Feeding Ecology and Distribution Patterns of the Common Eland (Tragelaphus Oryx) in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Northern Tanzania

Common elands (Tragelaphus oryx) in Tanzania's Ngorongoro Conservation Area predominantly graze on grasslands, with 92% of their distribution concentrated there, while shrubland, woodland, and forest usage remains minimal. This preference for grasslands persists across both wet and dry seasons, indicating no significant seasonal or vegetation-type-driven shifts in their feeding behavior. The study, conducted through field observations and transect mapping using ArcGIS, identified Chloris pycnothrix and Themeda triandra as key dietary components, with browsing on shrubs like Hibiscus aponeurus and Vachellia tortilis being rare. These findings suggest that grassland management is critical for sustaining eland populations, while the remaining vegetation types serve as secondary resources or predator-avoidance cover. Recommendations emphasize prioritizing grassland conservation to align with eland feeding ecology.

Mtega, G., Shayo, V., & Nyanswi, P. (2025). Feeding Ecology and Distribution Patterns of the Common Eland (Tragelaphus Oryx) in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Northern Tanzania. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 10(3), 179–186. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20251003.13