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Factors influencing the distribution of large mammals within a protected central African forest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2005

Allard Blom ,
Robert van Zalinge ,
Ignas M.A. Heitkönig  and
Herbert H.T. Prins
Allard Blom
Affiliation:
Present address: World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th Street NW, Washington, DC, USA Also at: Dzanga-Sangha Project, World Wildlife Fund, B.P. 1053, Bangui, Central African Republic Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Bornsesteeg 69, 6708 PD, Wagenigen, The Netherlands
Robert van Zalinge
Affiliation:
Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Bornsesteeg 69, 6708 PD, Wagenigen, The Netherlands
Ignas M.A. Heitkönig
Affiliation:
Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Bornsesteeg 69, 6708 PD, Wagenigen, The Netherlands
Herbert H.T. Prins
Affiliation:
Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Bornsesteeg 69, 6708 PD, Wagenigen, The Netherlands
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Abstract

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This paper presents the analyses of data obtained from eight permanent 20 km transects to determine the relative effect of local human populations and ecological factors on the distribution of large mammals within the Dzanga sector of the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park and the adjacent area of the Dzanga-Sangha Dense Forest Special Reserve in south-west Central African Republic. Principal component analysis indicated that human activities significantly influence the distribution of large mammals, even within this protected area. Distance from the village and the main road as well as the distance from secondary roads appeared to have the greatest influence. Elephants in particular were significantly less common in areas related to human use. Our study showed that poachers use roads, both primary and secondary, to penetrate into the National Park. Thus increasing anti-poaching efforts along these roads could be an effective protection measure.

Keywords

Central African RepublicDzanga-Sanghahuntingmammalsmonitoringprotected areas
Type
Articles
Information
Oryx , Volume 39 , Issue 4 , October 2005 , pp. 381 - 388
Copyright
2005 Fauna & Flora International