ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF THE ROLOWAY MONKEY IN GHANA: THE HISTORY OF A DECLINING POPULATION AND PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE CONSERVATION |
| L. Magnuson and S. Curtin Institute for Wildlife Studies, 55 Ericson Ct, Arcata, CA, 95521, USA |
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| The critically endangered Roloway guenon is a close relative of the Diana guenon restricted to the mature forests of Ghana and eastern Cote d'Ivoire. Fieldwork on this species consists of only one 9-month study on feeding ecology and 10 months of survey work at various sites in southern and southwestern Ghana. In this paper we compare the abundance and habitat use patterns of Roloway guenons from the habituated group studied in 1976 to surveys conducted in 2001 and 2003. We compare patterns of polyspecific association and general habitat use including frequency of association with different primate species, forest strata use, vocalization, ranging patterns and diet. We also examine the underlying factors that have led to the decline of this species including habitat loss and degradation as well as political and socioeconomic factors. We offer recommendations for the continued study and conservation of this species including a conservation action plan for Roloway monkeys in Ghana. |
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