Preliminary survey of primates in Old Oyo National Park Buffer Zone, Nigeria

Abstract

Many of buffer zones surrounding Nigerian protected areas are under-managed. The study examined the abundance, distribution and population structure of some primates’ species: Patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas), Olive baboon (Papio anubis) and Green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) in Old Oyo National Park buffer zone. Five 3×2 km transects were laid in the buffer zone of all the ranges (Ogun-Tede, Marguba, Sepeteri, Oyo-Ile and Yemoso) of the Park. The transects were traversed for a period of 12 months. Observations were based on direct censusing techniques only. The wet season results showed that Ogun-Tede had the highest primate species relative abundance of 5.67 (±0.2814)/km² followed by Yemoso with 3.17 (±0.1471)/km², while Marguba range had the lowest primate species relative abundance of 1.17 (±0.0557)/km². Erythrocebus patas had the highest number of individuals in a group per square kilometer 0.0560 (±0.0168), while Cercopithecus aethiops had the least number of individuals in a group per square kilometer 0.0093 (0.0047). In the dry season, Ogun-Tede had the highest primate species relative abundance of 4.00 (±0.2009)/km² followed by Yemoso with 2.67 (±0.1248)/km². Papio anubis had the highest number of individuals in a group per square kilometer 0.0322 (±0.0107), while Erythrocebus patas had the least number of individuals in a group per square kilometer 0.0068 (±0.0029). Juveniles constituted most primate species population structure in both wet and dry season which ranged between (7.00 and 25.61%) and (9.33 and 59.57%) respectively. Measures to maintain and mildly protect the existing population of these primates in land adjacent the Park should be encouraged.

Keywords: Buffer zone, Primates, Population, Distribution, National Park