A survey of people's needs and attitudes around Kasungu National Park shows that there are 11 resources that the people want to utilize from the Park. Bee-keeping is the most popular activity. Others include collection of caterpillars, firewood, building materials and mushrooms. There is no significant difference in demand for all these resources between subsistence and commercial farmers (t = 3.26, n = 11, p > 0.01). Also, the difference between commercial farmers and urban respondents is not significant (t = 1.92, n = 11, p > 0.01). On the other hand significantly more commercial than subsistence farmers need land from the Park, while more subsistence than commercial farmers wish to harvest resources that satisfy basic needs (t = 3.34, n = 11, p < 0.01). Therefore, we recommend that the Department should extend the resource use programme and diversify its activities. The main target communities should be the subsistence farmers in Chulu and Kaphaizi villages.Most respondents to the survey believe that bee-keeping and tree caterpillar collection are beneficial as a source of food and income. About 90% of the respondents would like to participate in these activities. This is a reflection of positive attitudes towards these activities and it is enough justification for encouragement of bee-keeping and caterpillar collection. Although the respondents' attitudes towards the project are not negative, we recommend the involvement of local people in all stages of future activities.

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SummaryThe nutritional and reproductive status of the nyala were assessed during each annual culling operation from 1981 to 1988. The nutritional condition was assessed by using kidney fat index (KFI) values whilst the reproductive status was determined by calculating proportions of pregnant and lactating females. There was a higher percentage of both males and females in poor condition than those either in medium or good condition. This occurred regardless of the amount of early dry season rainfall. There was an increase in the proportion of pregnant or lactating sub‐adult and old females whilst the proportion of breeding adults declined. Overall, however, significantly (P< 0.05) more adults were conceived. These results help to support the view that nyala mortality may not have been caused by starvation alone.RésuméOn a évalué le statut alimentaire et reproductif du nyala au cours de chaque opération annuelle de prélèvement, entre 1981 et 1988. On évaluait le statut alimentaire en utilisant les valeurs d'index de graisse rénale (KFI) tandis que le statut de reproduction était déterminé en calculant les proportions de femelles prégnantes et allaitantes. Il y avait un pourcentage supérieur de mâles et de femelles en mauvaise condition qu'en moyenne ou en bonne condition. Ceci s'observait indépendam‐ment de l'importance des chutes de pluie du début de saison sèche. Il y avait une augmentation de la proportion de femelles subadultes et âgées qui étaient pregnantes ou allaitantes alors que baissait la proportion des adultes participant à la reproduction. Pourtant, globalement, un nombre significativement (P < 0,05) plus étlevé d'adultes se reproduisaient. Ces résultats renforcent l'idée que la mortalité des nyalas ne peut pas avoir été causée uniquement par la faim.

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