Authors: Fischer, Frauke; Linsenmair, K. Eduard

Source: African Journal of Ecology, Volume 40, Number 2, June 2002 , pp. 130-137(8)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

The kob (Kobus kob kob) population studied in the Comoé National Park, Ivory Coast, suffered unsustainable losses to poaching before and during the investigation. This in turn did not only lead to low densities but also changed the population composition, resulting in a strong female bias in all age classes except juveniles. The relative rarity of adult males probably had negative effects on the population recruitment. Although mating occurred throughout the year and birth intervals were short, at least in some females, annual birth-rate was low compared to earlier studies in the same area. Effective conservation measures are urgently needed to ensure the future existence of the studied population.

French
Résumé

La population de kobes (Kobus kob kob) étudiée au Parc National de Comoé, en Côte d'Ivoire, a souffert de pertes insoutenables dues au braconnage, avant et pendant les investigations. Ceci a entraîné non seulement de faibles densités mais aussi des changements de la composition de la population, avec pour résultat un biais important en faveur des femelles dans toutes les classes d'âge sauf les juvéniles. Bien que les accouplements aient lieu toute l'année et que les intervalles entre les naissances soient courts, en tout cas pour certaines femelles, le taux de natalité annuel était faible comparé aux études réalisées précédemment dans la région. Il faut absolument prendre des mesures de conservation urgentes et efficaces pour garantir l'avenir de la population étudiée.

Keywords: Comoé; Kobus demography; population; trend; poaching

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2028.2002.00345.x

Affiliations: 1: Theodor-Boveri Institute of Biosciences, Zoology III, Tropical Biology and Animal Ecology, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany

Publication date: 2002-06-01

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