Food selection and intake by male impalas in the Timbavati area

摘要: The study was conducted on free-roaming male impala Aepyceros melampus in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. aim to obtain information quality of diet selected during different seasons and determine intake facilitate calculation carrying capacity veld for impala. Forage selection measured by analysis oesophageal extrusa from fistulated Faeces were collected faecal bags estimated ratio organic matter (OM) excreted indigestible fraction. Crude protein (CP) varied between 6 13% a dry basis, significantly higher wet season than August October but lower May July when significant amounts browse selected. Digestibility OM cell wall constituents months. In vitro digestibility 40 70% 900 1900 g/day months respectively. Most variation explained lignin content extrusa, with additional being accounted CP content. Energy 0,64 MJ ME/kg W0.75/day corresponded published estimates energy requirements impala. Die studie is met vry-weidende rooibokramme die Privaat Natuurreservaat onderneem. Die doel om inligting te bekom oor kwaliteit van dieet geselekteer en inname rooibokke bepaal, ten einde meer akkurate beramings drakrag moontlik maak. Voedselseleksie gemeet deur slukdermmonsters gefistuleerde ontleed. Mis missakke versamel beraam verhouding organiese materiaal uitgeskei tot onverteerbare gedeelte. Ruproteien (RP) voermonsters het gevarieer tussen op 'n droemateriaal basis. waardes hoer nat seisoen as gedurende Augustus Oktober maar laer Mei Julie toe diere redelike hoeveelhede struikblare het. verteerbaarheid selwandbestanddele betekenisvollaer droe- maande. onderskeidelik g/dag droe maande gevarieer. grootste gedeelte variasie lignieninhoud verklaar, terwyl RP-inhoud verdere bydrae gelewer energie-inname W0.75/dag ooreengekom gepubliseerde vir energiebehoeftes rooibokramme.