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International Journal of Agricultural Research

Year: 2008 | Volume: 3 | Issue: 4 | Page No.: 281-286
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Authors

O.T. Aremu

S.A. Onadeko

Keywords

Research Article

Nutritional Ecology of African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus)

O.T. Aremu and S.A. Onadeko
Nutritional ecology including feed utilization, selection and quality of grasses utilized for food by African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in Kainji Lake National Park were examined. Feed plants and parts grazed by Syncerus caffer were identified using standardized procedures.  A  total  of  192  h  of  direct observations were made on several groups of Syncerus caffer, while grazing between 7:00-12:00 h and 16:00-18:00 h. The results revealed that  20  grass  species  were  utilized  as  feed by Syncerus caffer population in the Park in both wet and dry seasons. Wet season forage utilization included Andropogon gayanus, Andropogon    pseudapricus,   Hyparrhenia    rufa,   Hyparrhenia   involucrata, Hyparrhenia dissoluta and Andropogon smithiana with 9.50, 8.59, 7.75, 6.43, 5.24 and 4.86% utilization, respectively. Young leaves, mature leaves and flowers had the following utilization  71.12,  26.60  and  2.28%,  respectively.  There  was  no  significant  difference (p<0.05) in the species of grasses utilized as feed by Syncerus caffer population in the Park in both wet and dry seasons. However, a significant difference (p<0.05) was recorded in the parts of grasses grazed by Syncerus caffer. Measures to improve the feed resources of Syncerus caffer populations in the Park are also discussed.
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