scholarly journals Tetanus in a free-living Hippopotamus Hippopotamus Amphibius Capensis from the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V De Vos ◽  
B. D De Klerk
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Polluted Water ◽  
Intraspecific Aggression ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Clostridium Tetani ◽  
Ample Opportunity ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Hippopotamus Amphibius

Tetanus in a free-living hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) from the Kruger National Park is described. The animal exhibited the classical tetanus symptomatology, the most salient clinical features being trauma (skin wounds) associated with exaggerated response of voluntary muscles to trivial stimuli, muscular spasms, general muscular rigidity, trismus, prolapsed third eye-lid and the preservation of consciousness. It is conjectured that the hippo's semi-aquatic way of life with its close proximity to dung-polluted water and an innate intraspecific aggression amongst males which often leads to fighting and trauma, should provide ample opportunity for infection with Clostridium tetani.

scholarly journals Changes in number and distribution of hippoptamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) in the Sabie River, Kruger National Park, during the 1992 drought

Koedoe ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P.C. Viljoen
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Drought Period ◽  
Aerial Surveys ◽  
Hippopotamus Amphibius ◽  
Reduced Flow

The 1991/92 drought in Southern Africa and the effect of the resultant reduced flow of the Sabie River on hippopotami was investigated. Hippopotami are counted annually in the Kruger National Park's (KNP) major rivers as part of the park's monitoring pro- gramme. Two additional aerial surveys were conducted to document changes in hippopotamus population densities in the Sabie River during the drought period. The hippopotamus population decreased during the drought by 12.6 to 672 animals between July 1991 and October 1992. The highest and lowest hippopotamus densities recorded were 11.6 and 2.2 animals/km river length respectively in different river sections. Only 12 hippopotamus mortalities were recorded at the end of the 1992 dry season (October).

scholarly journals Relationships between reproduction and environment in the Hippopotamus Hippopotamus Amphibius in the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. L Smuts ◽  
I. J Whyte
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
National Park ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
High Survival ◽  
Calf Survival ◽  
Hippopotamus Amphibius ◽  
Adverse Environmental Conditions

Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius reproduction in the Kruger National Park, Republic of South Africa, is described and compared with that of other populations in Africa and with captive reared specimens. Information collected during drought and pluvial periods indicates that adult hippo cows react to adverse environmental conditions (reduced shelter in pools, overcrowding and food scarcity) by marked declines in conception rates (from 36,7 @ 5,6). Indirect evidence indicates that when environmental conditions are unfavourable calf survival is improved by extending the period of lactation and by calves suckling more than one cow. During favourable years some calves mature early (S S, 2 years, and 9 9 5 years) but generally sexual maturity is attained at six and 9-10 years for males and females respectively. The calving interval, when environmental conditions are favourable, is about two years and reproductive senescence and sterility are insignificant factors. The population sex ratio is 1:1. Hippos appear to be typical K-selected species. Environmental constraints have caused them to adopt a low reproductive rate and high survival rate and consequently a close adjustment to the long-term carrying capacity of the environment.

scholarly journals Cornu Cutaneum on the Mandibular region of a Greater Kudu Tragelaphus Strepsiceros

Koedoe ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. De Vos ◽  
J. J. Kloppers
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Cornu Cutaneum ◽  
Mandibular Region ◽  
Tragelaphus Strepsiceros ◽  
Greater Kudu

The condition, cornu cutaneum, in a free living kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros in the Kruger National Park is described. Macroscopical and microscopical findings are recorded. Two identical cases have been observed previously.

scholarly journals An unusual case of snaring in a free-living spotted Hyaena Crocuta Crocuta from the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V De. Vos
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Unusual Case ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Crocuta Crocuta ◽  
Free Living

On various occasions over a period of three months an adult spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta was reported near Skukuza Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park, Republic of South Africa, with a snare around his neck.

scholarly journals The effect of severe drought on the abundance of ticks on vegetation and on scrub hares in the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Spickett ◽  
I.G. Horak ◽  
Heloise Heyne ◽  
L.E.O. Braack
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
The South ◽  
Free Living ◽  
South West ◽  
Landscape Zone

