Habitat selection and space-use overlap between feral herbivores, civet cat and greater cane rat in derived forests in Oyo state, Nigeria

Predation risk is an important factor influencing the distribution of herbivores and their impact on forest structure. However, studies on herbivore habitat selection seldom take into account the simultaneous predation risk posed by humans and civet cats (Civettictis civetta). Floristic Quality Assessment Index (FQAI) technique was used to evaluate the ecosystem health status of the forest. In order to examine how humans and civet cats affect the distribution of herbivore densities in the Opara Forest in Oyo State, Nigeria, we counted herbivore pellets on transects. We evaluated the following: (1) Prey density, (2) Predator density, (3) Herbivores within the vicinity of probable anthropogenic activities, (4) Herbivores high forest density areas, (5) Carnivores within the vicinity of probable anthropogenic activities, and (6) Carnivores high forest density areas, respectively. While bay duiker (Cephalophus dorsalis) preferred exploited woods, greater cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus) and common duikers (Sylvicapra grimmia) chose unexploited over exploited forests and places without hunting. Within 300 metres of a major road, larger cane rats and common duikers (Sylvicapra grimmia) avoided the region; however, no avoidance by bay or common duikers was observed. Regardless of human hunting, the density of prey was not higher in civet cat strife zones. Areas chosen by civet cats were not avoided by herbivores. Regardless of whether the average population of common duiker in those locations was higher or lower, civet cats killed common duiker in areas with a prey density of about four (4) common duiker/km2. We concluded that human hunting and forest exploitation altered the habitat more than the risk of civet cats preying on herbivores.