Hunter Perception and Population Dynamics of Red Colobus Monkeys in the Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve, Southwest Cameroon

Background and Objective: Preuss’s red colobus monkeys are a red colobus primate species endemic to the forests of Southeastern Nigeria and Southwestern Cameroon. The absence of data on the population dynamics of these monkeys around the Rumpi Hills Forests Reserve (RHFR) impedes conservation efforts. This study assessed local hunters’ perception of the population dynamics and factors that influence the status of Preuss’s red colobus around the RHFR. Materials and Methods: Population dynamics data of red colobus monkeys were collected from 42 hunters in 23 villages near RHFR between November, 2023 and February, 2024, using semi-structured interviews with closed and open-ended questions. Hunters, aged 18 or older, were verified through National Identity Cards or approval from local authorities, with interviews conducted in Oroko or Pidgin English when necessary. A One-Sample Student t-test at a 95% confidence interval and pearson’s rank correlation analysis (p = 0.000) were used to assess the population status of the red colobus. Results: Results showed the majority of the hunters (92.9%) were males who have been hunting for more than 20 years. Meanwhile, although everyone hunted red colobus monkeys for marketing and household consumption through snares 40.5% and guns/spears 33.3%, no hunter had a hunting license. In addition, Pearson’s rank correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between the length of hunting time and the number of red colobus monkeys killed. A One-Sample Student t-test showed a significant difference between the number of times respondents had observed a monkey, estimated numbers in the wild and the numbers killed. Conclusion: Although hunters have a significant role to play in the population dynamics of the existence of red colobus monkeys around the RHFR, alternative income-generating sources should be promoted among local hunting communities to ensure the sustainability and survival of monkey populations.