Gray, 1838

(Eng) Zebra duiker

(Fre) Céphalophe zèbré

General agreement exists concerning the taxonomic status of this species (Wilson & Reeder, 1993).

Vulnerable (VU: criteria A1c, C1).

Literature available on the ecology of the species is very scarce. Except for the behavioural study in captivity conducted by Schweers (1984), no specific studies on this species have been carried out. General information on its ecology and an updated distribution map can be found in Kingdon (1997). East (1990) discusses status and distribution, and also gives some information on its habitat requirements.

Known extent of occurrence

The zebra duiker is restricted to west Ivory Coast, Liberia and Sierra Leone (Wilson & Reeder, 1993; Wilson & Wilson, 1990). Its distribution map was obtained by including the whole of Liberia, the Ivory Coast country map in East (1990) and the Gola Forest area in Sierra Leone (Davies, 1987). Dr. R. East revised the preliminary map (23 June '97) (Fig. 8.6.64.a).

The species appears to be dependent on primary forest, but it may also occur in secondary growth and cultivation (Kingdon, 1997; East, 1990).

Based on these environmental preferences, the following scores were assigned (Fig. 8.6.64.b) (8.6.64.a):

The output of the probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model is shown in Fig. 8.6.64.c

No occurrence of the species within the four sample areas.

This little known species occurs in a small EO which is mostly suitable. It is likely that the species also occurs in the southern forested part of Guinea and the EO limit there should be verified. The total AO is about 150 000 km² and it is fragmented relatively little: the LPI shows that it is almost a single patch, although the suitable areas are sufficiently fragmented and connected through the moderately suitable areas. Less than 4% of the total AO is included in existing protected areas. This, and the fact that this duiker, like most duikers, is heavily hunted and trapped, account for its classification as vulnerable.