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 […]
An evaluation of the use of correspondence analysis for the analysis of herbivore – habitat selection
The necessity for finding an objective method for the identification and evaluation of the salient factors affecting habitat selection in large-herbivore/habitat relationships served as motivation for the present study. A number of habitat parameters were recorded for eight important large herbivores in the Kruger National Park and subjected to correspondence analysis. This method yielded satisfactory […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Floating Needle method of injection as a tool in wildlife management
The floating method of injection for captive wild animals is described. After testing the method on a series of wild game species. It is concluded that this method now renders the parenteral administration of fluids a safe and feasible procedure in the management of captive wild animals.
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 […]
Natural history miscellany winning by a neck: Tall giraffes avoid competing with shorter browsers
With their vertically elongated body form, giraffes generally feed above the level of other browsers within the savanna browsing guild, despite having access to foliage at lower levels. They ingest more leaf mass per bite when foraging high in the tree, perhaps because smaller, more selective browsers deplete shoots at lower levels or because trees […]
Zebra reduce predation risk in mixed-species herds by eavesdropping on cues from giraffe
Predation risk of individuals moving in multispecies herds may be lower due to the heightened ability of the different species to detect predators (i.e., mixed-species effect). The giraffe is the tallest land mammal, maintains high vigilance levels, and has good eyesight. As a result, heterospecific herd members could reduce their predation risk if they keyed […]
ENSO, rainfall and temperature influences on extreme population declines among African savanna ungulates
Climatic variation associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and El Nin˜o- Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has a widespread influence on the population dynamics of many organisms worldwide. While previous analyses have related the dynamics of northern ungulates to the NAO, there has been no comparable assessment for the species rich assemblages of tropical and subtropical […]
Experimental Infection of Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) With SAT-1 and SAT-2 Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus
The potential role of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) in the epidemiology and spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) SAT types was investigated by experimental infection and detection of virus in excretions using virus isolation on primary pig kidney cell cultures. In two experiments separated by a period of 24 months, groups of four animals were needle infected […]