Lake Sonfon - Revision history

WikiEdit at 19:10, 14 October 2026

2026-10-14T19:10:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:10, 14 October 2026
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	\|[[#R01032\|Brncic et al. 2010]]		\|[[#R01032\|Brncic et al. 2010]]
	\|		\|
	\|SLE0002, SLE0003, SLE0004, SLE0014, SLE0015, SLE0017, SLE0018, SLE0021, SLE0024, SLE0025, SLE0026, SLE0029, SLE0032, SLE0036, SLE0037		\|SLE0002, SLE0003<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="+13 more" data-collapsetext="less">SLE0004, SLE0014, SLE0015, SLE0017, SLE0018, SLE0021, SLE0024, SLE0025, SLE0026, SLE0029, SLE0032, SLE0036, SLE0037</div>
	\|}		\|}

WikiEdit at 20:28, 12 October 2026

2026-10-12T20:28:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:28, 12 October 2026
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	= Site characteristics =		= Site characteristics =

	Lake Sonfon is located in the mountainous northeastern part of Sierra Leone, at an altitude of 549 m above sea level. The vegetation around the lake comprises open grassland, wooded savanna, forest, and farmbush. Seven small streams flow into the lake, which provide a water source for local communities. The lake is also important to local people in terms of traditional beliefs and ceremonies (Sesay et al. 2017, BirdLife International 2023, [https://www.globalnature.org/en/living-lakes/africa/sonfon-lake GNF]). The site is an Important Bird Area (BirdLife International 2023). Western chimpanzees may be present around the lake; other large mammals in the Lake Sonfon environs include warthog, bay duiker, Maxwell’s duiker, bushbuck, buffalo, red river hog, and various monkeys (Brncic et al. 2010).		Lake Sonfon is located in the mountainous northeastern part of Sierra Leone, at an altitude of 549 m above sea level. The vegetation around the lake comprises open grassland, wooded savanna, forest, and farmbush. Seven small streams flow into the lake, which provide a water source for local communities. The lake is also important to local people in terms of traditional beliefs and ceremonies ([[#R01034\|Sesay et al. 2017]], [[#R01033\|BirdLife International 2023]], [https://www.globalnature.org/en/living-lakes/africa/sonfon-lake GNF]). The site is an Important Bird Area ([[#R01033\|BirdLife International 2023]]). Western chimpanzees may be present around the lake; other large mammals in the Lake Sonfon environs include warthog, bay duiker, Maxwell’s duiker, bushbuck, buffalo, red river hog, and various monkeys ([[#R01032\|Brncic et al. 2010]]).

	'''Table 1. Basic site information for Lake Sonfon'''		'''Table 1. Basic site information for Lake Sonfon'''
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	= Ape status =		= Ape status =

	Interviews were conducted around Lake Sonfon in 2009, which concluded that it does not contain a substantial chimpanzee population. The surrounding forest and woodland savanna may have several groups of chimpanzees (Brncic et al. 2010). Two of these groups were identified during the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project Baseline Biodiversity Survey; the southernmost group was based near Worowaya ranging to the Seli River, comprising 8-16 individuals. A second group was located northeast of the Sel- Mawoloho confluence, comprising 6-9 individuals (Brncic et al. 2010). During a camera trap survey in 2016 chimpanzees were encountered at the site, though not on the camera traps (Sesay et al. 2016).		Interviews were conducted around Lake Sonfon in 2009, which concluded that it does not contain a substantial chimpanzee population. The surrounding forest and woodland savanna may have several groups of chimpanzees ([[#R01032\|Brncic et al. 2010]]). Two of these groups were identified during the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project Baseline Biodiversity Survey; the southernmost group was based near Worowaya ranging to the Seli River, comprising 8-16 individuals. A second group was located northeast of the Sel- Mawoloho confluence, comprising 6-9 individuals ([[#R01032\|Brncic et al. 2010]]). During a camera trap survey in 2016 chimpanzees were encountered at the site, though not on the camera traps (Sesay et al. 2016).

	'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Lake Sonfon'''		'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Lake Sonfon'''
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	\|Camera trap		\|Camera trap
	\|		\|
	\|Sesay et al. 2017		\|[[#R01034\|Sesay et al. 2017]]
	\|Chimpanzees were observed, but not on the camera traps		\|Chimpanzees were observed, but not on the camera traps
	\|		\|
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	\|Interviews		\|Interviews
	\|		\|
	\|Brncic et al. 2010		\|[[#R01032\|Brncic et al. 2010]]
	\|
	\|		\|
			\|SLE0002, SLE0003, SLE0004, SLE0014, SLE0015, SLE0017, SLE0018, SLE0021, SLE0024, SLE0025, SLE0026, SLE0029, SLE0032, SLE0036, SLE0037
	\|}		\|}

