Site_characteristics-table"
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| Area <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha -->
+
|Species
 +
|Pan troglodytes troglodytes
 +
|-
 +
|Area
 
|1,550 km²
 
|1,550 km²
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Coordinates
 
|Coordinates
−
| -2.118840  S, 9.605397 E
+
|Lat: -2.118840  S , Lon:  9.605397 E
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Designation
+
|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
−
|Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical/tropical mangrove vegetation above high tide level, subtropical/tropical swamp, coastal saline lagoons/marine lakes
+
|Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, Subtropical/tropical swamp forest, Marine coastal/supratidal
 +
|-
 +
|Type of governance
 +
|
 
|}
 
|}
−
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/habitat-classification-scheme IUCN habitat categories] [[Site designations]]
 
  
−
= Ape status = <!--An overview of ape population 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: chimpanzees loango coast.jpg | 500px | thumb| right | © Lara Southern]]
 +
= Ape status =
  
−
To date there has only been one survey conducted regarding chimpanzee abundance in Loango National park. This was done through the collection of wild chimpanzee fecal samples for genetic capture-recapture analyses over a four-year period (2005-2008) in a 132 km2 area of the National Park (Arandjelovic et al. 2011).  
+
To date there has only been one survey conducted regarding chimpanzee abundance in Loango National park. This was done through the collection of wild chimpanzee fecal samples for genetic capture-recapture analyses over a four-year period (2005-2008) in a 132 km2 area of the National Park (Arandjelovic et al. 2011).
  
−
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates in Loango National Park'''
+
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Loango National Park'''
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{| 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)
+
!Abundance estimate (95% CI)
−
! Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)
+
!Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)
−
! Encounter rate (nests/km)
+
!Encounter rate (nests/km)
−
! Area
+
!Area
−
! Method
+
!Method
−
! Source
+
!Source
−
! Comments
+
!Comments
−
! A.P.E.S. database ID
+
!A.P.E.S. database ID
 
|-
 
|-
 
|''Pan troglodytes troglodytes''
 
|''Pan troglodytes troglodytes''
Line 61: Line 66:
 
|
 
|
 
|132 sq.km
 
|132 sq.km
−
|Capture-recapture method
+
|Reconnaissance walk
 
|Arandjelovic et al. 2011
 
|Arandjelovic et al. 2011
 
|
 
|
Line 67: Line 72:
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
= Threats =    <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
 
−
[[File:Chimpanzees loango savanna.jpg | 300px | thumb| right | © Lara Southern]]
 
−
Gabon boasts an important store of natural resources, the most prominent being oil. In 2006 and 2007 a petroleum company conducted seismic exploration inside Loango National Park (Rabanal et al. 2010). It has been shown that the most common behavioral change exhibited by wildlife to intense human-produced noise is active avoidance. The study modeled seismic impact over different spatial scales (small, intermediate and large) and found that apes avoided seismic activity on the intermediate and small scales (REF).
 
−
Additionally, hunting, although relatively non-existent around the study site, may pose a threat to ape populations in other areas of the park such as the forest inlets boarding the lagoon (REF).
 
−
Lastly, health risks related to human-chimpanzee disease transmission may be increased due to increased human presence in the park and the potential for new ecotourism ventures (REF). 
 
  
−
'''Table 3. Threats to apes in Loango National Park'''
+
= Threats =
−
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="threats-table"
+
 
−
!align="left"|Category <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE THREAT CATEGORIES -->
+
Gabon boasts an important store of natural resources, the most prominent being oil. In 2006 and 2007 a petroleum company conducted seismic exploration inside Loango National Park (Rabanal et al. 2010). It has been shown that the most common behavioral change exhibited by wildlife to intense human-produced noise is active avoidance. The study modeled seismic impact over different spatial scales (small, intermediate and large) and found that apes avoided seismic activity on the intermediate and small scales (REF).
−
!Specific threats <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the IUCN list linked below -->
+
 
