We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Population status and feeding habits of the translocated sub-population of Hunter's antelope or hirola (Beatragus hunteri , Sclater, 1889) in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya.
- Authors
Andanje, S. A.; Ottichilo, W. K.
- Abstract
Summary The population status and feeding habits of Hunter's antelope or hirola (Beatragus hunteri ) in Tsavo East National Park were determined in this study in 1995. This is the first study that has ever been undertaken on the hirola population of about 20 animals that were translocated to Tsavo East National Park from South Garissa District in 1963. Relevant data and information were collected using different ecological research techniques. A total of eight nursery herds (5–11 individuals per herd) comprising 60 individuals, five lone bulls and 11 lone sub-adults was observed. This gave a total population estimate of 76 animals in the entire study area. Adult animals dominated the population (60.53%), indicating a population skew towards adults. The adult sex ratio was biased towards females (43.42%). Hirola were observed to feed mainly on short, green grasses. The dominant feed species were Panicum infestum, Digitaria rivae, Latipes senegalensis and Cenchrus ciliaris . Occasionally, hirola was observed to feed on forbs (e.g. Portulaca oleraceae, Tephrosia subtriglora and Commelina erecta ). Results of this study show that the population growth of the hirola sub-population in the Park has been low (1.8 individuals per year). Factors thought to contribute to this low growth include predation and low genetic variability.
- Subjects
HUNTER'S hartebeest; ANIMAL populations; ANIMAL feeding behavior
- Publication
African Journal of Ecology, 1999, Vol 37, Issue 1, p38
- ISSN
0141-6707
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1046/j.1365-2028.1999.00141.x