Researchers join forces to conserve red colobus (Piliocolobus badius temminckii) in West Africa

Mayhew, Michael ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2934-5489 , Wolovich, Christy, Saho, Lamin, Barry, Samsideen, Barry, Meta, Njie, Idrissa, Bah, Buba, Sidibeh, Abdourahman, Badjie, Zainab, Cramer, Jennifer D. and Linder, Joshua (2024) Researchers join forces to conserve red colobus (Piliocolobus badius temminckii) in West Africa. American Journal of Primatology, 86 (3). e23576.

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Abstract

Abstract: The recent development of the Red Colobus Conservation Action Plan has spurred momentum to promote site‐based conservation of red colobus while forging partnerships among researchers and building local capacity. Communities for Red Colobus (C4RC) is a community‐centered conservation organization in The Gambia, West Africa, that aims to protect Temminck's red colobus (Piliocolobus badius temminckii) while advancing opportunities for local people. We highlight the inception and initial development of C4RC with its educational and ranger teams and describe how local and international collaborations have positively impacted the organization through training and mentoring programs. This conservation program has the potential to become sustainable with plans for continued ecological monitoring, reforestation efforts, use of alternative methods of cooking, and the expansion of ecotourism. We hope that the dissemination of project information through Gambian broadcast and social media channels and wider community outreach activities will improve perceptions and conservation of primates and inspire the development of other red colobus initiatives at suitable forest sites based on the C4RC model of community‐based conservation.

Highlights:
* Communities for Red Colobus is a community‐centered conservation organization developed in response to the Red Colobus Conservation Action Plan that aims to protect the remaining populations of Temminck's red colobus (Piliocolobus badius temminckii) in the Gambia, West Africa.
* Local and international collaboration has benefited the Gambian‐led educational and ranger teams through virtual and in‐person training, development of educational materials, and expansion of efforts to promote fuel‐efficient methods of cooking.
* Sustainable conservation initiatives rely upon the ability to curb major threats to the primate populations (e.g., reduce rates of deforestation; active reforestation) while building local capacity and generating revenue (e.g., ecotourism).

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	American Journal of Primatology
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	1098-2345
Departments:	Institute of Science and Environment > Forestry and Conservation
Additional Information:	Michael Mayhew, Meta Barry, Idrissa Njie, Buba Bah, Abdourahman Sidibeh, Zainab Badjie, all of Institute of Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies, University of Cumbria, UK.
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	21 Nov 2023 17:25
Last Modified:	16 Nov 2024 01:23
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/7448

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