Rebrowsing by elephants three years after simulated browsing on five woody plant species in northern Botswana

Abstract

Utilization by the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) of five tree species of different acceptability was assessed on trees used three years earlier in a simulated browsing experiment. The experiment included two levels of treatment, twig cutting and stem cutting, and untreated controls. The experiment was done in northern Botswana in a fenced area, and there was no natural browsing by large herbivores. After three years, elephants bring to the area and their browsing of the experimental trees was assessed one month later. Four of the five species were browsed by the elephants, and for three of the species percentage utilization was higher on individuals subjected to simulated browsing three years before than on control trees. Treatment effects were strongest on the species intermediately used by the elephants. There was no difference in percentage utilization between trees with cut twigs and with cut stems. The results show that some aspect of the tree’s response to a single browsing event is still discernible for the elephants after three years with protection from browsing