The potentials in wildlife resources in Kika FMUs is still substantial with the proven presence of various 

 charismatic species: elephant, great apes, bongo, sitatunga, etc. (ONFI-HFC, 2003; NZOOH dongmo et al, 

 2004). They will serve as 'laboratory' for the elaboration of inventory and standardized monitoring 

 procedures. 



The Mindourou FMUs generally have less large mammals and experience an anthropogenic pressure 

 stronger than at Kika (Bombome et al, 2003; BOBO, 2007 a and b). They will serve as testing sites for 

 methods developed at Kika. In principle, the expected positive impact of management measures should 

 be seen there more easily. 



Prior to the implementation of actual actions, ALPICAM initiated bibliographical research and analysis 

 concerning wildlife management in the Congo Basin, inside or in close relation to forest concessions. 

 Particular attention is given to wildlife inventory and monitoring procedures. These studies will 

 continue and will be completed with field surveys (interactions with specialists). 



In order to address the specific objectives of the project, a series of field activities will follow the initial 

 phase: 



Comparison of inventory methods 



An assessment of various inventory of large wildlife methods generally used in forest concessions will 

 be conducted on the basis of a comparison of results on the field. In concrete terms, the status of wildlife 

 in the 2 FMUs at Kika will be assessed successively, during one season, according to the techniques of 

 the line transect, recce-transect and recce. Data collected during these inventories will consist of direct 

 and indirect observations of wildlife and human activities. These data will then be converted into 

 kilometric abundance indexes (KAI). A comparative analysis will be conducted on results of the 3 

 methodologies applied in each FMU. Note that, in 2006, in the context of this project, a comparison of 

 transect inventory method vs recce inventory method has been conducted in FMU 1 0-053 (Maréchal & 

 Bastin,2008). 



A standardized inventory methodology 



On the basis of results from the previous action, the technique with the best performance/costs ratio will 

 be selected as basis for a standardized wildlife inventory methodology. A complete set of procedures will 

 subsequently be elaborated to explain the different aspects of inventory activities: logistical 

 organization, sampling plan, data collection and processing, etc. 



Monitoring protocol 



Based on the results of the bibliographic analysis, experts' views and methodological selection 

 previously carried out, the monitoring protocol most likely to become the standard will be elaborated 

 and formulated. Subsequently, a "test" action programme will be developed to validate the 

 recommendations of the proposed monitoring protocol. These actions will be progressively integrated 

 into management activities in Kika FMUs. This validation programme will be designed and adapted for 

 implementation in Mindourou FMUs. A 'tool box' will be produced and will be accompanied by a 

 document detailing the implementation programme of the monitoring protocol on 'test' FMUs. 



Implementation at the forest massif scale 



The interventions recommended in the monitoring protocol will be progressively implemented in the 

 Mindourou FMUs in the context of concerted activities for the management of the Ndama-Ndjiwé 

 massif together by GRUMCAM and GDC logging companies while the programme initiated in Kika 

 FMUs will be ongoing. The first results collected during that field phase will be analyzed and compared. 



Nature & Faune Vol. 23, Issue 1 



