Conservation Recommendations by Taxon

The tables below list all taxon-specific recommended conservation actions, an estimate of the total costs of the proposed action (excluding the costs of long-term, recurrent, or large-scale recommended actions), and conservation priority sites, species’ strongholds where, even in a worst-case scenario, we should still be able to sustain relatively healthy populations of each taxon. Conservation actions apply to all priority sites unless otherwise indicated. Finally, as many Cercocebus and Mandrillus taxa’s range overlap with those of red colobus primates (Piliocolobus sp.), tables also indicate what red colobus species that will benefit from the actions recommended here and the crossover with IUCN Red Colobus (Piliocolobus) Action Plan 2021-2026.

Red-capped mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus)
Key Conservation Priority Areas
CountryPriority Sites
Democratic Republic of CongoOkapi Wildlife Reserve
Republic of CongoLac Télé/Likouala-aux-herbes
Nouabale-Ndoki National Park
Ntokou-Pikounda National Park
Odzala-Kokoua National Park
GabonIvindo National Park
Minkebe National Park
Mwagna National Park
CameroonBoumba-Bek National Park
Campo Ma’an National Park
Dja Faunal Reserve
Lobeke National Park
Nki National Park
Central African RepublicDzanga-Sangha Complex (Ndoki and Dzanga National Parks sectors and the Dzanga Special Reserve)
Priority Objectives and Recommended Actions 

ESTIMATED BUDGET: $160,000*

Priority objectives

Recommended actions

Red Colobus Action Plan Crossover

 

Reduce knowledge gapConduct population surveys in all priority sites and maintain regular monitoring (at least every five years) in each protected area where the species occurs.P. oustaleti
P. bouvieri
Raise the profile of the speciesInitiate community awareness activities including Mangabey Awareness Day in communities around all protected areas where this species occursP. oustaleti
P. bouvieri
Enhance protectionReinforcement of surveillance and anti-hunting (including intelligence-led methods) efforts in all protected areas where this species occurs 
*Excluding costs of long-term/recurring actions
Agile mangabey (Cercocebus agilis)
Key Conservation Priority Areas
CountryPriority Sites
Democratic Republic of CongoOkapi Wildlife Reserve
Republic of CongoLac Télé/Likouala-aux-herbes
Nouabale-Ndoki National Park
Ntokou-Pikounda National Park
Odzala-Kokoua National Park
GabonIvindo National Park
Minkebe National Park
Mwagna National Park
CameroonBoumba-Bek National Park
Campo Ma’an National Park
Dja Faunal Reserve
Lobeke National Park
Nki National Park
Central African RepublicDzanga-Sangha Complex (Ndoki and Dzanga National Parks sectors and the Dzanga Special Reserve)
Priority Objectives and Recommended Actions 
ESTIMATED BUDGET: $160,000*
Priority objectivesRecommended actionsRed Colobus Action Plan Crossover
Reduce knowledge gapConduct population surveys in all priority sites and maintain regular monitoring (at least every five years) in each protected area where the species occurs.P. oustaleti
P. bouvieri
Raise the profile of the speciesInitiate community awareness activities including Mangabey Awareness Day in communities around all protected areas where this species occursP. oustaleti
P. bouvieri
Enhance protectionReinforcement of surveillance and anti-hunting (including intelligence-led methods) efforts in all protected areas where this species occurs 
*Excluding costs of long-term/recurring actions
Sooty mangabey (Cercocebus atys)
Key Conservation Priority Areas  
CountryPriority Sites  
Côte d’IvoireTaï National Park  
LiberiaGola National Park*  
Sapo National Park  
Sierra LeoneGola Rainforest National Park*  
Loma Mountains National Park  
GuineaFouta Djalon  
Guinea-BissauCufada Lagoons National Park  
Cantanhez National Park  
Dulombi-Boé Complex  
SenegalForests around the Casamance River  
*Components of the Gola Transboundary Forest System  
    