−
!Threat level <!-- For threat level, please use keywords: low, medium, high, present, absent, unknown-->
+
'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Loango National Park'''
−
!Quantified severity <!-- Enter any available quantification of the threat, e.g., the proportion of the area affected by the threat, hunting sign encounter rates-->
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Threats-table"
−
!Description <!-- Add descriptive information -->
+
!Category
−
!Year of threat <!--  Enter specific year(s), “ongoing”, or “unknown”. If the threat is ongoing, please add the year of reference in parentheses -->
+
!Specific threats
 +
!Threat level
 +
!Description
 +
!Year of threat
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1. Residential & commercial development
+
|1 Residential & commercial development
 
|
 
|
 
|Absent
 
|Absent
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
+
|2 Agriculture & aquaculture
 
|
 
|
 
|Absent
 
|Absent
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|3. Energy production & mining
+
|3 Energy production & mining
 
|3.1 Oil & gas drilling
 
|3.1 Oil & gas drilling
 
|Medium
 
|Medium
−
|
 
 
|Effect of seismic oil exploration on large mammal distribution (Rabanal et al. 2010)
 
|Effect of seismic oil exploration on large mammal distribution (Rabanal et al. 2010)
 
|2006-2007
 
|2006-2007
 
|-
 
|-
−
|4. Transportation & service corridors
+
|4 Transportation & service corridors
 
|
 
|
 
|Absent
 
|Absent
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|5. Biological resource use
+
|5 Biological resource use
 
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
 
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
 
|Low
 
|Low
−
|
 
 
|Signs of poacher trails in the far North of the territory (REF).
 
|Signs of poacher trails in the far North of the territory (REF).
 
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
+
|6 Human intrusions & disturbance
 
|6.1 Recreational activities
 
|6.1 Recreational activities
 
|Low
 
|Low
−
|
 
 
|Loango National park is open to tourism and therefore there is the possibility of exposure of apes to humans outside of the research area. Additionally, vehicles for safari outings may pose a disturbance to ape populations along these routes.
 
|Loango National park is open to tourism and therefore there is the possibility of exposure of apes to humans outside of the research area. Additionally, vehicles for safari outings may pose a disturbance to ape populations along these routes.
 
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
|6 Human intrusions & disturbance
−
|6.3 Work & other activities
+
|6.3 Other human disturbances
 
|Low
 
|Low
−
|
 
 
|The very presence of the research camp itself poses a disturbance to great apes and territory avoidance may take place.
 
|The very presence of the research camp itself poses a disturbance to great apes and territory avoidance may take place.
 
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|7. Natural system modifications
+
|7 Natural system modifications
 
|
 
|
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
+
|8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases
 
|
 
|
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|9. Pollution
+
|9 Pollution
 
|
 
|
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|10. Geological Events
+
|10 Geological events
 
|
 
|
 
|Absent
 
|Absent
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 11. Climate change & severe weather
+
|11 Climate change & severe weather
 
|
 
|
 
|Unknown
 
|Unknown
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|12. Other options
+
|12 Other threat
 
|
 
|
 
|Absent
 
|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 +
|}
 +
 +
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
 +
[[File:Chimpanzees loango savanna.jpg | 300px | thumb| right | © Lara Southern]]
 +
= Conservation activities =
 +
 +
In 2005 the first research camp was set up as a Pan African Programme (PanAf) study site, and this later became the Ozouga camp and base of the Loango Chimpanzee Project. The establishment of this site ensures the continued presence of researchers in the study area, which, at other sites, has been shown to have a positive influence on local chimpanzee densities (Campbell et al. 2011).
 +
 +
'''Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Loango National Park'''
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Conservation_activities-table"
 +
!Category
 +
!Specific activity
 +
!Description
 +
!Implementing organization(s)
 +
!Year of activity
 +
|-
 +
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
 +
|2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
 +
|Anti-poaching patrols are conducted regularly by the ANPN.
 
|
 
|
 +
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|-
 
|-
 +
|4 Education & awareness
 +
|4.2 Involve local community in ape research and conservation management
 +
|The Loango Chimpanzee project has recruited members of the local community as guides who are trained to collect data since 2006.
 +
|
 +
|Ongoing (2021)
 
|}
 
|}
−
[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 -->
+
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
−
[[File: chimpanzee loango camp.jpg | 400px | thumb| right | © Lara Southern]]  
+
[[File: chimpanzee loango camp.jpg | 400px | thumb| right | © Lara Southern]]
−
In 2005 the first research camp was set up as a Pan African Programme (PanAf) study site, and this later became the Ozouga camp and base of the Loango Chimpanzee Project. The establishment of this site ensures the continued presence of researchers in the study area, which, at other sites, has been shown to have a positive influence on local chimpanzee densities (Campbell et al. 2011).
+
= Challenges =
−
There is a strong connection and collaboration between the local people, primarily of the Miene (Myene) ethnicity, and the research site. At present, five permanent eco-guides native to the area are employed. Their direct involvement at this research site make them important stakeholders for the future of the park and the livelihood of those living around it. Additionally, educational programs and activities have been conducted in the village that borders the Northern edge of the park; these were performed in partnership with WCS (Southern pers. comm.).
 
