THE PRACTICE OF IMMOBILIZING LARGE WILD CARNIVOROUS ANIMALS IN A NATIONAL PARK

In the conditions of the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania), female lions were immobilized in order to conduct clinical, physiological and special studies using xylazine and ketamine, and atypamezol as an antidote. The first signs of immobilization in lionesses after the use of xylazine and ketamine occur in 4.8±0.8 minutes, and the restoration of mobility after the use of the antidote – in 1.5 minutes. Depression of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems in lionesses and disorders of the general condition after the use of the above-mentioned drugs were not noted, which allows us to recommend the use of such a combination of drugs for immobilizing wild animals in national parks, nature reserves and zoos.

We are what we eat, plus some per mill: Using stable isotopes to estimate diet composition in Gyps vultures over space and time.

1. Dietary studies in birds of prey involve direct observation and examination of food remains at resting and nesting sites. Although these methods accurately identify diet in raptors, they are time-consuming, resource-intensive, and associated with biases from the feeding ecology of raptors like Gyps vultures. Our study set out to estimate diet composition in Gyps vultures informed by stable isotopes that provide a good representation of assimilated diet from local systems. 2. We hypothesized that differences in Gyps vulture diet composition is a function of sampling location, and that these vultures move between Serengeti National Park and Selous Game Reserve protected areas to forage. We also, theorised that grazing ungulates are the principal items in Gyps vulture diet. 3. Through combined linear and Bayesian modelling, diet-derived from 13C in Gyps vultures consisted of grazing herbivores across sites, with those in Serengeti National Park consuming higher proportions of grazing herbivores (> 87%). 13C differences in vulture feather subsets did not indicate shifts in vulture diet and combined with blood 13C, vultures fed largely on grazers for ~159 days before they were sampled. Similarly, 15N values indicated Gyps vultures fed largely on herbivores. 34S ratios separated where vultures fed when the two sites were compared. 34S variation in vultures across sites resulted from baseline differences in plant 34S values, though it is not possible to match 34S to specific locations. 4. Our findings highlight the relevance of repeated sampling that considers tissues with varying isotopic turnover and emerging Bayesian techniques for dietary studies using stable isotopes. Findings also suggested limited vulture movement between the two local systems. However, more sampling coupled with telemetry is required to fully comprehend this observation and its implications to Gyps vulture ecology and conservation.

We are what we eat, plus some per mill: Using stable isotopes to estimate diet composition in Gyps vultures over space and time.

1. Dietary studies in birds of prey involve direct observation and examination of food remains at resting and nesting sites. Although these methods accurately identify diet in raptors, they are time-consuming, resource-intensive, and associated with biases from the feeding ecology of raptors like Gyps vultures. Our study set out to estimate diet composition in Gyps vultures informed by stable isotopes that provide a good representation of assimilated diet from local systems. 2. We hypothesized that differences in Gyps vulture diet composition is a function of sampling location, and that these vultures move between Serengeti National Park and Selous Game Reserve protected areas to forage. We also, theorised that grazing ungulates are the principal items in Gyps vulture diet. 3. Through combined linear and Bayesian modelling, diet-derived from 13C in Gyps vultures consisted of grazing herbivores across sites, with those in Serengeti National Park consuming higher proportions of grazing herbivores (> 87%). 13C differences in vulture feather subsets did not indicate shifts in vulture diet and combined with blood 13C, vultures fed largely on grazers for ~159 days before they were sampled. Similarly, 15N values indicated Gyps vultures fed largely on herbivores. 34S ratios separated where vultures fed when the two sites were compared. 34S variation in vultures across sites resulted from baseline differences in plant 34S values, though it is not possible to match 34S to specific locations. 4. Our findings highlight the relevance of repeated sampling that considers tissues with varying isotopic turnover and emerging Bayesian techniques for dietary studies using stable isotopes. Findings also suggested limited vulture movement between the two local systems. However, more sampling coupled with telemetry is required to fully comprehend this observation and its implications to Gyps vulture ecology and conservation.

Contribution of Selected Herbivores’ Dung on the Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

This study was done to determine the contribution of selected herbivores’ dung in the grazed ecosystem of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. To achieve this Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen were determined in four distinct textural soils in three sites, namely Serena with clay and clay loam, Barafu with sandy loam, sandy clay loam, and Seronera with sand clay loam. Thereafter the decomposition of dung pats in terms of weight change and percentage of nutrients in dung pats of four herbivore species (buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and elephant) incorporated into the soil beneath the dung pats were determined. Fresh dung, soil cores beneath the dung pats and control soils 1 m adjacent to the pats were taken for laboratory analysis. Dung pats and soil samples were analysed for initial percentage OC, N, pH and soil particle size distribution. Weight changes of the dung pats after each three weeks period were monitored. Similarly, monthly rainfalls during the study period were recorded from the rain gauges near the sites. The results indicate that the surface soil (0-15 cm depth) pH ranged from 6.0 - 7.5, 7.4 -7.9 and 6.1 - 7.4 for Serena, Barafu and Seronera respectively. While the soil texture was highly significantly different in percentage OC added after 18 weeks, the treatments and texture were both not significant for percentage N increased in the soil after 18 weeks. There was a difference of 1% between the ruminants and non-ruminants in percentage N increase although they were fluctuating over time due to weather changes. The C/N ratios of the controls and the treatments were on average 11 and 15 respectively, being highly significantly different and indicating that, treatments had a potential contribution to the soil OC and N in the ecosystem.

Zooarchaeology and Taphonomic Aspects of Later Stone Age Faunal Assemblage from Loiyangalani Site in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The paper presents detailed zooarchaeological and taphonomic results on the Later Stone Age (LSA) faunal assemblage. The contributions of various taphonomic agents in the formation of the assemblage are accentuated. The assemblage is well-preserved and the majority of specimens are not highly weathered. Fluvial disturbance did not play a significant role and can be ruled out as a significant taphonomic agent in the formation. Results indicate that LSA humans exploited high-quality nutritional resources mainly of the large-sized animals and aquatic resources as extra sources of meat and fat. The assemblage preserves stone tools butchery marks (cut marks and percussion marks) and carnivore marks (tooth marks) albeit few. Overall, the faunal assemblage exhibits high anthropogenic inputs and marginal carnivore involvement. Keywords: Zooarchaeology; Taphonomy; Later Stone Age; Serengeti National Park; Loiyangalani; Tanzania

Determinants of International Tourists’ Destination Loyalty: Empirical Evidence from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

This study was conducted to assess the determinants of tourists’ loyalty to Serengeti National Park (SENAPA) in Tanzania. The study involved 1,148 respondents who were international tourists visiting the park from March to December 2018. Data were collected using a structured survey questionnaire. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique was used in the analysis. Findings revealed that service quality was a positive predictor of tourists’ loyalty. Accordingly, destination image and perceived value had positive effects on tourists destination loyalty. Also, satisfaction was found to have positive effect on destination loyalty. Furthermore, the findings revealed that satisfaction had a partial mediation effect on the relationship between service quality, destination image and perceived value on the one hand and destination loyalty on the other. It was concluded that provision of high-quality services increased tourists’ loyalty to the park. Similarly, tourists’ satisfaction and realization of value during their trips increased loyalty. The study calls for SENAPA management to strive to maintain high quality of services provided to tourists by introducing service provision charter that would guide the operations of different stakeholders inside the park. Also, the park’s management should make efforts that would enhance perceived value among the tourists by reviewing costs of items charged on tourists like park entry fees in view of making them competitive compared to similar parks found in Africa.