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Rural, human-dominated landscapes present substantial risks to chimpanzees and other primates. In western Uganda, some farmers guard against crop losses to wildlife by placing large steel leg-hold traps ('mantraps') near their agricultural fields. Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) can step in these illegal devices, resulting in severe injury or death. Here, we report a case of trapping and subsequent death of a wild chimpanzee from the Bulindi community (Hoima District). The elderly female chimpanzee died 13 days after being injured by a mantrap. Her injury could have contributed to the cause of death by impacting her balance in low trees above a stream; her body was subsequently found in the water. Behavioural observations prior to death and evidence from physical inspection of her injured hand suggest she may have otherwise recovered from her injury. Together with previous reports of chimpanzee trappings regionally, this case underlines the urgent need for a dedicated conservation program to reduce risks of inhabiting unprotected agricultural areas for chimpanzees. We propose an integrated strategy including (1) increased presence of wildlife authorities outside protected areas, (2) strengthening of existing legislation prohibiting use of mantraps, (3) targeted education programs and media campaigns, (4) and increased engagement of local people in chimpanzee conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surveys we conducted between April 2012 and February 2014, and inquiries made among the local population, confirmed the occurrence of the King Colobus (Colobus polykomos) in the Lebekere subprefecture, in the northern sector of the Fouta Djallon mountain range, Guinea. This is the first time C. polykomos has been verified in this region, extending the species boundaries of the known distribution 125 km further to the northeast. Twenty-nine direct observations of the species were recorded. All observations of C. polykomos were made in patches of semi-deciduous forest. The ongoing loss and fragmentation of this habitat suggest that the population is in decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]