THE HABITAT STRUCTURE OF THE DOUALA-EDEA NATIONAL PARK AS A SUITABLE VENUE FOR THE REINTRODUCTION AND RELEASE OF DRILL MONKEYS INTO THE WILD

Abstract

Mandrillus leucophaeus are forest floor dwelling, short tail monkeys which are sexually dimorphic both in size and in colour. They are among the African most endangered primate species, being highest in conservation priority as listed by International Union for the Conservation of Nature (Oates and Butynski, 2008).

Reintroduction programs are often used as a potential tool for ecological restoration and the recovery of endangered species (Macdonald et al., 2002). The presence of drills in captivity is the possible means of bringing back or restoring the population of drills in the wild. This study sets out to assess the degree of suitability of the Southern Part of the Douala-Edea National Park as a host for the potential release of Captive Drill monkeys.

Cutlasses were used to open up the understory and ease movement and Measuring tapes were rolled out open and 1Km long transects were established. A total of 10transects were opened in the two localities randomly selected; that is 5 transects in Yassoko and 5 transects in areas around Lake Tissongo .Subplots were created on either sides of each transects and organisms and plant species were counted, and collected for identification. This is in accordance with the findings of Buckland et al, 2001 on how to use line transects for ecological survey. Unidentifiable plants samples were collected using a plant press and taken to the Limbe Herbarium for identification.

All water points encountered were registered with the use of a potable GPS. Primary data on communities‘ rreadiness in case of such a program was obtained based on direct interview with local people and local authorities using detailed questionnaires. The  Food distribution patterns in all localities was random, regular or clumped, though clumped distribution seems to be the main pattern for this food distribution across the localities . The Yassoka area showed to be the most suitable for a potential Drill release program in terms of food availability and water supply, not forgetting its relatively receptive community to such an innovative program. Effective actions need to be put in place to trim down threats to our protected areas and thus our wildlife resources.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background Of Studies

Faced with a global extinction crisis, reintroductions and translocations are becoming increasingly important conservation tools for restoring endangered species populations. In 2002, the IUCN/SSC Reintroduction Specialist Group held a strategic planning workshop where reintroductions were shown to be growing in global conservation significance because they;  are increasing in number, are attracting public attention, are regionally important and can use flagship species to facilitate habitat conservation(IUCN/SSC Reintroduction Specialist Group , 2002).

Primates are among the most threatened mammals (IUCN, 1996), and many species threatened in their natural habitat have been the focus of translocation in Africa and in the world at large.

Drill and their congener Mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) are the only two species belonging to the genus Mandrillus found only in three African countries, the South West of Cameroon, South East of Nigeria and the Bioko Island of Equatorial Guinea.

Drills occur north of the Sanaga River, in Cameroon, Nigeria and on the island of Bioko, while mandrills occur south of the Sanaga River, in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and southern Republic of Congo (Hill, 1970; Grubb, 1973; Harrison, 1988;  Kingdon, 1997). Very little is known about the population biology, ecology or social organization Drills.

Drills are amongst African’s most endangered primate species, being highest in conservation priority as listed by International Union for the Conservation of Nature (Oates and Butynski, 2008). They are forest floor dwelling, short tail monkeys which are sexually dimorphic both in size and in color. Drill population in the wild is currently running into extinction and estimated population is about 2,500 to 3000 in Korup National Park (KNP). Declining drill population remains a key threat to their survival; these threats are obviously hunting, forest fragmentation and illegal logging (Gadsby, 1990). The presence of drills in captivity is the possible means of bringing back or restoring the population of drills in the wild.

Population increase and reintroduction programs depend on the ability of zoological gardens to breed species under good conditions of reproductive and behavioral repertoires (Carlstead, 1996). In line with conservational efforts, zoological gardens are now bent on breeding programs for reintroduction.

Drill survival in Cameroon and Nigeria would not depend only on captive breeding but this can be achieved if the surrounding neighbors to drill ecosystems are also key advocates to these species protection and the commitment of our host country Government to enforce existing laws. While other primate species have been highly protected and their number in the wild is a little higher, the drill population decline is a problem, and the solutions to increase it had been on going through the Pandrillus Foundation in Nigeria and in Cameroon. Many threats had led to the decrease of this species in the wild. This includes; illegal hunting with dogs and habitat fragmentations as the main threat to the survival of primates (Oates and Butynski, 2008)

According to some estimates, forest cover in Cameroon decreased from the period 1965 to 1995 by 30% (Gbetnkom, 2005). Habitat loss outside protected area is due to forest being either cleared for agriculture and human settlements or degraded from logging and mining. Although rates of deforestation may vary from period to period, as of 1998 approximately 23.950 Km2 of forest within the historical range of the Drill monkeys in Cameroon were classified as a logging concession or a forest reserve.(IUCN,2008) The fundamental threats to drill monkey survival are hunting and habitats fragmentation, as is the case with most of the central Africa primates (IUCN, 2008).

These threats are especially to Drill monkeys because of their limited distribution but high human population density within their range. In total, it is estimated that 12% of the remaining drill habitat is incorporated in strictly protected areas.  It is unlikely that drills would cross large roads where overlying canopy and edge vegetation has been removed. The drills diurnal nature also means that such crossing would have to take place during periods of peak human use. Drill population is most affected by shrinking habitat of Douala-Edea, Mt Kupe, Mt.Cameroon, and Bioko Island protected areas (Oates and Butynski, 2008).

