scholarly journals Social and Seasonal Factors Contribute to Shifts in Male African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) Foraging and Activity Patterns in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3070
Author(s):  
Kara du du Plessis ◽  
Stefanie Birgit Ganswindt ◽  
Henk Bertschinger ◽  
Bruce Crossey ◽  
Michelle Deborah Henley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Loxodonta Africana ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Seasonal Factors

African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) are well-known as ecosystem engineers with the ability to modify vegetation structure. The present study aimed to examine how male elephant foraging behaviour is affected across (a) season (wet versus dry); (b) time of day (before or after noon); (c) presence or absence of other elephants; and (d) reproductive state (musth versus no musth). Six radio-collared adult elephant bulls were observed twice per week from June 2007–June 2008 in Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa. Using generalized linear mixed effect modeling, results indicate that elephant bulls graze more during the wet season and browse more during the dry season. To potentially offset the costs associated with thermoregulation during the heat of the day, KNP elephants spent more time foraging during the morning, and more time resting during the afternoon. Male elephants also foraged significantly less when they were associated with females compared to when they were alone or with other males. This is likely due to male–female associations formed mainly for reproductive purposes, thus impeding on male foraging behaviours. In contrast, the condition of musth, defined by the presence of related physical signs, had no significant effect on foraging behaviour.

scholarly journals Activity patterns of African buffalo Syncerus caffer in the Lower Sabie Region, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S.J. Ryan ◽  
W. Jordaan
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Seasonal Effect ◽  
Similar Amount ◽  
African Buffalo ◽  
Wet Season

The activity budgets of three herds of African buffalo in the Lower Sabie region of Kruger National Park, recorded between 1991 and 1992 were quantified to examine both nocturnal and seasonal effects on feeding activity and 24-hr movement in an area of dense bushveld. We found that the average 24-hr distance traveled by herds (3.35 km) was shorter than that found in other studies and that there was no seasonal effect on this distance, which we attribute to ready availability of water in both seasons. We found that the buffalo spent a similar amount of time feeding (9.5 hrs) as in other studies, but that the proportional feeding and resting time was influenced by the time of day and the season. These herds spent proportionally more time feeding at night (44.5 % vs 32.0 %) and more time resting in the day (28.4 % vs 16.0 %). In addition, they appeared to rest more during the day and feed more at night during the wet season, when it was hotter.

scholarly journals Numerical Assessments of Leaf Area Index in Tropical Savanna Rangelands, South Africa Using Landsat 8 OLI Derived Metrics and In-Situ Measurements

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Dube ◽  
Santa Pandit ◽  
Cletah Shoko ◽  
Abel Ramoelo ◽  
Dominic Mazvimavi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Leaf Area Index ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
National Park ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Tropical Savanna ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Area Index

Knowledge on rangeland condition, productivity patterns and possible thresholds of potential concern, as well as the escalation of risks in the face of climate change and variability over savanna grasslands is essential for wildlife/livestock management purposes. The estimation of leaf area index (LAI) in tropical savanna ecosystems is therefore fundamental for the proper planning and management of this natural capital. In this study, we assess the spatio-temporal seasonal LAI dynamics (dry and wet seasons) as a proxy for rangeland condition and productivity in the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa. The 30 m Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) spectral bands, derived vegetation indices and a non-parametric approach (i.e., random forest, RF) were used to assess dry and wet season LAI condition and variability in the KNP. The results showed that RF optimization enhanced the model performance in estimating LAI. Moderately high accuracies were observed for the dry season (R2 of 0.63–0.72 and average RMSE of 0.60 m2/m2) and wet season (0.62–0.63 and 0.79 m2/m2). Derived thematic maps demonstrated that the park had high LAI estimates during the wet season when compared to the dry season. On average, LAI estimates ranged between 3 and 7 m2/m2 during the wet season, whereas for the dry season most parts of the park had LAI estimates ranging between 0.00 and 3.5 m2/m2. The findings indicate that Kruger National Park had high levels of productivity during the wet season monitoring period. Overall, this work shows the unique potential of Landsat 8-derived metrics in assessing LAI as a proxy for tropical savanna rangelands productivity. The result is relevant for wildlife management and habitat assessment and monitoring.

scholarly journals ELEPHANT (LOXODONTA AFRICANA) DIETS IN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA: SPATIAL AND LANDSCAPE DIFFERENCES

2006 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqui Codron ◽  
Julia A. Lee-Thorp ◽  
Matt Sponheimer ◽  
Daryl Codron ◽  
Rina C. Grant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Loxodonta Africana ◽  
Kruger National Park

scholarly journals The contribution of fire research to fire management: a critical review of a long-term experiment in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian W. van Wilgen ◽  
Navashni Govender ◽  
Harry C. Biggs
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Fire Management ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Long Term Experiment ◽  
Faunal Communities

The present paper reviews a long-term fire experiment in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, established in 1954 to support fire management. The paper’s goals are: (1) to assess learning, with a focus on relevance for fire management; (2) to examine how findings influenced changes in fire management; and (3) to reflect on the experiment’s future. Results show that fire treatments affected vegetation structure and biomass more than species composition. Effects on vegetation were most marked in extreme treatments (annual burning, burning in the summer wet season, or long periods of fire exclusion), and were greater in areas of higher rainfall. Faunal communities and soil physiology were largely unaffected by fire. Since the inception of the experiment, paradigms in savanna ecology have changed to encompass heterogeneity and variability. The design of the experiment, reflecting the understanding of the 1950s, does not cater for variability, and as a result, the experiment had little direct influence on changes in management policy. Notwithstanding this, managers accept that basic research influences the understanding of fundamental ecosystem function, and they recognise that it promotes appropriate adaptive management by contributing to predictive understanding. This has been a major reason for maintaining the experiment for over 50 years.

