Habitat use by mountain nyala Tragelaphus buxtoni determined using stem bite diameters at point of browse, bite rates, and time budgets in the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) exhibit significantly lower foraging costs and greater efficiency in grasslands compared to woodlands, as evidenced by larger stem bite diameters at the point of browse (dpb), higher bite rates, and reduced induced vigilance. Adult females demonstrated the highest bite rates, while Solanum marginatum was identified as a preferred browse species with the greatest dpb. These findings suggest that grasslands provide superior foraging conditions for mountain nyala, offering both greater safety and more time dedicated to feeding. The study employed non-invasive techniques—focal animal observations along transects—to quantify habitat-specific foraging behaviors, bite rates, and time budgets across sex-age categories. Such behavioral indicators and natural giving-up densities (GUDs) offer valuable insights for conservation strategies, particularly for endangered species like the mountain nyala.

Tadesse, S. A., & Kotler, B. P. (2013). Habitat use by mountain nyala Tragelaphus buxtoni determined using stem bite diameters at point of browse, bite rates, and time budgets in the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. Current Zoology, 59(6), 707–717. https://doi.org/10.1093/czoolo/59.6.707