Priority Objectives and Recommended Actions  
ESTIMATED BUDGET: $220,000* 
Priority objectivesRecommended actionsRed Colobus Action Plan Crossover 
Reduce knowledge gapBuild and/or renovate visitor facilities (e.g., Vera Camp, a former research station) and/or establish a permanent research station in Sapo National Park.P. b. badius 
Construct and staff a research station in the eastern portion of Taï National Park.P. b. badius 
Assess presence and population status of Sootys and other primates in:P. b. badius 
●        Senegal: around the Casamance RiverP. b. temminckii 
●      Guinea-Bissau: Cufada Lagoons Natural Park, Cantanhez National Park and Dulombi-Boé Complex  
●        Sierra Leone: Loma Mountains National Park  
●        Liberia: Grebo-Krahn National Park  
Carry out population assessment in:P. b. badius 
●        Côte d’Ivoire: Taï National Park 
●        Sierra Leone: Gola Rainforest National Park 
●        Liberia: Sapo National Park 
Determine taxonomic status (via genetic analysis) of sooty mangabeys in Guinea’s Fouta Djalon area  
Survey mangabey populations of sooty mangabeys in Guinea’s Fouta Djalon area region  
Habitat restorationIdentify and restore if needed potential dispersal routes between parks in the southern region of Guinea-Bissau  
Raise the profile of the speciesCollaborate with local communities to develop education & awareness materials centered on sooty mangabeys and other primates:  
●        Liberia: Gola National Park 
●        Guinea-Bissau: Dulombi-Boé Complex 
Enhance protectionHire, train and equip park guards to enforce hunting laws in Cantanhez National Park  
Make recommendations on the management of protection efforts in Sierra Leone’s Loma Mountains National Park.P. b. badius 
Make recommendations for improved conservation in Grebo National Forests including consideration of national park status.P. b. badius 
Reinforce protection throughout Taï National Park  
Reinforce protection throughout Gola National Park  
 Work with organisations with relevant reproductive health and demographic expertise (e.g., Margaret Pyke Trust, IUCN Biodiversity & Family Planning Task Force) to support the processes of:  
(a) analysing the extent to which barriers to family planning are a threat to the sooty mangabey across its range; 
(b) establishing the extent to which existing health, conservation, and development policies within the range of the sooty mangabey could support the development of conservation programs focussed on this species, following the PHE approach to conservation; 
(c) establishing whether and how programmatic partnerships with health NGOs, the Ministry of Health, and/or others, could respond to range-specific barriers to family planning and identifying partners; and 
(d) when funding can be secured, develop holistic PHE interventions to simultaneously support community health and well-being, and conservation of the sooty mangabey. 
*Excluding costs of long-term/recurring actions  
Golden bellied mangabey (Cercocebus chrysogaster)
Key Conservation Priority Areas 
CountryPriority Sites 
Democratic Republic of congoSalonga National Park 
Lokolama Village region 
Lukenie River region 
Mimia Village region 
Kipula Block (Eastern population) 
   
Priority Objectives and Recommended Actions 
ESTIMATED BUDGET: $80,000*
Priority objectivesRecommended actionsRed Colobus Action Plan Crossover
Reduce knowledge gapConduct population surveys in all priority sites.P. tholloni
Systematic surveying of wild-meat markets to better understand precedence, species distribution and hunting pressure. 
Respond to public health needsWorking with organisations with relevant reproductive health and demographic expertise (e.g., Margaret Pyke Trust, IUCN Biodiversity & Family Planning Task Force) to support the processes of: 
(a) analysing the extent to which barriers to family planning are a threat to the golden-bellied mangabey across its range
(b) establishing the extent to which existing health, conservation, and development policies within the range of the golden-bellied mangabey could support the development of conservation programs focussed on this species, following the PHE approach to conservation;
(c) eestablishing whether and how programmatic partnerships with health NGOs, the Ministry of Health, and/or others, could respond to range-specific barriers to family planning and identifying partners; and
(d) when funding can be secured, develop holistic PHE interventions to simultaneously support community health and well-being, and conservation of the golden-bellied mangabey.
*Excluding costs of long-term/recurring actions 
Tana River mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus)
Key Conservation Priority Areas  
CountryPriority Sites  
KenyaTana River Primate National Reserve and surrounding community forests  
Tana Delta, particularly the Bililo-Vunja Moyo Forest Complex  
Areas between Mwina and Mitapani  
Areas between Makere West and Wenje West  
Areas between Makere East and Nkanjonja  
    
