Population estimates and pattern of behavior of Mona Monkeys

The mona monkeys (Cercopitecus mona) of Lekki Conservation Centre Nature Reserve (LCC), Lagos, Nigeria, is of special ecological and touristic interest which confer exceptional prestige of sighting wild animals in a sprawling... [ view full abstract ]

The mona monkeys (Cercopitecus mona) of Lekki Conservation Centre Nature Reserve (LCC), Lagos, Nigeria, is of special ecological and touristic interest which confer exceptional prestige of sighting wild animals in a sprawling urban Centre of one of the most populous cities of West Africa. Five censuses of the animal were carried out in the wet season of August 2016 to determine the population of mona monkeys of the reserve as well as to ascertain the extent of interaction within and around the built environment of the animals with the residents around the Centre. Twelve distinct groups of mona monkeys were observed. The estimated number per group ranges from 11 individuals to as much as 32 individuals with a mean group size of 20.3 ±1.9. A total of 247 ± 7 weaned mona monkeys were estimated to be present in the Conservation Centre. Observable features peculiar to the animal at LCC do not suggest that the monkey populations are at risk. Much of the daily activities of the animal were devoted to resting (26%), grooming (14%) and mating (6%). These are evidences of healthy population and a proof that mona monkey populations could continue to grow and be sustained at LCC. The fact that some individuals of the mona monkeys scavenge and at times snatch or ask for food from visitors may not be taken as sufficient proof to establish that there is over-population but such behavior are learned instinct that the animal share with humans as a result of their habituation. However, this is not general to all the groups. Some of the groups found around the southernmost end of the Nature Reserve are still very shy and runaway at the slightest interference of human.

It is therefore important that the monkeys be protected from interacting with humans so as to prevent transmission of diseases from monkeys to man and vice versa.