Status and conservation of the sun-tailed guenon Cercopithecus solatus, Gabon's endemic monkey

• Published in: Oryx Vol. 33; no. 1; pp. 67 - 74
• Main Authors: Brugière, David, Gautier, Jean-Pierre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.01.1999; Blackwell Science Ltd; Cambridge University Press (CUP)
• Subjects: Animal biology; Bush-meat trade; Cercopithecus solatus; conservation status; Gabon; Life Sciences; logging impact; primate conservation; servation status; servation status; logging impact; Cercopithecus solatus; Bush-meat trade; Gabon; primate conservation; conservation status
• ISSN: 0030-6053; 1365-3008
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3008.1999.00036.x

The conservation status of the sun-tailed guenon Cercopithecus solatus, which is endemic to central Gabon, is assessed using the most recent information available. The known range of the species covers 11,000–12,000 sq km, an area with a sparse human population but where the logging activity is widespread. There is no evidence of a recent reduction of the population size of this monkey, mainly because trees are extracted at a low rate (1–2 trees/ha), which does not cause a significant change in the forest composition and structure, and because hunting pressure is currently low. Moreover, the species is suspected to be able to thrive in degraded secondary forests. Consequently, the sun-tailed guenon does not appear to be under immediate risk of extinction. The conservation actions undertaken to date are described and the threats that may affect the monkey in the near future are discussed. Commercial bush-meat hunting is considered to be the most serious threat for the species. Recommendations for the conservation of wild populations and habitat are proposed, and emphasis is placed on co-operation with the forestry companies that are the main economic actors in the species's range.