Farmers survey of wild mammals species implicated in crop damage in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR-Epulu, Democratic Republic of the Congo): severity and control strategies

A survey of farmers in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo revealed that primates, including species of guenons and baboons, along with elephants, cause significant crop damage during the maturation and fructification stages of maize, cassava, and bananas. Farmers primarily rely on guarding their fields to mitigate this damage. The study, conducted between June and August 2010, interviewed 210 farmers from seven tribes using probabilistic surveys and structured interviews. It highlights the severe impact of wild mammals on agricultural productivity in the region, emphasizing the need for effective control strategies to protect both crops and wildlife.

Amundala, N. D., Kasereka, P., Gambalemoke, S. M., Kennis, J., Beneker, C., Maindo, A. M.-N., Ngbolua, K.-t.-N., Dudu, A. M., et al. (2018). Farmers survey of wild mammals species implicated in crop damage in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR-Epulu, Democratic Republic of the Congo): severity and control strategies. Nature Conservation Research, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.24189/ncr.2018.007