Illegal Hunting and Chimpanzee Distribution in the Seringbara Region of the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve: A Multi‐Scale Modelling Approach

High-altitude zones above 750 meters within the Seringbara region of Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve serve as critical refuges for chimpanzees, offering relative protection from human disturbance while also representing areas of heightened encounter probability with illegal hunters. This study employed multi-scale ecological niche models using GPS data on chimpanzee activities (feeding, traveling, nesting) and human hunting evidence, revealing that chimpanzees prefer steeper slopes and dense vegetation, whereas hunters avoid such areas. The research identifies significant spatial overlap between chimpanzee activity zones and illegal hunting hotspots, pinpointing strategic regions for targeted conservation efforts to mitigate threats from poaching in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Degrève, L., Erazo, D., Fitzgerald, M., Camara, H. D., Mamy, G., Dellicour, S., Kaszta, Ż., & Koops, K. (2026). Illegal Hunting and Chimpanzee Distribution in the Seringbara Region of the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve: A Multi‐Scale Modelling Approach. Ecology and Evolution, 16(10). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.74384