The non-invasive nature of faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) assessment means that sample collection is on an opportunistic basis and samples cannot always be collected immediately upon defection during field studies. Faeces that have been exposed to heat and moisturemay not accurately reflect levels of FGM. Our study exposed male (n = 3) and female (n = 3) Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi) faeces to six environmental conditions to simulate a range of weather and seasonal patterns (temperate climate, high heat, high heat and rainfall, temperate climate and rainfall, high heat/temperate climate and freeze/thaw) over a period of five days. FGMs were quantified using an enzyme linked immunoassay. Results showed that environmental conditions do impact upon FGM levels over time, particularly in conditions that include high heat; however, regardless of environmental exposure, metabolites remain similar to baseline levels for up to 8 h. We recommend that the investigation of environmental factors on sample integrity should be carried out as a validatory step when planning studies involving FGM analysis in any species.
{"title":"Environmental Impact on Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Concentrations in Grevy's Zebra (Equus grevyi)","authors":"K. Yarnell, S. Walker","doi":"10.3957/056.047.0138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3957/056.047.0138","url":null,"abstract":"The non-invasive nature of faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) assessment means that sample collection is on an opportunistic basis and samples cannot always be collected immediately upon defection during field studies. Faeces that have been exposed to heat and moisturemay not accurately reflect levels of FGM. Our study exposed male (n = 3) and female (n = 3) Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi) faeces to six environmental conditions to simulate a range of weather and seasonal patterns (temperate climate, high heat, high heat and rainfall, temperate climate and rainfall, high heat/temperate climate and freeze/thaw) over a period of five days. FGMs were quantified using an enzyme linked immunoassay. Results showed that environmental conditions do impact upon FGM levels over time, particularly in conditions that include high heat; however, regardless of environmental exposure, metabolites remain similar to baseline levels for up to 8 h. We recommend that the investigation of environmental factors on sample integrity should be carried out as a validatory step when planning studies involving FGM analysis in any species.","PeriodicalId":49492,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Wildlife Research","volume":"47 1","pages":"138 - 143"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3957/056.047.0138","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48865614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
T. J. Kerr, C. Matthee, S. Matthee, D. Govender, S. Engelbrecht
To obtain more insights into the prevalence and diversity of species-specific Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) strains in naturally occurring felid species, 26 leopards (Panthera pardus) from the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa, were sampled. Prevalence was determined using a PCR protocol designed to target a 577 bp fragment in the pol-RT gene. Overall prevalence of FIVPpa was estimated at 73%, with no difference in prevalence between male and female leopards. Consistent with previous FIV studies on other felid species, prevalence appears to increase with age (adult = 84%; subadult = 43%). Phylogenetic analyses of these novel sequences were conducted against a revised FIV pol-RT species-specific reference dataset using both Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods. Within FIVPpa two distinct evolutionary groupings are present, which suggests the possibility of geographic variation within FIVPpa and the possibility of distinct subtypes, similar to what has been found in lions (Panthera leo) and domestic cats (Felis catus). The larger FIVPpa dataset provides newinsights into the epidemiology of this under-studied FIV strain and with such high prevalence rates, further studies should focus on immunological and clinical consequences of FIV in wild felids.
{"title":"Evaluating the Diversity of the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): A Leopard Perspective","authors":"T. J. Kerr, C. Matthee, S. Matthee, D. Govender, S. Engelbrecht","doi":"10.3957/056.047.0092","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3957/056.047.0092","url":null,"abstract":"To obtain more insights into the prevalence and diversity of species-specific Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) strains in naturally occurring felid species, 26 leopards (Panthera pardus) from the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa, were sampled. Prevalence was determined using a PCR protocol designed to target a 577 bp fragment in the pol-RT gene. Overall prevalence of FIVPpa was estimated at 73%, with no difference in prevalence between male and female leopards. Consistent with previous FIV studies on other felid species, prevalence appears to increase with age (adult = 84%; subadult = 43%). Phylogenetic analyses of these novel sequences were conducted against a revised FIV pol-RT species-specific reference dataset using both Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods. Within FIVPpa two distinct evolutionary groupings are present, which suggests the possibility of geographic variation within FIVPpa and the possibility of distinct subtypes, similar to what has been found in lions (Panthera leo) and domestic cats (Felis catus). The larger FIVPpa dataset provides newinsights into the epidemiology of this under-studied FIV strain and with such high prevalence rates, further studies should focus on immunological and clinical consequences of FIV in wild felids.","PeriodicalId":49492,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Wildlife Research","volume":"47 1","pages":"105 - 92"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3957/056.047.0092","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49226896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Torrents-Ticó, L. Rich, J. Mcnutt, Mpho Nthomiwa, Motimedi Mothala, G. Motsamai, N. Jordan
A diverse range of techniques have been used to survey mammals. Spoor counts and camera trapping are increasingly common survey tools used to detect the presence of species of interest in an area (occupancy). Given the significant time and financial investments in such surveys, and the management decisions based on their conclusions, it is imperative that confidence can be assigned to the results. It is therefore important to increase our understanding of the accuracy and constraints of each technique to allow managers and researchers to select the most suitable method for each situation. Here we compare results collected simultaneously using spoor and camera-trap surveys at a human—wildlife interface in northern Botswana. While our spoor survey and camera-trap surveys detected a similar number of mammal species (17 and 15, respectively), the species detected by each method differed. Of the 21 species detected overall, only about half (52.4%) were detected by both methods, and these co-detected species had significantly higher occupancy estimates than those species detected by only one method. Moreover, the direct comparison showed that some tracks were missed or misidentified by the spoor survey. Our results suggest that over short time frames, neither method is ideal for detecting species at low densities, and that researchers should consider combining multiple methods in such circumstances.
