Evaluating how many lions a small reserve can sustain: research article
Power, R. John
Abstract: A pride of lions (Panthera leo)
was studied on a 15 km2 reserve using radio-telemetry. Kills were
recorded from direct observations, as well as reserve management records. The
prey base was enumerated by an aerial and road count and the standing biomass
crop was calculated. The daily food intake per lioness was calculated to range
from 4.1 ± 1.3 (S.E.) to 4.6 ± 2.4 (S.E.) kg / day. Two approaches for
determining the sustainability of lions were evaluated: a) Large Herbivore
Biomass (LHB) and b) Maximum Sustained Yield (MSY) of the main prey. The term
Lion Feeding Unit (LFU) was introduced to depict the feeding requirements of an
adult lioness. It was calculated that the LHB could support 185 LFUs / 100 km2,
which was clearly not sustainable in the context of prey declines at an LFU
density of 50 LFUs / 100 km2. The MSY of prey could sustain 6.7 LFUs
/ 100 km2, which would reverse prey declines if prey populations
were initially maintained at 1/2 K.This capacity was recommended for
savannas receiving between 500 and 700 mm rainfall per annum, and where no
other carnivores were present. This capacity was, however, too low for small
reserves (2) where a large group of lions is needed for aesthetic
and economic purposes. A trade-off is suggested where a normal pride size
(4-10) is prescribed, but with the understanding that prey declines are
inevitable and that prey will need to be replenished on an annual basis.
Jumbos or bust: do tourists' perceptions lead to an
under-appreciation of biodiversity?: research article
Kerley, Graham I.H; .Geach, Bev G.S.; Vial, Claire
Abstract: Ecotourism is widely assumed to
provide a mechanism for the maintenance of biodiversity. However, the
perceptions of biodiversity by tourists have rarely been evaluated. We assessed
this during self-guided wildlife viewing in the Addo Elephant National Park,
South Africa, and evaluated the effects of guides on day- and night-drives on
the tourists' perceptions of faunal biodiversity. Self-guided tourists recorded
seeing few mammals, reptiles and birds, these being largely limited to the
large, charismatic and open-habitat species. Self-guided tourists who had seen
elephants expressed satisfaction with their wildlife viewing, although some
expressed a wish to have seen other vertebrates. Tourists who participated in
guided day-drives saw more species than self-guided tourists, while those who
participated in guided night-drives saw the greatest diversity of vertebrates.
In general, tourist interest in biodiversity was largely focused on a few
vertebrates; while invertebrates (with the exception of the flightless dung
beetle) and plants were largely ignored. We suggest that the quality of
wildlife viewing may be significantly improved through the use of guides.
Guiding offers an opportunity to expand the community involvement (through
employing game-guides) and environmental education components of ecotourism.
The findings of this study indicate that tourists focus on a few charismatic
species and may hold misconceptions of the nature of biodiversity. We argue
that the assumption of an umbrella role of a few charismatic species in
protecting ecosystems and their constituent biodiversity is probably
precarious. It is imperative that the public, and politicians who make
decisions regarding the conservation of biodiversity, are sensitized to the
value of biodiversity. Traditional self-guided wildlife viewing in conservation
areas generally leads to the tourists having a lesser wildlife experience,
which undervalues biodiversity as an ecotourism resource.
Ectoparasites of springhares in the Northern Cape
Province, South Africa: research article
Anderson,
P.C.; Kok, O.B.
Abstract: The ectoparasite species of 118
Northern Cape springhares were identified and the springhare ectoparasite
burdens were quantified over a 12-month period (February 1993 - January 1994).
Parasite composition comprised two parasitic mite species, Hirstionyssus
santos-diasi and Radfordilaelaps meridionalis, one bloodsucking
louse species, Eulinognathus denticulatus, one flea species, Synosternus
caffer, and three ixodid tick species, Haemaphysalis pedetes, Hyalomma
marginatum and Rhipicephalus sp. Mites comprised 70% of the total parasite
composition, followed by lice (20%), fleas (9%) and ticks (2%). Ticks and mites
were represented by larval, nymphal and adult stages. The infestation frequency
of fleas was positively correlated with temperature. The mean number of
ectoparasites, except for the relevant tick species, was constantly higher in
male animals, while H. santos-diasi and E. denticulatus
infestations were significantly higher in subadult springhares. Of the total
female sample, non-pregnant, post-pubertal individuals harboured the most
ectoparasites (34%), followed by pregnant and lactating (19%) and pre-pubertal
animals (18%). All seven ectoparasite species were present on springhares with
low to average body score condition levels, while H. santos-diasi and E.
denticulatus mainly targeted animals in poor condition. Parasite-related
tissue damage occurred in 25% of 253 individuals and was mainly restricted to
adults.
