Tantalus monkey.

In Nigeria, as in many parts of Africa, primate populations have been reduced to a fraction of their historical size due to hunt habitat destruction/alteration as a result of increasing human population. A survey of the primates within the Amurum Reserve will be conducted.

My helper Akwashiki recording observations.

The aims of the project are to:

1) Know the primate species and densities within the Amurum Reserve;

2) Examine habitat factors responsible for their distribution and abundance;

3) Examine the extent of hunting activities within the Amurum community and the destination of hunted primates and possible cultural reasons for hunting within the Amurum community.

The primate survey will involve 3 months of dry season and wet season survey each. Transects will be placed to cover all major habitats within the reserve. The age and sex of the primate species, group size, distances of individuals or group from transect will be measured with a laser range finder. The distance of primates to the nearest human settlement will also be noted. Habitat variables such as the number of trees and tree species, tree height, number of fruiting trees, canopy cover and distance to water, rock or farmland.