Home Range Dynamics and Habitat Preferences of Sable Antelope in a Recovering Post‐War Population

ABSTRACT

Large herbivore spatial ecology is shaped by the spatio-temporal heterogeneity of biotic and abiotic factors. This study investigated space use and habitat selection of sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) in the Marromeu Complex of central Mozambique, which supports one of the largest populations in Africa. Telemetry-based data were collected from three adult females over 3 years (2018–2020) to estimate annual and seasonal variations in home range size and habitat use. Annual home ranges were small (11–20 km²), representing some of the smallest recorded sizes across Africa to date, which is likely explained by the high population density and resource availability. While no distinct seasonal differences were recorded in home range sizes, home range overlap was smaller during the dry season, suggesting a more patchy distribution of resource availability. Habitat use varied across years and seasons, with sable antelope generally showing a preference for grassland, flooded grassland and shrubland vegetation. These patterns demonstrate the value of incorporating spatio-temporal variability into better understanding species movement ecology, which may contribute toward species-specific conservation strategies. This study also provides important insights into the spatial dynamics of a recovering, post-war sable antelope population, which is of both national and international importance.