Article

Nicaise D. Amundala, University of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Tropenbos International, Congo Basin, Democratic Republic of the Congo; e-mail: nicaise.amundala@gmail.com
Pilipili Kasereka, University of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Silvestre M. Gambalemoke, University of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Jan Kennis, University of Antwerp, Belgium; Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Belgium
Charlotte Beneker, Tropenbos International, Congo Basin, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Alphonse M.-N. Maindo, University of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Tropenbos International, Congo Basin, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Koto-te-Nyiwa Ngbolua, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; University of Gbadolite, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Akaibe M. Dudu, University of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Biodiversity Monitoring Center, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Pionus G.-B. Katuala, University of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Amundala N.D., Kasereka P., Gambalemoke S.M., Kennis J., Beneker C., Maindo A.M.-N., Ngbolua K.N., Dudu A.M., Katuala P.G.-B. 2018. Farmers survey of wild mammals species implicated in crop damage in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR-Epulu, Democratic Republic of the Congo): severity and control strategies. Nature Conservation Research 3(1): 58–64. https://dx.doi.org/10.24189/ncr.2018.007

Investigations on mammal species implicated in crop damage and control techniques used to protect fields was carried out in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR). The aim of this study was to identify mammal species causing damages on crops, the growth stages affected, the frequency and severity of damage in the fields and control techniques used. Data were collected in six villages using a standard questionnaire form translated in the main local languages (Swahili and Lingala), between 02–29 June and 07–31 August 2010. A probabilistic survey and structured interview have been used to collect data. Farmers of 7 main tribes were interviewed (a total of 210 farmers) who are living in OWR. The study shows that Primates (Cercocebus galeritus agilis, Papio anubis) and elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) cause considerable damage during maturation and fructification of maize, cassava and bananas in the fields. Farmers keep their fields under guard to drive away animals and prevent crop damage.

crop damage, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve, wild mammals

Received: 18.07.2017

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