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Hanekom, N.; Wilson, V.
Blue duiker _Philantomba monticola_ densities in the Tsitsikamma National Park and probable factors limiting these populations
1991 Koedoe (34): 107-120
In the two parts of the national park, population density estimates from transects were similar to those from game drives (0.18 v 0.19 duikers/ha and 0.13 v 0.17 duikers/ha) higher than from faecal pellet counts and at least three times lower than estimates from two parks in Natal. Some 27% and 7% leopard _Panthera pardus_ and caracal _Felis caracal_ scats respectively analyzed contained blue duiker remains, but predator numbers appeared to be low. Blue duikers feed primarily on freshly fallen leaves and fruit, and are selective foragers. In the Tsitsikamma national parks the frequency of occurrence of trees palatable to duikers are low, while <45% of the dominant tree species fruit fully annually. Habitat rather than predation is apparently limiting duiker numbers in the Tsitsikamma national parks.
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