ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF CARNIVOROUS MAMMALS IN A PROTECTED AREA : PRELIMINARY STUDY IN THE MOUNT NIMBA INTEGRAL NATURE RESERVE (WEST, COTE DIVOIRE)

Carnivores are at the top of the trophic system and are important in the functioning and dynamics of ecosystems. However, due to their cryptic behavior and low density, information on carnivore abundance and distribution is rarely available in many sites, including protected areas. The present study aims to determine the diversity of carnivore species and their distribution in the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, in western Cote dIvoire. Data were collected from 2020 to 2024, using line transect counting and camera trapping methods. Five (05) carnivore species were identified. These are the golden cat (Caracal aurata), the African civet (Civettictis civetta), the African genet (Genetta genetta), the marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus), and the brown mongoose (Crossarchus obscurus). The Viverridae family was the most inventoried with an observation rate of 66.67%. The distribution of carnivores is almost spread over the entire extent of the reserve. However, they are more abundant in the south and north in the reserve. The five (05) species of carnivores were inventoried in four types of habitats. These are dense lowland forests, dense montane forests, gallery and secondary forests. This preliminary information on carnivores deserves to be reinforced by other work on the spectrum of their prey and their periods of activity in order to contribute to a good understanding of the dynamics of the mammalian fauna, the functioning of the ecosystem and the sustainable conservation of the reserve.