Effects of early and late-dry season fires on mortality, dispersal and breeding of malimbe Malimbus scutatus in the Southern Guinea savannah

Inappropriate use of fire in the guinea savannah is one of the main processes threatening its biodiversity and despite its importance in shaping savannah, it remains poorly understood how the frequency, seasonality and intensity of the fire interact to influence the activities of bird species. While species adversely affected by fire have been documented, empirical studies that seek to identify the ecological mechanisms that underpin this decline are rare. This paper examined the effects of early- and late-dry season fires and a control on the mortality, dispersal and breeding of malimbe Malimbus scutatus in Ikwe Wildlife Park and also tested whether the early fire area became a refuge after the late fire. None of the fire treatment caused any increase in mortality. Individuals relocated short distances to unburnt habitat following both fires. Some birds use the early fire area after the late fire. Mayfield (1975) method of estimations of daily egg-survival probability showed no difference (P > 0.05) among the treatments, whereas the daily probability of nestling survival was significantly lower in the late fire area. Results suggested that the reproductive output of malimbe was low following latedry season fire, and this is the main mechanism that explains their decline. This study provides support for the idea of using early-dry season prescribed burning to limit the effect of late-dry season fire on malimbe.Keywords: inappropriate use, threatening, biodiversity, seasonality, poorly understood, nestling survival

An Investigation of the Behaviour of Pregnant and Lactating Baboons (Papio Anubis) in Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria

This study was designed to investigate the behaviour of pregnant and lactating baboons, which could affect the social system. Using the one-minute and fifteen-minute fixed-point focal sampling technique, each focal animal was followed and behavioural patterns were observed and recorded for a period of six months. The behavioural patterns observed included social, feeding, reproductive, post-partum, movement, and roosting behaviours. However, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the behaviour of females within and between states in the same group and between the two troops. The percentage groups spread away from pregnant and lactating females were found to be increasing with a corresponding increase in the distance- intervals. Pregnant and lactating females were found to be associating mostly with adult females and infants in the presence of an alpha male or a contesting male. Group interaction under some activity budgets with pregnant and lactating females at various distance intervals was significant (p<0.05) within =1m but there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the group interaction with the focal animals at distance-intervals =1m to =5m, =5m to =10m, and =10. The results of suckling behaviour indicate that infants spent more time suckling at Kwano site (52%) than infants at Gashaka site (48%). However, infants at Gashaka site suckle more frequently (4 times/day) than Kwano (2 times/day). The findings of this study indicate that individual and group behavioural patterns, group spread of members of the troop from focal animals, association of focal animals with individuals of the troop and group interaction under various activity budgets with the focal animals were functions of individual or group behavioural patterns while suckling bouts of infants at the two sites was a function of availability of quality and abundant food. It is therefore, recommended that further studies on the two troops at the two sites be carried out with the females when they are neither pregnant nor lactating

A Survey of the Wild Avi-Fauna within Makurdi Metropolis of Benue State, Nigeria

A survey of the wild Avi-fauna within Makurdi Metropolis was undertaken during the dry and rainy seasons of 2007-2008. The method adopted in data collection was total count of birds and trees in ten (10) selected streets in the six built-up areas of the town. A total of 2,192 birds belonging to 18 species were identified during the dry season, while 745 birds belonging to 29 different species were counted during the wet season. Six species were permanent resident, found both during the wet and dry seasons, 12 species occurred only during the dry season while 23 species were found only during the wet season. Bird population does not correlate(r = 0.005) with either tree density or diversity. Birds were found to utilize habitats such as roof tops, electric poles and wire, and television antenna. The study concludes that wild birds still migrate in and out of the town in spite of urbanization and that urbanization may indeed have provided favourable sites for some bird species

The Impact of Human Encroachment and River Bank Agricultural Activities on the Habitat of the Manatee (Trichechus Senegalensis) Along the Lower Benue River, Benue State, Nigeria