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	= Threats =		= Threats =

	During a 2009 survey, people from nearby villages identified mining, hunting, and farming activities as causing a decline in the chimpanzee population since the war (Brncic et al. 2010). The lake itself and the immediate environs are threatened primarily by artisanal gold mining. A significant amount of mining activity was seen at the lake and its surroundings, which is likely to reduce water quality, increase wildlife exploitation and increase forest clearance (Brncic et al. 2010).		During a 2009 survey, people from nearby villages identified mining, hunting, and farming activities as causing a decline in the chimpanzee population since the war ([[#R01032\|Brncic et al. 2010]]). The lake itself and the immediate environs are threatened primarily by artisanal gold mining. A significant amount of mining activity was seen at the lake and its surroundings, which is likely to reduce water quality, increase wildlife exploitation and increase forest clearance ([[#R01032\|Brncic et al. 2010]]).

	'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Lake Sonfon'''		'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Lake Sonfon'''
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	\|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops		\|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
	\|Low (up to 30% of population affected)		\|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
	\|Habitat degradation due to farming activities (Brncic et al. 2010, Sesay et al. 2017).		\|Habitat degradation due to farming activities ([[#R01032\|Brncic et al. 2010]], [[#R01034\|Sesay et al. 2017]]).
	\|2010-Ongoing (2017)		\|2010-Ongoing (2017)
	\|-		\|-
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	\|3.2 Mining & quarrying		\|3.2 Mining & quarrying
	\|High (more than 70% of population affected)		\|High (more than 70% of population affected)
	\|Artisanal gold mining is the largest threat (Brncic et al. 2010, Sesay et al. 2017)		\|Artisanal gold mining is the largest threat ([[#R01032\|Brncic et al. 2010]], [[#R01034\|Sesay et al. 2017]])
	\|2010-Ongoing (2017)		\|2010-Ongoing (2017)
	\|-		\|-
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	\|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals		\|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
	\|High (more than 70% of population affected)		\|High (more than 70% of population affected)
	\|Hunting was reported as a main threat during a 2009 interview survey in the area (Brncic et al. 2010).		\|Hunting was reported as a main threat during a 2009 interview survey in the area ([[#R01032\|Brncic et al. 2010]]).
	\|Ongoing (2010)		\|Ongoing (2010)
	\|-		\|-
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	\|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting		\|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
	\|High (more than 70% of population affected)		\|High (more than 70% of population affected)
	\|Logging and subsequent agricultural activities have degraded the forest (Brncic et al. 2010); charcoal extraction (Sesay et al. 2017).		\|Logging and subsequent agricultural activities have degraded the forest ([[#R01032\|Brncic et al. 2010]]); charcoal extraction ([[#R01034\|Sesay et al. 2017]]).
	\|2010-Ongoing (2017)		\|2010-Ongoing (2017)
	\|-		\|-
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	\|6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises		\|6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises
	\|Present (unknown severity)		\|Present (unknown severity)
	\|A decline in chimpanzee population was noticeable to local communities since the war (Brncic et al. 2010).		\|A decline in chimpanzee population was noticeable to local communities since the war ([[#R01032\|Brncic et al. 2010]]).
	\|1991-2002		\|1991-2002
	\|}		\|}
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	= References =		= References =

	Brncic, T.M., Amarasekaran,B. & McKenna,A. 2010. Final Report of the Sierra Leone National Chimpanzee Census Project. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Freetown, Sierra Leone.		<span id="R01032"></span>Brncic, T.M., Amarasekaran,B. & McKenna,A. 2010. Final Report of the Sierra Leone National Chimpanzee Census Project. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Freetown, Sierra Leone. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160308223613/http://tacugama.com/census.html link]

	BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lake Sonfon and environs. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-sonfon-and-environs-iba-sierra-leone on 04/12/2023.		<span id="R01033"></span>BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lake Sonfon and environs. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-sonfon-and-environs-iba-sierra-leone on 04/12/2023.

	Sesay, P. B. Abdulai Duada, A. D. Momoh Bai-Sesay M. B., Havery, S. J., Ashpole, J., Hillers, A. & Oppel, S. (2017) Report on the biodiversity of Lake Sonfon, Sierra Leone. Report to African Bird Club & Bread for the World.		<span id="R01034"></span>Sesay, P. B. Abdulai Duada, A. D. Momoh Bai-Sesay M. B., Havery, S. J., Ashpole, J., Hillers, A. & Oppel, S. (2017) Report on the biodiversity of Lake Sonfon, Sierra Leone. Report to African Bird Club & Bread for the World.



