Seasonal Distribution of Selected Antelopes in Relation to Water Hole

In spite of the relevance of water and forage to wild- animals few research has been carried out to assess its significance to the ecology of African wild animals for example the antelopes (Afolayan 1977) and Kainji Lake National Park in particular.Availability of water largely determines the distribution of wild animals in savannah and semi arid environments. In spite of the relevance of water to wild animals few researches exist on its significance to the ecology of African wild animals and Kainji Lake National Park in particular. There is the need to understand these basic ecological mechanisms as basis for the park management. This study assessed the seasonal distribution of selected antelopes (Hippotragus equinus Kobus kob and Grimms duiker) in the KLNP with a view to examining their daily water requirement and their seasonal distribution patterns in relation to waterhole utilization in the study area. Direct and indirect methods of wildlife census techniques were used in the study. This involved censuring of the selected antelopes around three perennial waterholes (Rivers Kpesa Nanon and Oli) 10 -24 km apart.