Large-and medium-sized ungulates in the Haut Niger National Park, Republic of Guinea: population changes 1997–2002 |
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|---|---|
| Author | |
| Brugière, D.; Dia, M.; Diakité, S.; Gbansara, M.; Mamy, M.; Saliou, B.; Magassouba, B. | |
| Year | |
| 2005 | |
| Secondary Title | |
| Oryx | |
| Volume | |
| 39 | |
| Pages | |
| 50-55 | |
| Abstract | |
| A census of ungulates was carried out in May 2002 in the Haut Niger National Park, Republic of Guinea. The study site was subdivided into three census blocks in which a total 111 transects (total length=838.24 km) were censused once by one observer. Densities were estimated using DISTANCE analysis. We observed a total of 10 species of ungulates (nine Bovidae and one Suidae). Maxwell’s duiker Cephalophus maxwelli had the highest density (3.69 individuals km-2) followed by the red-flanked duiker Cephalophus rufilatus (2.61 individuals km-2), whereas the buffalo Syncerus caffer had the lowest density (0.34 individuals km-2). Compared to a census in 1997, the abundance of red-flanked and Maxwell’s duikers significantly decreased (by c. 50%) whereas that of other species remained stable or increased. This variation may possibly be explained by a change in the hunting pattern in the area, which shifted from large-scale hunting by large groups of hunters from outside the area before the Park’s creation, to small-scale poaching by local hunters. The Park includes a diversity of ungulate species and harbours populations of ungulates that are important at both national and regional levels. We recommend therefore that the Park should be considered a key area for the conservation of ungulates in West Africa. | |
| DOI | |
| 10.1017/S0030605305000098 | |
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