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* Conservation activities at the site include a reintroduction program for rescued chimpanzees, employing local people in conservation projets, habitat restoration and conducting field patrols.
* Conservation activities at the site include a reintroduction program for rescued chimpanzees, employing local people in conservation projets, habitat restoration and conducting field patrols.
* The site is designated as a Ramsar Site.
* The site is designated as a Ramsar Site.


= Site characteristics =
= Site characteristics =


Conkouati-Douli National Park (CDNP) was established in 1999, replacing the Conkouati Wildlife Reserve existing since 1980. CDNP is situated in the southwest corner of the Republic of Congo, bordering Gabon's Mayumba National Park to the north. Together, Mayumba National Park and CDNP form the Conkouati-Mayumba landscape, characterised by coastal lowland forest that extends into higher altitude forest in the mountains to the east, and descends to the inland savanna plain (Tutin et al. 2005). As a result of CDNP's broad habitat diversity, the park is the most biodiverse in Congo. In addition to chimpanzees and gorillas, CDNP is home to many threatened species, including forest elephants, mandrills, and forest buffalo. Marine species, such as manatees, turtles, dolphins and whales, are also found at the site. The coastline of the park, which comprises 35% of the country's coastline, is an important site for sea turtle nesting, particularly for Leatherback and Olive Ridley turtles ([http://wcscongoblog.org/portfolio_page/conkouati-douli-national-park/ WCS; BirdLife International 2020]). The site is also an Important Bird Area, with at least 288 species present (BirdLife International 2020). CDNP is also designated as a Ramsar Site and is registered on the indicative list of UNESCO World Heritage ([http://parcsdenoe.org/en/parcs-congo/# Parcs de Noé]).
Conkouati-Douli National Park (CDNP) was established in 1999, replacing the Conkouati Wildlife Reserve existing since 1980. CDNP is situated in the southwest corner of the Republic of Congo, bordering Gabon's Mayumba National Park to the north. Together, Mayumba National Park and CDNP form the Conkouati-Mayumba landscape, characterised by coastal lowland forest that extends into higher altitude forest in the mountains to the east, and descends to the inland savanna plain ([[#R00417|Tutin et al. 2005]]). As a result of CDNP's broad habitat diversity, the park is the most biodiverse in Congo. In addition to chimpanzees and gorillas, CDNP is home to many threatened species, including forest elephants, mandrills, and forest buffalo. Marine species, such as manatees, turtles, dolphins and whales, are also found at the site. The coastline of the park, which comprises 35% of the country's coastline, is an important site for sea turtle nesting, particularly for Leatherback and Olive Ridley turtles ([http://wcscongoblog.org/portfolio_page/conkouati-douli-national-park/ WCS; BirdLife International 2020]). The site is also an Important Bird Area, with at least 288 species present ([[#R00415|BirdLife International 2020]]). CDNP is also designated as a Ramsar Site and is registered on the indicative list of UNESCO World Heritage ([http://parcsdenoe.org/en/parcs-congo/# Parcs de Noé]).


'''Table 1. Basic site information for Conkouati-Douli National Park'''
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Conkouati-Douli National Park'''
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[[Types of sites]] [[Governance types]] [[Habitat types]]  
[[Types of sites]] [[Governance types]] [[Habitat types]]  
= Ape status =
= Ape status =


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


Lack of hunting controls and law enforcement combined with high demand for bushmeat in urban markets threaten the ape population at CDNP (IUCN 2014).
Lack of hunting controls and law enforcement combined with high demand for bushmeat in urban markets threaten the ape population at CDNP ([[#R00416|IUCN 2014]]).


