Distribution Population Status And Feeding Behavior Of Oribi (ourebia Ourebi) In Senkelle Swaynes Hartebeest Sanctuary (sshs)

Population status, structure and feeding behavior of Oribi (Ourebia ourebi)rnwas conducted in Senkelle Swayne’s Hartebeest Sanctuary (SSHS) fromrnAugust 2005 to March 2006, which included wet and dry seasons. Totalrncount method was used to determine the current population status,rnseasonal distribution, habitat association, and sex and age structure ofrnOribi. Direct observation on selected animal groups was made to studyrnactivity patterns. Data on seasonal variation in population size, habitatrnassociation and activity pattern was analyzed using SPSS (StatisticalrnPackage for Social Sciences) computer software package and comparedrnusing one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The estimated population ofrnOribi in the study area was 51 individuals. The population was femalernbiased. The sex ratio of adult males to females was 1.00: 1.26. Oribi werernmostly observed as solitary, or in pairs occasionally they form smallrngroups, a male and one or more females and their offspring. They werernoften associated with Swayne’s hartebeest and sometimes fed amongrndomestic livestock for protection. The oribi distribution showed preferencernto very high utilization for short grass in each vegetation communities.rnThey were observed primarily as grazers on short grasses in bothrnseasons. Themeda triandra was a highly preferable grass by Oribi in thernstudy area. The distribution of Oribi during the wet and dry seasonsrnshowed slight variation on the study area in all vegetation communities.rnHowever, the tendency of population distribution towards Pennisetumrngrassland vegetation community increased during both seasons. The grouprnsize varied with food abundance and quality. They were mostly activernduring the early morning and late afternoon. The annual mean proportionrnof daylight hours spent feeding by Oribi was 54.7%. Morning and eveningrnactivity peaks were most obvious during the dry season, with mostrnanimals remaining inactive during the midday and hottest hours of the day. Increase in human and livestock population was observed in thernstudy area. Overgrazing by cattle and encroachment are the primaryrnfactors that affect the population status of Oribi by deteriorating the grassrnquality.rnKey words: Oribi, population status, activity pattern, SSHS

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