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. […]
Feeding behaviour of lions (Panthera leo) on a small reserve
The prey selection and predatory behaviour of a single pride of lions (Panthera leo) was studied in the 8500 ha Karongwe Game Reserve from 1999–2005. The study focused on the difference between prey selection in the first three years when a two-male coalition was present with a similar period thereafter when one of the males […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
Utilisation and aspects of management of the Willem Pretorius Game Reserve
The Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve, Orange Free State, is briefly described, and aspects of management and utilisation with particular reference to game animals are discussed. Habitat management is the one aspect needing a great deal more attention and it would appear that the capture of game for live sale and relocation is a satisfactory way […]
Radio-Tracking Giraffe for Ecological Studies
The movements of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) were monitored by radio telemetry. A collar was designed and tested for marking and long-term radio-tracking. Giraffe were captured following immobilization with the drug combination of fentanyl citrate, azaperone, and hyoscine hydrobromid. Movements of seven giraffe have been monitored for periods ranging from one to seven months. Tracking data […]
The applicability of lion prey selection models to smaller game reserves in South Africa
Prey selection by lions (Panthera leo) reintroduced into small game reserves (typically <1000 km2) in South Africa was compared with results from larger (more naturally functioning) protected areas. Prey selection was used to calculate mean preference indices, and where sample size allowed, tested for significance of preference, as well as for comparisons with current estimates […]
Early detection of declining populations using floor and ceiling models
1. Within Caughley’s (1994) declining population paradigm for conservation, we develop a realistic method of detecting population changes using floor and ceiling population models. 2. A theoretical framework for detecting declining populations is presented and applied to four ungulate species from Kruger National Park, South Africa. 3. Census data are fitted to a non-linear autoregressive […]
The status of and trade in the South African population of giraffa camelopardalis giraffa (South African giraffe)
The South African population of Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa is estimated at between 21,053 and 26,919 individuals, of which between 11,411 and 14,860 individuals occur within national and provincial nature reserves. The species is listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Regional Red List, the national population is well managed and increasing, and the species is […]