Spatial distribution and nutritive value of two species of Cochlospermum for warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus Pallas) in Kainji Lake Park, Nigeria

Percentage composition of woody plants in five vegetation types and activity sites of warthog were used to evaluate the spatial distribution of Cochlospermum spp. in Kainji Lake National Park. Cochlospermum planchoni and Cochlospermum tinctorium were mostly encountered in Acacia forest. These species constituted between 7% and 18% of the plant species in the activity sites of warthog. The activity site with the highest composition of Cochlospermum spp. contained the lowest density (1–2 km^-1) of warthog. Although C. planchoni contained more nutrients than C. tinctorium, each of these species may be useful for the total ash (93-0g kg^-1) and crude fibre (423-0g kg-1) quantities that are being utilized as nutrients by warthog. Consequently, Cochlospermum spp. could be established in conservation areas either to eradicate the use of artificial salt licks or to reduce the percentage of bare ground prone to trampling and erosion.