Effects of anti-poaching patrols on the distribution of large mammals in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire

Anti-poaching patrols in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, significantly increase the populations of large mammals when efforts reach specific thresholds. Research found that a minimum of 1.32 patrol days per km² over two years is needed for chimpanzee and monkey populations to rise, while duiker and pygmy hippopotamus populations require only 0.48 patrol days per km². The study analyzed data from 2010–2015, correlating patrolling efforts with mammal encounter rates using generalized linear mixed models. Findings suggest that precise estimates of required patrolling effort can be derived from long-term biomonitoring, offering a data-driven approach to optimizing wildlife protection in protected areas.

Kablan, Y. A., Diarrassouba, A., Mundry, R., Campbell, G., Normand, E., Kühl, H. S., Koné, I., & Boesch, C. (2017). Effects of anti-poaching patrols on the distribution of large mammals in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. Oryx, 53(3), 469–478. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605317001272