A Comparison of Chimpanzee Density Estimators in Southern Congo

A groundbreaking study in the Tchimpounga Nature Reserve (TNR), Republic of Congo, reveals that Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture (SECR) analysis is the most precise and cost-effective method for estimating chimpanzee density. Using camera trap data collected over six months, researchers identified 116 chimpanzees across a 252 km² grid, yielding a density estimate of 0.87 individuals per km² (95% CI: 0.58-1.30). This finding aligns with the distance sampling method's estimate of 0.81/km² but underscores SECR's superior reliability. The study marks the first application of SECR to great apes in Congo, providing critical insights for conservation efforts in the Odzala-Kokoua Forest Massif. This approach offers a robust foundation for monitoring chimpanzee populations amid habitat loss and illegal hunting pressures.

Villamarin, E., Fourrier, M., Espinosa‐Ruiz, S., Sutherland, C., & Atencia, R. (2026). A Comparison of Chimpanzee Density Estimators in Southern Congo. American Journal of Primatology, 88(4). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.70154