Behavioural adaptations and health threats in village residing wild sacred Lowe's monkeys (Cercopithecus lowei)

Abstract

Objectives: The protection of wildlife by local African communities through sacred sites for conservation and ecotourism has increased the proximity and interactions between animals and humans. Those interactions often result in challenging cohabitation scenarios, necessitating a comprehensive understanding and management of the ecological and health implications. Methodology and Results: By combining animal behavioural observation and interviews, we focused on a group of Lowe's monkeys residing in a sacred forest near the village of Gbétitapéa in western Côte d’Ivoire. We reveal adaptive shifts in the monkeys' activity budget within the urban environment. In comparison to their wild counterparts feeding time (from 45% to 70%), Gbétitapéa monkeys allocate substantial time to travelling (40%) and resting (25%), with a reduced time spent on feeding (13%) as they receive food from humans. Furthermore, approximately 67% of their time is spent in the village, leading to frequent interactions with both humans and domestic animals. Conclusions and application of findings: The intensified interaction observed between Gbétitapéa Lowe's monkeys and the local communities, frequently extending to tourists drawn to these sacred wild primates, underscores the risk of conflicts and, more critically, the heightened risk of zoonotic disease transmission. As human-wildlife interactions become more intricate, an integrated approach is essential to mitigate conflicts and reduce the transmission of zoonotic diseases. Tailored conservation initiatives (e.g., define a special statue for these sacred monkeys, raise awareness among the local community and tourists to avoid feeding the monkeys and touching them), shaped by a deep understanding of the unique cultural and ecological context, will play a pivotal role in ensuring the continued harmony between the sacred monkeys and the local community in Gbétitapéa. Keywords: time activity budget, sacred monkey, human-wildlife interaction