Diet selection and forage quality of chinkara
( Gazella bennettii shikarii ) were investigated in Darre Anjir
Wildlife Refuge, central area of Iran. Foraging observations
and feeding site examinations were carried out from
January to March 2014. We used Rodgers ’ s and Manly ’ s
α indices of preference for cafeteria experiments. Nitrogen
content was determined using the micro-Kjeldahl
technique. Based on this study, the food composition of
chinkara during winter was mainly consisted of 19 plant
species, belonging to 16 genera and 9 families. The results
of cafeteria experiments showed that the preference values
of plant species were significantly different whereas
no significant relationship between forage quality and
preference value was detected.
