Status of Eastern giant eland <i>Tragelaphus derbianus gigas</i> (Heuglin, 1863) in the Bouba-Ndjidda National Park, North Cameroon: challenges and conservation prospects

Abstract

The conservation of many species may be hampered by a lack of sufficient ecological data. This study is aimed at assessing the population status of the giant eland (Tragelaphus derbianus gigas) in the BoubaNdjidda National Park (BNNP). From May to September 2021, 90 line transects spaced at 2.5 km were established, with 83 of them being census-walked once. The data collected were analysed using Distance 7.2 and QGIS software. The encounter rate of giant eland sightings was 1.91 elands/km, while the encounter rate for signs of giant eland activity was 2.11 dung/km; 0.89 footprints/km, and 0.02 carcasses/km. The abundance was estimated at 2924 individuals, with a density of 1.329 individuals/km2. The giant eland population was mainly concentrated in the central part of the park while human activities were mainly concentrated in the periphery. We also observed that poaching and transhumance/pastoralism were the most common human activities in the park. Our results revealed that human activities negatively impact the antelope’s density and distribution in the BNNP.