Preliminary assessment of the distribution of large mammals within Idanre Forest Reserve, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The distribution of large mammals in Idanre Forest Reserve was assessed using the line transect method with a total number of five (5) transect lines and employing the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) to take the different points and location of different species of large mammals both sighted directly and indirectly. It was observed that transect C and D (within the undisturbed forest) 45 and 38 sightings respectively which were evenly distributed within this transects. It was also observed that transect C had 30.41 % the highest rate occurrence in terms of distribution of signs of large mammals. The study also revealed that in terms of vegetation cover preference, all of the large mammals were distributed with the undisturbed forest habitat while the Cephalophus silvicultor were not distributed within the disturbed forest and the farm land .Also, all the primates were available within all the habitat types with the exception of Cercocerbus torquatus which is not distributed within the Cercocebus torquatus farmland. The research revealed that there are still some significant amounts of large mammals within the reserve and if well conserved in terms of enforcement of strict adherence to forest laws, there will be an increase in terms of the distribution within their natural habitat and reduced dispersal outside their natural place of abode.

Keywords: Assessment, Distribution, large mammals, Idanre Forest Reserve