{"title":"On the Right Track? Comparing Concurrent Spoor and Camera-Trap Surveys in Botswana","authors":"M. Torrents-Ticó, L. Rich, J. Mcnutt, Mpho Nthomiwa, Motimedi Mothala, G. Motsamai, N. Jordan","doi":"10.3957/056.047.0128","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3957/056.047.0128","url":null,"abstract":"A diverse range of techniques have been used to survey mammals. Spoor counts and camera trapping are increasingly common survey tools used to detect the presence of species of interest in an area (occupancy). Given the significant time and financial investments in such surveys, and the management decisions based on their conclusions, it is imperative that confidence can be assigned to the results. It is therefore important to increase our understanding of the accuracy and constraints of each technique to allow managers and researchers to select the most suitable method for each situation. Here we compare results collected simultaneously using spoor and camera-trap surveys at a human—wildlife interface in northern Botswana. While our spoor survey and camera-trap surveys detected a similar number of mammal species (17 and 15, respectively), the species detected by each method differed. Of the 21 species detected overall, only about half (52.4%) were detected by both methods, and these co-detected species had significantly higher occupancy estimates than those species detected by only one method. Moreover, the direct comparison showed that some tracks were missed or misidentified by the spoor survey. Our results suggest that over short time frames, neither method is ideal for detecting species at low densities, and that researchers should consider combining multiple methods in such circumstances.","PeriodicalId":49492,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Wildlife Research","volume":"47 1","pages":"128 - 137"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3957/056.047.0128","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45799498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P. Novellie, Coral Birss, C. Cowell, G. Kerley, D. Peinke, M. Pfab, Jeanetta A. Selier, D. Zimmermann
Adaptive governance and network governance theory provide a useful conceptual framework to guide the conservation of threatened species in complex multi-actor, multijurisdictional social ecological systems. We use principles from this theory to assess strengths and weaknesses in (1) national legislation, and (2) the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Regulations applicable to the conservation of the Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) (CMZ) in South Africa. A legislated conservation tool, Biodiversity Management Plans for Species (BMP-S), establishes a collaborative network of role players and facilitates the important principles of collaborative learning and adaptation. Effective governance of this network is critical to success, but challenging because of a mandate gap and limited capacity in government to provide essential network-level competencies. National regulations governing human use of CMZ (Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations) accords with the principles of (1) being developed in consultation with stakeholders and (2) open to revision and adaptation. CITES Regulations also provide adequately for adaptation. Poor alignment of regulations between different regulatory authorities in South Africa and limited capacity for implementation of regulations seriously constrain learning and adaptation.
{"title":"Adaptive Governance of Cape Mountain Zebra, Can It Work?","authors":"P. Novellie, Coral Birss, C. Cowell, G. Kerley, D. Peinke, M. Pfab, Jeanetta A. Selier, D. Zimmermann","doi":"10.3957/056.047.0079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3957/056.047.0079","url":null,"abstract":"Adaptive governance and network governance theory provide a useful conceptual framework to guide the conservation of threatened species in complex multi-actor, multijurisdictional social ecological systems. We use principles from this theory to assess strengths and weaknesses in (1) national legislation, and (2) the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Regulations applicable to the conservation of the Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) (CMZ) in South Africa. A legislated conservation tool, Biodiversity Management Plans for Species (BMP-S), establishes a collaborative network of role players and facilitates the important principles of collaborative learning and adaptation. Effective governance of this network is critical to success, but challenging because of a mandate gap and limited capacity in government to provide essential network-level competencies. National regulations governing human use of CMZ (Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations) accords with the principles of (1) being developed in consultation with stakeholders and (2) open to revision and adaptation. CITES Regulations also provide adequately for adaptation. Poor alignment of regulations between different regulatory authorities in South Africa and limited capacity for implementation of regulations seriously constrain learning and adaptation.","PeriodicalId":49492,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Wildlife Research","volume":"47 1","pages":"79 - 91"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3957/056.047.0079","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42629311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
INTRODUCTION The White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus; WbV) is critically endangered (BirdLife International 2017) and has declined by up to 90% across parts of its range over the last 30 years (Ogada et al. 2016). It is a tree-nesting species that tends to congregate in groups for breeding (Mundy, Butchart, Ledger & Piper 1992) and aerial surveys of these breeding areas offer a reliable and repeatable means of assessing local population changes (Howells & Hustler 1984) that can complement results from road transect surveys (Herremans & Herremans-Tonnoeyr 2000). Near Kimberley in central South Africa, breeding WbVs have been at least partially monitored since the 1960s (Forrester 1967). The only aerial survey of this population in 2001 yielded an estimated breeding population of 240 pairs (Murn, Anderson & Anthony 2002) across six colonies. The 2001 estimate was more than double the previous estimate of 110 pairs (Anderson & Maritz 1997); at that time, the breeding colonies at Kimberley represented nearly 7% of the national population estimate of 3500 pairs (Anderson 2000). Since 2001, however, the population status of all the breeding colonies of WbVs near Kimberley is unknown. There are no published studies that describe trends longer than 10 years for WbV populations in South Africa. Numbers of breeding WbVs appear to have declined in some areas (Murn et al. 2013) but increased in others (Hitchins 1980; Bamford et al. 2009). Thus, there is a need for long-term (>10 years) data to assess population trends of endangered vultures. Here we present results from aerial surveys of the WbV breeding colonies at Kimberley in 2014 and compare the results to those from 2001.
