Distribution, habitat use and human disturbance of gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) in the Ebo forest, Littoral Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Great apes are threatened by many factors including habitat loss, forest degradation and disease. Despite the improved understanding of the distribution of gorillas in Cameroon, there is a lack of fine-scale knowledge about their habitat use. We used the Kernel Density Estimate method combined with grid cell counting to assess gorilla distribution, habitat use and human disturbance on one of the least studied gorilla populations in Cameroon. Proportions of different habitat types in the landscape were quantified using classification and regression tree approach applied to Landsat-8 and digital elevation model data. We found that the distribution of gorillas was restricted to the central band of the site (~22 km 2 ). Although the area was dominated by mature forest, the goodness-of-fit test showed that gorillas used grassland areas more frequently. Intensive human activities were noted across the gorilla range, with used cartridge shells being the most evidence hunting sign. Our results can be used to guide conservation and sustainable development stakeholder decisions in the area.With increasing anthropogenic threats throughout the landscape, we recommend the implementation of noninvasive research activities focusing on threat monitoring, nesting and dietary ecology, and the promotion of community-led conservation initiatives to reduce pressure on the gorilla habitat.