Range Extension of the Western Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus patas patas) in Northern Sierra Leone, West Africa.

The patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) is endemic to tropical Africa and includes three recognized subspecies (pyrrhonotus, patas, villiersi). This paper presents evidence to extend the geographic range of the western or West African patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas patas) 60 km southwest to include Outamba Kilimi National Park, central north Sierra Leone, West Africa. In 2018 and 2022 we conducted interviews with photo elicitation exercises with a total of 363 adult residents of Outamba Kilimi National Park to identify reported wildlife species present and inform camera trapping locations. Since May 2018, 25 camera traps have been placed throughout the Outamba Section of Outamba Kilimi National Park. Further research using both biological and social science methods is needed to accurately assess the conservation status of patas monkeys in Sierra Leone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]