**3. Results and discussion**

The survey discovered that as a result of intense hunting and deforestation at the creek, there was no species of the Niger Delta red colobus monkey present after a three days survey of the Gbaraun axis of the reserve. Although in the 1990s, visitors to the forests near the town of Gbanraun observed *P. epieni* relatively easily [7]. It was also reported that the Werre [12] estimated the entire population of *P. epieni* may have fallen below 10,000 individuals. However, a more recent study by Ikemeh (2015) estimated the population of Epieni to be more or less than 200 individuals. Ikemeh (2015), findings also revealed that there was presence of the species in the Gbaraun axis of the forest, although they were unable to site any individuals directly only report from communities. This study however, did not observe any species even though report gathered from the community confirmed their presence. It was also observed that people who claimed to see and are knowledgeable of the species were folks of age between the range of 40–50 years and above, those below this age range have not seen or heard about the species. Other species like Aliigator, birds and Mangabey monkey (*Cercocebus torquatus*) were sited. There were more than five logging points at the location, leaving the forest with little or no trees and as a result rendering wildlife species especially the Niger Delta red colobus money homeless. An unfortunate situation during the survey happened when the supposedly individual that the community chiefs suggested to go with me during the survey (from the Gbaraun village), left me at the center of the forest to kill a mother of Mangabey monkey with its infant who narrowly escaped death as the bullet happened to hit the infants' eye (see **Figures 2**–**4**). His reason was income to take care of his family! With what he did, it was concluded that the forest is in serious threat and in no time, there would not be a single wildlife species let alone the endemic

**Figure 2.** *Apoi forest.*

**Figure 3.** *Logging activities at different locations within the Apoi creek.*

**Figure 4.** *Mother and infants of a Mangabey monkey shot by the guard that was supposed to guide the researcher.*

#### *Hunting and Deforestation: A Threat to the Existence of the Niger Delta Red Colobus Monkey… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96885*

species in the reserve. The implication is, there is no fear of state government or fear that I could report him to a body that would not even implement the law.

This experience is just a measure of many of Africa's problems. The growing population, conflicts between different ethnic groups, national political instability, and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources are all the problems affecting conservation in the area. Roger (2007), highlighted some basic problems frustrating research effort in the area which he listed to be lack of development, electricity only in a few of the Delta's towns and absent of fresh water and health care facilities as well as the kidnappings.

The human population of the Niger Delta is growing rapidly, with the result that most of the natural resources (for example, fish and timber) there have either been reduced to a level where they are insufficient to meet the local needs, or have been depleted altogether. As a result, the only local large scale economic activity that provides cash comes from the exploitation of the Delta's other natural resource; trees. From experience and observation during the course of this study, the following was observed to be the major problem militating against conservation:

