A brief history of primate research in the Ndoki forest

• Published in: Primates 2024-11, Vol.65 (6), p.439-456
• Main Authors: Morgan, David, Malonga, Richard, Agnagna, Marcellin, Onononga, Jean Robert, Yako, Valentin, Mokoko Ikonga, Jerome, Stokes, Emma J., Eyana Ayina, Crepin, Funkhouser, Jake A., Judson, Kathryn, Villioth, Jakob, Nishihara, Tomoaki, Sanz, Crickette
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal Ecology; Animals; Behavioral Sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Capacity development; Congo; Conservation; Conservation of Natural Resources; Ecology; Evolutionary Biology; Forest management; Forest protection; Forest resources; Forests; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Industrial development; Landscape preservation; Life Sciences; Local communities; Monkeys & apes; National parks; Primates; Primates - physiology; Research - history; Special Issue: Review Article; Tourism; Zoology; Zoology - history
• ISSN: 0032-8332; 1610-7365; 1610-7365
• DOI: 10.1007/s10329-024-01158-0

The Nouabalé–Ndoki National Park (NNNP) in Republic of Congo has become a beacon for conservation in Central Africa. This manuscript documents the arrival of primatologists, the establishment of field stations and major discoveries in primate behavior and ecology. Field stations were strategically established to study primate behavior in a variety of different contexts from stationary platforms to forest follows of habituated groups. The implementation of new technologies and analyses have also been a hallmark of research at Ndoki. Scientists are shaping a new era in primatology at NNNP by building on past successes and promoting the next generation of Congolese conservationists to address environmental challenges. Results have proven crucial in discussions with government and industry and led to conservation gains such as the inclusion of the intact forests of the Goualougo and Djéké Triangles into the NNNP. The research stations have also become essential for developing a long-term certified sustainable international gorilla tourism program. Despite the many advancements for conservation such as increased protection of forests, development of internationally recognized protocols and large-scale capacity building initiatives, there are reasons for considerable concern in the near- and long-term for primates and their forest habitats in the Ndoki landscape. To address these concerns, we emphasize the long history of forming partnerships with local communities. We also discuss shared overlap featuring multicultural and environmental use of forest resources that is likely to be crucial in championing the conservation of the Ndoki forests for the next 25 years and beyond.