'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Conkouati-Douli National Park'''
'''Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Conkouati-Douli National Park'''
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|-
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5 Biological resource use
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
|3.2.3 Artisanal mining
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|Hunting driven by considerable demand for bushmeat from urban markets in Congo (IUCN 2014). Hunting and bushmeat trade remain persistent within peripheral villages (RA-PNCD 2023).
|The report estimated that around 800 artisanal miners were operating illegally within the protected zone, posing a major threat to ecosystem integrity (RA-PNCD 2023).
|2014-Ongoing (2023)
|Ongoing (2023)
|-
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5 Biological resource use
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
|Present (unknown severity)
|Logging concessions present at the site, before and after it was declared a National Park (BirdLife International 2020; IUCN 2014).
|Ongoing (2020)
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|3.2.3 Artisanal mining
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|The report estimated that around 800 artisanal miners were operating illegally within the protected zone, posing a major threat to ecosystem integrity (RA-PNCD 2023).
|Hunting driven by considerable demand for bushmeat from urban markets in Congo ([[#R00416|IUCN 2014]]). Hunting and bushmeat trade remain persistent within peripheral villages (RA-PNCD 2023).
|Ongoing (2023)
|2014-Ongoing (2023)
|-
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5 Biological resource use
|5.1.2 Unintentional effects (species is not the target)
|5.1.2 Unintentional effects
|Present (unknown severity)
|Present (unknown severity)
|Great apes often suffer injuries from traps probably intended for other animals, sometimes resulting in the loss of a limb (Van Hoef pers. comm. 2025).
|Great apes often suffer injuries from traps probably intended for other animals, sometimes resulting in the loss of a limb (Van Hoef pers. comm. 2025).
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|Instances of great ape killings, such as those for trade or cultural believes were reported (Van Hoef pers. comm. 2025).
|Instances of great ape killings, such as those for trade or cultural believes were reported (Van Hoef pers. comm. 2025).
|Ongoing (2025)
|Ongoing (2025)
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
|Present (unknown severity)
|Logging concessions present at the site, before and after it was declared a National Park ([[#R00415|BirdLife International 2020]]; [[#R00416|IUCN 2014]]).
|Ongoing (2020)
|-
|-
|8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases
|8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases
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[[Threats]]  
[[Threats]]  
= Conservation activities =
= Conservation activities =


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|Noé, HELP Congo, Renatura, Jane Goodall Institute, Congolese Ministry of Environment, CEERC-USAID, Treevive.
|Noé, HELP Congo, Renatura, Jane Goodall Institute, Congolese Ministry of Environment, CEERC-USAID, Treevive.
|2023-Ongoing (2025)
|2023-Ongoing (2025)
|-
|4 Education & awareness
|4.2 Involve local community in ape research and conservation management
|A Comité de Gestion Communautaire (CGC) was established, comprising 51 representatives from local villages and Indigenous communities (RA-PNCD 2023).
|Noé, HELP Congo, Renatura, Jane Goodall Institute, Congolese Ministry of Environment, CEERC-USAID, Treevive.
|Ongoing (2023)
|-
|-
|5 Protection & restoration
|5 Protection & restoration
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|The site was declared a National Park in 1999; before that, it was a Wildlife Reserve, since 1980.
|The site was declared a National Park in 1999; before that, it was a Wildlife Reserve, since 1980.
|
|
|1999-Ongoing (2025)
|1999-Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|5 Protection & restoration
|5 Protection & restoration
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|6 Species management
|6 Species management
|6.8 Reintroduction of apes (captively-bred or rehabilitated indviduals)
|6.8 Reintroduction of apes (captively-bred or rehabilitated indviduals)
|The NGO [http://www.help-primates.org/en/actions.html HELP Congo] has a reintroduction program, and has released several rescued chimpanzees into the Triangle site (a forested area bordered by the Conkouati lagoon within the park).
|The NGO [[#R02025|HELP Congo]] has a reintroduction program, and has released several rescued chimpanzees into the Triangle site (a forested area bordered by the Conkouati lagoon within the park).
|
|
|Ongoing (2025)
|Ongoing (2025)
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|
|
|Ongoing (2025)
|Ongoing (2025)
|-
|4 Education & awareness
|4.2 Involve local community in ape research and conservation management
|A Comité de Gestion Communautaire (CGC) was established, comprising 51 representatives from local villages and Indigenous communities (RA-PNCD 2023).
|Noé, HELP Congo, Renatura, Jane Goodall Institute, Congolese Ministry of Environment, CEERC-USAID, Treevive.
|Ongoing (2023)
|}
|}


[[Conservation activities]]  
[[Conservation activities]]  
= Challenges =
= Challenges =


