South Africa - GCF Resource Library

The implications of the reclassification of South African wildlife species as farm animals

The Government Gazette No. 42464 dated 17 May 20191 amended Table 7 of the Animal Improvement Act (Act no. 62 of 1998), which lists breeds of animals, to include at least 32 new wild animal species, including 24 indigenous mammals. The list includes threatened and rare species such as cheetah, white and black rhinoceros, and suni. Some alien species such as lechwe, various deer species and rabbits are also included. The cornerstone of the original Act is ‘To provide for

View Details + Download

Observations On Lactation And Milk Composition Of The Giraffe Giraffa Camelopardalis

Milk samples collected from giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis in the eastern Transvaal Lowveld of South Africa were analysed by conventional methods. Changes in the composition of the milk at different stages of the lactation cycle were noted. The prelactation secretion and milk of early lactation was considerably richer than the milk of established lactation in terms of total solids, fat, ash, and protein but not in lactose. Differences in minerals and trace elements were not significant. Giraffe milk is richer than

View Details + Download

Estimating the trends in herbivore numbers in the Southern District of the Kruger National Park

Census data over several years of survey were utilized to develop a sampling strategy in which the species totals for both abundant and rare herbivore species can be estimated should aerial sample surveys be conducted. Correspondence analysis is used towards the development of this sampling strategy. The study pertains to the Southern District of the Kruger National Park. Census data from 1977 to 1989 were used. It is shown that the trends indicated by the census data, are also clearly

View Details + Download

Diet and seasonal dispersal of extralimital giraffe at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Little Karoo, South Africa

South African giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) have been introduced as an extralimital species to private farms in the Little Karoo on the basis of economic sustainability, and the need to create a competitive tourism product. However, little is known about the medium- to long-term impacts and ecological sustainability of such introductions. The diet of a population of giraffe on Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, near the town of Ladismith, was assessed via direct observations between January and October 2014, in order to

View Details + Download

Genetic Markers in Wild Animal Studies

A survey is given of the work performed in the Onderstepoort laboratory on the studies of genetic markers in wild animals. The implications of using genetic markers reflecting single gene changes in animal studies are discussed. Preliminary results indicate that certain wild animal populations are genetically less variable than others, and the consequences are discussed. If this phenomenon should be substantiated by further investigations, then certain corrective measures to ensure the survival of certain animal groups or even species would

View Details + Download

Habitat partitioning by ungulates on a game ranch in the Mopani veld

Large herbivores display varying degrees of habitat selectivity and thus exhibit a heterogeneous distribution. This study investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of Burchells zebra Equus burchelli, blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus, eland Taurotragus oryx, gemsbok Oryx gazella, giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis, impala Aepyceros melampus, kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros, and warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus, on the Messina Experimental Farm. The sighting frequency of the ungulates, expressed as distance covered by vehicle, divided by the number of individuals of a species recorded, is presented for

View Details + Download

Two quantitative methods of analysing ungulate habitat data

Ungulate habitat data for 10 ungulate types that use the grasslands of Jack Scott Nature Reserve were quantitatively analysed using simultaneous confidence intervals and detrended correspondence analysis. The first method is hypothesis-testing whereas the second method is hypothesis-generating. The two methods complemented each other and both revealed the same major habitat selection patterns.

View Details + Download

Stable carbon isotope reconstruction of ungulate diet changes through the seasonal cycle

We analysed stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) in faeces of 11 African ungulate species from three South African savanna environments to determine whether this approach is sufficiently sensitive to record short-term seasonal diet changes in browsers (BR), mixed-feeders (IM), and grazers (GR). At monthly intervals, faecal δ13C revealed variations in proportions of C3 (browse) to C4 (grass) biomass consumed that were not detected by broader dry versus wet season comparisons, including subtle diet shifts amongst BR and GR. However, trends

View Details + Download

Woody vegetation change in response to browsing in Ithala Game Reserve, South Africa

The impact of elephant and other browsers may be magnified when they are restricted within small, fenced reserves. These reserves are becoming commonplace in southern Africa. The composition and structure of the woody vegetation of a portion of the 30 000 ha Ithala Game Reserve, South Africa, was monitored annually from 1992 to 2000. Woody species described a continuum from those that declined in abundance and were threatened with extirpation (e.g. Aloe marlothii, Acacia davyi ), through those that remained

View Details + Download

Body size and habitat as determinants of tick infestations of wild ungulates in South Africa

The purpose of the present work was to test the hypothesis that the intensity of tick infestation on South African wild ungulates is proportional to surface area of the host (body weight 0.67} and to assess the role of habitat preference on the intensity of infestations. The results support previous suggestions that larger ungulates are more important hosts for adult ticks, however, the intensity of infestation of nymphs and larvae is proportional to the surface area of the host. Grazers

View Details + Download

Search the Article Database: