Diet composition and habitat use of the West African bushbuck <i>Tragelaphus scriptus</i> scriptus (Pallas, 1776) during the first half of the dry season

Abstract

Diet composition and habitat use of the West African bushbuck were investigated in three vegetation units (River, Riverine Forest, Woodland Savannah) along the Baoule River, during the first half of the dry season. Woody plants were the most frequently occurring species in faecal pellets and were thought to represent feeding in all vegetation units available to the study animals. Systematic direct observations on feeding behaviour were carried out in the River Unit only and yielded a preponderance of both woody plants and forbs. The plant species that appeared to be the staple forage species in the faecal analysis were absent in the River Unit. They were common on the Savannah and in the Riverine Forest and indicate the importance of these vegetation units as feeding areas. It is suggested that foraging on the Savannah occurs mostly at night. The vegetation types in the River Unit appear to be selected for foraging on woody plants, forbs and (or) green sedges.