Artisanal gold mining affects chimpanzee ranging and behavior

Despite its global pervasiveness, little systematic research has been conducted on the impact of artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) on terrestrial wildlife. Our study assesses the impacts of human activity associated... [ view full abstract ]

Despite its global pervasiveness, little systematic research has been conducted on the impact of artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) on terrestrial wildlife. Our study assesses the impacts of human activity associated with ASGM on a community of West African savanna chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) living in a complex human and natural system. Research was conducted in southeastern Senegal where a recent spike in ASGM has increased the local human population, caused environmental pollution and degradation, and threatens the habitat of the critically endangered apes. To assess the impacts of ASGM, we analyzed 10 years of chimpanzee observational data from the Fongoli Savanna Chimpanzee Project. Despite the small footprint of ASGM activity at the Fongoli field site (0.04% of the home range), we found significant changes in chimpanzees’ ranging and behavior. At the home range level, we observed an overall shift in the community’s range as they moved toward mining areas during initial mining activity. As mining intensity increased, the home range shifted away from the mines suggesting a threshold may limit chimpanzee activity near the mining sites. When the chimpanzees were observed at the mines, they used anthropogenic areas significantly more than they had prior to mining activity. They inspected materials left by miners and drank water from mining pits. Use of mined areas, however, occurred primarily when miners were not present. Increased use of the mines may be attributed to direct observational learning of a novel disturbance to understand and assess potential risks. However, the risks associated ASGM activities, including mercury pollution, exposure to human fecal pathogens, and uncovered and abandoned pits, are likely to go unperceived and pose a more insidious risk for chimpanzee conservation.