ISSN: 2578-4994
Authors: Maurice ME*, Alex KS, Divine E, Bumtu KP, Chembonui TE and Ebong EL
Thorough knowledge of the ecological requirements of ungulates provides the basis for the formulation of an appropriate programme of management actions directed at that species. More so, the identification of the minimum habitat requirements for a species is essential before specific management actions can be instituted. However, the relationship between antelopes and habitat plays a crucial role in the ecology of any species. The association between a herbivore and its habitat not only encompasses the availability of preferred food plants and their particular growth stages in its home range, it is also intimately linked to other features of the habitat. Hence, the key objective of this study was to assess the role of landscape vegetation on antelopes’ sustainability. Data collection was initiated immediately after a thorough study was done. The kob antelopes groups were visited regularly to record both feeding activity and ecological factors. The study showed a significance between kob antelope group and vegetation, X2 = 7.383 df=8, P<0.05. The antelope-group strength was dominated by 1-5 antelopes 89%, but larger group-sizes were equally recorded though not common. The three vegetation types most used by the antelopes were grassland 49%, shrub-land 36%, and forest patches 11%. Nonetheless, the antelope-group activity showed a significance on vegetation type X2 = 11.510 df=4, P<0.05. The most significant animal activities recorded were movement 49%, feeding 35%, and resting 16% respectively. Similarly, antelope-group activity revealed a significance on photo-period X2 = 5.348 df=2, P<0.05. Additionally, the antelope-group size showed a significance on landscape X2 = 7.364 df=8, P<0.05. Bouba ndjidda national park in the northern region of Cameroon has three landscape types useful to the kob antelopes, flat 73%, slope 25%, and hill 2% respectively. More so, there was a positive correlation significance between vegetation and food resources r = 0.248, P<0.05. The landscape of the national park has very little escapement that could obstruct movement of these medium- sized antelopes. Furthermore, their vigilance, speed against predators, and prolific nature might help the antelope achieve a high population in the national park in future. Most of these antelopes have received very little research attention, however, more study is needed to explore the social organization, feeding and population ecology.
Keywords: Kob Antelope; Group Sizes; Vegetation Type; Landscape Type; Feeding Activity
