Abundance and distribution of puku (kobus vardoni) in kilombero game controlled area
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Date
2010
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Puku antelope (Kobus vardoni) is the most specialized and representative large mamma!
in the wetland of Kilombero Game Controlled Area (KGCA). The purpose of this study
was to assess the abundance and distribution of puku in KGCA. Specific objectives were:-
To assess the puku population density and population size in the KGCA; to assess the
distribution of puku antelope in the KGCA and to identify human activities that influence
the abundance and distribution of puku in the KGCA. The data on animal counts were
collected in three blocks based on some identified aspects i.e. intact habitat block,
moderately degraded habitat block and the highly degraded habitat block. Purposive
sampling technique was used for socio-economic data collection in six villages adjacent to
KGCA. The households were randomly selected for formal interview. The Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Ms Excel programme and Statistical Analysis
Software (SAS) were used to analyze qualitative and quantitative data. The results
indicate that there is a great variation of puku population and density between blocks. The
intact habitat block showed high density of puku (53.8 individuals/km2), moderate
degraded habitat and highly degraded habitat (18.2 individuals /km2 and 5.1 individuals
/kin2) respectively. This study also indicate that, there was a significant difference
between blocks (p<0.05) from intact, moderately and highly degraded blocks. The male
mean counts of puku were significantly different (p<0.0005) while other puku classes
were significantly different (pO.OOOl). It is concluded that the increases of anthropogenic
activities are among the contributing factors which result into negative impact on puku
population and density in KGCA. Therefore, it is recommended that there is a need to
upgrade the status of KGCA to be a game reserve. Also, there should be land use plans for
the villages surrounding KGCA and livestock carrying capacity should be controlled in
each village.
Description
Masters Theses
Keywords
Puku, Puku-Population ecology, Animal populations-Tanzania, Wildlife conservation-Tanzania, Kilombero Valley, Game reserves-Tanzani