Taï National Park

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West Africa > Côte d’Ivoire > Taï National Park

Summary

  • Western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) are present in Taï National Park.
  • It has been estimated that 406 (265-623) individuals occur in the site.
  • The chimpanzee population trend is stable.
  • This site has a total size of 5,0812 km².
  • Key threats to chimpanzees are poaching and diseases.
  • A range of conservation activities are implemented, including permanent presence of researchers and tourists, anti-poaching patrols, environmental education and measures to prevent disease transmission to chimpanzees.
  • Taï National Park is the largest remaining forest block in the Upper Guinea Region and is home to one of the longest-running chimpanzee research sites.

Site characteristics

File:Tai nzo.jpg
Taï National Park

Taï National Park (IUCN category: II) was created in 1972 and proclaimed a UNESCO world heritage site in 1982 (Criteria iii, iv, UNESCO 2019a). The park is located in south-western Côte d'Ivoire (5°15'-6°07'N, 7°25'-7°54'W), approximately 200 km south of Man and 100 km from the coast. With a size of 5,0812 km², it is the largest protected forest block in Côte d’Ivoire and one of the last tropical lowland forests in the Upper Guinea Region. The topography is mostly flat, but some Inselbergs occur. The majority of the forest in the park has never been logged and this mature, old-growth forest supports rich a diversity of species. It has been estimated that around 1,300 species occur in the park, 80-150 are endemic to the Upper Guinea region (BirdLife International 2019). Because of its diversity of bird species, notably white-breasted guinea fowl (Agelastes meleagrides) and large hornbill species, it is also considered an Important Bird Area (BirdLife International 2019). Primate species recorded in the park include olive colobus (Procolobus verus), western red colobus (Piliocolobus badius), king colobus (Colobus polykomos), and Diana monkey (Cercopithecus diana). Other mammal species include the Pel's flying squirrel (Anomalurus peli), forest elephant (Loxodonta africana ), pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis), Water chevrotain (Hyemoschus aquaticus), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), and a range of duikers, including Maxwell's duiker (Philantomba maxwellii), black duiker (Cephalophus niger), zebra duiker (Cephalophus zebra), and Jentink's duiker (Cephalophus jentinki). Reptile species include (Crocodylus cataphractus) and African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis), Home's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys homeana). Taï National Park is home to one of the longest-running chimpanzee research sites. Since 1979, the behavior and ecology of chimpanzees has been studied by the Taï Chimpanzee Project. Research has also been ongoing for several decades at the Tai monkey Project. Taï National Park is managed by the Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves (OIPR).


Table 1: Basic site information for Taï National Park

Area 5,0812 km²
Coordinates 5.77 N, - 7.12 W
Designation National Park
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, plantations

IUCN habitat categories Site designations

Ape status

Since 2005 annual surveys on western chimpanzees have been implemented by OIPR and the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF). Estimates chimpanzee abundance ranges between 300-800 individuals and the population seems to be stable (Campbell et al. 2008). Since 2016, the WCF also uses camera traps to systematically monitor biodiversity in 200 km2 in the Taï National Park.

Table 2: Great ape population estimates in Taï National Park

Species Year Abundance estimate (95% confidence interval) Density estimate (per km²) Encounter rate (nests/km) Area Method Source Comments A.P.E.S. database ID
Pan troglodytes verus 2016 406 (265-623) 0.07 (0.05-0.11) 0.265 Entire Line transects (Distance) Tiédoué et al. 2016
Pan troglodytes verus 2015 540 (321-909) 0.099 (0.060-0.169) 0.57 Entire Line transects (Distance) Tiédoué et al. 2015
Pan troglodytes verus 2014 238 (116-487) 0.044 (0.022-0.091) 0.67 Entire Line transects (Distance) Tiédoué et al. 2014
Pan troglodytes verus 2013 294 (173-500) 0.055 (0.032-0.093) 0.49 Entire Line transects (Distance) Tiédoué et al. 2013
Pan troglodytes verus 2012 264(135-518) 0.0493 (0.0252-0.0966) 0.39 Entire Line transects (Distance) Yapi et al. 2012
Pan troglodytes verus 2011 497 (287-868) 0.09 (0.05-0.16) 0.58 Entire Line transects (Distance) N'Goran et al. 2011
Pan troglodytes verus 2010 441 (264-735) 0.08 (0.05-0.14) 0.89 Entire Line transects (Distance) N'Goran et al. 2010
Pan troglodytes verus 2009 361 (230-568) 0.077 (0.040-0.147) 1.22 Entire Line transects (Distance) N'Goran et al. 2009
Pan troglodytes verus 2008 516 (314-847) 0.10 (0.06-0.16) 0.91 Entire Line transects (Distance) N'Goran et al. 2008
Pan troglodytes verus 2007 479 (299-767) 0.09 (0.06-0.14) 0.54 Entire Line transects (Distance) N'Goran et al. 2007
Pan troglodytes verus 2006 480 (280-830) 0.089 (0.052-0.155) 0.54 Entire Line transects (Distance) N'Goran et al. 2006

