FACTORS AFFECTING THE DURATION OF ELEPHANT DUNG PILES IN RAIN-FOREST IN THE LOPE RESERVE, GABON

A sample of 1282 fresh elephant dung piles was monitored regularly in rain forest in the Lope Reserve, Gabon, over a two-year period, and the time taken to reach Stage E of Barnes and Jensen (1987) was recorded. Statistically significant differences were found in mean duration of dung piles in different months. There were negative correlations between mean dung duration and both rainfall in the previous three months and mean humidity between 1300 h and 1500 h. However, the most important factor affecting dung duration was found to be fruit content of the diet in any given month.