Diversity of Primates in the Mukingiti and Kingombe Gorilla Reserve in Lubutu Territory, Bitule Sector (Maniema Province, D.R. Congo)
Keywords:
Diversity, Distribution, Primates, Mukingiti and Kingombe Gorilla Reserve, Lubutu, Maniema
Abstract
Our study focused on the Mukingiti Gorilla Reserve (REGOMUKI), a buffer zone of Maiko National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This reserve is managed directly by local communities through the Bitule and Omate Local Community Forest Concessions (CFCL). However, increasing human pressure is observed, including poaching, agricultural clearing, and mining activities. Despite this, the area has maintained remarkable ecological integrity.
Our field inventories recorded no fewer than nine primate species. These include the Chimpanzee and Grauer’s Gorilla, an endemic species of the region that is critically threatened. Chimpanzees were the most frequently observed. In contrast, colobus monkeys, which are more sensitive to hunting pressure, are becoming increasingly rare.
This forest, with its high species diversity and apparently stable populations, proves to be an essential refuge. It undoubtedly constitutes a true sanctuary, a biodiversity center of exceptional value that must be preserved.
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Bebbington, A., & Williams, M. (2008). Water and mining conflicts in Peru. Mountain Research and Development, 28(3), 190–196.
Béné, J. C. K., Koné, I., Gonédélé Bi, S., Bitty, E. A., Ouattara, K., Akpatou, K. B., N’Guessan, K. A., & Koffi, D. A. (2012). The diurnal primate community of the Tanoé Forest. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 6(1), 51–64.
Béné, J. C. K., Daouda, D., & Eric, N. (2015). Gestion durable de la faune en Côte d’Ivoire. Rapport technique.
Bwenda. (2013). L’exploitation minière au Katanga. Rapport.
Chapman, J. W. (1995). Development of children’s reading self-concepts. Journal of Educational Psychology.
Chapman, C. A., & Perez, C. A. (2001). Primate conservation in the new millennium. Evolutionary Anthropology, 10, 16–33.
Caspary, H. U., Koné, I., Prouot, C., & De Pauw, M. (2001). La chasse et la filière viande de brousse. Tropenbos.
Cizungu, N. C., Tshibasu, E., Lutete, E., Mushagalusa, C. A., Mugumaarhahama, Y., Ganza, D., Karume, K., Michel, B., Lumbuenamo, R., & Bogaert, J. (2021). Fire risk assessment in Luki Biosphere Reserve. Trees, Forests and People, 5.
Djami, Y. K., Fonteyn, D., Ngabinzeke, J. S., Nyimi, M. M., Poulain, F., Lonpi Tipi, E., & Vermeulen, C. (2023). Mammal populations in Luki Biosphere Reserve. Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment, 27(4).
Enganga, P. (2015). Rapport de suivi des grands mammifères. WWF.
Fa, J. E., Funk, S. M., & Nasi, R. (2022a). Hunting wildlife in the tropics. Cambridge University Press.
Fa, J. E., Peres, C. A., & Meeuwig, J. (2002b). Bushmeat exploitation. Conservation Biology, 16, 232–241.
Hegerl, G. C., Brönnimann, S., Schurer, A., & Cowan, T. (2018). Early 20th century warming. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 9, e522.
Ibouroi, M. T. (2017). Conservation des mégachiroptères des Comores (Doctoral dissertation). Université de Montpellier.
Kingdon, J. (2017). Guide des mammifères d’Afrique. Delachaux et Niestlé.
Linchant, J., Lisein, J., Semeki, J., Lejeune, P., & Vermeulen, C. (2015). UAVs in wildlife monitoring. Mammal Review, 45(4), 239–252.
Maisels, F. (2004a). Conservation methods for wildlife inventory. WCS.
Maisels, F. (2004b). Defoliation of rainforest trees. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 20, 239–241.
