Diversity of plant organs consumed by elephants in Taï National Park, southwest Côte d'Ivoire

A study in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, reveals that elephants consume at least 335 plant species, with leafy twigs (53%) and fruits (31%) being the most favored. Parinari excelsa, Sacoglottis gabonensis, and Tieghemella heckelii emerged as the top fruit species consumed. The research used transect surveys, poop excavations, and roving surveys to document this dietary diversity, highlighting seasonal variations in elephant feeding behavior tied to plant phenology. This insight underscores the critical role of food resource availability in shaping elephant movements and distribution, offering key implications for their sustainable conservation.

(Ed.). (2024). Diversity of plant organs consumed by elephants in Taï National Park, southwest Côte d’Ivoire. Journal of Chemical, Biological and Physical Sciences, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.24214/jcbps.d.14.2.25974