Abstract

Olive baboons (Papio anubis) are referred to as savanna dwelling species. Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) is an example of a savanna ecosystem characterized by seasonality in plant productivity. Wild animals in such habitat have the challenge of finding enough food across the seasons. This study therefore centered on the seasonality of olive baboons’ food and the role of plant phenology on the food availability in KLNP. Direct observation method was used to elicit data on food plant species consumed by olive baboons in KLNP during the dry and wet seasons, for a period of 24 months. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Sixteen food plant species (Dioscorea rotundata, Cochlospermum tinctorium, Swartzia madagascariensis, Isoberlina doka, etc.) belonging to 12 families were identified during dry season while nine food plant species (Piliostigma thonningii, Grewia molle, Tamarindus indica, etc.) belonging to 8 families were identified in the wet season. There were more variety of food plants for olive baboons in the dry season