Estimating density of Kirk's dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii Günther), impala (Aepyceros melampus Lichtenstein) and common zebra (Equus burchelli Gray) at Mpala, Laikipia District, Kenya

This study compares two methods of estimating the density of three ungulate species: Kirk’s dik-dik, impala and common zebra, in a dry savannah ecosystem. Fixed strip width and distance sampling involving direct animal counts were used in parallel, and tested for bias and precision in two habitats. Distance sampling was the method that achieved a better balance between accuracy and precision. The differences in sightability of ungulates, according to body size, colour and habitat characteristics, are taken into account by the distance sampling method, but not by the strip method, which produced, what we suspect are, underestimates of animal density.