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!Source
!Source
!Year(s)
!Year(s)
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2.2 Lack of staff
|RA-PNCD 2023
|Ongoing (2023)
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2.7 Lack of infrastructure
|RA-PNCD 2023
|Ongoing (2023)
|-
|-
|4 Institutional support
|4 Institutional support
|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
|IUCN 2014
|[[#R00416|IUCN 2014]]
|Ongoing (2014)
|Ongoing (2014)
|-
|-
|4 Institutional support
|4 Institutional support
|4.4 Lack of transboundary cooperation
|4.4 Lack of transboundary cooperation
|IUCN 2014
|[[#R00416|IUCN 2014]]
|Ongoing (2014)
|Ongoing (2014)
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2.7 Lack of infrastructure
|RA-PNCD 2023
|Ongoing (2023)
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2.2 Lack of staff
|RA-PNCD 2023
|Ongoing (2023)
|}
|}


[[Challenges]]  
[[Challenges]]  
= Enablers =
= Enablers =


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!Source
!Source
!Year(s)
!Year(s)
|-
|1 Site management
|
|
|
|-
|-
|2 Resources and capacity
|2 Resources and capacity
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|RA-PNCD 2023
|RA-PNCD 2023
|Ongoing (2023)
|Ongoing (2023)
|-
|1 Site management
|
|
|
|-
|-
|4 Institutional support
|4 Institutional support
Line 272: Line 274:


[[Enablers]]  
[[Enablers]]  
= Research activities =
= Research activities =


Line 281: Line 284:


[https://bioone.org/journals/primate-conservation/volume-22/issue-1/052.022.0110/Confirmation-of-the-Presence-of-the-Red-Capped-Mangabey-Cercocebus/10.1896/052.022.0110.full Confirmation of the Presence of the Red-Capped Mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus) in Mayumba National Park, Southern Gabon, and Conkouati-Douli National Park, Southern Republic of Congo]
[https://bioone.org/journals/primate-conservation/volume-22/issue-1/052.022.0110/Confirmation-of-the-Presence-of-the-Red-Capped-Mangabey-Cercocebus/10.1896/052.022.0110.full Confirmation of the Presence of the Red-Capped Mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus) in Mayumba National Park, Southern Gabon, and Conkouati-Douli National Park, Southern Republic of Congo]


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


As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. subm. extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.
As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, [[#R02176|Kiribou et al. (2024)]] extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.


The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (see Kiribou et al. subm. for details).
The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated ([[#R02176|Kiribou et al. 2024]]).


'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Conkouati-Douli National Park'''
'''Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Conkouati-Douli National Park'''
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|}
|}


<div><ul><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:PrecipAnomaly_Conkouati-Douli_NP.png| 450px | thumb| none | Precipitation anomaly in Conkouati-Douli National Park]] </li><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File:TempAnomaly_Conkouati-Douli_NP.png | 450px | thumb| none | Temperature anomaly in Conkouati-Douli National Park]] </li></ul></div>


= External links =
= External links =
Line 439: Line 446:
= References =
= References =


BirdLife International (2020) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Conkouati National Park. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/12/2020.
<span id="R00415"></span>BirdLife International. (2020). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Conkouati National Park. Retrieved from http://www.birdlife.org on 10 December 2020.
 
<span id="R00416"></span>IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature (2014). Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Western Lowland Gorillas and Central Chimpanzees 2015–2025. International Union for Conservation of Nature. [https://doi.org/10.2305/iucn.ch.2005.ssc-rap.1.en doi:10.2305/iucn.ch.2005.ssc-rap.1.en]
 
<span id="R00417"></span>Tutin, C., Stokes, E., Boesch, C., Morgan, D., Sanz, C., Reed, T., …, & Kormos, R. (2005). Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group and Conservation International, Washington D.C. [http://www.primate-sg.org/PDF/ApesRAP.English.pdf link]


Tutin, C., et. al. 2005. Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group Conservation International. Washington, DC.
<span id="R02176"></span>Kiribou, R., Tehoda, P., Chukwu, O., Bempah, G., Kühl, H. S., Ferreira, J., …, & Heinicke, S. (2024). Exposure of African ape sites to climate change impacts. ''PLOS Climate'', 3(2), e0000345. [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345 doi:10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345]


