River Gambia National Park


River Gambia National Park is a national park in the Gambia.

Topography

Established in 1978, River Gambia National Park is located in Niamina East district of Central River Division. It lies on the left bank of the Gambia River. The park includes the Baboon Islands archipelago, which consists of one large and four small islands. The national park is not open to the public.
River Gambia National Park is adjacent to Nyassang Forest Park. On some maps, the two parks are represented together as one area.

Flora

The vegetation on the flat Baboon Islands is typical of a tropical rainforest in the form of a riparian forest.

Fauna

Since 1979, River Gambia National Park is site of a chimpanzee-reintroduction project, conducted by the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project under the direction of Stella Marsden. Chimpanzees confiscated from the illegal animal trade are reintroduced into the wild in the park. Marsden was appointed as Officer of the Order of the British Empire for her work. Prior to 1979, the primates were raised in Abuko Nature Reserve. Today, several chimpanzee groups live unmolested by humans on the three largest river islands. As of July 2006, there are 77 specimens. In the wild, chimpanzees became extinct in the Gambia in the early 20th century.
For the protection of the animals and visitors, entry onto the islands is not permitted, as chimpanzees can be highly aggressive towards humans. Exceptions are possible only with governmental approval. Even travel by boat around the islands was drastically reduced in 1998. In the past, some attempted to steal chimpanzees from the park.
Apart from the common chimpanzee, River Gambia National Park is also home to the Guinea baboon, green monkey, western red colobus, and marmosets. Other mammals include the prolific warthog and some hippopotamuses, which have become rare in the Gambia. In addition, the park is home to the aardvark, honey badger, serval, Haussa genet, African clawless otter, and West African manatee.
Of the antelopes, there is the bushbuck, Maxwell's duiker, and common duiker. Reptiles are likewise plentiful, and include the Nile crocodile, snakes, and lizards. The bird life is equally species-rich.