50 | Danquah et al.

A comparative study of the species composition and encounter rates of mammals (>400g) in two different protected area categories was conducted in the Bia-Goaso Forest Block in western Ghana from April 2008 to February 2009. One hundred and eighty-seven line transects were systematically distributed in an extensive network of 2 wildlife reserves and 9 forest reserves. Mammal signs (droppings and tracks) belonging to twenty-three species (2 rodents; 5 primates; 6 carnivores and 10 ungulates), representing 4 Families and 17 Genera were recorded for the survey period. The most abundant species recorded were brush-tailed porcupine (Antherurus africanus 14.0%), mammal signs, marsh cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus; 13.4%), Maxwell’s duiker (Cephalophus maxwelli; 11.3%) and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus; 10.2%). Large mammals, including elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis), buffalo (Sycerus caffer nanus), chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) and leopard (Panthera pardus) had relative abundance of less than 1.0%. Mammal density was significantly greater (Mann-Whitney U test: U=3057.0, P<0.01) in wildlife reserves (31 signs per km; 66%) than forest reserves (16 signs per km; 34%). Species richness in wildlife reserves (13 species; 57%) was however not very different (U=2262.5, P>0.05) from forest reserves (10 species; 43%).The forest reserves seem to be achieving only partial success in protecting wildlife, whereas wildlife reserves seem to be considerably more effective, although no