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Priority areas for large mammal conservation in Equatorial Guinea
Mizuki Murai1, Heidi Ruffler, Antoine Berlemont
1Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA), Leipzig, Germany ; Conservation International (CI), Arlington, Virginia, United States of America.
Plos One
|October 3, 2013
Summary
Hunting significantly impacts large mammal distribution in Río Muni, Equatorial Guinea. Despite protected areas, commercial and local hunting, exacerbated by roads, threaten elephant and ape populations, necessitating enhanced conservation efforts.
Area of Science:
- Conservation Biology
- Wildlife Ecology
- African Mammal Research
Background:
- Hunting is a primary driver of large mammal distribution globally, particularly in tropical Africa where bushmeat demand influences populations.
- Effective conservation requires understanding factors affecting mammal distribution, information previously lacking for Río Muni, Equatorial Guinea.
- Previous studies were outdated or did not systematically cover the region, highlighting a critical data gap for conservation planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relative importance of local versus commercial hunting on mammal populations in Río Muni.
- To assess wildlife density in protected versus non-protected areas within the study region.
- To determine the influence of ecological factors versus human activities on mammal density distribution.
Main Methods:
- A systematic, countrywide line transect survey was conducted, focusing on apes and elephants, while also including other mammal species.
- Generalized linear models were employed to analyze field data, incorporating predictor variables for ecological conditions, human pressure, and protected status.
- Population estimates for elephants (884) and combined chimpanzees and gorillas (11,097) were derived from survey data.
Main Results:
- Significant hunting pressures were observed at both local and commercial levels, negatively impacting mammal populations.
- Roads were identified as a significant factor negatively affecting elephant populations and overall mammal body mass.
- Protected areas showed no significant role in determining mammal species distribution, with evidence of hunting within their boundaries, indicating poor enforcement.
Conclusions:
- Río Muni faces substantial threats to its large mammal populations due to pervasive hunting pressures.
- Current conservation strategies are insufficient, as protected areas are ineffective and law enforcement is lacking.
- Recommendations include prioritizing cross-boundary conservation efforts in key landscapes like Monte Alén-Monts de Cristal and Río Campo Ma'an to protect remaining high-density mammal areas.
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