Habitat Ecologique et Liberté des Primates: re-introduction of central chimpanzees to the Conkouati-Douli National Park, Republic of Congo

Abstract

First paragraph: The overall mission of the Congolese based charity Habitat Ecologique et Liberté des Primates (HELP) is to "protect primates, their habitat and everything that ensures the balance of their existence". The re-introduction of central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) is one activity that HELP executes to realise this mission. All species of chimpanzee are classified by IUCN (2008) as Endangered, listed on CITES App. I and Class A of the African Convention. Chimpanzees are also protected under Congolese law and classified as "espèces intégralement protégée". Whilst the reasons for diminishing chimpanzee populations are largely understood (high levels of habitat destruction and degradation, poaching and disease transmission), they are not declining or easily reversible. The HELP re-introduction site is located within the Conkouati Douli National Park (CDNP), Republic of Congo, on the border with Gabon. The CDNP, an area of high biological importance, covers 500,000 ha and contains a large mosaic of vegetation types. Within the CDNP chimpanzees are released into the ‘Triangle', an area of 21 km² delineated by two rivers. Due to the presence of natural bridges chimpanzees can cross the rivers to use neighbouring areas of the larger CDNP.