scholarly journals The effect of mature elephant bull introductions on ranging patterns of resident bulls: Phinda Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heleen Druce ◽  
K. Pretorius ◽  
D. Druce ◽  
R. Slotow
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
National Park ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Ranging Patterns ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Wildlife Viewing

Increasing popularity of wildlife viewing has resulted in a rapid increase in small, enclosed reserves in South Africa. The African elephant is one of the many species that has been reintroduced into these reserves for eco-tourism. These elephant populations were established as young (smaller that 10 years old) orphans from prior Kruger National Park culling operations. Consequently, this abnormal sex and age structure of these introduced populations has influenced their behavioural and spatial ecology. In Pilanesberg National Park, this abnormal behaviour was corrected by introducing older bulls and culling certain problem elephants. In July 2003, three older bulls (29–41 years old) were introduced into Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in order to normalise the bull age structure. These introduced bulls were monitored intensively after release, as was the resident bull population, both before and after introduction of the older bulls. The introduced bulls settled into restricted ranges separate from the family groups. All the resident bulls decreased their home ranges at first, with most increasing their home ranges a year later. The resident bulls’ change in ranging patterns was due more to ecological factors than to the influence of the mature bull introduction. This study indicates that the introduction of older male elephants into small populations does not pose major risks or animal welfare concerns.

scholarly journals Experimental evidence of spatial memory and home range affinity in White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

2015 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Memory ◽  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Odocoileus Virginianus ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Directional Movement ◽  
Before And After

The role of spatial memory in the movement of animals through landscapes remains elusive. To examine spatial memory and home range affinity of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in northeastern Minnesota during 1995–2007, I translocated 17 adult does with known home ranges to unfamiliar sites and radio-tracked them after their release. Twelve does wearing transmitting radio-collars returned to their home ranges. Death and collar expiration precluded determination of whether the remaining five does would have returned to home ranges. Three of five does wearing global positioning system collars traveled throughout hundreds of square kilometres, circling, backtracking, and returning to release sites, while two others exhibited directional movement for tens of kilometres. Four does that survived to parturition stopped traveling and moved at hourly rates similar to those of control does during the first three weeks of the typical fawn-rearing period, but continued traveling later. Their aberrant extensive travel before and after interruption by parturition suggests that they recognized they were in unfamiliar areas, demonstrating both their capacity and propensity to search for and occupy the familiar space of their individual home ranges. Their successful return to home ranges provided experimental evidence of spatial memory and further elucidated its pervasive role in White-tailed Deer spatial ecology.

scholarly journals DOMESTICATION, DEGENERATION, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK IN SOUTH AFRICA, 1910s–1930s

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
JULES SKOTNES-BROWN
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Nature Conservation ◽  
National Park ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Artificial Feeding ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract This article examines conflict between farmers and elephants in the Addo region in 1910s–1930s South Africa to explore the porosity of the concepts ‘wild’, ‘tame’, and ‘domestic’, and their relationship to race, degeneration, nature conservation, and colonialism. In the 1910s, settler farmers indicted the ‘Addo Elephants’, as ‘vicious’ thieves who raided crops and ‘hunted’ farmers. This view conflicted with a widespread perception of elephants as docile, sagacious, and worthy of protection. Seeking to reconcile these views, bureaucrats were divided between exterminating the animals, creating a game reserve, and drawing upon the expertise of Indian mahouts to domesticate them. Ultimately, all three options were attempted: the population was decimated by hunter Phillip Jacobus Pretorius, an elephant reserve was created, the animals were tamed to ‘lose their fear of man’ and fed oranges. Despite the presence of tame elephants and artificial feeding, the reserve was publicized as a natural habitat, and a window onto the prehistoric. This was not paradoxical but provokes a need to rethink the relationship between wildness, tameness, and domesticity. These concepts were not implicitly opposed but existed on a spectrum paralleling imperialist hierarchies of civilization, race, and evolution, upon which tame elephants could still be considered wild.

scholarly journals Male rock Hyraxes Procavia capensis return to former home ranges after translocation

Koedoe ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J.M Crawford
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
River Mouth ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Procavia Capensis

Feeding of rock hyraxes by tourists at the Storms River Mouth rest camp in the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park, Republic of South Africa, has led to taming of the hyraxes, soliciting of food from tourists and occasionally to aggression resulting in tourists being bitten. As a result it was decided to capture and translocate a number of the tamer hyraxes during 1981. At the rest camp the hyraxes occur in well defined groupings (Fairall & Crawford 1983, S. Afr. J. Wildl. Res. 13: 25-26). All the animals caught were from the Sandbay - office group.