Free-living ixodid ticks were collected monthly from August 1988 to July 1993 from the vegetation of landscape zones 17 (Sclerocarya caffra/Acacia nigrescens Savanna) and 4 (Thickets of the Sabie and Crocodile Rivers) in the south-east and south-west of the Kruger National Park respectively, and parasitic ticks from scrub hares in the latter landscape zone. Total tick collections from the vegetation of both landscape zones were lowest in the year following the drought year of August 1991 to July 1992, while the tick burdens of the scrub hares were lowest during the drought year itself.

scholarly journals A preliminary check list of the free-living and plant-parasitic nematodes of the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annelize Botha ◽  
J. Heyns
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Plant Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Check List ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Plant Parasitic

A preliminary check list is given of terrestrial free- living and plant-parasitic nematodes of the Kruger National Park. Twenty families, comprising 33 genera and some 50 species are recorded.

scholarly journals Dentition and Life History of a 16-year-old Known-age Free-living Male Lion Panthera leo (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I.J. Whyte ◽  
G.L. Smuts
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
National Park ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Panthera Leo ◽  
Free Living ◽  
History Of

Wear in the dentition of a known-age, free-living, 16-year-old male lion is described and compared to existing age-determination techniques. Aspects of his life history are described as they are in some contrast to what is known of male lions' life history strategies.

The biology and adaptations of the hippopotamus leech Placobdelloides jaegerskioeldi (Glossiphoniidae) to its host

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 418-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Oosthuizen ◽  
Ronald W. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
National Park ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Species Specificity ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Alternative Hosts ◽  
Anatomical Features ◽  
Sexually Mature

The specificity of the association between the freshwater leech Placobdelloides jaegerskioeldi and the hippopotamus was confirmed both by collections from the Kruger National Park and by laboratory experiments. Placobdelloides jaegerskioeldi is established as the only leech showing species specificity for a mammal. Forty sexually mature leeches were collected free-living and 2260 mature and immature leeches were collected from 40 of 53 culled hippopotami. In the field P. jaegerskioeldi was never found on any of the alternative hosts, and none fed in the laboratory when offered a range of potential hosts. A combination of unique attributes, including mode of locomotion, anatomical features, and feeding behaviour, makes it possible for this leech to utilize the hippopotamus as a host. Evidence suggests that mating in P. jaegerskioeldi is restricted to the rectum of the hippopotamus.

scholarly journals A check list of the spiders of the Kruger National Park, South Africa (Arachnida: Araneae)

Koedoe ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman ◽  
A. Leroy
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
South African ◽  
National Survey ◽  
National Park ◽  
New Records ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Check List ◽  
The South ◽  
Free Living

As part of the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA), projects are underway to determine the biodiversity of arachnids present in protected areas in South Africa. Spiders have been collected over a period of 16 years from the Kruger National Park, South Africa. A check list is provided consisting of 152 species, 116 genera and 40 families. This represents about 7.6 % of the total known South African spider fauna. Of the 152 species, 103 are new records for the park. The ground dwelling spiders comprise 58 species from 25 families. Of these, 21 % are web dwellers and 62 % free living, while 17 % live in burrows. From the plant layer, 94 species have been collected of which 53 % were web builders and 47 % free living wandering spiders.

scholarly journals Elephant movement patterns in relation to human inhabitants in and around the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park

Koedoe ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin M. Cook ◽  
Michelle D. Henley ◽  
Francesca Parrini
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
African Elephants ◽  
Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park ◽  
Northern Border ◽  
Close Proximity

The presence of humans and African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park can create situations of potential human–elephant conflict. Such conflict will likely be exacerbated as elephant and human populations increase, unless mitigation measures are put in place. In this study we analysed the movement patterns of 13 collared adult African elephants from the northern Kruger National Park over a period of eight years (2006–2014). We compared the occurrence and displacement rates of elephant bulls and cows around villages in the Limpopo National Park and northern border of the Kruger National Park across seasons and at different times of the day. Elephants occurred close to villages more often in the dry season than in the wet season, with bulls occurring more frequently around villages than cows. Both the bulls and the cows preferred to use areas close to villages from early evening to midnight, with the bulls moving closer to villages than the cows. These results suggest that elephants, especially the bulls, are moving through the studied villages in Mozambique and Zimbabwe at night and that these movements are most common during the drier months when resources are known to be scarce.Conservation implications: Elephants from the Kruger National Park are moving in close proximity to villages within the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Resettlement of villages within and around the park should therefore be planned away from elephant seasonal routes to minimise conflict between humans and elephants.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document