Feeding behaviour of sable Hippotragus niger niger (Harris, 1838) in the Rhodes Matopos National Park, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Sable, Hippotragus niger niger (Harris, 1838) were studied in the Rhodes Matopos National Park, Zimbabwe. They spent more time feeding during the hot dry months than the hot wet months, cropped grass at 40 to 140 mm above the ground, showed preference for a grass sward of below 160 mm when feeding and were highly species selective. Selection of food components was directed at a high crude protein content and low crude fibre content in plant parts eaten.