@phdthesis{Fotang2023, author = {Fotang, Chefor}, title = {Conservation status and ecology of the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve, North-West Region, Cameroon}, doi = {10.26127/BTUOpen-6579}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus4-65797}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Increased human activity, such as deforestation, is a major driver of biodiversity loss worldwide. In Cameroon, these activities could ultimately threaten the survival of the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, but knowledge of their abundance and ecology in the Kom - Wum Forest Reserve in Cameroon is still lacking. This research aimed to estimate the population size of this chimpanzee subspecies and assess threats, investigate nesting behaviour, identify suitable habitats, determine feeding habits and document the tools used for food acquisition. Research was conducted using line transects during two seasons: wet (May-September 2018) and dry (November 2019-March 2020). Population size and threats were assessed by georeferencing signs of chimpanzees and human activity along line transects. Nesting behaviour was investigated by recording the characteristics of nesting trees along line transects and mapping their distribution in ArcGIS. Suitable habitat was identified by relating chimpanzee presence signs to local environmental variables related to relief, vegetation and human impact using the Maximum Entropy Species Distribution Model (MaxEnt). Feeding habits were investigated by direct examination of chimpanzee faeces, and tool use was documented by observation and measurement of tools in situ. The reserve is home to up to 83 chimpanzees. Signs of chimpanzee activity were significantly higher in mature forest than in secondary forest, and above 1000 m than below 1000 m. Hunting was the main threat to chimpanzees, and the occurrence of chimpanzee signs decreased significantly with increasing human activity. Chimpanzees preferred tall, mature forest trees at higher elevations with slopes for nesting, and avoided areas near villages and bare land. Only 8\% of the study area was suitable chimpanzee habitat. Fruit dominated the chimpanzees' diet, but they also consumed leaves and fruit pith, especially during the dry season. There was also indirect evidence that chimpanzees used tools to consume driver ants (genus Dorylus). Seasonality significantly affected the size of tools used by chimpanzees for driver ant predation. They preferred to use thicker and shorter tools for driver ant predation during the rainy season, whereas longer and thinner tools were used during the dry season. The results of this research highlight the need to reduce poaching and deforestation to protect the remaining chimpanzee population and suitable habitat in the reserve and surrounding unprotected forest. High-elevation and mature forests are critical for chimpanzee conservation and should be a high priority for protection. This research has filled the knowledge gap on what little was known about the abundance and ecology of Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees.}, subject = {Chimpanzee abundance; Feeding ecology; Human disturbance; Habitat preferences; Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee; Schimpansenvorkommen; F{\"u}tterungs{\"o}kologie; Menschenverursachte St{\"o}rungen; Lebensraumpr{\"a}ferenzen; Nigeria-Kamerun-Schimpanse; Pan troglodytes elliotii; Reservat; Lebensraum; Ern{\"a}hrungsgewohnheit; St{\"o}rung; Verhaltensforschung}, language = {en} }