IUCN (2014). Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Western Lowland Gorillas and Central Chimpanzees 2015–2025. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group. 56 pp.
<span id="R02025"></span>HELP Congo. http://www.help-primates.org/en/actions.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20230928010659/http://help-primates.org/en/actions.html link]




Latest revision as of 17:52, 15 October 2026

Central Africa > Republic of the Congo > Conkouati-Douli National Park

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Summary

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  • Central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) and western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are present in Conkouati-Douli National Park.
  • It is estimated that 7,000 chimpanzees and 900 gorillas occur at the site.
  • The population trends are unknown.
  • The site has a total size of 7,955.5 km².
  • Key threats to great apes are bushmeat hunting and mining, human wildlife conflict and diseases transmission.
  • Conservation activities at the site include a reintroduction program for rescued chimpanzees, employing local people in conservation projets, habitat restoration and conducting field patrols.
  • The site is designated as a Ramsar Site.

Site characteristics

Conkouati-Douli National Park (CDNP) was established in 1999, replacing the Conkouati Wildlife Reserve existing since 1980. CDNP is situated in the southwest corner of the Republic of Congo, bordering Gabon's Mayumba National Park to the north. Together, Mayumba National Park and CDNP form the Conkouati-Mayumba landscape, characterised by coastal lowland forest that extends into higher altitude forest in the mountains to the east, and descends to the inland savanna plain (Tutin et al. 2005). As a result of CDNP's broad habitat diversity, the park is the most biodiverse in Congo. In addition to chimpanzees and gorillas, CDNP is home to many threatened species, including forest elephants, mandrills, and forest buffalo. Marine species, such as manatees, turtles, dolphins and whales, are also found at the site. The coastline of the park, which comprises 35% of the country's coastline, is an important site for sea turtle nesting, particularly for Leatherback and Olive Ridley turtles (WCS; BirdLife International 2020). The site is also an Important Bird Area, with at least 288 species present (BirdLife International 2020). CDNP is also designated as a Ramsar Site and is registered on the indicative list of UNESCO World Heritage (Parcs de Noé).

Table 1. Basic site information for Conkouati-Douli National Park

Species Pan troglodytes troglodytes, Gorilla gorilla gorilla
Area 7,955.5 km²
Coordinates Lat: -3.797862 , Lon: 11.487369
Type of site Protected area (National Park)
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, Subtropical/tropical swamp forest, Savanna, Marine coastal/supratidal
Type of governance Shared governance

Types of sites Governance types Habitat types

Ape status

An estimated 7,000 chimpanzees and 900 gorillas occur in the park (Parcs de Noé).

Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Conkouati-Douli National Park

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 troglodytes & Gorilla gorilla gorilla Conkouati-Douli National Park Unknown

Sampling methods Analytical frameworks

Threats

Lack of hunting controls and law enforcement combined with high demand for bushmeat in urban markets threaten the ape population at CDNP (IUCN 2014).

Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Conkouati-Douli National Park

Category Specific threats Threat level Description Year of threat
5 Biological resource use 3.2.3 Artisanal mining High (more than 70% of population affected) The report estimated that around 800 artisanal miners were operating illegally within the protected zone, posing a major threat to ecosystem integrity (RA-PNCD 2023). Ongoing (2023)
5 Biological resource use 5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals High (more than 70% of population affected) Hunting driven by considerable demand for bushmeat from urban markets in Congo (IUCN 2014). Hunting and bushmeat trade remain persistent within peripheral villages (RA-PNCD 2023). 2014-Ongoing (2023)
5 Biological resource use 5.1.2 Unintentional effects Present (unknown severity) Great apes often suffer injuries from traps probably intended for other animals, sometimes resulting in the loss of a limb (Van Hoef pers. comm. 2025).


