A fragile human–primate coexistence in southern Benin
In the Basse Vallée de l’Ouémé Biosphere Reserve (RBBVO) in southern Benin, relationships between people and primates — particularly the red-bellied monkey — are often tense.
These primates frequently raid farms, feeding on maize, cassava and bananas, and causing serious losses for local farmers. As frustration grows, some communities resort to retaliatory actions, threatening both wildlife and livelihoods.
Finding a balance between conservation and food security is a major challenge — and lies at the heart of efforts to achieve human–primate coexistence.
A promising initiative: the Human–Primate Coexistence Project
In response, Philémon Djoï, a young conservationist from Benin and member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), launched the Human–Primate Coexistence Project in collaboration with the NGO APASAT.
Supported by Stiftung Artenschutz and the DierenPark Amersfoort Wildlife Fund, the project aims to:
👉 reduce crop damage caused by primates;
👉 promote peaceful human–primate coexistence;
👉 and improve local livelihoods.
This initiative builds on the successful Human–Hippopotamus Coexistence Project previously implemented in the Mono Biosphere Reserve.
Encouraging progress in the field
In just a few months, the project has achieved significant results:
🧭 Training and capacity building
Ten community members (farmers, fishermen and hunters) were trained in primate ecology, camera trapping, GPS mapping, and hotspot identification to monitor conflict areas.
💬 Community dialogue
Thirty residents took part in focus group discussions to assess existing mitigation methods and co-design new, non-lethal strategies.
🎓 Awareness in schools
Over 300 students across five schools participated in interactive sessions about primate ecology, wildlife protection laws in Benin, and the dangers of eating primate meat.
👥 Community education
More than 30 adults — including farmers, hunters, youth, and women — received training on coexistence, conservation laws, and sustainable wildlife use.
🐖 Alternative livelihoods
Fifteen households were supported in developing alternative income-generating activities such as pig, poultry, and sheep farming — reducing dependence on crops vulnerable to primate raids.
The human side of human–primate coexistence
Despite these successes, challenges remain.
Some residents still view conservationists as being “on the animals’ side.” During one focus group, a frustrated farmer exclaimed:
“Why don’t you just move all the monkeys to a zoo so they stop destroying our crops?”
That statement reflects a deep sense of frustration and loss, highlighting how essential it is to co-develop solutions that both protect biodiversity and respect people’s dignity and livelihoods.
Through dialogue and community engagement, the project is helping build trust, shared understanding, and coexistence — step by step.
Toward a lasting and equitable coexistence
Promoting human–primate coexistence goes beyond protecting wildlife — it’s about social justice, mutual respect, and ecological resilience.
The initiative in the Basse Vallée de l’Ouémé Biosphere Reserve demonstrates that when local communities are at the center of conservation, coexistence is not only possible but sustainable.
💡 Get involved or support the project
Would you like to join or support the Human–Primate Coexistence Project?
📩 Contact: philemondjoi9@gmail.com
🔗 LinkedIn profile of Philémon Djoï