	'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2023-11-24		'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2023-11-24

WikiEdit at 14:45, 25 March 2026

2026-03-25T14:45:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:45, 25 March 2026
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	* Key threats to chimpanzees are mining, hunting, and habitat loss due to agriculture.		* Key threats to chimpanzees are mining, hunting, and habitat loss due to agriculture.
	* Conservation activities carried out by CSSL have focused on awareness raising and supporting livelihood alternatives.		* Conservation activities carried out by CSSL have focused on awareness raising and supporting livelihood alternatives.





	= Site characteristics =		= Site characteristics =
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	!Description		!Description
	!Year of threat		!Year of threat
	\|-
	~~\|6 Human intrusions & disturbance~~
	~~\|6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises~~
	~~\|Present (unknown severity)~~
	~~\|A decline in chimpanzee population was noticeable to local communities since the war (Brncic et al. 2010).~~
	~~\|1991-2002~~
	\|-		\|-
	\|2 Agriculture & aquaculture		\|2 Agriculture & aquaculture
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	\|Artisanal gold mining is the largest threat (Brncic et al. 2010, Sesay et al. 2017)		\|Artisanal gold mining is the largest threat (Brncic et al. 2010, Sesay et al. 2017)
	\|2010-Ongoing (2017)		\|2010-Ongoing (2017)
			\|-
			\|5 Biological resource use
			\|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
			\|High (more than 70% of population affected)
			\|Hunting was reported as a main threat during a 2009 interview survey in the area (Brncic et al. 2010).
			\|Ongoing (2010)
	\|-		\|-
	\|5 Biological resource use		\|5 Biological resource use
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	\|2010-Ongoing (2017)		\|2010-Ongoing (2017)
	\|-		\|-
	\|~~5 Biological resource use~~		\|6 Human intrusions & disturbance
	\|5.~~1 Hunting~~ & ~~collecting terrestrial animals~~		\|6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises
	\|~~High~~ (~~more than 70% of population affected~~)		\|Present (unknown severity)
	\|~~Hunting~~ was ~~reported as a main threat during a 2009 interview survey in~~ the ~~area~~ (Brncic et al. 2010).		\|A decline in chimpanzee population was noticeable to local communities since the war (Brncic et al. 2010).
	\|~~Ongoing (2010)~~		\|1991-2002
	\|}		\|}

WikiEdit: Created page with "West Africa > Sierra Leone > Lake Sonfon '''[https://apesatlas-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Lake_Sonfon?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=fr&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Français]''' | '''[https://apesatlas-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Lake_Sonfon?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=pt&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Português]''' | '''[https://apesatlas-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Lake_Sonfon?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=es&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=..."

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[[West Africa]] > [[Sierra Leone]] > [[Lake Sonfon]]

'''[https://apesatlas-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Lake_Sonfon?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=fr&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Français]''' | '''[https://apesatlas-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Lake_Sonfon?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=pt&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Português]''' | '''[https://apesatlas-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Lake_Sonfon?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=es&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Español]''' | '''[https://apesatlas-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Lake_Sonfon?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=id&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Bahasa Indonesia]''' | '''[https://apesatlas-iucnapesportal-org.translate.goog/index.php/Lake_Sonfon?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=ms&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp Melayu]'''

__TOC__
= Summary =

<div style='float: right'>{{#display_map: height=190px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers=OpenStreetMap,OpenTopoMap|9.249629, -11.499968~[[Lake Sonfon]]~''Pan troglodytes verus''}}</div>
* Western chimpanzees (''Pan troglodytes verus'') may be present in Lake Sonfon.
* The population size is unknown.
* The chimpanzee population trend is decreasing.
* The site has a total size of 8 km².
* Key threats to chimpanzees are mining, hunting, and habitat loss due to agriculture.
* Conservation activities carried out by CSSL have focused on awareness raising and supporting livelihood alternatives.

= Site characteristics =

Lake Sonfon is located in the mountainous northeastern part of Sierra Leone, at an altitude of 549 m above sea level. The vegetation around the lake comprises open grassland, wooded savanna, forest, and farmbush. Seven small streams flow into the lake, which provide a water source for local communities. The lake is also important to local people in terms of traditional beliefs and ceremonies (Sesay et al. 2017, BirdLife International 2023, [https://www.globalnature.org/en/living-lakes/africa/sonfon-lake GNF]). The site is an Important Bird Area (BirdLife International 2023). Western chimpanzees may be present around the lake; other large mammals in the Lake Sonfon environs include warthog, bay duiker, Maxwell’s duiker, bushbuck, buffalo, red river hog, and various monkeys (Brncic et al. 2010).

