The ranging behaviour and habitat occupancy by three elephant groups (cow herd, bulls, and
an orphan group) were studied over a two-year period in a small, fenced reserve. No summer
dispersal was observed. Distinct seasonal home ranges were exhibited for all groups, with the
summer (wet season) ranges being smaller than the winter (dry season) ranges. Home range
size was much smaller than in other locations. The dam and surrounding high density of
patches of vegetation of high nutritional quality are thought to be the reasons. Habitat selection
was strongly evident with all of the elephant groups selecting River Line habitats in the dry
season. In the wet season the cow herd and orphans selected the more open Acacia habitats
and the bulls exhibited no significant habitat preference.
Key words: elephant, seasonal range, habitat selection, range use.
The ranging behaviour and habitat occupancy by three elephant groups (cow herd, bulls, andan orphan group) were studied over a two-year period in a small, fenced reserve. No summerdispersal was observed. Distinct seasonal home ranges were exhibited for all groups, with thesummer (wet season) ranges being smaller than the winter (dry season) ranges. Home rangesize was much smaller than in other locations. The dam and surrounding high density ofpatches of vegetation of high nutritional quality are thought to be the reasons. Habitat selectionwas strongly evident with all of the elephant groups selecting River Line habitats in the dryseason. In the wet season the cow herd and orphans selected the more open Acacia habitatsand the bulls exhibited no significant habitat preference.Key words: elephant, seasonal range, habitat selection, range use.
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