Moussa, M., & Amadou, B. (2014). Pression anthropique. VertigO, 14(1).
Moussa, M. S. (2014). Gestion durable des ressources naturelles (Doctoral dissertation).
Nasi, R., Brown, D., Wilkie, D., Bennett, E., Tutin, C., van Tol, G., & Christophersen, T. (2008). Bushmeat crisis. CIFOR.
Nasi, R., Taber, A., & Van Vliet, N. (2011). Empty forests, empty stomachs? International Forestry Review, 13, 355–368.
Nasi, R., Billand, A., & Van Vliet, N. (2012). Managing timber and biodiversity. Forest Ecology and Management, 268, 103–111.
Van Vliet, N., Nyumu, J. K., Nziavake, S., Muhindo, J., Paemelaere, E. A. D., & Nasi, R. (2021). Wild meat values. Human Ecology.
Nebesse, M. C. (2022). Commerce du gibier en RDC (Doctoral dissertation).
Ngabinzeke, J. S., & Tongo, Y. M. (2019). Livelihoods strategies in Luki Reserve. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 4(2), 42–49.
Nyange, N. M. (2024). Gestion durable des forêts en RDC (Doctoral dissertation).
Poulsen, J. R., Clark, C. J., & Bolker, B. M. (2011). Logging and hunting effects. Ecological Applications, 21(5), 1819–1836.
Refisch, J. (1998). Mammifères en forêt de la Lama. ECO.
Van Vliet, N., Schulte-Herbrüggen, B., Muhindo, J., Nebesse, C., Gambalemoke, S., & Nasi, R. (2017). Bushmeat trade trends. Ecology and Society, 22(4), 35.
Van Vliet, N., Rovero, F., Muhindo, J., Nyumu, J., Mbangale, E., Nziavake, S., Cerutti, P., Nasi, R., & Quintero, S. (2023a). Ecological knowledge vs camera trapping. Ethnobiology and Conservation.
Van Vliet, N., Quintero, S., Muhindo, J., Nyumu, J., Cerutti, P. O., Nasi, R., & Rovero, F. (2023b). Mammals in Yangambi. Oryx, 57, 799–810.
Walsh, P. D., & White, L. J. T. (1999). Monitoring forest elephants. Conservation Biology, 13, 1194–1202.
White, L. J. T. (1994). Logging effects in Gabon. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 10, 313–322.
White, L., & Edwards, A. (2000). Conservation en forêts africaines. WCS.
Wilkie, D. S., Wieland, M., Boulet, H., Le Bel, S., Van Vliet, N., Cornelis, D., Warnon, V. B., Nasi, R., & Fa, J. E. (2016). Bushmeat in Africa. African Journal of Ecology, 54, 402–414.
Yéo, K., Tiho, S., Ouattara, K., Konate, S., Kouakou, L. M. M., & Fofana, M. (2013). Fragmentation forestière. Journal of Applied Biosciences, 61, 4551–4565.
Zadou, D. A., Koné, I., Mouroufié, V. K., Adou Yao, C. Y., Gleanou, E. K., Coulibaly, D. C., & Ibo, J. G. (2011). Valeur de la forêt Tanoé-Ehy. Tropical Conservation Science, 4(4), 373–385.
Zeta Kahantayé, A., & Kragbè, A. G. (2012). Protection juridique du patrimoine forestier. Revue de Géographie Tropicale.
Published
2026-05-22
How to Cite
Malekani, A. B., Angoyo, R. A., Mukiranya, A., Kyungu, J., Sikola, M. M., Mukinzi, J.-C. I., & Nebesse, C. M. (2026). Diversity of Primates in the Mukingiti and Kingombe Gorilla Reserve in Lubutu Territory, Bitule Sector (Maniema Province, D.R. Congo). European Journal of Science, Innovation and Technology, 6(3), 124-133. Retrieved from https://ejsit-journal.com/index.php/ejsit/article/view/770
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