'''Table 1. Basic site information for Lake Sonfon'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Site_characteristics-table"
|Species
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|-
|Area
|8 km²
|-
|Coordinates
|Lat: 9.249629 , Lon: -11.499968
|-
|Type of site
|Unknown
|-
|Habitat types
|Savanna, Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest
|-
|Type of governance
|
|}

[[Types of sites]] [[Governance types]] [[Habitat types]]
= Ape status =

Interviews were conducted around Lake Sonfon in 2009, which concluded that it does not contain a substantial chimpanzee population. The surrounding forest and woodland savanna may have several groups of chimpanzees (Brncic et al. 2010). Two of these groups were identified during the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project Baseline Biodiversity Survey; the southernmost group was based near Worowaya ranging to the Seli River, comprising 8-16 individuals. A second group was located northeast of the Sel- Mawoloho confluence, comprising 6-9 individuals (Brncic et al. 2010). During a camera trap survey in 2016 chimpanzees were encountered at the site, though not on the camera traps (Sesay et al. 2016).

'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Lake Sonfon'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Ape_status-table"
!Species
!Year
!Occurrence
!Encounter or vistation rate (nests/km; ind/day)
!Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)
!Abundance estimate (95% CI)
!Survey area
!Sampling method
!Analytical framework
!Source
!Comments
!A.P.E.S. database ID
|-
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|2016
|Present
|
|
|
|Lake Sonfon Forest Reserve
|Camera trap
|
|Sesay et al. 2017
|Chimpanzees were observed, but not on the camera traps
|
|-
|''Pan troglodytes verus''
|2009
|Present
|
|
|
|Lake Sonfon Forest Reserve
|Interviews
|
|Brncic et al. 2010
|
|
|}

[[Sampling methods]] [[Analytical frameworks]]
= Threats =

During a 2009 survey, people from nearby villages identified mining, hunting, and farming activities as causing a decline in the chimpanzee population since the war (Brncic et al. 2010). The lake itself and the immediate environs are threatened primarily by artisanal gold mining. A significant amount of mining activity was seen at the lake and its surroundings, which is likely to reduce water quality, increase wildlife exploitation and increase forest clearance (Brncic et al. 2010).

'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Lake Sonfon'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Threats-table"
!Category
!Specific threats
!Threat level
!Description
!Year of threat
|-
|6 Human intrusions & disturbance
|6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises
|Present (unknown severity)
|A decline in chimpanzee population was noticeable to local communities since the war (Brncic et al. 2010).
|1991-2002
|-
|2 Agriculture & aquaculture
|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
|Habitat degradation due to farming activities (Brncic et al. 2010, Sesay et al. 2017).
|2010-Ongoing (2017)
|-
|3 Energy production & mining
|3.2 Mining & quarrying
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Artisanal gold mining is the largest threat (Brncic et al. 2010, Sesay et al. 2017)
|2010-Ongoing (2017)
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Logging and subsequent agricultural activities have degraded the forest (Brncic et al. 2010); charcoal extraction (Sesay et al. 2017).
|2010-Ongoing (2017)
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Hunting was reported as a main threat during a 2009 interview survey in the area (Brncic et al. 2010).
|Ongoing (2010)
|}

[[Threats]]
= Conservation activities =

Since 2011, Friends of the Environment and Culture (FOTEC) has worked towards protecting the flora and fauna at the site ([https://www.globalnature.org/en/living-lakes/africa/sonfon-lake GNF]). The Conservation Society of Sierra Leone has also conducted conservation activities in the area, including awareness raising and support for alternative livelihood programs ([https://cs-sl.org/where-we-work/ CSSL]).

= Challenges =

'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Lake Sonfon'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="Challenges-table"
!Challenges
!Specific challenges
!Source
!Year(s)
|-
|
|Not reported
|
|
|}

[[Challenges]]
= Enablers =

'''Table 6. Enablers reported for Lake Sonfon'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="enabler-table"
!Enablers
!Specific enablers
!Source
!Year(s)
|-
|1 Site management
|
|
|
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|
|
|
|-
|3 Engaged community
|
|
|
|-
|4 Institutional support
|
|
|
|-
|5 Ecological context
|
|
|
|-
|6 Safety and stability
|
|
|
|}

[[Enablers]]
= Research activities =

= Documented behaviours =

'''Table 7. Behaviours documented for Lake Sonfon'''
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviours-table"
!Category
!Behavior
!Observation type
!Prevalence
!Observation dates
!Source
!Habituation
!Species
!Comment
|-
|
|Not reported
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}

[[Behaviours]]
= Exposure to climate change impacts =

= External links =

= References =

Brncic, T.M., Amarasekaran,B. & McKenna,A. 2010. Final Report of the Sierra Leone National Chimpanzee Census Project. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lake Sonfon and environs. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-sonfon-and-environs-iba-sierra-leone on 04/12/2023.

Sesay, P. B. Abdulai Duada, A. D. Momoh Bai-Sesay M. B., Havery, S. J., Ashpole, J., Hillers, A. & Oppel, S. (2017) Report on the biodiversity of Lake Sonfon, Sierra Leone. Report to African Bird Club & Bread for the World.

'''Page created by: '''APES Atlas Team''' Date:''' 2023-11-24