2,742Grants to

1,709(Sub)Species

Black colobus (Colobus satanas*)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 11251806

Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation (Project No. 11251806) - Black colobus - Awarded $10,000 on February 09, 2011

The distribution of the threatened black colobus monkey (Colobus satanas) is restricted to four countries in the western part of the central Africa region: Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Congo and Gabon. Black colobus populations in Equatorial Guinea have undergone rapid declines in recent years since vast oil fields were discovery off-shore resulting in a dramatic economic boom. The increase in the size and wealth of the urban population has resulted in a surge in demand for bushmeat and a switch to the use of guns to increase supply. Black colobus is particularly vulnerable to overhunting due to its slow and inquisitive behaviour and relatively large body size making it a target for hunters. Black colobus has received very little conservation attention to date but measures to address unsustainable bushmeat hunting are urgently needed.

 

The Zoological Society of London is implementing a two-phased approach to tackling uncontrolled bushmeat hunting and trade in Equatorial Guinea. Phase I aims to undertake research, capacity-building and planning for Phase II, which will involve testing carefully selected bushmeat alternatives. Small-scale bushmeat alternatives projects can fail to demonstrate a conservation impact if insufficiently planned with limited understanding of the socio-economic situation. To ensure that implemented projects have the desired conservation outcomes, extensive research is being conducted across the mainland section of Equatorial Guinea. Participatory socio-economic research is on-going in seven rural communities to gain an understanding of current activities, incomes, expenditures, needs and skills. A feasibility analysis is also underway to evaluate the economic and infrastructural feasibility, cultural acceptability, community capacity and financial requirements of a variety of potential bushmeat alternatives. The options under consideration include livestock rearing, artisanal and commercial fisheries, aquaculture, agroforestry, sustainable agriculture, community-forest management, marketing of non-timber forest products and improved sourcing and distribution of fresh and frozen produce.



Project 11251806 location - Equatorial Guinea, Africa