The impact of human encroachment and river bank Agricultural activities on the habitat of the manatee (Trichechus Senegalensis) was investigated. The method of data collection involved the use of a structured questionnaire administered to farmers and fishermen. Vegetation survey in three selected sites along the river was carried out during the dry and raining seasons and crops cultivated during these seasons were identified. Chemicals used by farmers, measurement of settlements and farms from the river bank as well as the population trends in the selected zones were investigated. The result was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Nine different vegetable crops were cultivated in Makurdi over an area of 16.974 ha, while 3 crops were cultivated in Abinsi (11.2076 ha) and 2 in Gbajimba (6.8775 ha). Plant diversity in Makurdi during the dry season is (0.1322), Abinsi (0.795) and Gbajimba (0.0568) while Abinsi had a diversity of 0.3281 Makurdi 0.2524 and Gbajimba 0.1749, during the raining season. Correlation coefficient (r) shows a significant relationship (p>0.05) between plants during the dry and rainy period in all the three zones. There is massive use of chemicals during the dry season farming while there is an increased activity of sharp sand collection along the river

Assessment of Feeding Behaviour of Baboons (Papio Anubis) in Hong Hills Adamawa State, Nigeria

This study was designed to assess the feeding behaviour of baboons of Hong hills. Direct observation method was used for the study. Data was collected for a period of eight months. The results indicate high diversity and abundance of food items for baboons in the study area. A total of 16 food plants, 4 invertebrates (millipedes, earthworms, grasshopper and crabs); 2 vertebrates (goats and sheep) and 4 crop plants (groundnuts, guinea corn, maize and beans) were observed to be eaten by baboons in the study area. Wet season food plant species include Annona senegalensis Parkia biglobosa, Ficus capensis, Syzigium guineense, Vitex doniana, Vitellaria paradoxa, Haemastostaphis barteri, Grewia molis and Nauclea latifolia while dry season food plant include Adansonia digitata, Magnifera Indica, Oxytenanthera species, Ficus platyphylla, Cactus species and Borassus aethiopum. A total of 8 food plants viz Adansonia digitata, Parkia biglobosa, Magnifera indica, Cactus species, Oxytenanthera species, Nauclea latifolia, Annona senegalensis, and Vitellaria paradoxa were observed to be preferred by baboons in the study area. The result of nutritive value of the preferred food plant indicated that the highest percentages of dry matter content (83.0%), crude protein (22.6%), crude fibre (29.0%), ether extract (4.5%) and ash (27.0%) were found Adansonia digitata, Magnifera Indica, Annona senegalensis, Vitellaria paradoxa, and Adansonia digitata respectively. In this study area, baboon food resources appeared to be adequate representing a potential for good carrying capacity

The distribution, abundance, and habitat preference of lovebirds Agapornis pullaria in Tiortyu riparian vegetation

Objectives: Intensive agriculture and human exploitation of timber are the main threat to Lovebirds (Agapornis pullaria) distribution and abundance in Tiortyu riparian vegetation in NigeriaMethodology and Results: Four Vegetation micro-habitats in Tiortyu  riparian environment; Forestland vegetation (FLV), Woodland savannah (WLS), Grassland Savannah (GLS), and Cultivated Land (CL) were sampled for 12 months to investigate the distribution, abundance and habitat preference of lovebird Agapornis pullaria. Point count census technique was adopted and data were collected at fortnight interval. Within the period ofinvestigation 26 birds in FLV, 5 in WLS, 2 in GLS were counted and no bird was counted in cultivated land. Lovebird varied significantly (P < 0.05) in Forestland vegetation than any other micro-habitat, while their population was significantly (P < 0.05) influence by late rainy season (August – October).Conclusion and application of the findings: Intensive agriculture and excessive exploitation of timber and other flora resources pose imminent danger to lovebird’s existence. Therefore, giving respite and sustainable resource exploitation will offer a conducive environment for lovebirds to thrive.Key words: Abundance, micro-habitat, preference, riparian, vegetatio