The Social Daily Activity Correlation of Olive Baboon (Papio Anubis) in Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Nigeria

Baboons range throughout sub-Saharan Africa, across a multitude of habitat types making them the most widespread African primate genus and perhaps coincidentally, are one of the best studied primates. In recent times, the rapid expansion of human population, the spread of agriculture, and the resulting destruction of natural habitats has drastically increased in sub-saharan Africa. Thus, the consequences of this close association between wildlife and humans are absolutely relevant to conservation and management strategies. The objective of this study was to determine the daily correlation of social behavior of the Olive baboon in the national park ecosystem. The study was undertaken for one year in Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Taraba State, Nigeria. A single animal group habituated for some years by a previous research team was constantly followed for a focal and scan data collection. The daily and monthly data collected on checksheets was statistically analysed using the Chi-square and correlation statistical models. The Olive baboon daily movement activity or, positively and significantly correlated to feeding r2 = 0.82, and vocal r2 = 0.80 at (P<0.05) respectively. Also, aggression positively and significantly correlated to grooming r2 = 0.82, feeding r2 = 0.71 and resting r2 = 0.73 at (P<0.05) respectively. Futhermore, the Olive baboon daily activity (morning, afternoon, and evening periods) revealed a positive and significant correlation as well at (P<0.05).

Keywords: Wildlife, Conservation, management strategies, olive baboon, social behviours.