Savannah chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) nesting behavior in the unprotected area of Tikankali near to a mining exploitation and the Niokolo Koba National Park in Senegal

A study of West African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in the anthropized habitats around Tikankali, Senegal, reveals distinct nesting behavior patterns influenced by proximity to gold mining and Niokolo-Koba National Park. Researchers recorded 213 nests across two surveys, finding a strong preference for Pterocarpus erinaceus (53% of nests) among 22 plant species used as supports. Nest height (average 7.46 m) was found to correlate with tree height (average 9.88 m), suggesting height-specific nesting preferences. The study highlights the impact of anthropogenic activities on chimpanzee behavior and provides critical data for conservation strategies in Senegal.

Diallo, D., Ndiaye, P. I., Badji, L., & Pruetz, J. D. (2024). Savannah chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) nesting behavior in the unprotected area of Tikankali near to a mining exploitation and the Niokolo Koba National Park in Senegal. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2024.1228373