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The survival of the Tana River mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus) is threatened primarily by habitat fragmentation and loss due to pressure from human activities. However, the effects of such anthropogenic disturbance on the species' behavioral ecology are poorly understood. This study aimed to identify the anthropogenic activities and their impacts on mangabey behavior in Mchelelo and Mkomani forest patches in the Tana River Primate National Reserve. We hypothesized that Mkomani would experience higher levels of anthropogenic activities compared to Mchelelo due to its proximity to human settlements. Because detrimental human activities - such as tree cutting, palm wine tapping, and palm leaf harvesting - alter the forest habitat's cover, density, and distribution of important mangabey plant foods, we predicted that the species' behavior will show differences between the two sites due to varying levels of these human activities. We used quadrat and focal animal sampling methods to collect data on anthropogenic activities and to score mangabey behavior, respectively. Overall, tree cutting was the dominant human disturbance, followed by palm leaf harvesting and fire. Tree cutting and palm leaf harvesting were both higher in Mkomani compared to Mchelelo, respectively. Palm wine tapping was recorded exclusively in Mchelelo, while fire burning occurred only in Mkomani. The most exploited and important plant foods for the mangabeys were Phoenix reclinata, Polysphaeria multiflora, Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius, and Thespesia danis. The group in Mkomani forest spent more time feeding and engaging in social interactions compared to that in Mchelelo. Our findings suggest that high exploitation of mangabey plant foods correspond with increased time spent feeding and in social interaction. Our findings are critical for informing the management and conservation of the Cercocebus galeritus and their habitat - especially in efforts to mitigate the detrimental anthropogenic activities in the lower Tana River forest patches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]