An investigation of threat types to the conservation of Pan troglodytes ellioti at Kwano forest of Gashaka-Gumti national park, Nigeria

Abstract

The Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee has been classified on the red list of threatened species (endangered) of IUCN and It has been established that it is only when animal or plant species are subject to certain threat factors that the species can be considered as threaten. It is in view of the aforementioned that this research was carried out to determine those threat factors that mitigates against the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee habitat. Transects, trails and random forest walks were the methods used for the data collection while tables, charts and mean values as well as photo plats were used to analyse the data collected. The different types of threats observed were Poaching which (11 segments; 52.4 5 %) of the habitat, illegal bush burning (16 segments; 76.6 %) of the habitat, river poisoning (1 segment; 4.8 %) of the habitat, tree felling (4 segments; 19.1 %) of the habitat and Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) extraction (7 segments; 33.3 %) of the habitat. Poaching activities were highest in Ngiti forest (49.4 %), followed by Yakuba forest (25.3 %) while Tounga (16.5 %) and Bakashi (8.9 %) experienced the least poaching activities. Despite the status of Kwano forest as a protected area; the sitting of a research project in the area and constant presence of researchers, some threat factors to the conservation of this forest prevails. Concerted effort from both the National Parks Service and Non-governmental organisations is highly needed to reduce or absolutely eliminate illegal activities from this area.

Keywords: Chimpanzee, Habitat, Conservation, Threats and Kwano