Abstract

Drill monkeys (Mandrillus leucophaeus) are known to be the most endangered species of primates in Africa. Hunting and habitat loss are believed to be the major causes of the species decline in Cameroon. It is for this reason that the study explored the behaviour of captive drills in Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC) in line with reintroduction plan. Data collection started in May 15^th 2016 and ended in August 15^th 2016. Scan and focal samples were collected in mixed strategy, continuous sampling started from 6:00 am and ended at 6:30 pm, where the following behavioural categories were recorded: Feeding, foraging, movement, resting, socialization, grooming, play, aggression and vocalization. Simultaneously, data were recorded on weather changes. Data analysis comprised of descriptive and inferential statistics. The time budget was recorded as follows; 52.54% resting, 23.70% foraging, 10.0% feeding, 9.30% moving, 2.02% grooming,2.0% play, 0.40% aggression and 0.20% vocalization. There exist a significant difference between behaviours and age/sex classes, (P<0.05). Adult males spent more time resting than any age-sex class (X²=277.4, df=1, P<0.05). Female adults spent most of their time foraging than any category (X²=93.4, df=1, P<0.05). Female adults also dominated in grooming than any age/sex class (X²=118.5, df=1, P<0.05). Male adults executed more aggressive behaviour than any other category (X²=28.7, df=1, P<0.05), There is a significant difference for resting between adult males and juveniles (X²=273.2 df=1 P<0.05), there is a significant difference for resting between female adults and juveniles (X²=27.58 df=1 P<0.05). Also, there is a significant difference for resting female and male adults (X²=261.469 df=1 P<0.05). The survey revealed a smooth interaction between the adult males, adult females, sub-adult males and sub-adult females, and the juveniles.

Key words: Drill monkeys, hunting, habitat loss, reintroduction, wildlife, behavior.