| Summary: | The red-bellied guenon (Cercopithecus erythrogaster erythrogaster) is an endemic, critically endangered monkey in West Africa. Here, I share my 30-year experience with this species. A group of 14 redbellied guenons, which had been individually captured between 1994 and 2008 in the Ouémé floodplain in southern Benin, was cared for and observed. This group developed within 30 years into a viable population of about 40 monkeys living in two groups in a reconstituted rainforest, the Sanctuaire des Singes, in southern Benin. A total of 66 infants were born into the group. The intense group life of free-ranging, habituated monkeys is described in detail as well as their interactions with other forest species, local people, and tourists. Of particular interest is the observation of the replacement of a dominant male after 13 years, with ensuing infanticide of three neonates. The red-bellied guenon has become the flagship species for Benin nature protection, giving rise to modest ecotourism. The sustainability of this site depends on the acceptance by the local population and its use as a research and demonstration site by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), NGOs and the local university.
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