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Bushbuck ( Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas) habitat in Mole National Park, northern Ghana
Author(s) -
DankwaWiredu Bernice,
Euler David L.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1046/j.0141-6707.2001.00337.x
Subject(s) - foraging , national park , habitat , thicket , ecology , geography , biology
This study examined the habitat and activity patterns of bushbucks ( Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas), in Mole National Park, Ghana. Three bushbucks, one with a radio transmitter attached to its ear, served as focal‐animals for the study. The animals were followed and data on their habitat, food and activity patterns were recorded. Bushbucks were found to have a low variability in their diet. The forage species were mainly herbaceous and dicotyledonous. Each individual developed its own activity pattern and followed specific paths while foraging. Bushbucks used marshes proportionally more than the open savanna and the riverine forest. At temperatures below 30°C bushbucks remained active. When the temperature exceeded 31°C, the bushbucks retreated to the bushes/thickets to rest and ruminate.