POPULATION CENSUS OF THE CHIMPANZEES IN THE KALINZU FOREST, UGANDA - COMPARISON BETWEEN METHODS WITH NEST COUNTS

The population of chimpanzees in the Kalinzu Forest, Uganda was censused with nest counts using the line-transect method. Four methods were examined to estimate density. The estimated densities, ranging from 2.0 to 4.7 chimpanzees per km(2), all indicated a high population density, in comparison with other chimpanzee habitats. Moreover, the density in the logged area of the Kialinzu Forest was higher than that in the unlogged area. Several factors are thought to contribute to the high density in the Kalinzu Forest. Notable are the mosaic forest structure dominated by mature forest with patches of logged areas, selective logging of non-food tree species of chimpanzees, and low hunting pressure. These results suggest that selective logging may be a practical means of primate conservation in places where timbers are exploited.