Abstract

The accelerated conversion of natural habitats into human settlements brings humans closer to NHPs, increasing interactions in shared landscapes.
This presents a significant challenge for the coexistence of NHPs with humans, as their proximity can pose serious threats to both. This study explores the socio-economic and cultural dimensions of human and NHP interactions in Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau. Employing anthropological methods, I will investigate the costs and benefits experienced by local communities, including farmers, hunters, and research assistants, who live alongside wild primates. I will map the spatial distribution of different types of human-NHP interactions across the protected area to identify concurrence zones to improve, as well as document strategies employed by locals that coexist with NHP. Shedding light on these interactions, the study aims to contribute to scientific knowledge on human-NHP dynamics in an anthropogenic landscape and inform conservation planning for sustainable coexistence of wildlife and local human populations.

Team