Food distribution and abundance can affect intra- and inter-dietary variation in non-human primates, influencing feeding ecology and altering behaviour. Natural and/or human-induced actions can influence the dynamics between primates and the environment, with associated impacts on socio-ecology and demography. This relationship in anthropogenic landscapes, however, is poorly understood. Here, we use DNA metabarcoding to obtain high resolution dietary diversity data, and multivariate generalised linear models to investigate variation in the diet of this threatened primate. We characterise the diet of the western red colobus (Piliocolobus badius) in both the better preserved Gola Rainforest National Park (GRNP, Sierra Leone), and in the fragmented forests of Cantanhez National Park (CNP, Guinea-Bissau), and evaluate biological, ecological and temporal differences. Dietary plant species richness was high in both protected areas, and the type of plants consumed varied significantly across seasons, space, and time. Although we identify dependence on a few key plants, red colobus in CNP consumed a higher average number of plant taxa than in GRNP, and 11% of the diet consisted of cultivated foods (e.g. mango). This is the first time a molecular approach has been used to investigate red colobus diet, and reveal dietary flexibility in degraded forests. Predicting the consequences of dietary change on long-term population persistence, however, remains a significant knowledge gap. Nevertheless, our results provide critical information to inform targeted regional conservation planning and implementation.

ABSTRACT Aim Modelling African great ape distribution has until now focused on current or past conditions, whilst future scenarios remain scarcely explored. Using an ensemble forecasting approach, we predicted changes in taxon-specific distribution under future scenarios of climate, land-use and human population changes. Location Sub-Saharan Africa Methods We compiled occurrence data on African ape populations from the IUCN A.P.E.S. database and extracted relevant human-, climate- and habitat-related predictors representing current and future (2050) conditions to predict taxon-specific distribution under a best- and a worst-case scenario, using ensemble forecasting. Given the large effect on model predictions, we further tested algorithm sensitivity by considering default and non-default modelling options. The latter included interactions between predictors and polynomial terms in correlative algorithms. Results The future distributions of gorilla and bonobo populations are likely to be directly determined by climate-related variables. In contrast, future chimpanzee distribution is influenced mostly by anthropogenic variables. Both our modelling approaches produced similar model accuracy, although a slight difference in the magnitude of range change was found for Gorilla beringei beringei, G. gorilla diehli , and Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii . On average, a decline of 50% of the geographic range ( non-default ; or 55% default ) is expected under the best scenario if no dispersal occurs (57% non-default or 58% default in worst scenario). However, new areas of suitable habitat are predicted to become available for most taxa if dispersal occurs (81% or 103% best, 93% or 91% worst, non-default and default , respectively), except for G. b. beringei . Main Conclusions Despite the uncertainty in predicting the precise proportion of suitable habitat by 2050, both modelling approaches predict large range losses for all African apes. Thus, conservation planners urgently need to integrate land-use planning and simultaneously support conservation and climate change mitigation measures at all decision-making levels both in range countries and abroad.

AbstractAlthough both the grey parrot Psittacus erithacus and the recently recognized timneh parrot Psittacus timneh are categorized as Endangered because of harvest for the pet trade and loss of habitat, the latter has a much smaller range and may be largely restricted to a few stronghold areas. In March–April 2018 we surveyed for a total of 114 hours in and around one of these presumed strongholds, the large and well-protected Gola Rainforest National Park, the Sierra Leonean portion of the Gola Transboundary Peace Park. Timneh parrots were encountered at a rate of 0.1 groups/h in the National Park and 0.3 in the buffer zone, indicating densities of 1–3 individuals per km2. These figures are similar to recent density estimates from the Liberian side of the Peace Park, suggesting that the transboundary population amounts to c. 2,400 individuals inside the Park and an unknown number in the surrounding areas. Densities of the timneh parrot may be generally low even in strongholds, its numbers may be declining steeply, and the global population size is probably lower than previously believed.

