Colobus monkeys and coconuts: a study of perceived human-wildlife conflicts

1. Approximately half of the remaining Zanzibar red colobus Procolobus kirk ii, one of Africa's most endangered primates, reside permanently outside pr otected areas, many within agricultural areas. Consequently, conservation o f this endangered species is strongly dependent on the development of effec tive management plans that address the potential human-wildlife conflicts i n these agricultural areas. 2. There are a growing number of complaints about red colobus consumption o f coconuts in the agricultural areas and requests by local farmers for comp ensation and/or removal of the colobus. Prior to taking actions that would hinder the conservation of this highly endangered species, it is necessary to quantify and compare the actual impact of the colobus on coconut harvest with that perceived by the farmers. 3. In this study we monitored five experimental and two control plots to qu antify the potential impact of red colobus on coconut crops and to assess t he ecological variables that may influence this impact. 4. We found that red colobus consumption of coconuts was highest in areas o f high red colobus density and low availability of alternative red colobus food resources. Despite these correlations, red colobus feeding on immature coconuts did not appear to limit coconut harvest. On the contrary, red col obus consumption of coconuts was found to be positively correlated with har vest. This correlation is probably due to a pruning effect. 5. Based upon our findings that red colobus are having no significant negat ive impact on coconut harvest and are actually a source of tourist revenue to the region, we recommend no action be taken to remove colobus from the a gricultural areas. 6. This study illustrates the importance of scientific documentation of per ceived human-wildlife conflicts.