A comparison of the roosting and foraging behaviour of three species of African insectivorous bats (Rhinolophidae, Vespertilionidae, and Molossidae)

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (12) ◽  
pp. 2860-2867 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Brock Fenton ◽  
I. L. Rautenbach
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Body Temperatures ◽  
Wing Morphology ◽  
Echolocation Call ◽  
Insectivorous Bats ◽  
Deciduous Woodland

We used radio tracking to study the roosting and foraging behaviour of Rhinolophus hildebrandti, Scotophilus borbonicus (=S. viridis and S. leucogaster), and Tadarida midas in the Pafuri Region of Kruger National Park, South Africa in November 1985. Although the species roosted in different locations (S. borbonicus in hollow mopane trees, R. hildebrandti in a hollow baobab tree, and T. midas in buildings), roost temperatures and the bats' body temperatures were generally similar. The S. borbonicus and T. midas flew continuously while foraging in pursuit of flying prey; the R. hildebrandti switched between continuous flight, and hunting from a perch also in pursuit of flying prey. All three species foraged for about 60 min nightly, but the T. midas ventured at least 10 km from their roosts, while for S. borbonicus and R. hildebrandti, comparable figures were 4 and 2 km, respectively. The three species showed a spectrum of wing morphology and echolocation call design features from clutter resistant (R. hildebrandti) to relatively clutter resistant (S. borbonicus) and clutter intolerant (T. midas) and the foraging areas used by the bats corresponded to these features. Rhinolophus hildebrandti foraged below the canopy in riverine forest and deciduous woodland, while S. borbonicus foraged around the canopy but not closer than 0.5 m to it, while T. midas foraged in the open well above the canopy. These differences are discussed along with variations in foraging behaviour in insectivorous bats.

scholarly journals Distribution and status of the African elephant Loxodonta africana in South Africa, 1652-1992

Koedoe ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Hall-Martin
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Population Control ◽  
Loxodonta Africana ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
African Elephants ◽  
Population Growth Rates ◽  
Elephant Population ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Consequent Increase

The historical decline of African elephants to a low of 120 animals in 1920, and their subsequent recovery to over 10 000 is described for the major populations of South Africa. Population growth rates of 6,8 and 6,7 per annum are derived from census and estimates for the Kruger National Park and the Addo Elephant National Park respectively. The reasons for elephant population control in the Kruger National Park, and the impact of elephants on both the Kruger and Addo environments, are discussed. The translocation of young elephants to found new populations is mentioned. The consequent increase of elephant range and numbers in the next decade to a possible maximum of 31 000 km2 and 13 000 animals, is envisaged.

The bat fauna of Lamanai, Belize: roosts and trophic roles

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. FENTON ◽  
E. BERNARD ◽  
S. BOUCHARD ◽  
L. HOLLIS ◽  
D. S. JOHNSTON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
French Guiana ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Carollia Perspicillata ◽  
Flower Visitor ◽  
Saccopteryx Bilineata ◽  
Mist Net

Thirty-six of the 70 species of bats known from Belize were recorded from the area around Lamanai, Orange Walk County: two in roosts and 34 in about 680 mist net hours that produced 560 captures. Day roosts used by 35 of the species were located using radio-tracking (Sturnira lilium, Platyrrhinus helleri, Centurio senex and Bauerus dubiaquercus) or general searching for roosts (Rhynchonycteris naso, Saccopteryx bilineata, Saccopteryx leptura, Dicli durus albus, Mimon bennettii, Micronycteris schmidtorum, Carollia brevicauda, Carollia perspicillata and Eptesicus furinalis). Data on the day roosts of 23 other species were determined from the literature. Most species reported from Lamanai (19) roosted in hollows, while others used foliage (6), tents (3), sheltered sites (2), crevices (2), open sites (1), and a few species used more than one type of day roost (hollows and crevices (1); hollows and foliage (1); hollows, foliage and tents (1)). The fauna consisted of 13 aerial foragers, 9 gleaners, 11 fruit/leaf eaters, one trawler, one flower-visitor and one blood-feeder. In day roost use and foraging behaviour, the Lamanai fauna did not differ significantly from that of Paracou, French Guiana, but both these locations differed from the bat fauna of Kruger National Park, South Africa, in foraging behaviour.

Vocal stress associated with a translocation of a family herd of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Bioacoustics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jozua Jakobus Viljoen ◽  
Andre Ganswindt ◽  
Christopher Reynecke ◽  
Angela S. Stoeger ◽  
William Richard Langbauer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Loxodonta Africana ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
African Elephants
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