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Amboseli Ecosystem Management Plan 2008-2018

This 10-year (2008-2018) management plan for the Amboseli Ecosystem (AE) has been developed through a collaborative effort involving a wide array of stakeholders including Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Amboseli/Tsavo Group Ranch Conservation Association (ATGRCA), African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), African Conservation Center (ACC), Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE) and the Oloitokitok/Kajiado District administration (see Annex 1). Several expert studies aimed at shedding light on management issues pertaining to the ecology of the ecosystem, infrastructure development and maintenance, leases relating to community

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Modified neck muscular system of the giraffe (Giraffe camelopardalis)

The muscular and skeletal systems of the long neck were morphologically examined in order to clarify their modification and their functional significant in the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). The longissimus, the thoracic and cervical, spinalis and semispinalis, the cranial and caudal head oblique, and the multifidius muscles, and the nuchal ligament were observed at their origin and insertion. The atlas, axis, and the third cervical vertebrae were measured and examined. The modified spinous process provided the large attachment surface for strong

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Community-level interactions between ungulate browsers and woody plants in an African savanna dominated by palatable-spinescent Acacia trees

We studied the composition of a savanna woody plant community across a natural herbivory gradient maintained by both browsing and grazing ungulates in an arid part of the Kruger National Park, South Africa. We focused on (1) short-term browsing effects on reproductive and morphological traits of a dominant-palatable woody species, Acacia nigrescens, Miller, (2) the relationship between browsing–grazing intensity and soil parameters, (3) the effects of herbivore–soil interactions on woody species richness and composition, and (4) browser-induced effects on the

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Habitat availability, hunting or poaching: what affects distribution and density of large mammals in western Tanzanian woodlands?

Game reserves (GR) in Tanzania have been found to support similar or lower densities of large mammals compared with National parks (NP). But as these areas usually differ considerably not only in regard to management but also to environmental factors, we assessed the relative importance of vegetation cover, species-specific habitat preferences and legal (trophy hunting) and illegal off-take for observed differences in species-specific densities. In the Katavi ecosystem, open habitats were characteristic elements of Katavi NP, while Rukwa GR was

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Cow-calf relationships in Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa)

The duration and intensity of the cow-calf bond during lying out, calving pools, and nursery herds has been analysed in a wild population of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa). Field behavior observations were made on naturally marked and radio-collared giraffe. Radio-tracking was used to follow and observe giraffe of a known age for up to 1.5 years. The giraffe calf participates in various calf sub-groups while the cow travels to browse and water. A strong maternal bond exists between the giraffe

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Effect of low rainfall and browsing by large herbivores on an enclosed savannah habitat in Kenya

Savannah ecosystems in East Africa are rarely stable and can experience rapid local changes from dense woodlands to open plains. In this 3-year study there was a reduction of 16.3% in a height-stratified sample of nearly 1000 individually marked Acacia drepanolobium trees. The study was carried out in an enclosed fire-free wooded grassland habitat in the Laikipia region of Kenya. The trees were monitored from 1998 to 2001, a period that included 12 months when rainfall was 60% below average.

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Postmortem evaluation of left flank laparoscopic access in an adult female giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

There are still few reports of laparoscopy in megavertebrates. The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is the tallest land mammal, and the largest ruminant species. An 18-year-old multiparous female hybrid giraffe, weighing 650 kg, was euthanized for chronic health problems, and left flank laparoscopy was performed less than 30 minutes after death. Safe primary access was achieved under visualization using an optical bladed trochar (Visiport Plus, Tyco healthcare UK Ltd) without prior abdominal insufflation. A left paralumbar fossa approach allowed access to

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Necks-for-sex or competing browsers? A critique of ideas on the evolution of giraffe

Recent years have witnessed a resurgence in tests of the evolution and origin of the great height and long neck of the giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis. The two main hypotheses are (1) long necks evolved through competition with other browsers allowing giraffe to feed above them (‘competing browsers’ hypothesis); or (2) the necks evolved for direct use in intra-sexual combat to gain access to oestrous females (‘necks-for-sex’ hypothesis). Here, we review recent developments and their relative contribution in explaining giraffe evolution.

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Correlates of survival rates for 10 African ungulate populations: density, rainfall and predation

1. Through reconciling census totals with population structure, annual survival rates were estimated for the juvenile, yearling and adult stages of 10 ungulate species over 14 years or longer in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. During this period four species maintained high abundance levels, while six species declined progressively in abundance. 2. Multiple regression models fitted to these estimates indicated that juvenile survival was sensitive to annual variability in rainfall for most of these species, especially in the dry season

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Introduction of giraffe changes acacia distribution in a South African savanna

Large mammal herbivores can have significant effects on the structure and composition of plant communities. We studied the impacts of an introduced giraffe population on Acacia species at the Ithala Game Reserve in South Africa. Browse intensity and Acacia mortality were assessed in field transects, and in road transects covering the reserve road network. Several Acacia species occurring in high density giraffe areas had high levels or mortality. Populations of Acacia davyi were extinct in areas accessible to giraffe. Most

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