scholarly journals Blackchested Prinia Prinia flavicans in Breeding Plumage at Satara, Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Roome
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Tape Recording ◽  
Breeding Plumage

On 8 October 1986 a pair of Blackchested Prinia Prinia flavicans in breeding plumage was observed in the camping area of Satara Rest Camp, Kruger National Park. Playing and replaying a tape recording of the call of a Pearlspotted Owl Glaucidium perlatum, in order to see what avian activity would be aroused, the recording attracted Blackeyed Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus, Whitebellied Sunbird Nectarinia talatala and Tawnyflanked Prinia Prinia subflava, in addition to the pair of Blackchested Prinia, all highly excited and in search of the intruding Pearlspotted Owl. The birds homed in on the source of the call and all species were observed from a distance of some 2 m-3 m. Although recorded previously from the Kruger National Park (Newman 1980, Birds of Southern Africa 1: Kruger National Park, Johannesburg: Macmillan) in non-breeding plumage and also referred to by Milstein & Milstein (1981, Koedoe 24: 109-117) as a species which they probably observed near Punda Milia (in winter plumage), the Blackchested Prinia recorded at Satara were most obliging and it was possible to positively identify the presence of this species in the Kruger National Park in its breeding plumage.

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 Bacillus anthracis Diversity in Kruger National Park

2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 3780-3784 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Smith ◽  
V. DeVos ◽  
H. Bryden ◽  
L. B. Price ◽  
M. E. Hugh-Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Anthracis ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Variable Number Tandem Repeat ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
History Of ◽  
Multiple Locus Vntr Analysis

The Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa, has a recorded history of periodic anthrax epidemics causing widespread disease among wild animals. Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax, a disease primarily affecting ungulate herbivores. Worldwide there is little diversity among B. anthracis isolates, but examination of variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci has identified six major clones, with the most dissimilar types split into the A and B branches. Both the A and B types are found in southern Africa, giving this region the greatest genetic diversity of B. anthracis worldwide. Consequently, southern Africa has been hypothesized to be the geographic origin of B. anthracis. In this study, we identify the genotypic types of 98 KNP B. anthracis isolates using multiple-locus VNTR analysis. Two major types are evident, the A branch and the B branch. The spatial and temporal distribution of the different genotypes indicates that anthrax epidemic foci are independent, though correlated through environmental cues. Kruger B isolates were found on significantly higher-calcium and higher-pH soils than were Kruger type A. This relationship between genotype and soil chemistry may be due to adaptive differences among divergent anthrax strains. While this association may be simply fortuitous, adaptation of A types to diverse environmental conditions is consistent with their greater geographic dispersal and genetic dissimilarity.

scholarly journals Detection of bovine viral diarrhoea virus in specimens from cattle in South Africa and possible association with clinical disease

2004 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Kabongo ◽  
M. Van Vuuren
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Virus Isolation ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Clinical Disease ◽  
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Diarrhoea Virus

Studies covering all aspects of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) have been conducted in several countries in Europe, Asia and America. In southern Africa, more information is required about the nature of BVDV infection, the prevalence of different strains and the economic importance of the disease. The presence of BVDV in southern Africa has been known since the early 1970s through serological surveys but few reports confirming its presence by virus isolation and correlation with clinical disease are available. Specimens (n = 312) collected in 1998/99, from live and dead cattle from different farming systems, were obtained from private practitioners, feedlot consultants and abattoirs throughout the country. Specimens (n=37) from African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) in the Kruger National Park were also included. All specimens were processed for virus isolation in cell culture with confirmation by means of immunofluorescent antibody tests and some also by means of an antigen capture ELISA. BVDV was isolated from 15 (4.7 %) cattle and were all noncytopathic biotypes. BVDV was not detected in 37 lymph nodes obtained from buffaloes in the Kruger National Park. Of the clinical signs in cattle from which virus were isolated, respiratory signs was the most frequent (10/15), followed by diarrhoea (5/15). Abortion, congenital malformations, haemorrhagic diarrhoea and poor growth were also included as criteria for selection of animals for specimen collection, but no BVD viruses were isolated from cattle manifesting these clinical signs.

scholarly journals Genome variation in the SAT types of foot-and-mouth disease viruses prevalent in buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Kruger National Park and other regions of southern Africa, 1986–93

1995 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Vosloo ◽  
E. Kirkbride ◽  
R. G. Bengis ◽  
D. F. Keet ◽  
G. R. Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
National Park ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Nucleotide Sequencing ◽  
Syncerus Caffer ◽  
Genome Variation ◽  
Foot And Mouth

SUMMARYDideoxy nucleotide sequencing of a portion of the 1D gene of SAT-type foot-and-mouth disease viruses (FMDV) was used to derive phylogenetic relationships between viruses recovered from the oesophageo-pharyngeal secretions of buffalo in the Kruger National Park as well as several other wildlife areas in southern Africa. The three serotypes differed from one another by more than 40 % while intratypic variation did not exceed 29%. Within each type, isolates from particular countries were more closely related to one another than to isolates from other countries lending credence to previous observations that FMDV evolve independently in different regions of the subcontinent.

