Social biology of bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas 1776) in the Nairobi National Park, Kenya

Abstract

Summary A study to investigate some aspects of the social biology of bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas 1776) was carried out in a 2.59 km2 study area in the Nairobi National Park, Kenya. Observations throughout 1966 using binoculars and photography identified thirty‐one male and thirty‐three female bushbuck. Together with an estimated fourteen juveniles, the density in the study area was 30.1/km2. Distribution is aggregated with loose family groups concentrating around forest edge areas near to dams or river pools. Home ranges varied from 20 ha for sub‐adult males to 5 ha for adult males and 2.5 ha for females. Bushbuck are predominantly solitary with 53.7% of all sightings being of lone animals; 14% of associations were of an adult female with a single calf and the commonest adult association (8%) was a single male with a single female. There is a strong mother‐young relationship. Very young calves lie in concealment away from the mother during the early days of their lives. Agonistic encounters between males vary in intensity from play fighting in sub‐adults to lateral intimidation display and overt conflict. The presence of a female, assumed to be in oestrous, sometimes stimulates males to intense aggression and at such times, a single male forms and defends a mating association with the female. Territorial defence was not observed. Bushbuck often associate with other species, particularly impala and baboons. They show a negative reaction to tick‐birds which may be one reason for their often having heavy infestations of ticks and flies. Predator avoidance relies largely on crypsis and ‘freezing’ followed by rapid flight through dense vegetation. Résumé Une étude pour approfondir quelques aspects de la biologie sociale du Guib harnaché (Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas 1776) fut entreprise sur une surface de recherche de 2.59 km2 au Parc National de Nairobi, Kenya. Tout au long de 1966, des observations faites aux jumelles et par photographies, ont permis d'identifier 31 mâles et 33 femelles de Guib. Avec une estimation de 14 juvéniles, la densité dans la zone d'étude est de 30.1/km2.

Do ecotypes of bushbuck differ in grouping patterns?

“…Except for Wilson and Child (1964), who observed bushbuck only during the dry season, all other authors did not distinguish between seasons (Allsopp 1978;Elder and Elder 1970;Odendaal and Bigalke 1979). To keep data comparable to other previous studies, group size records were expressed as the mean group size (MGS) and typical group size (TGS; Jarman 1974; sensu Reiczigel et al 2008: crowding).…”

Antelope Predation by Nigerian Forest Baboons: Ecological and Behavioural Correlates

“…GGNP baboons always encountered their mammalian prey opportunistically, typically while foraging. Bushbuck infants, at least in Kenya, spend time in concealment away from their mothers during the first few weeks of life [Allsopp, 1978;see also Waser, 1975]. Infant parking while mothers forage is also likely a regular occurrence at GGNP, at least for red-flanked duiker, because observers never encountered mothers with babies ( table 2 ; neonates of blue and yellow-backed duiker were likewise never seen).…”

Behavioural repertoire of the bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus): agonistic interactions, mating behaviour and parent–offspring relations

“…Recent studies have shown that male home ranges encompass the home ranges of several females, and males use the inner core of their home ranges almost exclusively . Previously, territoriality was thought to be absent in bushbuck (Allsopp 1978;Waser 1975a;Estes 1991a), or evidence for territoriality was at least uncertain (Verheyen 1955;Walther 1964;Jacobsen 1974;Owen-Smith 1976;Odendaal and Bigalke 1979). Aggressive behaviour may therefore be important in the context of territorial defence.…”

“…Aggressive and submissive displays serve important functions during territorial behaviour, at least in the male sex: Formerly, bushbuck were thought to lack territoriality (Allsopp 1978;Waser 1975a;Owen-Smith 1976;Odendaal and Bigalke 1979;Estes 1991a). Recent studies, however have shown that bushbuck males use the inner core of their home range exclusively and defend the inner core more vigourously against intruders than against peripheral parts (Wronski 2004).…”

“…Sitatunga (T. spekei) are reported to show individual bonds between females, which may be based on kinship (Anderson 1980;Magliocca et al 2002). Finally, bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) are described as solitary bush dwellers (Verheyen 1955, Waser 1975aAllsopp 1978;Kingdon 1982a, b;Wronski 2004.…”