Threats in protected area: Distribution and status of Western Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) population in Sapo National Park, Liberia

Abstract

The West African chimpanzee Pan troglodytes verus, is highly threatened and the global population has dramatically declined by more than 80% over the last three generations. Sapo National Park (SNP) holds one of the largest remaining populations of the species in West Africa. This study assesses the conservation status, distribution and threats impacting the Western Chimps population in SNP in the last three years (2014-2016). Surveys were carried out along a system of 90 line transects (2km each) established across the 180,365 ha park. We used QGIS to map the distribution of the species across the park. Presence of West African Chimps was detected by identifying nests, vocalization, dungs, tracks, nuts cracking sites, and deployment of camera traps. Seventy-four out of 90 transects surveyed in 2014 show high abundance of the species in the south-western and eastern parts of the park compared to the north. Conversely, results from 62 out of 90 transects surveyed in 2015 show a decline in the abundance of the species in the eastern part of the park compared to the west. In 2016, results from 58 out of 90 transects surveyed show a dramatic decline in the species abundance in eastern compared to the west. There was also high encounter rate of anthropogenic activities in the north-eastern parts of the park compared to the south-western parts. Liberia contains the second highest population of the Chimpanzees and has been identifying as having the most suitable environmental conditions for chimps in West Africa. Therefore, understanding the threats that they face in SNP is important to inform the design and implementation of an effective Regional Action Plan for the protection, preservation, and restoration of Western chimpanzee population.