The occurrence ofTrichinella zimbabwensisin naturally infected wild crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) from the Kruger National Park, South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.J. La Grange ◽  
D. Govender ◽  
S. Mukaratirwa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Natural Distribution ◽  
Surveillance Studies ◽  
Mpumalanga Province ◽  
Major River ◽  
Monitor Lizards

AbstractTrichinella zimbabwensishas been found naturally infecting crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Ethiopia and South Africa, as well as monitor lizards (Varanus niloticus) in Zimbabwe. The reports on natural infections were mostly accidental rather than structured surveys and involved very few animals. Previous surveillance studies in South Africa reported a 38.5% prevalence ofT. zimbabwensisamong wild crocodiles tested from the Mpumalanga province and Kruger National Park (KNP). No studies have been conducted to date on the geographical distribution and occurrence ofT. zimbabwensisin wild crocodiles and varans in countries in southern Africa. Recent outbreaks of pansteatitis in crocodile populations of the KNP, South Africa, provided an opportunity to conduct a more structured survey aimed at elucidating the occurrence and distribution ofT. zimbabwensisin culled wild crocodile populations within the KNP. Results from this study showed thatT. zimbabwensisoccurred in 10 out of 12 culled crocodiles form the KNP. The results also showed that the natural distribution ofT. zimbabwensisin crocodiles includes all the major river systems in the KNP. The predilection sites of larvae in muscles followed a different pattern in naturally infected crocodiles compared to observations in experimentally infected mammalian hosts.

scholarly journals Development of the tush and tusk and tusklessness in African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

Koedoe ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
E.J. Raubenheimer
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Population Control ◽  
Tooth Germ ◽  
Loxodonta Africana ◽  
Permanent Tooth ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
African Elephant ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Embryologic Development

The embryologic development of the tush and tusk of the African elephant was studied by means of serial histologic sections prepared from elephant embryos with masses varying between Ig and 240 g. Statistics on tusklessness obtained during a four year population control programme in the Kruger National Park were analysed and compared with those reported in other elephant reserves in Southern Africa. Maxillae of eight elephant embryos, the maternal histories of which were available in six cases, were radiographed, dissected and examined microscopically. This study has shown that the tush and tusk develop from one tooth germ in a deciduous to permanent tooth relationship. Tusklessness was found to be unilateral or bilateral and associated with either the absence or presence of a tush. The possible causes of the differences in the frequency of bilateral tusklessness in different elephant populations are discussed.

scholarly journals A new locality for the sand tampan ornithodoros savignyi (audouin) in Southern Africa

Koedoe ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. De Vos
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Locality Record ◽  
Ornithodoros Savignyi ◽  
Northern Sector

A new locality for the sand tampan (Omithodoros savignyi) in southern Africa is described. Sand tampans were found in the Nwambiya sandveld (22degrees31'S., 31 degrees 20'E.) in the northern sector of the Kruger National Park. Environmental conditions for the area is described. The possibility of an earlier linkage of the Nwambiya area with the arid western regions of southern Africa is raised in an attempt to explain this seemingly anomalous locality record.

Managing rivers for conservation and ecotourism in the Kruger National Park

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 227-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Venter ◽  
A. R. Deacon
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
The West ◽  
The Past ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Three Rivers

Six major rivers flow through the Kruger National Park (KNP). All these rivers originate outside and to the west of the KNP and are highly utilized. They are crucially important for the conservation of the unique natural environments of the KNP. The human population growth in the Lowveld during the past two decades brought with it the rapid expansion of irrigation farming, exotic afforestation and land grazed by domestic stock, as well as the establishment of large towns, mines, dams and industries. Along with these developments came overgrazing, erosion, over-utilization and pollution of rivers, as well as clearing of indigenous forests from large areas outside the borders of the KNP. Over-utilization of the rivers which ultimately flow through the KNP poses one of the most serious challenges to the KNP's management. This paper gives the background to the development in the catchments and highlights the problems which these have caused for the KNP. Management actions which have been taken as well as their results are discussed and solutions to certain problems proposed. Three rivers, namely the Letaba, Olifants and Sabie are respectively described as examples of an over-utilized river, a polluted river and a river which is still in a fairly good condition.

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