Shifting through the forest: home range, movement patterns, and diet of the eastern chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda

Eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, exhibit distinct home range and movement patterns influenced by habitat type and seasonal variations. The Mayebe community, residing in the forest center, had a significantly larger home range (21 km²) compared to the Cyamudongo community in a fragmented forest area (4 km²). Movement patterns also varied, with the Mayebe group covering an average of 987 m daily, while the Cyamudongo group covered 651 m. Both communities primarily fed on Ficus spp., but dietary preferences shifted seasonally and monthly, including fruits like Symphonia globulifera and Trilepisium madagascariense. This study provides critical insights into chimpanzee behavior in Rwanda, highlighting the importance of core home range areas for conservation efforts.

Moore, J. F., Mulindahabi, F., Gatorano, G., Niyigaba, P., Ndikubwimana, I., Cipolletta, C., & Masozera, M. K. (2018). Shifting through the forest: home range, movement patterns, and diet of the eastern chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. American Journal of Primatology, 80(8). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22897