Threats

Illegal poaching represents the major threat to the chimpanzee population in the park. Habitat destruction by agriculture, illegal logging and gold mining in some areas of the park also threaten the long-term existence of chimpanzees in this area. Furthermore, long-term research by the Tai Chimpanzee Project established that Ebola virus (Formenti et al., 1999), Anthrax (Leendertz et al. 2004) and respiratory diseases of human origin (Köndgen et al., 2008) killed a considerable number of chimpanzees. While human population density was low in the 1970s when the park was created it has grown considerably since resulting in increasing pressure on the park, especially since the arrival of refugees from Liberia during the civil war (BirdLife International 2019). All forest around Taï has now been cleared.

Table 3: Threats to great apes in Taï National Park

Category Specific threats Threat level Quantified severity Description Year of threat
1. Residential & commercial development Absent
2. Agriculture & aquaculture 2.1. Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops Low Cocoa and rice field in the eastern side of the park (Tiédoué et al. 2016) Ongoing (2016)
3. Energy production & mining 3.2. Mining & Quarrying Medium 3 abandoned and 1 active mining sites (Tiédoué et al. 2016) Artisinal gold mining (Tiédoué et al. 2016, UNESCO 2019b) Ongoing (2019)
4. Transportation & service corridors 4.1. Roads & railroads Medium Trails used by poachers (Tiédoué et al. 2016) Ongoing (2016)
5. Biological resource use 5.1. Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals High 29 gunshots heard, 38 snares and 81 cartridges found (Tiédoué et al. 2016) Poaching is widespread throught the park (Tiédoué et al. 2016, UNESCO 2019b) Ongoing (2019)
6. Human intrusions & disturbance Absent
7. Natural system modifications Absent
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases 8.1. Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species/Disease High chimpanzees died of respiratory diseases of human origin (Köndgen et al. 2008) Ongoing (2008)
8.2. Problematic Native Species/Disease High chimpanzees died of Ebola virus (Formenti et al. 1999), Anthrax (Leendertz et al. 2004) Ongoing (2004)
9. Pollution Absent
10. Geological Events Absent
11. Climate change & severe weather Unknown
12. Other options Absent

IUCN Threats list

Conservation activities

In the 1970's the first research station was built in Taï National Park and since then several research projects have been conducted on different species. In particular, long-term studies by the Taï Chimpanzee Project (TCP) established in 1979 and the Taï Monkey Project (TMP) established in 1989 ensured and continue to ensure the presence of researchers at the research sites, which have been shown to have a positive influence on local chimpanzee densities (Campbell et al. 2011). Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Reserves does an annual bio-monitoring survey over the entire park and, in addition, Wild Chimpanzee Foundation also does an annual bio-monitoring survey over the research area in collaboration with the TCP. OIPR and WCF also conduct regular patrols across the entire park to control illegal activities. A range of environmental awareness activities have also been implemented, including eco-museum, theater, radio shows (WCF 2015, 2018). Two Eco-tourism projects have also been developed in the Taï and Djouroutou area. Finally, the Taï Chimpanzee Project in implementing a set of measures to prevent the transmission of human diseases to the chimpanzees (Grützmacher et al. 2018).

