Strengthening Conservation of Owl- Faced Monkeys ( Cercopithecus Hamlyni) in the Albertine Rift Region (ARR)

Abstract

The owl-faced monkeys (Cercopithecus hamlyni) are endemic to the Albertine Rift Region (ARR). They live in and feed on bamboo plantations as their primary habitat. Illegal bamboo harvesting threaten the owl-faced monkeys and associated biodiversity across the Nyungwe-Kibira trans-boundary ecosystem in the ARR. Spatial distribution of bamboo plantations, mechanisms for propagation and management in Rwanda and Burundi are poorly documented. The study aimed at mapping potential Cecopithecus hamlyni habitats, establishment of threats facing bamboo plantations, and training local communities in bamboo propagation and management techniques. The study used GIS data from IUCN red list and diva-gis websites, 300 household interviews and focus group discussions of key informants from Rwanda and Burundi. GIS 10, SPSS version 18 and Microsoft Excel were used for data analysis. Results indicate that potential habitats for C. hamlyni include: Western DR Congo, South Eastern Rwanda and North Western Burundi. Results show that 67% of the households harvest bamboo trees for handcrafts and construction while 50% harvest bamboo trees for sale due to high poverty levels in their households. The study concluded that collaborative trans-boundary management of protected areas, capacity building for local communities, formation of cooperatives and enacting appropriate laws promotes biodiversity conservation in the region. Strengthening law enforcement and propagation of bamboo plantations on marginal land were recommended.