Abstract
An assessment to determine habitat selection by large mammals was carried out in South Luangwa National Park, eastern Zambia. We divided Habitat types into five groups based on physiognomic classification as: savannah wood-land, back swamp, Combretum thicket, Mopane woodland, and Terminalia-Erythrophleum. Road count method was used to sight animals across the four identified habitat types. Results showed that puku, impala, elephant, and zebra were highly selective of habitat types. Puku occurred mainly in back swamp habitat (86.6%) followed by water buck (75.0%), elephant (72.3%) and zebra (65.7%). Impala were more abundant in Terminalia-Erythrophleum woodland (69.50%) while buffalo was mainly sighted in Mopane-woodland (45.07%). Other species were more cosmopolitan. It was suggested that foraging behaviour, season and security with respect to predation were the factors singularly or collectively that influenced the observed pattern of habitat selection by large mammals.
Highlights
A suitable habitat is an important environmental factor affecting the distribution and abundance of wild animals
It was suggested that foraging behaviour, season and security with respect to predation were the factors singularly or collectively that influenced the observed pattern of habitat selection by large mammals
Location The study was conducted in South Luangwa National Park (SLNP) which is located between 30.50 ̊E-32.50 ̊E and 12.15 ̊S-14.00 ̊S in the North-East of Zambia within the Luangwa Valley (Figure 1)
Summary
A suitable habitat is an important environmental factor affecting the distribution and abundance of wild animals. Choice of a proper habitat determines whether an animal population will survive and grow or not. It is one of the most basic behaviourally mediated processes in an animal’s life and critical for a species long-term survival because it guarantees access to food, water, and cover which are the most important welfare factors [1]. The main objectives of the study were to: 1) determine species distribution, abundance and habitat selection, 2) identify habitats that were most significant for selected large mammals in the area, and 3) explain the relationship between large mammals and their habitats and further bring this information to planners and managers to stimulate debate in habitat and wildlife conservation
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