Abstract
Drill monkeys (Mandrillus leucophaeus) are known to be the most endangered species of primates in Africa. Hunting and habitat loss are believed to be the major causes of the species decline in Cameroon. It is for this reason that the study explored the behaviour of captive drills in Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC) in line with reintroduction plan. Data collection started in May 15th 2016 and ended in August 15th 2016. Scan and focal samples were collected in mixed strategy, continuous sampling started from 6:00 am and ended at 6:30 pm, where the following behavioural categories were recorded: Feeding, foraging, movement, resting, socialization, grooming, play, aggression and vocalization. Simultaneously, data were recorded on weather changes. Data analysis comprised of descriptive and inferential statistics. The time budget was recorded as follows; 52.54% resting, 23.70% foraging, 10.0% feeding, 9.30% moving, 2.02% grooming,2.0% play, 0.40% aggression and 0.20% vocalization. There exist a significant difference between behaviours and age/sex classes, (P<0.05). Adult males spent more time resting than any age-sex class (X2=277.4, df=1, P<0.05). Female adults spent most of their time foraging than any category (X2=93.4, df=1, P<0.05). Female adults also dominated in grooming than any age/sex class (X2=118.5, df=1, P<0.05). Male adults executed more aggressive behaviour than any other category (X2=28.7, df=1, P<0.05), There is a significant difference for resting between adult males and juveniles (X2=273.2 df=1 P<0.05), there is a significant difference for resting between female adults and juveniles (X2=27.58 df=1 P<0.05). Also, there is a significant difference for resting female and male adults (X2=261.469 df=1 P<0.05). The survey revealed a smooth interaction between the adult males, adult females, sub-adult males and sub-adult females, and the juveniles. Key words: Drill monkeys, hunting, habitat loss, reintroduction, wildlife, behavior.
Highlights
Primates are among the most threatened mammals (IUCN, 1996), and many species threatened in their natural habitat have been the focus of translocation and reintroduction projects to augment their chances of restoration (Horwich et al, 1993)
Africa and the world at large, Drill and their congener Mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) are the only two species belonging to the genus Mandrillus found only in three African countries, the South West of Cameroon, South East of Nigeria and the Bioko Island of Equatorial Guinea
The Drill monkeys are known to be endemic in Cameroon forest zone and neighbouring Nigeria, but its population is declining at alarming rate, creating a conservation research attraction
Summary
Primates are among the most threatened mammals (IUCN, 1996), and many species threatened in their natural habitat have been the focus of translocation and reintroduction projects to augment their chances of restoration (Horwich et al, 1993). Africa and the world at large, Drill and their congener Mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) are the only two species belonging to the genus Mandrillus found only in three African countries, the South West of Cameroon, South East of Nigeria and the Bioko Island of Equatorial Guinea. They are among the African most endangered primate species, being highest in conservation priority as listed by International Union for the Conservation of Nature (Oates and Butynski, 2008). They are forest floor dwelling, short tail monkeys which are sexually dimorphic both in size and in colour
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