Forest duikers belong to the family Bovidae, subfamily Cephalophinae and genus Cephalophus. This is the largest and least known of the antelope genera. There are 18 forest duiker species in Africa, 13 of which are found in Eastern Africa. Forest duikers feed on a variety of foods like fruits, barks, seeds and fungi. Duikers are known to be important seed dispersers, and seeds of some tree species are exclusively dispersed by duikers such as Ricinodendron africana. The population status of duikers in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP) had not yet been documented.

The study was carried out between March and August 1998. The major aim was to provide baseline information on duikers in MGNP including species availability, habitat preference, population density and relative abundance, as well as identifying suitable methods for a future ecological monitoring programme.

Four line transects ranging from 4 to 5.7km in length were set up, stratified by vegetation type. Transect 1 was set in the zone of previously encroached forest and transect 2 in a relatively undisturbed forest area. Transect 3 ran from Mt Sabinyo to Rugezi swamp, an area of heather forest, a herbaceous zone, mixed bamboo, a swamp and pure bamboo forest. Transect 4 passed through mixed bamboo, Hypericum and Erica woodland, Hagenia woodland and finally through heather forest, from the slopes of Mt Gahinga to the Nyagisenyi gorge on Mt. Muhabura. Direct and indirect counts were done within a distance of 50m from the transect line. 30 park rangers and guides were interviewed on their knowledge of occurrence of the duikers. Patrol record books were also studied.

Only one species of duikers was recorded- the black fronted duiker (Cephalophus nigrifrons). Duikers were found at almost all altitudes, but mainly between 2450 and 3500m and preferred closed to open forest and grassland. Solitary animals were seen more often than groups of two or three individuals. The population density of the duikers was estimated to be 18/km2 throughout the park. Duiker density was lowest close to the park boundaries. The black-fronted duiker was not endangered in MGNP. 

The author concluded by suggesting that to monitor duiker population more efficiently in MGNP, specialised rangers had to be trained and joint patrols with adjacent parks carried out.