Abstract:
The study examined the relative abundance, feeding habits and nutrient quality of the food of white-throated monkeys. (Cercopithecus crythrogaster (L) in Okomu National Park. The rainy season study was conducted between the months of May to October 2005 and November to February 2006, to determine the effects of seasonality of the food and feeding behaviour of white-throated monkeys in the park, Data were collected between
the hours of 7.00 11.30 and 14.00- 19.00 along the natural trails which were used as transects in each of the four ranges in the park. Plant species and their parts eaten by
white-throated monkeys were identified through direct observations with the aid of
binoculars. Food items eaten by white-throated monkys in the park were identified to
include young leaves, matured leaves, fruits and flowers. These identified parts of plants
were collected fresh in plastic bags and oven dried at 40"C for 24 hours to estimate the
dry matter content. Each dried food sample was milled to powdered form to determine
the proximate contents. The results revealed that White-throated monkeys feeds mainly
on fruits. Elaeis guineensis, Atlanblanckia floribunda and Myrianthus arborcus recorded
the highest percentage of food consumption with 13.3%, 13.3$% and 12.3%
respectively, in the rainy season. While Irvingia smithii, Zylopia aethiopica and Juglan
nigran recorded the highest percentage frequency of food consumption in the dry season
with 17.3%, 14.4% and 13.8% respectively. It was generally concluded that the present
vegetation of Okomu National Park could sustain the existing population of white
throated monkeys and other wild animal' 'species in the park provided various illegal
human activities in the park areas are effectively controlled. Obasogie (2005)
