Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, D: Agriculture and Veterinary, Volume 21 Issue 7

wildlife is increasingly being regarded as renewable resources. Akosim (1997) listed various methods use in wild animal enumeration at various places. These methods already in use include: Total count, the use of quadrat, line transect method, capture, marking and recapture, and indirect method such as fresh dropping and foot print. Each of these methods has it merits and demerits. The method use depends on the objectives of the study, the peculiarity of the habitat, the animal to be counted and the facilities available. c) Forage Preference Halls (2005) stated that preferred plant species are those chosen and eaten by the animals more frequently than other. Ijomah and Akosim (2000) associated forage preference with palatability. They reported that palatability is that quality in forage plants that makes it preferred when a choice between plants is available. Selection may also be influenced by availability in situations where there are few species and each occur in limited quantity the only alternative is to feed on the available species (Akosim 1997). II. M ethodology a) Study Area Bagale Forest Reserve is located within Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. It extends between latitude 9° 11° N and 9° N and longitude 12° 20° E 12° 30° E with a total area of (111.04km 2 ). The reserve is bounded to the North by Song, to the East and South by Fufore and to the West by Yola North Local Government Areas. The area is dominant by Bima sandstone, it consists of fine sand, clayish sand silt ironstone and alluvium deposits, which consist of both clay and salty clay. The reserve experience two distant seasons, the dry season, which last from November to March and the raining which last from April to October. The Minimum rainfall is 0.4mm while maximum rainfall is 475mm with a total rainfall of 1030mm per annum (MAU 2020). The vegetation is savanna woodland. It also has the characteristic of open biotype. Trees that are common include Vitex doniana,Tamarindus indica, Veteileria Paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa, Burkea africana, Combretun, hypopilum, Khaya senegalensis etc, while grass species that are commonly found include: Andropogon gayanus, Bidens pilosa, Panicum, maximum, Seteria, tarbata, Pennisetum, pediceitatum, Ipomea trileba and so on (Akosim et al, 2020). The Fauna resources in the study area consist of Lion (Panthera Leo), Red Patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas), Baboon (Papio anubis), Tantalus monkey (Cerlopithecus tantalus), Rock Python (Python regins), Ground squirrel (Xerus erythropus) etc. b) Study Design A reconnaissance survey prior to detailed study was carried out. This was 'to enable the researcher to assess the species of primate in the reserve, type of food available and their distribution. Three transect 1km apart were cut at random based on Ogunjemite (2004) methods. The length of the transect vary from 8km to 9km according to the nature of the area. The three transects were cut following a sighting compass on a predetermined bearing. The width of the transect was 2.5m while the length were accurately measured using a 50m tape. III. D ata C ollection T echniques a) Primate Census Study Each transect was walked once in a day for 10 days. The census took place between 6:00am and l: 00pm. The census commenced at approximately the same time each day. They were three observers. Observers moved slowly and quickly at the rate of l- l.5km/hour stopping occasionally to listen and watch for animal. When the primate were encountered, the species group, size and the group spread swere noted and the sighting distance measured. b) Food Preference Study The direct observation method as described by Tomlison (2004), was used with modifications. Hence instead of using the feeding - minute or Bite count, in relation to percentage available to determine food preference, the frequency of sighting or occurrence of forage species in the animal's diet was used as index or preference and consumption. The technique involved the use of binoculars to observe the specific site where feeding took place, followed immediately by onsite inspection of the utilized plants for the purpose of identification. Records of the utilized food items were made from which the frequency of occurrence of each forage species in the animals diet was determined. The preference ranking was carried out according to the order of magnitude of the frequency, thus providing a preference ranking for each species (Tomlison, 2004) IV. D ata A nalysis Estimate of absolute densities of primate encountered was carried out using the kings census model as follows: D = n / 2LF Where D=the absolute density, n=Total number of individual of a species sighted L= Average sighting distance Frequency distribution was used in analyzing data on food preference study. © 2021 Global Journals 1 Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXI Issue VII Year 2021 28 ( D ) Version I Primate Population Census and Feeding Preference in Bagale Forest Reserve of Adamawa State, Nigeria