Chimpanzees in the Eastern Part of the Nimba Mountains Biosphere Reserve: Gouéla II and Déré Forest

The eastern part of the Nimba Mountains Biosphere Reserve is constituted of two strictly protected areas: the whole Guinean southern slope of the massif, called Gouéla II, and the Déré forest, which are separated by 10 km of buffer zone consisting of lowlands with high human encroachment. A behavioral and ecological study of non-habituated chimpanzees was initiated in this area to provide information on their habitat-use and ranging patterns. Data on chimpanzee presence were systematically and periodically collected between 2006 and 2008 using a combination of 3 survey methods. In Gouéla II, 75% of chimpanzee’s presence indicators occurred above 700m high, in altitude forest, galleries and secondary vegetation habitats. In Déré, owing to an unclear protection status, the forest was logged in 1999-2000, and then swarmed in by cultivators. Today the Déré forest is critically damaged and only one chimpanzee track was observed during 29 days of survey. By offering new information on Nimba chimpanzees, this work also targets conservation perspectives of the species and its unique environment.