Updating Chimpanzee Nesting Data at Mount Assirik (Niokolo Koba National Park, Senegal): Implications for Conservation

Chimpanzees in Niokolo-Koba National Park (NKNP), Senegal, prefer nesting in closed-canopy habitats like gallery forests and exhibit a distinct nesting behavior compared to populations cohabiting with large carnivores. A recent study recorded 626 chimpanzee nests at Mount Assirik, revealing an average nest height of 8.07 ± 0.36 meters, significantly lower than previously documented in other regions. The research also identified that chimpanzees selectively choose tree species for nesting, with 12 out of 37 species being the most frequently used. Additionally, the study found that nest decay rates averaged 68.8 ± 5.8 days, providing new insights into chimpanzee nesting behavior in NKNP. These findings update decades-old data and offer critical information for the conservation management of this northernmost West African chimpanzee population.

Ndiaye, Y. H., Ndiaye, P. I., Lindshield, S. M., & Pruetz, J. D. (2024). Updating Chimpanzee Nesting Data at Mount Assirik (Niokolo Koba National Park, Senegal): Implications for Conservation. Animals, 14(4), 553. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14040553