Regularly play TV & radio announcements to raise primate conservation awareness

Overall effectiveness category Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)
Number of studies: 1
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

50%
Certainty

5%
Harms

0%

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Background information and definitions

TV and radio announcements can be used to inform the population and raise their awareness about primate conservation on a more national level. In many developing countries, radio represents the most accessible medium to people in both urban and rural areas. For example, Mathod & Puit (2008) describe how national radio broadcasts in the Republic of Congo is used to regularly (twice a week) broadcast announcements that highlight the importance of great apes and their status as protected species in three different languages. In addition to the radio broadcast, four films were regularly shown on television. These programmes produced by the national channel ‘TV Congo’, showcased the activities connected with gorilla reintroduction, the management of the Lésio-Louna Reserve, the protected status of great apes, and the issues associated with the trafficking of these species.

Mathot L., & Puit M. (2008) Educational activities in the Republic of Congo. Gorilla Journal, 36, 20–22.

Study locations

Key messages

One before-and-after study in the Republic of Congo found that most reintroduced central chimpanzees whose release was broadcasted by multiple media means, alongside other interventions, survived over five years post-reintroduction.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A before-and-after study in 1994-1999 in tropical forest in Conkouati-Douli National Park, Republic of Congo found that the majority of reintroduced central chimpanzees Pan troglodytes troglodytes whose release was broadcasted using various media instruments alongside 16 other interventions, survived over five years. Out of 20 reintroduced chimpanzees, 14 (70%) survived over five years. No statistical tests were carried out to determine whether the decrease was significant. Their release was broadcasted on TV and several illustrated newspaper articles, aiming at raising awareness towards chimpanzee conservation. Individuals were radio-collared and followed at distances of 5-100 m. Rehabilitated orphaned chimpanzees underwent vaccination, parasite treatment and veterinary screens before translocation in four subgroups to habitat where resident chimpanzees occurred. Staff members were permanently present during to monitor primate health, provide additional food if necessary and examine any dead animals. The area status was upgraded from reserve to national park in 1999. Local people were relocated from the release site to a nearby village. Some chimpanzees were treated when sick or injured. Local people were provided monetary and non-monetary benefits in exchange for their conservation support. The study does not distinguish between the effects of the different interventions mentioned above.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Tutin C.E.G., Ancrenaz M., Paredes J., Vacher-Vallas M., Vidal C., Goossens B., Bruford M.W. & Jamart A. (2001) The conservation biology framework of the release of wild-born orphaned chimpanzees into the Conkouati Reserve, Congo. Conservation Biology, 15, 1247-1257.

Please cite as:

Junker, J., Kühl, H.S., Orth, L., Smith, R.K., Petrovan, S.O. & Sutherland, W.J. (2020) Primate Conservation. Pages 431-482 in: W.J. Sutherland, L.V. Dicks, S.O. Petrovan & R.K. Smith (eds) What Works in Conservation 2020. Open Book Publishers, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

All the journals searched for all synopses

This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Primate Conservation

Related Actions

Actions	Effectiveness	Studies	Category
Implement multimedia campaigns using theatre, film, print media, discussions Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	8	Synopsis Link
Educate local communities about primates and sustainable use Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	1	Synopsis Link
Involve local community in primate research and conservation management Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	4	Synopsis Link