Selected indigenous wild fruits influence on feeding behaviour of captive olive baboons (<i>Papio anubis</i>. Lesson, 1827))

Abstract

Feeding behaviour of captive male olive baboons was studied in a 200 feeding trial using five selected indigenous fruits: Strychnos spinosa (SS), Nuclear latifolia (NL), Piliostigma thonningii (PT), Detarium macrocarpum (DM) and Adansonia digitata (AD), categorized into large, medium and small sizes with a view to foster this animal ex-situ conservation. The fruits were harvested fresh and served on the floor of the cages in-between morning and afternoon routine feeding. Data were collected on fruit choice to determine fruits preference; time spent to remove or break the fruits pericarp; and the position of the animal while eating. This study shows that fruits preference was significantly (p < 0.05) influenced. It followed the order: DM>NL>PT>SS>AD. Experimental Olive baboons picked small fruits ahead of others irrespective of their nutritional quality. Time spent to remove or break the fruits pericarp were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced. On eighty-nine occasions, captive Olive baboons preferred hanging on the cages walls while eaten. For sustainable conservation of this fauna species, more research on its feeding behaviour with respect to these fruits shape, weight and colour is encouraged. 

Key Words: Olive baboons, Conservation, Feeding behaviour, Wild fruits