  
−
'''Table 4. Conservation activities in Loango National Park'''
+
 
−
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="conservation-actions-table"
+
 
−
!align="left"|Category <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE CATEGORIES -->
+
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Loango National Park'''
−
!Specific activity <!-- For specific threats, please use list from the list linked below, OR enter “Not reported” -->
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Challenges-table"
−
!Description <!-- Add descriptive information -->
+
!Challenges
−
!Year of activity <!-- Add descriptive information -->
+
!Specific challenges
 +
!Source
 +
!Year(s)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|1. Residential & commercial development
+
|
 
|Not reported
 
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 +
|}
 +
 +
 +
= Enablers =
 +
 +
 +
 +
'''Table 6. Enablers reported for Loango National Park'''
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="enabler-table"
 +
!Enablers
 +
!Specific enablers
 +
!Source
 +
!Year(s)
 
|-
 
|-
−
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
+
|1 Site management
−
|Not reported
+
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|3. Energy production & mining
+
|2 Resources and capacity
−
|Not reported
+
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|4. Transportation & service corridors
+
|3 Engaged community
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
|5. Biological resource use
 
−
|5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
 
−
|Anti-poaching patrols are conducted regularly by the ANPN.
 
−
|Ongoing (2021)
 
−
|-
 
−
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
 
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|7. Natural system modifications
+
|4 Institutional support
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|9. Pollution
+
|5 Ecological context
−
|Not reported
 
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
−
|10. Education & Awareness
 
−
|10.2. Involve local community in primate research and conservation management
 
−
|The Loango Chimpanzee project has recruited members of the local community as guides who are trained to collect data since 2006.
 
−
|Ongoing (2021)
 
−
|-
 
−
|11. Habitat Protection
 
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|12. Species Management
+
|6 Safety and stability
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
−
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives
 
−
|Not reported
 
 
|
 
|
−
|
 
−
|-
 
 
|}
 
|}
−
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
 
  
−
= Challenges = <!-- Overview of challenges in ape conservation -->
 
  
−
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Loango National Park'''
+
= Research activities =
−
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="challenges-table"
+
 
−
!align="left"|Challenge <!-- Do not change categories -->
+
 
−
!Source <!-- Source for challenge mentioned -->
+
 
−
|-
+
 
−
|Not reported
+
= Documented behaviours =
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
−
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
 
  
−
===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
 
  
−
'''Table 6. Ape behaviors reported for Loango National Park'''
+
'''Table 7. Behaviours documented for Loango National Park'''
−
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviors-table"
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviours-table"
−
!align="left"|Behavior
+
!Behavior
 
!Source
 
!Source
 
|-
 
|-
Line 280: Line 271:
 
|SOURCE
 
|SOURCE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Bathing  
+
|Bathing
 
|SOURCE
 
|SOURCE
 
|-
 
|-
Line 286: Line 277:
 
|SOURCE
 
|SOURCE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Branch shaking  
+
|Branch shaking
 
|SOURCE
 
|SOURCE
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Buttress beating  
+
|Buttress beating
 
|SOURCE
 
|SOURCE
 
|-
 
|-
Line 317: Line 308:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Lethal intragroup aggression
 
|Lethal intragroup aggression
−
|Martinez-inigo et al. (in press)  
+
|Martinez-inigo et al. (in press)
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Termite eating without tools
 
|Termite eating without tools
 
|SOURCE
 
|SOURCE
−
|-
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
=External links=
 
−
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chIzPMJDgXE The Loango Chimpanzee Project in Gabon] <br>
 
  
−
===Relevant datasets===
+
= Exposure to climate change impacts =
−
[http://apesportal.eva.mpg.de/database/archiveMap A.P.E.S Portal]
+
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
= External links =
 +
 
 +
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chIzPMJDgXE The Loango Chimpanzee Project in Gabon]
 +
 
 +
= Relevant datasets =
 +
 
 +
 
  
 
= References =
 
= References =
−
Arandjelovic, M., Head, J., Rabanal, L. I., Schubert, G., Mettke, E., Boesch, C., Robbins, M. M., & Vigilant, L. (2011). Non-Invasive genetic monitoring of wild central chimpanzees. PLoS ONE,6(3): e14761.<br>
 
−
Boesch, C., Head, J., & Robbins, M. M. (2009). Complex tool sets for honey extraction among chimpanzees in Loango National Park, Gabon. Journal of Human Evolution, 56(6), 560-569.<br>
 
