西双版纳野生亚洲象的觅食行为

以西双版纳勐养自然保护区的野象谷为基本监测点，通过定点摄像观察和跟踪观察，采用全事件取样、焦点动物取样和扫描取样相结合的方法，从2003 年8 月到2004 年7 月对三岔河地区野生亚洲象的觅食行为进行初步研究。发现野生亚洲象的雌性成体和未成年个体选择集群采食，而成年雄象一般单独采食，亚洲象在昼夜间的采食行为没有显著性差异，且有多种采食方式；采食农作物主要在夜间进行。亚洲象对主要采食地点采取循环利用的方式，这既提高了食物的数量和质量，又有利于热带雨林生态系统的更新与演化。

Foraging behavior of Asian elephants in Xishuangbanna,Yunnan,China

We observed foraging behavior of wild Asian elephants at Wild Elephant Valley, Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve in Yunnan Province between August 2003 and July 2004 using video tracking, direct observation and photographic studies. We used all-occurrence sampling, focal sampling and scan sampling. Females and their offspring foraged in groups, whereas adult males foraged alone during both daytime and nighttime. Seasonal movements associated with foraging responded to seasonal changes of food availability. Asian elephants foraged in a circuitous pattern within the forests, which serves to greatly improve the quantity and quality of the food in their wild habitat, as well as benefit the development of the tropical rain forest ecosystem.