Spatial distribution of primate species in the protected area togodo in togo and threats to their sustainable conservation

Due to the increasing pressure exerted on Protected Areas in Togo by neighboring populations, the fauna and its habitat are constantly threatened. To sustainably manage the natural potential of the complex, a thorough knowledge of the state of conservation of resources such as non-human primates appears necessary. Indeed, the numbers and distribution of non-human primates are true indicators of wildlife conservation in that their poaching is evidence of the scarcity of game because they are rarely targeted by hunters and poachers. The purpose of this study is to present the situation on the diversity of non-human primates that the complex contains, as well as the forms and scale of the threats to which they are subjected. Six areas have been identified in which two approaches have been developed: (i) interviews of local residents, hunters, farmers and water and forest officials with a view to obtaining information on the status of primates and their coexistence with local residents (ii) inventory with geolocalization of the studied populations. The data collected were processed by Ms Excel 2013, software R version 3.1.3, and free software Qgis 2.14 for mapping. A total of 391 individuals belonging to six (6) species were counted over a distance of 250.14 km for 212.5 hours in both parts of the complex, the three main ones being Chlorocebus aethiops tantalus (vervet), Erythrocebus patas (the patas), Cercopithecus mona (the mone). The outcomes of this study show that poaching is the primary cause of declines in populations of non-human primates. Its magnitude reflects a strong human pressure on the non-human primates studied, a sign of difficulties experienced by hunters and poachers in finding other types of game. This is followed by the destruction and disruption of habitats through agriculture, transhumance and logging. As a result, non-human primates in the protected area complex will be in real danger of extinction if appropriate conservation action is not taken in time.