Priority Objectives and Recommended Actions  
ESTIMATED BUDGET: $295,000* 
Priority objectivesRecommended actionsRed Colobus Action Plan Crossover 
Stakeholder engagement and local livelihood supportStakeholder engagement through training and support of community conservancy initiatives.P. rufomitratus 
Provide alternative livelihoods to ease pressure on habitat. Promote collaborative efforts among stakeholders towards mangabey conservation.P. rufomitratus 
Reduce knowledge gapUndertake a complete census and an assessment of suitable habitat.P. rufomitratus 
 
Genetic analysis to determine relatedness and heterozygosity among sub-populations of the Tana River mangabey and to determine the genetic health of the population.  
Restore Mchelelo Research Camp to support research and ecological monitoring.P. rufomitratus 
 
Habitat restorationRestore and connect degraded and fragmented forest fragments and unprotected areas between Mwina and Mitapani, between Makere West and Wenje West, and between Makere East and Nkanjonga to improve the quality and size of critical habitats for Tana River mangabey. This is to include an exploration of the implications of the spread of invasive species and ways to mitigate further habitat loss.P. rufomitratus 
 
Raise the profile of the speciesConservation education to raise awareness of the Tana River mangabey conservation status and promote actions to address the threats (e.g., habitat degradation, loss and fragmentation, livestock encroachment, overgrazing, unsustainable wild honey harvesting, forest firesP. rufomitratus 
 
Respond to public health needsWork with organisations with relevant reproductive health and demographic expertise (e.g., Communities Health Africa Trust [CHAT], which is already active in Kenya; Margaret Pyke Trust, IUCN Biodiversity & Family Planning Task Force) to support and/or advice on the processes of:  
(a) analysing the extent to which barriers to family planning are a threat to the Tana River mangabey across its range; 
(b) establishing the extent to which existing health, conservation, and development policies within the range of the Tana River mangabey could support the development of conservation programs focussed on this species, following the PHE approach to conservation; 
(c) establishing whether and how programmatic partnerships with health NGOs, the Ministry of Health, and/or others, could respond to range-specific barriers to family planning and identifying partners; and 
(d) when funding can be secured, develop holistic PHE interventions to simultaneously support community health and well-being, and conservation of the Tana River mangabey. 
*Excluding costs of long-term/recurring actions  
Sanje mangabey (Cercocebus sanjei)
Key Conservation Priority Areas 
CountryPriority Sites 
TanzaniaUzungwa Scarp Nature Reserve 
Udzungwa Mountains National Park 
   
Priority Objectives and Recommended Actions 
ESTIMATED BUDGET: $225,000*
Priority objectivesRecommended actionsRed Colobus Action Plan Crossover
Reduce knowledge gapEstablish recurring, standardised monitoring of the entire mangabey population across Udzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve and Uduzngwa Mountains National Park using acoustic survey methods with Distance software and wide-spread camera trapping arraysP. gordonorum
Investigate wild meat hunting, consumption USNR and UMNP 
Enhance protectionIncrease patrol frequency and coverage in the Uzungwa Scarp Nature ReserveP. gordonorum
Habitat restorationHabitat restoration of both forests to increase availability of preferred mangabey habitat and decrease edge to core ratios in both Mwanihana and USNR.P. gordonorum
Raise the profile of the speciesWork with local partners to continue and enhance conservation education in neighboring communitiesP. gordonorum
*Excluding costs of long-term/recurring actions 
White-naped mangabey (Cercocebus lunulatus)
Key Conservation Priority Areas 
CountryPriority Sites 
GhanaAnkasa-Tano Community Forest 
Cape Three Points Forest Reserve 
Côte d’IvoireComoé National Park 
Tanoé-Ehy Community Forest 
Burkina FasoComoé-Lébara Partial Reserve 
   
