ISSN: 2578-4994
Authors: Orimaye JO*
The present trend in the modification of primates’ habitat had caused the proportion of secondary forests to increase at the expense of primary forests adversely affecting forest composition and species abundance forcing most primate species to cope with large shifts in ecological conditions and associated food resources. This study was initiated to assess the feeding ecology of Red patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) in Old Oyo National Park (OONP) using scan sampling techniques. Sixty-three scans with 39 (61.91%) and 24 (38.09%) scans were recorded in Sepeteri and Marguba ranges respectively. The diet of Erythrocebus patas consists primarily of Acacia seyal (swollen thorns, leaves and flowers), Parkia biglobosa (fruits), Mangifera indica (fruits) and Vitellaria paradoxa (leaves and fruits). The highest percentage of time spent (25.31 = 41 minutes) was with Acacia seyal (flowers, gum and young swollen thorns) while the lowest time spent ((6.17% = 10 minutes) was recorded for Vitellaria paradoxa), both at Sepeteri range with no significant difference (p 0.05; t = 0.91) in the time spent by the animals in eating in the two study areas. It is, therefore, necessary to safeguard the tree species most importantly, those forming the food of the animal, from indiscriminate felling for charcoal production and also anti-poaching patrol should be beefed up to save the relics of the animal from expiration.
Keywords: Primates; Ecological Condition; Erythrocebus Patas Indiscriminate Felling; Anti-Poaching
