The C4RC Project
Communities for Red Colobus (C4RC) is a community-based primate research and conservation project which was developed to implement the Red Colobus Action Plan 2021-26 priorities for endangered Temminck’s red colobus (Piliocolobus badius temminckii, TRC) populations in The Gambia (Linder et al., 2021).
The Gambian team of seven rangers and the project manager work in the Sambel Kunda area of the Central River Region. They protect the largest remaining population of TRC in West Africa through the training and empowerment of local people as conservation leaders and the development of livelihood projects such as primate ecotourism to reduce local dependence on logging for charcoal production. Activities include primate monitoring and research, forest patrols, community engagement and capacity building initiatives such as C4RC wildlife clubs and the ranger training programme. ​
C4RC was developed by Dr Mic Mayhew, the principal investigator in 2019 and is supported by a group of international primatologists and the Gambian Department of Parks and Wildlife Management/Department of Forestry. The programme is funded by a blend of ecotourism revenues and grant funding with all contributions from the international community provided on a pro-bono basis.  Any profits net of operating costs are shared with the local communities on the basis of a benefit sharing agreement. ​ C4RC rangers deliver remarkable community and conservation outputs in line with the project plan. Red colobus populations have remained stable, illegal logging and poaching are well controlled, several hundred children and adults are receiving weekly class and field-based education, 3500 young trees (cashew/mango/mahogany etc) have been grown and distributed to the communities and responsible primate ecotourism is now well established at the C4RC visitor centre. The activities of the ranger team are securing the wider forest ecosystem, helping to mitigate climate change impacts, and contributing to food security, poverty alleviation and the empowerment of local women.​​​