Distribution and Population Density of Endangered Primate Species in Ghana's Forest Reserves

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the species, populations, and distribution of primates and the factors that affect their populations in three forest reserves of Ghana, namely Cape Three Points Forest Reserve (CTPFR), Atewa Range Forest Reserve (ARFR), and Tano Offin Forest Reserve (TOFR). Line transects were systematically distributed in these forests for the survey. The following primate species were encountered: Cercopithecus lowei, Cercopithecus petaurista, Procolobus verus, Colobus vellerosus, and Cercocebus lunulatus at CTPFR and Cercopithecus lowei, Cercopithecus petaurista, Colobus vellerosus, and Cercocebus lunulatus at ARFR. None of the forest reserves had Procolobus waldroni, Pan troglodytes verus, and Cercopithecus roloway. No primate was encountered at TOFR. The anthropogenic activities that were affecting the populations of primates in the forest reserves were as follows: At CTPFR, hunters, chainsaw lumbering, farms, snares, and empty shotgun cartridges were found; at ARFR, hunters, chainsaw lumbering, mining holes, snares, empty cartridges, hunting camps, and farms were detected; and at TOFR, hunters, chainsaw lumbering, snares, empty cartridges, hunting camps, and farms were found. The fate of primates in the forest reserves of Ghana is very critical as there is no control or regulations of the activities that can hunt, capture, or destroy these animals. Recommendations to save primates from extinction and further studies have been made.