DISTRIBUTION, STATUS AND CONSERVATION OF PRIMATES IN MONTE-ALEN-NATIONAL-PARK, EQUATORIAL-GUINEA

Equatorial Guinea has a new network of protected areas, but only Monte Alen National Park has any effective protection. As a contribution to the knowledge of this area, a survey of primate populations teas carr ied out during it 7-month period in 1994. The results showed that ther e is a high primate diversity (15-16 distinct. species) in Monte Alen. The three most commonly sighted monkey species were Cercopithecus nic titans (35.9-40.8 per cent of sightings), Cercopithecus cephus (28.9-4 3.5 per cent) and Cercopithecus pogonias (17.4-22.4 per cent). Mean di stance covered to find any group of these guenons varied from 1.1 km i n open primary forest to 2.7 km in dense primary forest. Gorilla nests were more abundant in secondary forest near villages (5.15 nests/km), while chimpanzee nests were mostly found in primary forest (5.35 nest s/km). Hunting pressure appeals to be low but shifting agriculture has a significant impact on the conservation of the area. The degree of t hreat varies between species. Alternatives for better management of th e area, such as educational programmes and sustainable use of natural resources, are suggested.