Ongoing (2025)
5 Biological resource use 5.1.5 Persecution/human wildlife conflict Present (unknown severity) Instances of great ape killings, such as those for trade or cultural believes were reported (Van Hoef pers. comm. 2025). Ongoing (2025)
5 Biological resource use 5.3 Logging & wood harvesting Present (unknown severity) Logging concessions present at the site, before and after it was declared a National Park (BirdLife International 2020; IUCN 2014). Ongoing (2020)
8 Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases 8.4 Pathogens Present (unknown severity) There is a significant risk of disease transmission between humans and great apes (Van Hoef pers. comm. 2025). Ongoing (2025)

Threats

Conservation activities

Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Conkouati-Douli National Park

Category Specific activity Description Implementing organization(s) Year of activity
2 Counter-wildlife crime 2.3 Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols Anti-poaching patrols were strengthened, with effort increasing from 5,537 to 6,619 man-days (RA-PNCD 2023). Conducting field patrols to uphold legal regulations (Van Hoef pers. comm. 2025). Noé, HELP Congo, Renatura, Jane Goodall Institute, Congolese Ministry of Environment, CEERC-USAID, Treevive. 2023-Ongoing (2025)
4 Education & awareness 4.2 Involve local community in ape research and conservation management A Comité de Gestion Communautaire (CGC) was established, comprising 51 representatives from local villages and Indigenous communities (RA-PNCD 2023). Noé, HELP Congo, Renatura, Jane Goodall Institute, Congolese Ministry of Environment, CEERC-USAID, Treevive. Ongoing (2023)
5 Protection & restoration 5.2 Legally protect ape habitat The site was declared a National Park in 1999; before that, it was a Wildlife Reserve, since 1980. 1999-Ongoing (2026)
5 Protection & restoration 5.6 Habitat restoration Forest rehabilitation and protection activities are reported (Van Hoef pers. comm. 2025). Ongoing (2025)
6 Species management 6.8 Reintroduction of apes (captively-bred or rehabilitated indviduals) The NGO HELP Congo has a reintroduction program, and has released several rescued chimpanzees into the Triangle site (a forested area bordered by the Conkouati lagoon within the park). Ongoing (2025)
7 Economic & other incentives 7.1 Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., REDD, alternative income, employment) Development of tourism and carbon finance projects (REDD+) to support park sustainability (RA-PNCD 2023). Hiring local people to work in conservation (Van Hoef pers. comm. 2025). Noé, HELP Congo, Renatura, Jane Goodall Institute, Congolese Ministry of Environment, CEERC-USAID, Treevive. 2023-Ongoing (2025)
7 Economic & other incentives 7.2 Provide non-monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., better education, infrastructure development) Providing services for community health and wellbeing, as well supporting ecotourism ventures (Van Hoef pers. comm. 2025). Ongoing (2025)

Conservation activities

Challenges

Table 5. Challenges reported for Conkouati-Douli National Park

Challenges Specific challenges Source Year(s)
2 Resources and capacity 2.2 Lack of staff RA-PNCD 2023 Ongoing (2023)
2 Resources and capacity 2.7 Lack of infrastructure RA-PNCD 2023 Ongoing (2023)
4 Institutional support 4.1 Lack of law enforcement IUCN 2014 Ongoing (2014)
4 Institutional support 4.4 Lack of transboundary cooperation IUCN 2014 Ongoing (2014)

Challenges

Enablers

Table 6. Enablers reported for Conkouati-Douli National Park

Enablers Specific enablers Source Year(s)
2 Resources and capacity 2.2 Sufficient funding RA-PNCD 2023, Van Hoef pers. comm. 2025 2023-Ongoing (2025)
2 Resources and capacity 2.3 Continuous/long-term funding RA-PNCD 2023, Van Hoef pers. comm. 2025 2023-Ongoing (2025)
2 Resources and capacity 2.6 External partnerships that add expertise or resources RA-PNCD 2023 Ongoing (2023)
3 Engaged community 3.6 Local community engagement and support RA-PNCD 2023 Ongoing (2023)
1 Site management
4 Institutional support
5 Ecological context
6 Safety and stability

Enablers

Research activities

A Longitudinal Study on Feeding Behaviour and Activity Patterns of Released Chimpanzees in Conkouati-Douli National Park, Republic of Congo

Forest Feeding Phenology of Pan troglodytes (chimpanzee) east of Conkouati-Douli National Park, Republic of Congo

Effect of construction of natural reserve on the livelihoods and income of local residents around Conkouati-Doulinational Park, Republic Of Congo

Confirmation of the Presence of the Red-Capped Mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus) in Mayumba National Park, Southern Gabon, and Conkouati-Douli National Park, Southern Republic of Congo


Documented behaviours

Table 7. Behaviours documented for Conkouati-Douli National Park

Category Behavior Observation type Prevalence Observation dates Source Habituation Species Comment
Not reported

