Local Knowledge and Drivers of Human-Primates Conflicts around Comoe National Park, Northeastern Cote d’Ivoire

A study around Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, reveals that human-primate conflicts are driven by primate foraging behavior and habitat loss. Primates like patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas), green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus), and olive baboons (Papio anubis) frequently raid crops such as yam, maize, and cassava near the park, exacerbating tensions with local communities. Local knowledge indicates that these conflicts stem from primates venturing outside the park due to reduced food availability within their natural habitats. The research, conducted through focus group discussions and questionnaires with 502 participants, highlights the cultural significance of primates among ethnic groups like Koulango, Lobi, and Malinké while identifying traps and watch guarding as primary mitigation strategies. Preserving primate habitats is suggested as a key solution to minimize conflicts.

Tchinyo, C., Karim, O., Lydie, K. M., Amara, O., & Inza, K. (2025). LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND DRIVERS OF HUMAN-PRIMATES CONFLICTS AROUND COMOE NATIONAL PARK, NORTHEASTERN COTE D’IVOIRE. The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, (3), 713–726. https://doi.org/10.36899/japs.2025.3.0060