The expanding network of public and logging roads further fragments the drills habitat, limiting reproductive contact between sub-populations and increasing human presence in once remote area (Oates and Butynski, 2008). Also, the drills are vulnerable to hunting with the use of dogs (Wild et al., 2005). The common hunting techniques of night hunting and trapping are especially destructive for certain wildlife species but probably have only little impact on the drill monkey (Oates and Butynski, 2008).

Reintroduction programs are often used as a potential tool for ecological restoration and the recovery of endangered species (Macdonald et al., 2002).  IUCN had defined reintroduction as an attempt to re-establish a species in an area which was once part of its historical range but from which it has been extirpated or become extinct (IUCN, 1998). Drills in captivity had shown successful reintroduction in a chosen site in Nigeria (Ijeomah and Choko, 2014)

Concern for the survival of drills has increased in the intervening years, and the species is currently faced with extinction on Bioko (Mate ́and Colell, 1995; Oates, 1996). Their range and numbers have also been greatly reduced in Nigeria (Oates, 1996), while in Cameroon both deforestation and hunting for the bushmeat trade probably have a major impact on drill populations (Gadsby and Jenkins, 1997-1998; Usongo, 1998). As a result of these threats, and in recognition of its taxonomic distinctiveness, Mandrillus leucophaeus (Drill) one of the highest priority primate species for conservation action in Africa (Oates, 1996).

These animals serve as prey for carnivores, and they may therefore impact carnivore populations. It is also likely that through their frugivory they play some role in seed dispersal. These primates are hunted for meat and so serve as a source of food (Briercheck, 1999).

Also Drills are viewed as crop pests and are often shot and killed by farmers.

Statement of the Problem

All animals have basic requirements that must be satisfied for them to survive in a particular habitat. These requirements vary, but may be grouped in broad categories of food, cover, water, and space to live and reproduce.

Most primate populations are declining in numbers and many primate species are under threat of extinction for a variety of reasons, including hunting, disease, climate change, and the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of their habitats (Cowlishaw and Dunbar 2000; Schwitzer et al. 2014). For some, this knowledge alone is sufficient reason to conserve primate for it both provides a clear justification or conservation and implies a moral obligation to do so. (Andrew and Marshall, 2016).

Many arguments made in support of primate conservation begin with the tacit assumption that primates are more special, and more deserving of protection, than other taxa. Some of the reasons given as justification are demonstrably true. For example, non-human primates are undoubtedly our closest phylogenetic relatives, and if one accepts the premise that studying other taxa is important to better understand ourselves, then it is difficult to take issue with the contention that primates are special because they provide unique insights into human evolution. Similarly, it is hard to argue that the primates are not among the most well studied of tropical animals and as such are special because they provide a valuable insight into otherwise often poorly known ecosystems.(Andrew and Marshall, 2016)

The drill has been the focus of surprisingly few ecological or behavioral studies, despite its conservation status, taxonomic distinctiveness, and potential importance to the forests in its range. Empirical information on the reproduction and social interactions of drills is limited to those in semi-captive conditions, studied at the DRBC by Wood (2007), and there is no available information from wild individuals. The early, seminal work on wild drills in Cameroon by Gartlan and Struhsaker in the Bakundu Forest Reserve, northeast of Mount Cameroon (Struhsaker 1969; Gartlan 1970; Gartlan & Struhsaker 1972), was followed by a 36 year gap in the literature until the publication of the doctoral thesis of Astaras (2009) and associated papers (Astaras et al. 2008, 2011; Astaras 2009; Astaras & Waltert 2010). The literature on Bioko drills is even more sparse, coming primarily from the descriptive field notes while collected during primate surveys (Schaaf et al. 1990; Butynski & Koster 1994; Gonzalez-Kirchner & de la Maza 1996). No direct focal studies have been performed on the feeding, grouping, ranging or any other ecological aspects of this subspecies.

Drill population in the world is currently running into extinction and estimated population is about 2,500 to 3000 in Korup National Park (Morgan et al. 2013).Declining drill population remains a key  threat to their survival; these threats are obviously hunting, forest fragmentation and illegal logging (Gadsby, 1990).

One of the strongest determinants of reintroduction success is suitable habitat availability (Griffith et al. 1989; Wilson and Stanley Price 1994). When the decline of a species is primarily due to habitat loss or fragmentation, chances of successful reintroduction diminish. Unless this can be properly addressed (i.e., an adequate area of critical habitat remains or has been restored), the release of individuals into these areas is a fruitless exercise; therefore, we favor selecting a species that inhabits a relatively common, non-threatened, or well-protected habitat. (Gedir et al,2004).

Research on the suitability of this Douala-Edea National park and its ability to sustain a population of primates (Drill Monkey) is called for aforementioned reasons.

Research Question

1. What is the foraging and water capacity of the Douala-Edea National for the long term thriving and survival of the Drill?
2. How is the vegetation cover and structure?
3. Are Drills present in this park?
4. How ready is the Community for the potential release of Drills?

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