Assessment of the Population, Feeding Habits and Threats of Turaco species in the Bali Ngemba Forest Reserve in Northwest Cameroon
Keywords:
turaco, Bali Ngemba Forest Reserve, population, feeding habits, threatsAbstract
Population and feeding habit data is vital in conservation and wildlife management in protected areas. However, this data is still non-existent for turacos in the Bali Ngemba Forest Reserve. Data on size, density, relative abundance, food trees, and threats of turacos were obtained by prolonged observations through distance sampling by the line transect method. Three species of turacos (Turaco persa, Turaco bannermani and Corythaeola cristata) were recorded with an estimated population of 373 individuals. Turaco persa was the most populated with an estimate of 223 individuals and a calculated density of 0.2 individuals/ hectare. Turaco bannermani was the second most populated with an estimated population of 91 individuals and a density of 0.08 individuals / hectare whereas Corythaeola cristata was the least populated with 56 individuals and a density of 0.052 individuals/ hectare. Popular food trees recorded were Prunus africana, Pseudospondias macrocarpa, Ficus asperifolia, Ficus otteniifolia, Ficus thonningii and Pittosporium manni. The major threats of turacos were farming, logging, firewood collection, grazing, and bushfires. Three turaco species persist in the reserve with a small population size that is greatly impacted by human activities. To conserve these species, human interference in the reserve should be effectively monitored, and controlled and local communities empowered.
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