Relative habitat use of duikers, bush pigs, and elephants in virgin and selectively logged areas of the Kibale Forest, Uganda

Abstract

Comparisons of relative habitat use of red and blue duikers [Cephalophus natalensis A. Smith 1843 and C. monticola (Thünberg 1789)], bush pigs [Potamochoerus porcus (L. 1758)] and elephants in two natural forests, and to selectively felled forests were carried out by monthly censuses of duiker pellet groups/elephant dung and bush pig diggings during 1 year in 1983–84. The amount of duiker dung and bush pig diggings varied greatly between and within the different areas. The highest density of duiker pellet groups was found in a part of the lightly logged forest. In the number of diggings there were no significant differences between the forest areas. The number of pellets found correlated negatively, and the number of diggings found correlated positively with the rainfall of the previous month. The number of elephants in the Kibale Forest is roughly 1/5 of that recorded 20 years earlier. Elephants preferred selectively felled areas. © 1990 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.