Population status and feeding habits of the translocated subpopulation of Hunter's antelope or hirola (Beatragus hunteri, Sclater, 1889) in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya

The population status and feeding habits of Hunter's antelope or hirola (Be atragus hunteri) in Tsavo East National Park were determined in this study in 1995. This: is the first study that has ever been undertaken on the hiro la population of about 20 animals that wen translocated to Tsavo East Natio nal Park from South Garissa District in 1963. Relevant data and information were collected using different ecological research techniques. A total of eight nursery herds (5-11 individuals pei herd) comprising 60 in dividuals, five lone bulls and 11 lone sub-adults was observed. This gave a total population estimate of 76 animals in the entire study area. Adult an imals dominated the population (60.53%). indicating a population skew towar ds adults. The adult sex ratio was biased towards females (43.42%). Hirola were observed to feed mainly on short. green grasses. The dominant feed spe cies were Panicum infestum, Digitaria rivae. Latipes senegalensis and Cench rus ciliaris. Occasionally. hirola was observed to feed on forbs (e.g. Port ulaca oleraceae, Tephrosia subtriglora and Commelina erecta). Results of this study show that the population growth of the hirola sub-pop ulation in the Park has been low(1.8 individuals per year). Factors thought to contribute to this low growth include predation and low genetic variabi lity.