Abstract
A survey of Mona Monkeys (Cercopithecus mona) in Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Cross River State, Nigeria, was conducted to determine its status, ecology and population density. Line transect method of wildlife population determination was adopted, and to assess the vegetation composition of the study area, the Total Enumeration Count of vegetation sampling was used. Two censuses were carried out in each of the ten transects (2.0km length, 0.02km width) and at interval of 1.0km randomly selected. Direct method of animal sighting was employed. Mean population density of mona Monkeys in Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary was 4/km2, implying that the species was sighted during the survey while the vegetation assessment revealed the study area to composed of tropical rainforest plants species though seriously modified through human activities.
Highlights
The rainforest of Cross River State is one of the richest in species diversity and endemism in the world, and it is home to two endemic and endangered primates, the Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) and the Drill monkey (Mandrillus leucophaus) [1]
The sanctuary is approximately 100km2 in size and made up of rocks. It was created from the Afi River Forest Reserve in year 2000 following renewed international interest to protect the endangered Cross River Gorilla and the Drill Monkeys. It is located within the confines of host communities including Bounchor, Olum, Ndemechang, Esekwe, Bitiah, Kakabyom, Nkunyor, Kakabok, Njua kaku, Boje and Katabang, the climate of the study area is characterized by an extreme rainfall pattern of 3500 – above with mean temperatures of 27°C and Relative humidity of about 65% during the afternoons throughout the year
The Mona monkey has been regarded as a weed species and often abundant [2], this study has shown that there can be an exception to that.Physical observations and indices of foot prints, calls, faeces and feeding places revealed the presence of diverse wildlife species in the study area
Summary
The rainforest of Cross River State is one of the richest in species diversity and endemism in the world, and it is home to two endemic and endangered primates, the Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) and the Drill monkey (Mandrillus leucophaus) [1]. Some studies such as [2] have opined that the Mona Monkey is an ecological generalist, there is no record of previous surveys of Mona monkeys in the study area. If some species are missing or population densities are depressed, adverse conditions are affecting primates and probably other wildlife as well
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