The interface between humans and other primates: The case of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau

Authors

  • Catarina Casanova University of Coimbra (Portugal).
  • Susana Gonçalves Costa University of Coimbra (Portugal).

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.14.25532

Keywords:

chimpanzees, local communities, shared ecologies, anthropogenic landscapes, conservation

Abstract

With this paper we invite the reader to join us to a field trip to Guinea-Bissau through our eyes as primatologists and to explore the entanglements between humans and non-human primates. The first time we went to the field was in 2003. After staying with an NGO for a while, we set up a field station in a protected area that was home to chimpanzees (Madina Field Station). However, soon we realized that «protected areas», «high-quality forest», or «suitable habitat for chimpanzees» would not make any difference for research – and, most importantly, for this ape’s conservation – without taking into consideration the locals’ attitudes. Humanized landscapes most probably will become the rule in the future, so finding a way for a peaceful coexistence is urgent.

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Author Biographies

Catarina Casanova, University of Coimbra (Portugal).

Researcher at the Centre for Research in Anthropology and Health (CIAS), Department of Life Sciences of the University of Coimbra (Portugal). She also is professor at the Higher Institute of Social and Political Sciences (ISCSP) of the University of Lisbon (Portugal) and collaborator of the Centre for Public Administration and Public Policies (CAPP). She is a founding member of the Portuguese Primatological Association.

Susana Gonçalves Costa, University of Coimbra (Portugal).

Researcher at the Centre for Research in Anthropology and Health (CIAS), Department of Life Sciences of the University of Coimbra (Portugal).

References

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Published

2024-01-11

How to Cite

Casanova, C., & Gonçalves Costa, S. (2024). The interface between humans and other primates: The case of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. Metode Science Studies Journal, (14), 125–131. https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.14.25532
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