Priority Objectives and Recommended Actions 
ESTIMATED BUDGET: $220,000*
Priority objectivesRecommended actionsRed Colobus Action Plan Crossover
Reduce knowledge gapConduct surveys in other potential areas (in Ghana: Ankasa Conservation Area, Ankasa-Tano Community Rainforest, Krokosua Hills Forest Reserve and particularly Atewa Range Forest Reserve, known habitat for the species but with very limited data; in Côte d’Ivoire: Port Gauthier Forest Reserve, Dassioko Forest Reserve, Azagny National Park; and Burkina Faso: Comoé-Lébara Partial Reserve) to gather data on distribution and population density. 
Establish research camps in Comoé National Park, Tanoé-Ehy, Cape Three Points Forest Reserve, and Ankasa Conservation Area to house seasonal research visits. These camps could further become permanent research stations if matching funds are sought.P. waldroni
Release of captive bred groups/individuals and monitor post-release. 
Raise the profile of the speciesIncrease conservation education and awareness among local communities living around the priority sites on the conservation of C. lunulatus through workshops, meetings, billboards, posters, pamphlets, and other related material.P. waldroni
Enhance protectionReinforce protection at the priority sites (Comoé National Park, Tanoé-Ehy Community Forest, Cape Three Points Forest Reserve, and Ankasa-Tano Community Forest; Comoé-Lébara Partial Reserve) including law enforcement through providing support (financial, logistic and training) to rangers and involving local communities in patrolling.P. waldroni
Support transboundary conservation actions in the Tanoé-Ehy and Ankasa-Tano community forests.P. waldroni
Support advocacy action against the construction of a petroleum hub, taking 20,000 acres of land around and including parts the Ankasa-Tano Community Forest 
Respond to public health needsProvide opportunities for women to receive family planning through established women’s coconut oil cooperatives near Ankasa-Tano Community Rainforest and other green value chain groups around Cape Three Point Forest Reserve, Ghana. 
Work with organisations with relevant reproductive health and demographic expertise (e.g., Margaret Pyke Trust, IUCN Biodiversity & Family Planning Task Force) to support the processes of: 
(a) analysing the extent to which barriers to family planning are a threat to the white-naped mangabey across its range;
(b) establishing the extent to which existing health, conservation, and development policies within the range of the white-naped mangabey could support the development of conservation programs focussed on this species, following the PHE approach to conservation;
(c) establishing whether and how programmatic partnerships with health NGOs, the Ministry of Health, and/or others, could respond to range-specific barriers to family planning and identifying partners; and
(d) when funding can be secured, develop holistic PHE interventions to simultaneously support community health and well-being, and conservation of the white-naped mangabey
*Excluding costs of long-term/recurring actions 
Mainland drill (Mandrillus sphinx)
Key Conservation Priority Areas 
CountryPriority Sites 
CameroonKorup National Park 
Ebo Forest 
NigeriaCross River National Park 
Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary 
Mbe Mountains Community Conservation Area 
   
