Residents Attack Guinea Chimpanzee Centre After Infant Death

On a Friday in Guinea, a chimpanzee research center was attacked by local residents following the tragic death of an infant. The child's mother, Seny Zogba, reported that a chimpanzee had bitten her and taken her baby into the forest, leading to the discovery of the mutilated body 3 kilometers from the Nimba Mountains Nature Reserve. Eyewitnesses described the crowd's anger as they ransacked the facility, destroying equipment and documents in response to the incident. The Nimba Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are home to critically endangered western chimpanzees, whose population has drastically declined due to habitat loss and food scarcity. Local ecologist Alidjiou Sylla noted that the diminishing food supply in the reserve has forced chimpanzees to venture into human settlements more frequently, increasing the risk of attacks on people. Since the beginning of the year, the research center has recorded six such incidents. Chimpanzees in Guinea are traditionally respected and often given food offerings, which may encourage them to leave their protected habitats. However, this interaction can lead to dangerous encounters, especially as their natural food sources dwindle. The situation is further complicated by the presence of iron ore reserves in the Nimba Mountains, raising concerns about the impact of mining activities on the local wildlife. The attack on the research center highlights the growing tension between human communities and wildlife in the region, as both sides struggle to coexist amid environmental changes and resource competition. The incident underscores the urgent need for effective conservation strategies to protect both the endangered chimpanzees and the safety of local residents.