Large mammals at forest clearings in the Odzala National Park, Congo

WOS:000074313900004International audienceAfter having been located on maps, 36 forest clearings were explored and the presence of large mammals was recorded in the Northern area of the Pare National d'Odzala, Congo. 13 species of large mammals were observed. Elephants, buffaloes, gorillas, sitatungas, bongos, forest hogs, and giant forest hogs were the most common visitors. At the Maya Nord clearing, the rates of presence of buffaloes, elephants and gorillas were particularly high (71%, 37% and 34% of the observation time respectively) while a group of sitatungas was resident. Differences in the rates of clearing frequentation was found to result from several factors including the past hunting pressure on elephants. Forest clearings constitute an important food source for large mammals which enter clearings for mineral salts contained in soil, water and herbaceous vegetation. They are of great value to maintain the population densities of mammals as well as to develop ecotourism. However, they are also ideal sites for ivory poaching. The richest clearings we explored are not included within the limits of the park: extending these boundaries is a priority