| Volume: 8; Issue: 1; June 2026 |
|---|
| Title : CONCEPTUALIZATION OF LOCAL COMMUNITY IN THE CONSERVATION OFTHE VULNERABLE OWL-FACED MONKEY, CERCOPITHECUS HAMLYNI:NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK, RWANDA |
| Authour(s): Methode Majyambere, Felix Niyonzima, Theogene Nsengiyumva, Laurent Twizeyimana and Fidele Tugendahayo |
| Keywords: Bamboo habitat, Conservation, Local community, Owl-faced monkey, Rwanda, Threats. |
| Abstract: The owl-faced monkey, Cercopithecus hamlyni, is an understudied primate that exhibits elusive behaviour and is found in only two countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. With the help of certain projects, authors investigated the conservation status of this species, the factors driving local people to threaten its bamboo habitat in Nyungwe National Park (NNP) and opportunities to abandon illegal collection. A park-driven incentive program and bamboo plantations in community fields could not alleviate such threats. Potential solutions, including supporting bamboo users in cooperatives to optimise the dependency on bamboo from the community fields, were analysed. The authors suggest a bamboo value chain as a practical and flexible way forward—one that can serve as a reliable solution in the face of future contingencies. More research is urgently needed to reassess the community dimension of Cercopithecus hamlyni conservation and to more extensively investigate its population ecology in NNP. The study highlights the urgent need to conserve the owl-faced monkey and emphasises the importance of taking timely and effective measures. It not only enhances our understanding of this unique species but also underscores the need for collective conservation efforts. Additionally, it points toward practical strategies to safeguard its habitat from growing threats that could otherwise lead to its local extinction. |
| DOI: https://doi.org/10.46505/IJBI.2026.8115 |
| How to cite this article: Majyambere M., Niyonzima F., Nsengiyumva T., Twizeyimana L. and Tugendahayo F. (2026). Conceptualisation of local community in the conservation of the vulnerable owl-faced monkey, Cercopithecus hamlyni: Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. International Journal of Biological Innovations. 8(1): 137-146. https://doi.org/10.46505/IJBI.2026.8115 |
Pages: 137-146 | Viewed: 34 | Downloaded: 15| Download: PDF (4368KB) |
