The diversity and conservation of mammals in the Dodo Coastal Forest in southwestern Côte d’Ivoire, western Africa: a preliminary study

• DOI: 10.11609/jott.4641.11.6.13654-13666
• Publication Date: 2019-04-26T06:36:08Z
• Authors: Serge Pacome Keag...; Célestin Yao Kouakou; Béné Jean-Claude ...; Blaise Kadjo; Philippe Kouassi; Peñate José Gomez; Reiko Matsuda Goo...; Inza Kone
• Keywords: Pangolin; Hippopotamus; Camera trap

To improve the knowledge of non-volant mammal diversity and conservation prospects in Dodo Coastal Forest (DCF) southwestern Côte d’Ivoire, we conducted reconnaissance surveys interviews, deployed remote cameras. We calculated visual encounter rates (vER) sign ER (sER) mammalian taxa hunting signs, mapped their locations tested hypothesis that sightings signs primates occurred closer to river near gallery forest. sighted nine taxa, including threatened King Colobus (Endangered, EN), Olive (Vulnerable, VU), Lowe’s Monkey (VU), Eastern Lesser Spot-nosed White-bellied Pangolin with vER 0.04, 0.12, respectively. confirmed 14 other Western Chimpanzee (CR), Pygmy Hippopotamus Bosman’s Potto Black-bellied sER 0.51, 0.08, The most frequently encountered were Red River Hog at 1.73 signs/km, Bushbuck 0.63 signs/km. Remote cameras captured images these two image capture (ICR) 0.044 0.022, Images African Buffalo ICR 0.044. 23 include seven primates, four rodents, three carnivores, six even-toed ungulates, pangolins a Tree Hyrax. mean distance from was significantly shorter than taxa. This supports our hypothesis. There high level (sER = 0.63) indicating intensive pressure is menacing fauna. recommend authorities take actions against poaching, install surveillance program, curtail charcoal-making ensure mammals DCF.