Changes

= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->

= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->

[[File: Cantanhez forest.jpg | 300px | thumb| right | Forest in Cantanhez © Queba Quecuta]]

[[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).

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).

= Ape status =  <!-- a text overview of ape status (population sizes, trends etc), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->

= Ape status =  <!-- a text overview of ape status (population sizes, trends etc), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->

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. Great ape population estimates in Cantanhez National Park'''

|1.94-2.34

|1.94-2.34

|

|

|Unknown

|Cantanhez National Park

|Unknown

|Unknown

|Sousa (2007)

|Sousa (2007)

|

|

|Expansion of cashew and slash-and-burn agriculture (Hockings & Sousa 2013, Quecuta pers. comm. 2023)

|Expansion of cashew and slash-and-burn agriculture (Hockings & Sousa 2013, Quecuta pers. comm. 2023)

|Ongoing (2023)

|2013-Ongoing (2023)

|-

|-

|3. Energy production & mining

|3. Energy production & mining

|High

|High

|

|

|A road is being upgraded to be passable also during rainy season (Hockings pers. com.)

|A road is being upgraded to be passable also during the rainy season (Hockings pers. com.)

|Ongoing (2019)

|Ongoing (2019)

|-

|-

= Conservation activities =      <!-- a text overview of conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->

= Conservation activities =      <!-- a text overview of conservation activities, followed by a table of key 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.

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).  

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).  

|5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols  

|5.6. 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).

|Ongoing (2023)

|2013-Ongoing (2023)

|-

|-

|6. Human intrusions & disturbance

|6. Human intrusions & disturbance

|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat

|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat

|Designated as national park since 2007 (UNEP-WCMC & IUCN 2019)

|Designated as national park since 2007 (UNEP-WCMC & IUCN 2019)

|Ongoing (2023)

|2007-Ongoing (2023)

|-

|-

|12. Species Management

|12. Species Management

|

|

|13.4. Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site

|13.4. Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site

|Low levels of tourism (Sousa et al. 2014)

|Low levels of tourism (Sousa et al. 2014). Ecotourism has existed in the area since 1996 (Quecuta pers. Comm. 2023).

|Since 2007 (Sousa et al. 2014)

|1996-Ongoing (2017)

|-

|-

|}

|}

[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]

[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]

 

= Challenges = <!-- Overview of impediments to ape conservation -->

= Challenges = <!-- Overview of impediments to ape conservation -->

'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Cantanhez National Park'''

'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Cantanhez National Park'''

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="challenges-table"

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="impediments-table"

!align="left"|Challenge  <!-- Do not change categories -->

!align="left"|Challenge  <!-- Do not change categories -->

!Source  <!-- source for impediment mentioned -->

!Source  <!-- source for impediment mentioned -->

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'''Page completed by:'''Kimberley Hockings, Elena Bersacola, Joana Bessa, Marina Ramon & Queba Quecuta'''Date:''' 08/07/2023  <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->

'''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" -->

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