|
The roloway guenon is one of the three most
endangered monkeys of
Ghana
on the west coast of Africa. Roloways are an arboreal species found
primarily in undisturbed, mature forests and seem unable to adapt to most
habitat changes.
A recent decline of roloway monkeys is most likely related to
the decline in forest habitats and deforestation. In the past 100 years,
Ghana has lost 80% of its forested lands. The monkeys are also endangered by
extensive "bushmeat" hunting. Over 800 tons of bushmeat are sold in
Ghana's markets every year. This is equivalent to the weight of 40
duikers, 160,000 monkeys or 200 elephants.
The Institute's researcher Lindsay Magnuson is
currently conducting a field study of the endangered roloway in its native
habitat in Ghana. Lindsay is collecting information on the habitat use
of the roloway guenons and its relationship to habitat disturbance, hunting
pressure and other environmental factors. Lindsay is conducting field
surveys in the Ankasa Resource Reserve in southeastern Ghana. This
site has one of the highest densities of roloways in Ghana and shows the
most promise for a long-term scientific study of this species. In
addition, Lindsay will be educating the local human population about
the ecology of endangered species and the benefits of local conservation.
|