New paper on hunting and chimpanzee distribution in Nimba

Nimba Mountains in Guinea. Photo credit: Kathelijne Koops

Illegal hunting and chimpanzee habitat use

Very excited and proud to share our new publication, led by (then) MSc student Lucas Degrève. In this study, we examined how chimpanzees use their habitat in relation to human hunting pressure at our long-term study site in the Nimba Mountains, Guinea. While hunting in Nimba primarily targets smaller mammals rather than chimpanzees, poaching can still disturb and threaten chimpanzees through by-catch, injuries, and human disturbance. Using multi-scale ecological niche models, we mapped the environmental conditions that predict both chimpanzee and hunting activity across the landscape. Our results have direct implications for conservation planning. By identifying where chimpanzee and hunting activity overlap most, we can pinpoint strategic areas for targeted protection and monitoring of this critically endangered population.

---