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 The Kruger National Park: Provision of Water for Wild Life

Oryx ◽  
1951 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-189
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Rain Water ◽  
General Fund ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Wild Life

Two years have passed since Colonel J. A. B. Sandenbergh, the Warden of the Kruger National Park, launched a public appeal to provide water for the wild life of the park. Subscriptions were invited for two purposes: the first to provide boreholes so that in the dry season animals could find water within reach of their grazing, the second to form a general fund to build dams to retard the run-off of rain water.

scholarly journals Notes on wild dog Lycaon pictus and lion Panthera leo population trends during a drought in the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.G.L. Mills
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Panthera Leo ◽  
Lycaon Pictus ◽  
Drought Period ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
High Predation ◽  
Wild Dog

Wild dog Lycaon pictus and lion Panthera leo populations in the Kruger National Park appeared to undergo an increase during a drought period in the early 1990s. Newly established packs, high adult survival and pup productivity contributed to an increase in the wild dog population and evidence for high predation success during the height of the drought is presented. An increase in the lion density between 1989 and 1993 on the northern basalt plains, as well as changes in the structure of the population, seem to be related to changes in prey populations, particularly to a decline in numbers and condition of buffalo Syncerus cafer.

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 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 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 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 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 The use of the Global Positioning System for real-time data collecting during ecological aerial surveys in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P.C. Viljoen ◽  
P.F. Retiff
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Global Positioning System ◽  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Data Capture ◽  
Positioning System ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Aerial Surveys ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Real Time Data

The use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) for real-time data collecting during ecological aerial surveys (EAS) in the Kruger National Park (KNP) was investigated as an alternative to post-survey manual data capture. Results obtained during an aerial census of large herbivores and surface water distribution in the northern part of the KNP using an onboard GPS connected to a palmtop computer are discussed. This relatively inexpensive system proved to be highly efficient for real-time data capture while additional information such as ground velocity and time can be recorded for every data point. Measures of distances between a ground marker and fix points measured during a flight (x = 60.0 m) are considered to be well within the requirements of the EAS.

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.

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