The Future of Animal Wildlife and Its Habitat in Botswana

1989 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Richard Mordi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Wildlife Management ◽  
National Park ◽  
Gross National Product ◽  
Tourist Industry ◽  
Land Area ◽  
Migration Routes ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
Wildlife Management Areas

To conserve its wildlife, Botswana has set aside more than 17% of its total land area as game reserves, national parks, and wildlife management areas. Despite this generous allocation to wildlife, the fauna of the country is declining in both absolute numbers and species diversity. Lack of permanent water-sources in some game reserves, obstruction of fauna migration routes by cattle fences, and a poorly-developed tourist industry, are partly responsible for this decline.In a developing country such as Botswana, tourism should yield sufficient funds for the maintenance of game reserves and national parks. But currently the tourist industry accounts for less than 2% of the gross national product. Unless the industry is encouraged to flourish and expand into dormant reserves such as the Gemsbok National Park and Mabuasehube Game Reserve, animals in those sanctuaries are likely to be driven by drought into South Africa.

scholarly journals Movement and Home Range of Nile Crocodiles in Ndumo Game Reserve, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Calverley ◽  
Colleen T. Downs
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Satellite Telemetry ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Breeding Site ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Total Length ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
Nile Crocodile

The study of movement patterns and home range is fundamental in understanding the spatial requirements of animals and is important in generating information for the conservation and management of threatened species. Ndumo Game Reserve, in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal, bordering Mozambique, has the third largest Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) population in South Africa. Movement patterns of 50 Nile crocodiles with a total length of between 202 cm and 472 cm were followed over a period of 18 months, using mark-resight, radio and satellite telemetry. The duration of radio transmitter attachment (131 ± 11.4 days) was significantly and negatively related to total length and reproductive status. Satellite transmitters failed after an average of 15 ± 12.5 days. Home range was calculated for individuals with 10 or more radio locations, spanning a period of at least 6 months. There was a significant relationship between home range size and total length, with sub-adults (1.5 m – 2.5 m) occupying smaller, more localised home ranges than adults (> 2.5 m). The largest home ranges were for adults (> 2.5 m). Home ranges overlapped extensively, suggesting that territoriality, if present, does not result in spatially discrete home ranges of Nile crocodiles in Ndumo Game Reserve during the dry season. Larger crocodiles moved farther and more frequently than smaller crocodiles. The reserve acts as a winter refuge and spring breeding site for an estimated 846 crocodiles, which also inhabit the Rio Maputo during the summer months. Nile crocodile movement out of the reserve and into the Rio Maputo starts in November and crocodiles return to the reserve as water levels in the floodplain recede in May.Conservation implications: Movement patterns of Nile crocodiles show the important role the reserve plays in the conservation of Nile crocodile populations within the greater Ndumo Game Reserve–Rio Maputo area.

scholarly journals Spatial ecology of lions in a small, semi-fenced park surrounded by dense human populations: the case study of Nairobi National Park, Kenya

Mammalia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-207
Author(s):  
Francis Lesilau ◽  
Stijn Verschueren ◽  
Maarten van’t Zelfde ◽  
Kees C. J. M. Musters ◽  
Geert R. de Snoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Ranging Behavior ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Buffer Zones ◽  
Nairobi National Park

Abstract Human population growth near protected areas often results in detrimental edge effects for apex carnivores, such as the African lion. Urbanization leads to new scenarios of the human–lion conflict, thus understanding ranging patterns close to urban environments is crucial to inform future management strategies. We collected GPS data from 12 collared lions between 2014 and 2018 in Nairobi National Park, which borders the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi city. We estimated home ranges, calculated daily distance traveled and tested for differences between sex, season and pride. Additionally, we investigated how disturbance from Nairobi and surrounding human settlements affected space-use of lions, and tested for differences between sex, season and time of day. Lions showed restricted movements (4.5 km/day) and had small home ranges (49 km2). Male lions had larger ranges than females, but avoidance behavior of disturbed areas was similar. Lions took advantage during times of low human activity, i.e., during the night, to extend ranging behavior in search for resources. Risk for livestock depredation also increased during the wet season when lions roamed longer, more frequently, and deeper into the community lands. We recommend the establishment of buffer zones to maintain a viable lion population and reduced risk for conflict.

