Seasonal variation in plants consumption pattern by foraging Olive Baboons ( Papio anubis . Lesson, 1827) inside Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

Abstract

This study which lasted for eight (8) months in 2011, covering the period of dry and wet seasons examined seasonal plant species consumed by foraging Olive baboon ( Papio anubis ) inside Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria. Data were collected in the morning between 8.00am - 12.00pm and in the evening between 2.00pm - 6:00pm. Plant species and their parts eaten were monitored and identified through direct observation and faecal analysis. It was observed that seven plants species ( Andropogon gayanus , Strychnos spinosa , Nuclear latifiora, Vitelaria paradoxa , Ficus sycomorus , Annona senegalensis and Tamarindus indica ) were consumed in the wet season with 303 feeding events while ten plants species ( Detarium macrocarpum , Gardenia sotoemsis, Parkia biglobosa , Piliostigma thonningii , Pterocarpus erinaceus , Prosopis africana , Ficus sycomorus , Xamenia americana, Annona senegalensis and Vitex doniana) were consumed during the dry season with 315 feeding events. The feeding pattern shows that plants with higher nutritional quality were often consumed. Seasonal variation showed slight disparity in the nutrient composition of the identified plants. It was concluded that seasonal variations do affect the plants consumption pattern of foraging Olive baboon and that exsitu conservation of these plants is imperative for sustainable captive management of Olive baboon