−
Estienne, V. L., Robira, B., Mundry, R., Deschner, T., & Boesch, C. (2019). Acquisition of a complex extractive technique by the immature chimpanzees of Loango National Park, Gabon. Animal Behaviour, 147, 61-76.<br>
 
−
Estienne, V., Mundry, R., Kuehl, H.S., Boesch, C. (2017). Exploitation of underground bee nests by three sympatric consumers in Loango National Park, Gabon. Biotropica, 49(1), 101-109.<br>
 
−
Estienne V, Stephens C, Boesch C. (2017). Extraction of honey from underground bee nests by central African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) in Loango National Park, Gabon: Techniques and individual differences. Am J Primatol, 79(1).<br>
 
−
Estienne, V. L. (2017). Tool-use technique for the extraction of underground honey by central African chimpanzees in Loango National Park, Gabon. PhD Thesis, Universität, Leipzig.<br>
 
−
Estienne, V., & Boesch, C. (2015). Underground honey extraction by chimpanzees, honey badgers and forest elephants in Loango National Park, Gabon. Folia Primatologica, 86(4), 276-277.<br>
 
−
Martinez-inigo, L., Baas, P., Klein, H., Pika, S., Deschner T. (in press). Intercommunity interactions and killings in central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) from Loango National Park, Gabon. Primates. <br>
 
−
Rabanal, L. I., Kuehl, H., Mundry, R., Robbins, M. M., & Boesch, C. (2010). Oil prospecting and its impact on large rainforest mammals in Loango National Park, Gabon. Biological Conservation, 143(4), 1017-1024. <br>
 
−
Pika, S., Klein, H., Bunel, S., Baas, P., Théleste, E., & Deschner, T. (2019). Wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) exploit tortoises (Kinixys erosa) via percussive technology. Scientific Reports, 9(1). <br>
 
  
−
<br>
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Arandjelovic, M., Head, J., Rabanal, L. I., Schubert, G., Mettke, E., Boesch, C., Robbins, M. M., & Vigilant, L. (2011). Non-Invasive genetic monitoring of wild central chimpanzees. PLoS ONE,6(3): e14761.
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'''Page completed by: '''Lara Southern''' Date:''' 13/10/2021 <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->
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Boesch, C., Head, J., & Robbins, M. M. (2009). Complex tool sets for honey extraction among chimpanzees in Loango National Park, Gabon. Journal of Human Evolution, 56(6), 560-569.
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Estienne, V. L., Robira, B., Mundry, R., Deschner, T., & Boesch, C. (2019). Acquisition of a complex extractive technique by the immature chimpanzees of Loango National Park, Gabon. Animal Behaviour, 147, 61-76.
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Estienne, V., Mundry, R., Kuehl, H.S., Boesch, C. (2017). Exploitation of underground bee nests by three sympatric consumers in Loango National Park, Gabon. Biotropica, 49(1), 101-109.
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Estienne V, Stephens C, Boesch C. (2017). Extraction of honey from underground bee nests by central African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) in Loango National Park, Gabon: Techniques and individual differences. Am J Primatol, 79(1).
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Estienne, V. L. (2017). Tool-use technique for the extraction of underground honey by central African chimpanzees in Loango National Park, Gabon. PhD Thesis, Universität, Leipzig.
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Estienne, V., & Boesch, C. (2015). Underground honey extraction by chimpanzees, honey badgers and forest elephants in Loango National Park, Gabon. Folia Primatologica, 86(4), 276-277.
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Martinez-inigo, L., Baas, P., Klein, H., Pika, S., Deschner T. (in press). Intercommunity interactions and killings in central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) from Loango National Park, Gabon. Primates.
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Rabanal, L. I., Kuehl, H., Mundry, R., Robbins, M. M., & Boesch, C. (2010). Oil prospecting and its impact on large rainforest mammals in Loango National Park, Gabon. Biological Conservation, 143(4), 1017-1024.
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Pika, S., Klein, H., Bunel, S., Baas, P., Théleste, E., & Deschner, T. (2019). Wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) exploit tortoises (Kinixys erosa) via percussive technology. Scientific Reports, 9(1).
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'''Page created by: '''Lara Southern''' Date:''' NA

Latest revision as of 11:09, 24 January 2025

Central Africa > Gabon > Loango National Park

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Summary

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


© Lara Southern

Site characteristics

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

Table 1. Basic site information for Loango National Park

Species Pan troglodytes troglodytes
Area 1,550 km²
Coordinates Lat: -2.118840 S , Lon: 9.605397 E
Type of site Protected area (National Park)
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, Subtropical/tropical swamp forest, Marine coastal/supratidal
Type of governance