Priority Objectives and Recommended Actions 
ESTIMATED BUDGET: $270,000*
Priority objectivesRecommended actionsRed Colobus Action Plan Crossover
Stakeholder engagement and local livelihood supportSupport community meetings with partners to identify regional concerns and secondary opportunities for engagement (e.g., One Health, alternative proteins, value chain).P. preussi
Reduce knowledge gapConduct population surveys in all priority sites.P. preussi
Continue human demographic and socioeconomic surveys to better understand attitudes towards conservation and development actions around Korup National Park, and Ebo and adjacent Ndokbou-Makombe forests. 
Raise the profile of the speciesIdentify and engage partners in smaller communities and urban centers adjacent to the four priority sites to establish collaborations for education programs that highlight wildlife law and the importance of drill, its habitat, as well as to assess local perceptions, knowledge, and use of drills.P. preussi
Enhance protectionIncrease efficiency and number of patrols in around the Oban East, Oban West and Okwangwo Ranges of Cross River National Park, Afi Mountains National Park, and Ebo Forest, ensuring local people are trained and involved in proposed conservation actions, which should include community management.P. pennantii
Re-establish and staff the research camp in northeastern Korup National Park, near the village of Ikenge.P. pennantii
Implement a monthly biomonitoring programme that is separate from the responsibilities of the park guards in Korup National Park.P. pennantii
Increase the number of park guards and patrol coverage, implement regular guard-training workshops, upgrade guard equipment, improve the bonus system, and systematically improve anti-hunting patrol design and monitoring.P. pennantii
*Excluding costs of long-term/recurring actions 
Bioko drill (Mandrillus l. leucophaeus)
Key Conservation Priority Areas 
CountryPriority Sites 
Equatorial GuineaGran Caldera Scientific Reserve 
Pico Basilé National Park 
   
Priority Objectives and Recommended Actions 
ESTIMATED BUDGET: $80,000*
Priority objectivesRecommended actionsRed Colobus Action Plan Crossover
Reduce knowledge gapConduct a comprehensive survey of drill in PBNP, particularly on the southern slope of Pico Basile, and in areas of GCSR that are not currently monitored, to update their current range and population density and determine the degree of connectivity between the populations of both protected areas.P. pennantii
Raise the profile of the speciesEstablish a regulated, drill-viewing ecotourism program in Gran Caldera Scientific Reserve, particularly along Bioko’s southern beaches where drills still occur at high density. 
Enhance protectionEstablish government-run, anti-hunting road checkpoints at the entry points and key access routes to PBNP and GCSR to stem the flow of wild meat from the western and eastern access points of the island.P. pennantii
Increase monitoring patrols and initiate and deploy anti-hunting patrols with authority to sanction existing legislation within GCSR and PBNP, particularly around access points and hunting hotspots, such as the Luba-Ureca road, the southwestern beaches, and areas with the highest drill densities.P. pennantii
*Excluding costs of long-term/recurring actions 

Summary Budget Per Taxon

The table below presents the estimated overall budget for smaller-scale recommended actions for each taxon. These budgets do not include estimates for the long-term, recurrent, or intangible recommended actions, which, as noted in the plan, are difficult to estimate. 

TaxonScientific NameBudget (US$) 
Agile mangabeyCercocebus agilis $              160.000 
Golden bellied mangabeyCercocebus chrysogaster $                80.000 
Red-capped mangabeyCercocebus torquatus $              160.000 
Sanje mangabeyCercocebus sanjei $              225.000 
Sooty mangabeyCercocebus atys $              240.000 
Tana River mangabeyCercocebus galeritus $              295.000 
White-naped mangabeyCercocebus lunulatus $              220.000 
MandrillMandrillus sphinx $              240.000 
Mainland drillMandrillus leucophaeus leucophaeus $              270.000 
Bioko drillMandrillus leucophaeus poensis $                80.000 
TOTAL  $           1.970.000 

Conservation Recommendations by Country

To aid national conservation strategies, below you can find a summary of the recommended conservation actions, the conservation priority sites, and the Cercocebus and/or Mandrillus taxa present in each range country. Countries are listed alphabetically.

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Côte D’Ivoire

Democratic Republic of Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Kenya

Liberia

Nigeria

Republic of Congo

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Tanzania