Behaviours

Exposure to climate change impacts

As part of a study on the exposure of African great ape sites to climate change impacts, Kiribou et al. (2024) extracted climate data and data on projected extreme climate impact events for the site. Climatological characteristics were derived from observation-based climate data provided by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP, www.isimip.org). Parameters were calculated as the average across each 30-year period. For 1981-2010, the EWEMBI dataset from ISIMIP2a was used. For the two future periods (2021-2050 and 2071-2099) ISIMIP2b climate data based on four CMIP5 global climate models were used. For future projections, two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) were used. RCP 2.6 is a scenario with strong mitigation measures in which global temperatures would likely rise below 2C. RCP 6.0 is a scenario with medium emissions in which global temperatures would likely rise up to 3C by 2100. For the number of days with heavy precipitation events, the 98th percentile of all precipitation days (>1mm/d) was calculated for the 1979-2013 reference period as a threshold for a heavy precipitation event. Then, for each year, the number of days above that threshold was derived. The figures on temperature and precipitation anomaly show the deviation from the mean temperature and mean precipitation for the 1979-2013 reference period.

The estimated exposure to future extreme climate impact events (crop failure, drought, river flood, wildfire, tropical cyclone, and heatwave) is based on a published dataset by Lange et al. 2020 derived from ISIMIP2b data. The same global climate models and RCPs as described above were used. Within each 30-year period, the number of years with an extreme event and the average proportion of the site affected were calculated (Kiribou et al. 2024).

Table 8. Estimated past and projected climatological characteristics in Conkouati-Douli National Park

Value 1981-2010 2021-2050, RCP 2.6 2021-2050, RCP 6.0 2071-2099, RCP 2.6 2071-2099, RCP 6.0
Mean temperature [C] 25.2 26.3 26.1 26.3 27.4
Annual precipitation [mm] 1889 1970 1894 1912 1947
Max no. consecutive dry days (per year) 75.5 55.6 51.3 57.8 50.8
No. days with heavy precipitation (per year) 5.7 8.7 8.2 9.3 9.1


Table 9. Projected exposure of apes to extreme climate impact events in Conkouati-Douli National Park

Type No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 2.6) % of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 2.6) No. of years with event (2021-2050, RCP 6.0) % of site exposed (2021-2050, RCP 6.0) No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 2.6) % of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 2.6) No. of years with event (2070-2099, RCP 6.0) % of site exposed (2070-2099, RCP 6.0)
Crop failure 11 0.01 10 0.01 10 0.01 18.5 0.01
Drought 0 0 0.5 16.67 0.5 16.67 0.5 25
Heatwave 10 58.04 8.5 55.71 8 44.17 26 74.25
River flood 1 0.89 2.75 0.19 2.75 0.69 4 0.34
Tropical cyclone 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.5 1.26
Wildfire 30 0.78 30 0.77 29 0.78 29 0.77


  • Precipitation anomaly in Conkouati-Douli National Park
  • Temperature anomaly in Conkouati-Douli National Park

External links

WCS Conkouati-Douli National Park

Noé (Préservation du Parc national de Conkouati-Douli)

The National park of Conkouati-Douli

References

BirdLife International. (2020). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Conkouati National Park. Retrieved from http://www.birdlife.org on 10 December 2020.

IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature (2014). Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Western Lowland Gorillas and Central Chimpanzees 2015–2025. International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.ch.2005.ssc-rap.1.en

Tutin, C., Stokes, E., Boesch, C., Morgan, D., Sanz, C., Reed, T., …, & Kormos, R. (2005). Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Chimpanzees and Gorillas in Western Equatorial Africa. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group and Conservation International, Washington D.C. link

Kiribou, R., Tehoda, P., Chukwu, O., Bempah, G., Kühl, H. S., Ferreira, J., …, & Heinicke, S. (2024). Exposure of African ape sites to climate change impacts. PLOS Climate, 3(2), e0000345. doi:10.1371/journal.pclm.0000345

HELP Congo. http://www.help-primates.org/en/actions.html link


Page created by: APES Atlas Team Date: 2020-12-29

Page updated by: Yorick Van Hoef Date: 2025-09-08

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