IUCN habitat categories Site designations

© Lara Southern

Ape status

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

Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Loango National Park

Species Year Abundance estimate (95% CI) Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI) Encounter rate (nests/km) Area Method Source Comments A.P.E.S. database ID
Pan troglodytes troglodytes 2005-2008 283 (208 – 316) 2.14 (1.57 – 2.39) 132 sq.km Reconnaissance walk Arandjelovic et al. 2011


Threats

Gabon boasts an important store of natural resources, the most prominent being oil. In 2006 and 2007 a petroleum company conducted seismic exploration inside Loango National Park (Rabanal et al. 2010). It has been shown that the most common behavioral change exhibited by wildlife to intense human-produced noise is active avoidance. The study modeled seismic impact over different spatial scales (small, intermediate and large) and found that apes avoided seismic activity on the intermediate and small scales (REF).

Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Loango National Park

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

IUCN Threats list

© Lara Southern

Conservation activities

In 2005 the first research camp was set up as a Pan African Programme (PanAf) study site, and this later became the Ozouga camp and base of the Loango Chimpanzee Project. The establishment of this site ensures the continued presence of researchers in the study area, which, at other sites, has been shown to have a positive influence on local chimpanzee densities (Campbell et al. 2011).

Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Loango National Park

Category Specific activity Description Implementing organization(s) Year of activity
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols Anti-poaching patrols are conducted regularly by the ANPN. Ongoing (2021)
4 Education & awareness 4.2 Involve local community in ape research and conservation management The Loango Chimpanzee project has recruited members of the local community as guides who are trained to collect data since 2006. Ongoing (2021)

Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)

© Lara Southern

Challenges

Table 5. Challenges reported for Loango National Park

Challenges Specific challenges Source Year(s)
Not reported


Enablers

Table 6. Enablers reported for Loango National Park

Enablers Specific enablers Source Year(s)
1 Site management
2 Resources and capacity
3 Engaged community
4 Institutional support
5 Ecological context
6 Safety and stability


Research activities

Documented behaviours

Table 7. Behaviours documented for Loango National Park

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


Exposure to climate change impacts

External links

The Loango Chimpanzee Project in Gabon

Relevant datasets

References

Arandjelovic, M., Head, J., Rabanal, L. I., Schubert, G., Mettke, E., Boesch, C., Robbins, M. M., & Vigilant, L. (2011). Non-Invasive genetic monitoring of wild central chimpanzees. PLoS ONE,6(3): e14761.

Boesch, C., Head, J., & Robbins, M. M. (2009). Complex tool sets for honey extraction among chimpanzees in Loango National Park, Gabon. Journal of Human Evolution, 56(6), 560-569.

Estienne, V. L., Robira, B., Mundry, R., Deschner, T., & Boesch, C. (2019). Acquisition of a complex extractive technique by the immature chimpanzees of Loango National Park, Gabon. Animal Behaviour, 147, 61-76.

Estienne, V., Mundry, R., Kuehl, H.S., Boesch, C. (2017). Exploitation of underground bee nests by three sympatric consumers in Loango National Park, Gabon. Biotropica, 49(1), 101-109.

Estienne V, Stephens C, Boesch C. (2017). Extraction of honey from underground bee nests by central African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) in Loango National Park, Gabon: Techniques and individual differences. Am J Primatol, 79(1).

Estienne, V. L. (2017). Tool-use technique for the extraction of underground honey by central African chimpanzees in Loango National Park, Gabon. PhD Thesis, Universität, Leipzig.

Estienne, V., & Boesch, C. (2015). Underground honey extraction by chimpanzees, honey badgers and forest elephants in Loango National Park, Gabon. Folia Primatologica, 86(4), 276-277.

Martinez-inigo, L., Baas, P., Klein, H., Pika, S., Deschner T. (in press). Intercommunity interactions and killings in central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) from Loango National Park, Gabon. Primates.

Rabanal, L. I., Kuehl, H., Mundry, R., Robbins, M. M., & Boesch, C. (2010). Oil prospecting and its impact on large rainforest mammals in Loango National Park, Gabon. Biological Conservation, 143(4), 1017-1024.

Pika, S., Klein, H., Bunel, S., Baas, P., Théleste, E., & Deschner, T. (2019). Wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) exploit tortoises (Kinixys erosa) via percussive technology. Scientific Reports, 9(1).


Page created by: Lara Southern Date: NA

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