Temporal fluctuation of gorilla social behavior de grauer: Gorilla beringei graueri (primate, hominidae) at national park of Kahuzi-Biega, democratic republic of Congo
1 Department of Biology of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Kinsahsa XI, democratic republic of Congo.
2 Department of Environment Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, B.P. 190, Kinshasa XI. Congo.
3 Department of Biology Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa XI, Congo.
Research Article
International Journal of Scientific Research Updates, 2022, 04(02), 025–031.
Article DOI: 10.53430/ijsru.2022.4.2.0125
Publication history:
Received on 19 August 2022; revised on 27 September 2022; accepted on 30 September 2022
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to assess the temporal and seasonal fluctuation of the daily activities of the Chimanuka family gorillas at high altitude in the Tshivanga station in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park and their implications for the success of tourist visits. We used the methods of reconnaissance walks, direct observation, scanning and focal animal. The activities studied are: feeding on the ground, feeding at height, moving for food research, changing habitats, family rest and agonistic interactions resulting in fights between two dominant males from different families. These appear in both seasons. Comparing the two seasons (rainy and dry), ground feeding is more frequent in the rainy season than in the dry season. Feeding at height is observed especially in the dry season. Travel for food research is more noticeable in the dry season and family rest is observed more in the rainy season. Habitat change and agonistic interactions are more frequent in the dry season. Consideration of temporal and seasonal fluctuations in gorilla social behavior is recommended to guide visitors through the park with the seasons in mind.
Keywords:
Ground feeding; Family rest; Foraging; Habitat change; Agonistic interactions
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