Sex-Specific Predation Patterns on Kudu and Impala

Abstract

Long-term growth rates of ungulate populations can be affected where disproportionate mortality occurs to adult females through predation. To investigate differences between lions (Panthera leo) and wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in relative selection for female prey, we analysed ranger records for impala (Aepyceros melampus) and kudu (Strepsiceros zambesiensis) from Madikwe and Pilanesberg Nature reserves, South Africa. Each kill was categorized by sex of killed animal (female, male), likely predator (lion, wild dog) and season of kill (early wet, late wet, early dry, late dry). Our findings at Madikwe and Pilanesberg show that wild dog kill data for both kudu and impala are female-biased whereas lion kill data for the two ungulate species are male-biased.