Table 4: Conservation activities in Taï National Park

Category Specific activity Description Year of activity
1. Residential & commercial development Absent
2. Agriculture & aquaculture Absent
3. Energy production & mining Absent
4. Transportation & service corridors Absent
5. Biological resource use 5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols anti-poaching patrols conducted by OIPR and WCF (WCF 2018) Ongoing (2018)
5.15. Implement monitoring surveillance strategies (e.g. SMART) or use monitoring data to improve effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement patrols anti-poaching patrols use SMART (WCF 2018) Ongoing (2018)
6. Human intrusions & disturbance Absent
7. Natural system modifications Absent
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases 8.7. Wear face-masks to avoid transmission of viral and bacterial diseases to primates mandatory to wear face-masks (Grützmacher et al. 2018) Since 2004
8.8. Keep safety distance to habituated animals minimum viewing distance of 7 m (Grützmacher et al. 2018) Since 1999
8.10. Implement quarantine for people arriving at, and leaving the site quarantine in a separate quarantine camp (Grützmacher et al. 2018) Since 2008
8.12. Ensure that researchers/tourists are up-to-date with vaccinations and healthy visitors have to be vaccinated against measles, all researchers have to be up-to-date with vaccines (Grützmacher et al. 2018) Since 2008
8.13. Regularly disinfect clothes, boots etc. ‘hygiene barrier’ implemented mandating changing clothes and disinfecting boots (Grützmacher et al. 2018) Since 2002
8.20. Implement continuous health monitoring with permanent vet on site veterinary at research site since 2000 (Grützmacher et al. 2018) Since 2000
8.22. Detect & report dead primates and clinically determine their cause of death to avoid disease transmission done by the veterinary (Grützmacher et al. 2018) since 2000
9. Pollution Absent
10. Education & Awareness 10.1. Educate local communities about primates and sustainable use environmental awareness raising activities include eco-museum, community meetings, extra-curricular activities in schools (WCF 2015, WCF 2018) Ongoing (2018)
10. Education & Awareness 10.2. Involve local community in primate research and conservation management people hired by research and conservation projects (Taï Chimpanzee Project 2019, Taï Monkey Project 2019, WCF 2018) Ongoing (2019)
10. Education & Awareness 10.4. Regularly play TV & radio announcements to raise primate conservation awareness several sets of radio programs played regularly (WCF 2018) Ongoing (2018)
10. Education & Awareness 10.5. Implement multimedia campaigns using theatre, film, print media, discussions theater tour, community discussions, radio, environmental days, eco-museum (WCF 2015, WCF 2018) Ongoing (2018)
11. Habitat Protection 11.2. Legally protect primate habitat designated as National Park in 1972 (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2019) Since 1972
12. Species Management Absent
13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives 13.3. Run research project and ensure permanent human presence at site 3 long-term research projects: Tai Chimpanzee Project (since 1979, Boesch & Boesch-Achermann 2000, Wittig 2018), Tai Monkey Project (since 1989, McGraw et al. 2007) and Tai Hippo Project (since 2013, IBREAM 2018) Since 1979
13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives 13.4. Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site 2 ecotourism sites (Taï and Djouroutou, initiated in 2013, WCF 2015, WCF 2018) Since 2013
13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives 13.5. Permanent presence of staff/manager Boesch & Boesch-Achermann 2000, McGraw et al. 2007, Wittig 2018 Since 1979

Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)

Impediments

Table 5: Impediments reported for Taï National Park

Impediment Source
Lack of law enforcement EoH 2010

Research activities

Since 1979 chimpanzees have been studied in Taï National Park by the Taï Chimpanzee Project (Tai Chimpanzee Project 2019), while the Taï Monkey project studies different monkey species since 1989 (Tai Monkey Project 2019). A wide range of topics have been studied including behavior, culture, feeding ecology, sociality, health, biomonitoring method, and conservation interventions. Since 2013, research is also ongoing on the pygmy hippo (IBREAM 2018).

Documented behaviours

Table 6: Great ape behaviors reported for Taï National Park

Behavior Source
Ant dipping Luncz and Boesch 2015, Kühl et al. 2019, Taï Chimpanzee Project 2019
Ant eating Luncz and Boesch 2015, Kühl et al. 2019, Taï Chimpanzee Project 2019
Ant eating without tools Luncz and Boesch 2015, Kühl et al. 2019, Taï Chimpanzee Project 2019
Honey eating Luncz and Boesch 2015, Kühl et al. 2019, Taï Chimpanzee Project 2019
Honey extraction with tools Luncz and Boesch 2015, Kühl et al. 2019, Taï Chimpanzee Project 2019
Leaf clipping Luncz and Boesch 2015, Kühl et al. 2019, Taï Chimpanzee Project 2019
Leaf cushion Luncz and Boesch 2015, Kühl et al. 2019, Taï Chimpanzee Project 2019
Leaf sponging for drinking water Luncz and Boesch 2015, Kühl et al. 2019, Taï Chimpanzee Project 2019
Marrow pick Luncz and Boesch 2015, Kühl et al. 2019, Taï Chimpanzee Project 2019
Nut cracking Luncz and Boesch 2015, Kühl et al. 2019, Taï Chimpanzee Project 2019
Stone throwing Luncz and Boesch 2015, Kühl et al. 2019, Taï Chimpanzee Project 2019
Termite eating Luncz and Boesch 2015, Kühl et al. 2019, Taï Chimpanzee Project 2019
Termite eating without tools Luncz and Boesch 2015, Kühl et al. 2019, Taï Chimpanzee Project 2019

Relevant datasets

A.P.E.S Portal


References

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