PAPFor

Natural habitats of the OK- KPS Landscape

Yuzhou — 2022-10-20T09:30:38Z

With no less than 30 mammal species, 13 of which are conservation priority species, and nine species of reptiles, including one vulnerable species (African dwarf crocodile), the OKKPS landscape is an important conservation area. Key species include the western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus), forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), green monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus), western black-and-white colobus (Colobus polykomos), sooty mangabey (Cercocebus atys) and spot-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus petaurista), as well as hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), black duiker (Cephalophus niger), African golden cat (Caracal aurata) and various species of genets. These habitats constitute a priority conservation area to ensure the ecosystem services that guarantee the wellbeing of both wildlife and the local communities.

African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis)

Yuzhou — 2022-10-20T09:23:40Z

It has recently been proven that the Pen-selli-Soyah-Sabouyah area hosts the largest elephant population in the country, which were previously unrecognised.

Recent videos have shown movements of these elephants towards Sierra Leone in the Guinea-Sierra Leone migration corridor.

It is important to maintain the gallery forests along rivers and the periodically flooded savannahs, as they are essential to ensure the survival of the only viable elephant population in Guinea. Coordinated and cross-border conservation activities will be of great support in the safeguarding of these elephants

Western chimpanzee (Pan Troglodytes verus)

Yuzhou — 2022-10-20T09:23:10Z

Listed as Critically Endangered by theIUCN since 2016, Guinea has the largest chimpanzee population of any country in West Africa. The OKKPS landscape area is one of the hotspots identified for this species.

As the closest living relative of humans, behavioural studies have shown many similarities between us and our closest cousins. As such, humanity has a moral duty to direct efficient protective measures to ensure the survival of this ape, hence the need to strengthen the conservation status of the OKKPS landscape.