Demographics and parasites of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer Sparrman, 1779) in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

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dc.creatorRoug, A.
dc.creatorMuse, E. A.
dc.creatorSmith, W. A
dc.creatorMazet, J. A. K.
dc.creatorKazwala, R. R.
dc.creatorHarvey, D.
dc.creatorPaul, G.
dc.creatorMeing’ataki, G. O.
dc.creatorBanga, P.
dc.creatorClifford, D. L.
dc.date2017-06-29T07:42:56Z
dc.date2017-06-29T07:42:56Z
dc.date2016
dc.date.accessioned2022-10-25T08:53:24Z
dc.date.available2022-10-25T08:53:24Z
dc.descriptionAfrican Journal of Ecology 2016
dc.descriptionThe number of African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer Sparrman, 1779) inhabiting Ruaha National Park, Tanzania, is thought to be declining, but little data exist to determine whether the population is actually in decline. As an initial phase of collecting population data, we conducted demographic surveys, faecal egg counts and gastrointestinal parasite identification in Ruaha’s buffalo herds in September 2011 and 2013. Most herds encountered in the two surveys appeared to be in good health, but with fewer calves in 2013 compared with 2011. The herd-level body condition score was positively associated with the number of calves per 100 cows after adjusting for year, and the lower number of offspring in 2013 could possibly be associated with a below average rainfall in the 2012–2013 rainy season. Mean herd-level egg counts ranged from 83 to 140 and from 28 to 113 eggs per g faeces in 2011 and 2013, respectively. Haemonchus, Nematodirus, Cooperia and Oesophagostomum spp., as well as coccidian oocysts, were detected in the population. Monitoring herd demographics and baseline health parameters over time will provide insight into population performance, increase the understanding of population stressors and contribute to buffalo conservation within Ruaha National Park and other protected areas of Africa.
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.identifier0141-6707
dc.identifierhttps://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/1760
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/93676
dc.languageen
dc.publisherAfrican Journal of Ecology
dc.subjectAfrican buffalo
dc.subjectDemographics
dc.subjectParasites
dc.subjectRuaha National Park
dc.subjectSurvey
dc.subjectTanzania
dc.titleDemographics and parasites of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer Sparrman, 1779) in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
dc.typeArticle

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