With controlled animal feeding: Roads Traversing Protected Areas do not
affect feeding and foraging behaviour of yellow baboon
Abstract
The Tanzania-Zambia (TANZAM) Highway traversing Mikumi National Park
(MINAPA) has been a concern for wildlife managers since it was first
paved in 1973-74. After its upgrade in 1989-90, researchers have
documented increasing traffic resulting in considerable animal injuries
and mortalities. Yellow baboons in MINAPA are known to use the road as
their bridge to and from foraging areas, therefore in addition to the
risk of mortality; road use could potentially have significant influence
on their feeding behaviour. However, knowledge on the influences of the
TANZAM highway in the feeding behaviour of the baboons is sparse. Using
focal animal sampling techniques, we collected data on feeding and
foraging behaviour of two habituated troops of yellow baboons to examine
to what extent the TANZAM highway is important in their feeding and
foraging behaviour. Results showed that in relation to habitat
availability, visitation to habitat types reflect actual habitat choice
of baboons. In general, baboons less frequently visit and spent less
time in the highway compared to natural habitats. Whenever they were on
the highway, adult females and subadult males engage more into feeding,
resting and socializing, while adult males were more vigilant. The major
dietary compositions were fruits, seeds, leaves, sap and invertebrates,
almost exclusively collected from natural habitats, foods from the
highway were opportunistically consumed. This study provides empirical
evidence and concludes that yellow baboons do not directly depend on the
highway for food, rather they use the TANZAM highway as normal part of
their home range. The TANZAM highway is used because it improves
visibility and reduces the perceived predation risk compared to natural
habitats. However, its location near sleeping sites may have significant
impact on baboons’ activity budget. With these findings, we recommend
strict implementation of rules against park littering and animal feeding
in protected areas traversed by highways.