Habitat preferences of the secretive forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) in Central Africa

摘要: The forest buffalo Syncerus caffer nanus is one of the three subspecies African inhabiting rainforests Western and Central Africa. Because its secretive behaviour main habitat (dense rainforests), there little quantitative information on preferences this buffalo. We present here first data frequencies species along a gradient ranging from clearings rivers to forests, as well characteristics buffalo's resting places. recorded herd during period January 2002–January 2004 in Bai-Hokou area (Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, Republic). Resting places were firstly compared with available (i.e. vs. random sites) and, successively, comparisons made between diurnal versus nocturnal wet dry season Forest buffalos found be highly dependent clearings, more open stands, characterized by large trees canopy. Such could due tendency rest all together; patches are likely facilitate social interactions members herd.