FEEDING HABIT, DIURNAL ACTIVITY PATTERN AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF SWAYNE�۪S HARTEBEEST (ALCELAPHUS BUSELAPHUS SWAYNEI (SCLATER, 1892)) IN MAZE NATIONAL PARK, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

A study was carried out on feeding habit, diurnal activity pattern and social behaviour of Swayne's Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei) in the Maze National Park. Data were collected by direct observation in the field and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and one way ANOVA. The result revealed that Swayne���s Hartebeests (SHB) fed on grass species during the wet season, while they were observed feeding on both grass and tree species in the dry season. The food item consumed by the animals in wet and dry seasons differed significantly (p<0.05). SHB preferred mainly young leaves followed by shoot and matured ones. They were frequently observed feeding during early morning and late afternoon. Activity budgets varied with seasons and the day time hour (p<0.05). Among the total observations of 1004 for diurnal activity pattern of Swayne���s hartebeest in the Park, 510 were made for wet season and the remaining 494 observations were made for dry season. Standing was the principal activity. It spent on average 37.6% of their time standing, 33.03% foraging/grazing, 15.75% walking and 11.13% lying. Female SHB with young showed the dominant vigilant behavior of occurrence followed by territorial male. The findings revealed a decrease in the rate of occurrence for vigilance behavior with increasing social group size. The result also showed a significant variation among different group size for different social interaction (t= 39.121, p<0.00). Among total observation employed for social behavior, 414 were for mixed type group, 370 were for adult male-adult female and 167 were for adult female with young social group type. The diurnal activity pattern for Swayne's Hartebeest varied with seasons and time of the day whereas social behaviour varied with group size and type of social group organization. There is a close relationship between activity pattern, forage avalability and social behavior of SHB in the MzNP. From the findings of this study the researcher suggests that the management plan of the Park shall consider these variations and relationships in order to conserve the endemic and endangered Swayne���s Hartebeest in the Park.