BUFFALO HERD STRUCTURE AND ITS REPERCUSSIONS FOR CONDITION OF INDIVIDUAL AFRICAN BUFFALO COWS

摘要: The African buffalo Syncerus caffer was studied in Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania. Emphasis placed on the study of (individual) cows, which live mixed herds. Buffalo herds are discrete social units and females were never observed another herd than their own. showed a structure with respect to distribution sex-age classes. Individual cows generally kept same location within herd. appeared be coupled food intake strongly related physical condition. best (highest condition) between front centre herd, worst rear (when moving or grazing). Females calves have highest position hierarchy as determined from rate displacement over food; adult bulls did not interact cows. Few births during late dry season it appears that there is calving peak at end long rains. Conception increased when condition dropped lost Cows strong seasonality but average hardly changed condition, except for loss inferred conception peak. fusion-fission pattern independent influenced by size herd: large split more often smaller ones. In herds, grazed closer together small likely competition severe Animals faster animals especially off most frequently graze fragment. From literature cattle, reproductive success will lower location, this differential confirmed behaviour bulls. It yet unclear what advantage stay sharing information successful individuals seems good candidate.