scholarly journals Preliminary map of the south western Kalahari Desert

Koedoe ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Parris ◽  
J. Du P. Bothma ◽  
E. Waanders ◽  
A. F. Boshoff
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
The South ◽  
Kalahari Desert ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Government

In 1941 an area in the south western Kalahari Desert of Bechuanaland (now the Republic of Botswana), 40 km wide and adjacent to the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park (KGNP) of the then Union of South Africa was declared a Game Reserve. In 1971 the Government of Botswana increased the size of this Game Reserve considerably and raised it to national park status, i.e. The Gemsbok National Park (Supplement H-307 of Government Gazette Volume IX No. 39).

scholarly journals Die Nasionale Pparke van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika die verlede en die hede

Koedoe ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Brynard
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Nature Conservation ◽  
National Parks ◽  
National Park ◽  
Board Of Trustees ◽  
The Past ◽  
Conservation History ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Republic

This paper deals mainly with the past and present status of nature conservation in the Republic of South Africa. It is pointed out that the nature conservation history of the Republic of South Africa commenced as early as 1656. In 1897 the first areas for the conservation of wild animals were set aside. These were the Hluhluwe and Umfolozi Game Reserves. Shortly after- wards, in 1898, the Sabi Game Reserve was established mainly through the efforts of President Paul Kruger. Col James Stevenson-Hamilton was appointed the first Warden of the Sabi Game Reserve and through his continued endeavours and perse-verance this game reserve, with certain additions, was eventually proclaimed as the first national park in the RSA in 1926. The first National Parks Board of Trustees, instituted according to the National Parks Act of 1926 commenced with its duties on the 16th September, 1926. The National Parks Act made provision for the establishment of other National Parks. Since 1931 eight National Parks were estab- lished. A short description of the history and most important features of each of these is given.

scholarly journals Unexpected spatial population ecology of a widespread terrestrial salamander near its southern range edge

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 182192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raisa Hernández-Pacheco ◽  
Chris Sutherland ◽  
Lily M. Thompson ◽  
Kristine L. Grayson
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Southern Population ◽  
Active Season ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis ◽  
Range Edge ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Human Modification

Under the current amphibian biodiversity crisis, common species provide an opportunity to measure population dynamics across a wide range of environmental conditions while examining the processes that determine abundance and structure geographical ranges. Studying species at their range limits also provides a window for understanding the dynamics expected in future environments under increasing climate change and human modification. We quantified patterns of seasonal activity, density and space use in the eastern red-backed salamander ( Plethodon cinereus ) near its southern range edge and compare the spatial ecology of this population to previous findings from the core of their range. This southern population shows the expected phenology of surface activity based on temperature limitations in warmer climates, yet maintains unexpectedly high densities and large home ranges during the active season. Our study suggests that ecological factors known to strongly affect amphibian populations (e.g. warm temperature and forest fragmentation) do not necessarily constrain this southern population. Our study highlights the utility of studying a common amphibian as a model system for investigating population processes in environments under strong selective pressure.

scholarly journals The prevalence of Cowdria ruminantium in free-living adult Amblyomma hebraeum collected at a communal grazing area and in 2 wildlife reserves in South Africa : short communication

2002 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
N.R. Bryson ◽  
I.G. Horak ◽  
E.H. Venter ◽  
S.M. Mahan ◽  
B. Simbi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Amblyomma Hebraeum ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Cowdria Ruminantium ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
Grazing Area ◽  
The One

In order to detect the prevalence of Cowdria ruminantium in the vector tick, Amblyomma hebraeum, free-living, unfed adult ticks were collected with the aid of pheromone/CO2 traps. Ticks were collected at the Rietgat communal grazing area, as well as in the southwestern Kruger National Park and in the Songimvelo Game Reserve, all located in heartwater-endemic areas of South Africa. The presence of C. ruminantium in these ticks was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Ticks from the Rietgat communal grazing area were assayed in 2 batches and 4.7% of the one and 11.3% of the other were positive for infection, while 5.7% of the ticks collected in the Kruger National Park and 25% in the Songimvelo Game Reserve were positive. These results support the contention that a vector-wildlife cycle of transmission of C. ruminantium, the cause of heartwater in domestic ruminants, can be maintained in the absence of the latter animals.

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