THE WESTERN CHIMPANZEE (PAN TROGLODYTES VERUS) IN THE ANTENNA ZONE (NIOKOLO KOBA NATIONAL PARK, SENEGAL): NESTING ECOLOGY AND SYMPATRICS WITH OTHER MAMMALS

The western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) is ???Critically Endangered??? due to a gradual decrease of its population and a continuous degradation of their habitats. Niokolo Koba National Park is considered an important biodiversity area in West Africa and has high conservation value for western chimpanzees. However, Niokolo Koba National Park has been inscribed on the World Heritage list as being in Danger since 2007 due to anthropogenic factors. Over the last 40 years, only sporadic and shortterm studies on the ecology and behavior of chimpanzees in the park have occurred. For this reason, we studied the nesting ecology of a putative chimpanzee community in the Antenna zone. We also identified sympatric medium and large mammals using a camera trap. Chimpanzees mostly used Hexalobus monopetalus for nesting, followed by Pterocarpus erinaceus. Nest heights in the Antenna zone were lower than they are in Assirik, and outside the park at Fongoli and Diaguiri sites despite the presence of potential predators in the park. Predator presence influences nesting height behavior. These data deepen our knowledge about chimpanzees in Senegal, and are useful for the management plan of the park and will contribute to an action plan for their conservation there.