|
|
     |
 |
Red
capped mangabeys
In February 2004 a group of 18 red capped
mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus) were moved from our headquarters
in Calabar to a 1 hectare forested enclosure at Rhoko, with over 350
trees from 28 different families. They adapted rapidly to their new
forest environment, and bred very well. Now numbering 36 (as of July
2007), behavioural studies have been ongoing since their arrival in the
enclosure, which have looked at their adaptation to the forest
environment, parasite loads, feeding behaviour, and social behaviour.
Although provisioned daily, they also spend much of their time foraging
on natural foods, including fruits, insects and leaves. Long term,
depending on results of future research, there may be plans to carry out
a reintroduction of a subset of these individuals, and current priority
research focuses on aspects related to this future reintroduction.
Dominant female 'Odudu' is enjoying the homage of low
ranking female 'Banja'. Both Odudu and Banja were rescued as orphans,
both victims of the bushmeat trade. Both are now grandmothers, theirs
and their daughters' latest offspring born in the forest environment
where they belong. |
 |
Mona
Guenons
Twelve mona guenons also make their home at
Rhoko, and they are being prepared to be first primates reintroduction
in West Africa. Current plans include releasing three social groups into the protected
Core Area of Rhoko, where mona monkeys have virtually disappeared from
the area, through intensive hunting pressure. With a full ban on hunting
all primates in effect in Iko Esai forests, and a well protected (for
over 7 years now) and patrolled 'Core Area', this 400 hectare will
become their permanent home - the first group of three individuals was released
on November 1, 2007. Carefully planned according to the IUCN
Reintroduction Guidelines for non-human primates (Baker (Ed.) 2002), a
team of 4 research assistants are carefully monitoring these released primates
from dawn to dusk, using radio telemetry and collecting detailed
information about their ranging, social and feeding behaviour. So far
they are doing very well, and gradually expanding their range since
their release 4 months ago (read update reports).
'Etimbuk' (pictured above left), the dominant male of one of
the three mona groups, is one of 2 captive born monas currently part
of this programme, the other 11 all rehabilitated orphans, rescued from
the bushmeat and pet trade as infants or juveniles. Nko (pictured below
left) was among the first three released in November 2007 |
 |
 |
Other primates
Apart from rehabilitated primates at Rhoko, there are also resident wild
species which are a focus of our research and could be the focus of
student research in future. We have conducted an 8 month study of the
range of the two resident troops of Cercopithecines in the protected
forest - a resident troop of putty nosed guenons (Cercopithecus
nictitans) and red eared guenons (Cercopithecus erythrotis).
A visiting researcher has conducted a brief survey of nocturnal
prosimians, and several species are found in this protected area,
including the angwantibo, potto, Allen's galago, and the needle clawed
galago. We have also conducted preliminary primate surveys looking at
relative abundance in the larger community forest and the Oban Division
of the Cross River National Park.
|
|