BackgroundUnderstanding geographic distributions of species is a crucial step in spatial planning for biodiversity conservation, particularly as regards changes in response to global climate change. This information is especially important for species of global conservation concern that are susceptible to the effects of habitat loss and climate change. In this study, we used ecological niche modeling to assess the current and future geographic distributional potential of White-breasted Guineafowl (Agelastes meleagrides) (Vulnerable) across West Africa.MethodsWe used primary occurrence data obtained from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and national parks in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and two independent environmental datasets (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer normalized difference vegetation index at 250 m spatial resolution, and Worldclim climate data at 2.5′ spatial resolution for two representative concentration pathway emissions scenarios and 27 general circulation models for 2050) to build ecological niche models in Maxent.ResultsFrom the projections, White-breasted Guineafowl showed a broader potential distribution across the region compared to the current IUCN range estimate for the species. Suitable areas were concentrated in the Gola rainforests in northwestern Liberia and southeastern Sierra Leone, the Tai-Sapo corridor in southeastern Liberia and southwestern Côte d’Ivoire, and the Nimba Mountains in northern Liberia, southeastern Guinea, and northwestern Côte d’Ivoire. Future climate-driven projections anticipated minimal range shifts in response to climate change.ConclusionsBy combining remotely sensed data and climatic data, our results suggest that forest cover, rather than climate is the major driver of the species’ current distribution. Thus, conservation efforts should prioritize forest protection and mitigation of other anthropogenic threats (e.g. hunting pressure) affecting the species.

A nest survey of western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) was conducted in Gola Rainforest National Park (GRNP) and the surrounding community forest in eastern Sierra Leone. The aim was to investigate chimpanzee nest ecology with a focus on nesting tree species selection. Field data were gathered between September 2015 and June 2016 during a nest census along 89 transects covering 158 km—104 km within the protected area and 54 km outside. We documented a total of 96 nests in 54 nest groups. Chimpanzees preferred to nest in areas of primary forest with low or no undergrowth. Twenty-two tree species were used for nesting trees. Tree selection was not random, with chimpanzees showing preference for a subset of tree species. Heritiera utilis, a common timber tree, was the species most selected, with 23% of all nests. The top six tree species accounted for 70% of all nests encountered. Chimpanzees showed a preference for nesting within the boundaries of the protected area and, on average, nested at a higher elevation (20.4 m above ground) than has been found in other studies in West Africa. Our results indicate that P. t. verus in our study area tended to avoid the human-disturbed community forests. These findings will be useful to inform conservation practices both inside and outside the park, as well as community forestry and law enforcement initiatives.

Migratory bird hunting has a long tradition in the Mediterranean, but remains a highly controversial issue. Here we examine the Mediterranean migratory bird hunting controversies through the case of Italy. We interviewed key informants and carried out participant observation on both legal and illegal migratory bird hunting and migratory bird protection, in four key migratory bird hunting sites in Italy. In many cases, both migratory bird hunters and bird protection activists consider themselves as the stewards of nature. Environmentalists accuse hunters of illegal practices, while hunters believe anti-poaching activists aim to threaten the existence of hunting itself. Yet surprisingly, the legality of specific hunting practices emerges as peripheral to the concerns of both groups. The lack of dialogue and increasingly polarized positions on both sides make it difficult to assure compliance with EU and national migratory bird hunting laws, and hinders finding shared solutions that consider differing values in a rapidly changing society.

Jaguar (Panthera onca) predation of green turtles (Chelonia mydas mydas) is now a common occurrence in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. The abundance of green turtles during nesting season ensures a constant provision of easy and predictable prey, however it is unknown to what extent jaguars consume turtle carcasses and how the jaguar population responds to limited turtle availability outside of nesting season. This study took advantage of the accessible nature of jaguar-predated turtle carcasses on Tortuguero Beach over a two year period (2011–2013), to provide a novel analysis of carcass utilization rates by jaguars and determine the effects of temporal fluctuations in green turtle nesting numbers. Camera traps were set-up on freshly predated turtles to capture jaguar activity across both Peak and Non Peak green turtle nesting seasons. Thirteen individual jaguars (five males, five females, three cubs) were captured returning to 77% of monitored turtle kills (60% Peak; 95% Non Peak). During Non Peak season, the number of jaguars per kill increased (H(1) = 15.91, p < 0.001) and total jaguar feeding time per kill also increased (H(1) = 13.34, p < 0.001). The propensity for tolerated scavenging or sharing during Non Peak season is illustrated by four adult jaguars captured interacting with a kill at separate times over two nights in October, 2012 (two males, two females). There were no significant differences between males and females, although there is a tendency for the latter to handle the prey to a greater extent. Although marine turtles may not to be a primary prey species, they play an important role in subsidizing the jaguars in this study. The increased kill utilization rates and prey sharing displayed by the jaguars, ensures optimal foraging during periods of low prey availability. These apparently atypical feeding behaviors may be unique to Tortuguero, however their prevalence across the jaguar’s range should be considered.