Dietary patterns and use of space by elephants in protected areas. Case study of the hunting preserve of the Djona (Benin)

The geographical space exploited by elephants was explored and this research provided data on the dynamics of their vital area in the hunting preserve of the Djona in Benin, according to the seasons. What emerged is that the vital area of
elephants has expanded into village territories.

The dietary patterns of elephants were specified in relation to the phenology of the species preferred. On average, 8 vegetal species are regularly consumed by elephants in the Djona. They are: Piliostigma thonningii, Strychnos spinosa, Cassia sieberiana, Acacia sieberiana, Balanites aegyptiaca, Diospyros mespiliformis, Adansonia digitata and Detarium microcarpum. Just as their vital area varies according to the seasons, so does the diet of elephants in the Djona. It was observed that there are more species consumed between august and october (the wet season) than between november and december (period when crops ripen) and between january and march (the dry season). These data indicate that
food resources are not regularly available and that species are sought after differently according to their phenological stage.
The daily monitoring of the elephants made it possible to identify 59 groups corresponding to an estimated population of 361 elephants, composed of 36.8 adults, 18.6 young adults, 21.6 juveniles and 23.4 babies, compared to preceding estimates, the current estimated level of the elephant population of the Alfakoara thus shows an increase.
The monitoring of elephant herds of the Alfakoara in the hunting preserve of the Djona in North Benin made it possible to obtain ecological, biological and demographic data. This data allowed us to update our knowledge on the elephant
population with a view to planning measures that will enable the sustainable use of this site for scientific and eco-tourism purposes.

Auteurs:

Safouratou Alfa Gambari Imorou, Brice Sinsin

Adresses:

Direction Générale des Forêts et des Ressources Naturelles (DGFRN), Université d'Abomey Calavi, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Appliquée (UAC/FSA/LEA)- Bénin- 03 BP 1974 Cotonou, Benin Tel: +229 21 36 01 26 / +229 21 31 79 93/229 21 30 30 84 Fax: +229 21 30 30 84