BAOBAB DAMAGE IN MANA-POOLS NATIONAL-PARK, ZIMBABWE

In Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe, 124 baobabs near the Zambezi river were monitored for elephant damage at monthly intervals between 1984 and 1988. Overall mortality was 29.0%. Damage and mortality rates varied annually, possibly related to annual rainfall linked with elephant densities. There was no indication that mortality was higher in any particular size group of baobab. Damage was restricted to the dry season, escalating as the season progressed. Only trees smaller than 7.5 m (GWH) had the ability to coppice after being felled. Many small trees (<2.5 m GWH) were thought to have regrown after felling some time prior to the study.