Faecal nitrogen as an indicator of the nutritional status
of kudu in a semi-arid savanna: research article
Van der
Waal, C.; Smit, G.N.; Grant, C.C.
Abstract: Faecal samples from eight confined
kudu populations were collected from May 1999 to December 1999. Samples were
analysed for nitrogen concentration. Faecal nitrogen concentration (Nf)
reached a low during the dry-hot season (August to the end of October) and
peaked in November. Nf was negatively correlated with kudu density
for samples collected during June, August and September. Populations where
animals in poor physical condition were observed and for which mortalities were
reported had significantly lower ( P < 0.05) dry season Nf values
compared to populations in apparently good condition. The results suggest that
Nf was a useful indicator of the nutritional status of kudu under
the study conditions.
Quantifying prey preferences of free-ranging Namibian cheetahs: research
article
Marker,
L.L.; Muntifering, J.R.; Dickman, A.J.; Mills, M.G.L.; Macdonald, D.W.
Abstract: The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
has long been regarded as a significant threat to the interests of farmers of
both game and livestock in Namibia and for this reason has been removed in
large numbers. However, the diet of these cheetahs has not been documented;
such documentation is an important component of any effective conservation
plan. We performed feeding trials to relate more accurately the remains found
in cheetah scats to the number of prey animals consumed. Using scat analysis
techniques, we found that cheetah prey size ranged from birds and hares to
large antelope. They rarely preyed on domestic stock, with apparent selection
towards common, indigenous game species. Information gathered from aerial
sightings of kills was significantly biased towards larger prey species. Data
on the number of times cheetahs were seen near livestock or game were found to
not be representative of the type of prey taken when compared to corrected scat
analysis. Due to the diurnal nature and wide-ranging habits of cheetahs, they
are sighted relatively frequently near stock, which may contribute to an
exaggerated perception of their predation on stock. From the results of this
study, livestock predation by cheetahs was estimated to account for at least
0.01 calves and 0.004 sheep per km2 on the Namibian farmlands, and
may be substantially more depending on cheetah density. Any stock losses as a
result of cheetahs and other predators can have economic impacts for farmers,
and management techniques for mitigating such losses are suggested. The use of
controlled feeding trials and subsequent calculation of a correction factor for
scat analysis could be a valuable tool for gaining a more accurate estimate of
carnivore diet in future studies.
Diet of some species of Turdidae in South African grasslands: short
communication
Kopij, Grzegorz
Abstract: Stomach content ( n = 221) of 14
bird species belonging to the passerine family of the Turdidae were analysed.
Stomachs were collected over a period of 10 years in the Free State and
adjoining areas of South Africa. Up until recently only qualitative data on the
diet of most of these species were available. Berries, seeds, diplopods and
insects constituted the main diet of three Monticola species. The olive thrush
(Turdus olivaceus) and Cape robin's (Cossypha caffra) diets were
found to consist mainly of berries and seeds. Ants and berries were the most
frequently recorded dietary items in stomachs of three Oenanthe species, while
beetles, ants, termites, berries and seeds were recorded as the most frequent
dietary items in the stomachs of the stonechat (Saxicola torquata) and
two Cercomela species. In the diet of the anteating chat (Myrmecocichla
formicivora) ants, termites and beetles were the most frequently recorded
items.
Notes on the behavioural ecology of Coqui francolin in the
Rustenburg district, South Africa: short communication
Van
Niekerk, J.H.Van Ginkel, C.M.
Abstract: This study describes territorial
behaviour and habitat utilization of Coqui francolin (Peliperdix coqui)
on the farm La Boheme in the Rustenburg district, South Africa. These
francolins live an isolated family life in fairly large (at least 2 ha)
high-grass savanna territories. Of 123 coveys counted, only four coveys were
observed further than 200 m from the 12 territories that were identified over a
period of 17 months. This suggests that Coqui francolins are highly sedentary
and probably kept local by ecological barriers. Land-use and soil type could
account for the fragmented distribution of Coqui francolin in South Africa, as
these birds avoid disturbed areas and were only observed on light-coloured
sandy soils. The mean annual population density for the 700-ha study area was
4.2 francolins per 100 ha. A higher density of up to 7.0 francolins per 100 ha
was observed in optimal habitat. Subadults often occupy marginal habitats
during the breeding months, presumably having been evicted from more optimal
habitat by breeding birds.