FOOD, WATER, AND PREDATION - A STUDY OF HABITAT SELECTION BY BUFFALO IN VIRUNGA NATIONAL-PARK, ZAIRE

From line transect sampling, habitat selection by the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer Sparrman) was studied in Virunga National Park, Zaire between 1984 and 1989 in five different habitats (mudflat steppes, up land steppes, bushy steppes, woodland savannas, and forests) during dr y and wet seasons. It was hypothesized that a buffalo selects habitat to maximize its fitness by optimizing inter-relationships with food, w ater, predation, and other microenvironmental factors. Food quantity a nd quality (fiber constituents and protein levels), proximity to water , and micro-environmental factors were compared at buffalo-selected si tes and random control sites. Predation risks associated with various habitats types were assessed. The factors affecting habitat selection appeared to be food quality (as measured by protein levels), proximity to water, and risk of predation. Additive and multiplicative models o f habitat selection using food and water factors confirmed our origina l hypothesis. Buffalo generally selected habitats with high quality fo od and water, especially during the dry season, and with low risk of p redation. One anomaly, selection of upland steppes during wet seasons despite their high risk of predation may be explained by the low abund ance of tsetse flies there.