Poly-specific association of the olive baboon (Papio anubis) group within home range in Gashaka Gumti national park

Abstract

The study of poly-specific association of the olive baboon (Papio anubis) group within their home range in Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP) was carried out for a period of one year (both seasons). A single animal
group consisting of 30 individuals was studied using the constant animal group follow method carried out for consecutive fifteen days each month. The animal species frequently observed with the olive baboons were the
black and white colobus monkey Colobus polykomos, putty nosed monkey Cercopithecus nictitans, squirrel-Protoxerus stangeri, mona monkey Cercopithecus mona, human being Homo sapien, chimpanzee Pan
troglodytes, and red river hog Potamochoerus porcus with poly specific association percentage of 32. 7, 19.4, 17.1, 13.8 13.8 1.6 and 1.6 percent respectively. Baboon relationship with aforementioned species was of mutual tolerance except with the chimpanzee and human being that prey on them for meat. The activity budget for the baboon group was 51.2 percent and 48.8 percent for dry and wet seasons respectively, while the total time budget with respect to habitat types was most significant in forest habitats (81.0%) and least in shrub land (8.0%). In all habitat types, the time for feeding activity was the higher ( 41.1 %) while time budgeted for vocal was the least (1.2%). The results obtained will be useful in developing management strategies towards ecological requirement for their sustainable utilization.

Keywords: Olive baboon, poly-specific, national park, ecology, utilization.