{"title":"The Changing Sizes of Critically Endangered White-Backed Vulture Breeding Colonies Around Kimberley, South Africa","authors":"C. Murn, A. Botha, B. Wilson","doi":"10.3957/056.047.0144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3957/056.047.0144","url":null,"abstract":"INTRODUCTION The White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus; WbV) is critically endangered (BirdLife International 2017) and has declined by up to 90% across parts of its range over the last 30 years (Ogada et al. 2016). It is a tree-nesting species that tends to congregate in groups for breeding (Mundy, Butchart, Ledger & Piper 1992) and aerial surveys of these breeding areas offer a reliable and repeatable means of assessing local population changes (Howells & Hustler 1984) that can complement results from road transect surveys (Herremans & Herremans-Tonnoeyr 2000). Near Kimberley in central South Africa, breeding WbVs have been at least partially monitored since the 1960s (Forrester 1967). The only aerial survey of this population in 2001 yielded an estimated breeding population of 240 pairs (Murn, Anderson & Anthony 2002) across six colonies. The 2001 estimate was more than double the previous estimate of 110 pairs (Anderson & Maritz 1997); at that time, the breeding colonies at Kimberley represented nearly 7% of the national population estimate of 3500 pairs (Anderson 2000). Since 2001, however, the population status of all the breeding colonies of WbVs near Kimberley is unknown. There are no published studies that describe trends longer than 10 years for WbV populations in South Africa. Numbers of breeding WbVs appear to have declined in some areas (Murn et al. 2013) but increased in others (Hitchins 1980; Bamford et al. 2009). Thus, there is a need for long-term (>10 years) data to assess population trends of endangered vultures. Here we present results from aerial surveys of the WbV breeding colonies at Kimberley in 2014 and compare the results to those from 2001.","PeriodicalId":49492,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Wildlife Research","volume":"47 1","pages":"144 - 148"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3957/056.047.0144","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49568351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D. Dalton, D. Zimmermann, Clearance Mnisi, Megan Taplin, P. Novellie, Halzska Hrabar, A. Kotzé
Historically, Cape mountain zebras (Equus zebra zebra) were widely distributed along mountain ranges in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa (Boshoff, Landman & Kerley, 2015). By the 1930s, excessive hunting and habitat loss resulted in a reduction in Cape mountain zebra numbers with populations being confined to only five localities. Two of these subpopulations subsequently became extinct. Three relic populations currently exist; the population in the Cradock district,was formally protected in 1937 by the proclamation of the Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP; Lloyd 1984). The two other populations in the Kammanassie and Gamka Mountains, have been protected since 1923 and 1971, respectively. Cape mountain zebra numbers increased steadily from their critical status of fewer than 80 individuals in the 1950s, to an estimated minimum of 4791 individuals by 2015 (Hrabar & Kerley, 2015). Plains zebra (Equus quagga burchelli) were subsequently introduced, in sympatry with Cape mountain zebra into four formally protected areas, including the MZNP in 1999 and Karoo National Park in 1998. Until recently no cases of hybridization between plains zebra and Cape mountain zebra were known. Hybridization was not of great concern as a threat to Cape mountain zebra populations as fertile hybrids were thought to be unlikely, due to the relatively large difference in the number of chromosomal pairs between the two species (44 versus 32 in plains zebra and Cape mountain zebra, respectively; Ryder, Epel & Benirschke, 1978; Cordingley et al., 2009; Hrabar & Kerley, 2013). By 2013, the plains zebra population had increased substantially in the MZNP (estimated at 769 Cape mountain zebra and 124 plains zebra by aerial census (unpublished aerial census data, 2013) and were potentially competing with Cape mountain zebra for resources. A decision was thus taken to remove the plains zebra. This intervention resulted in a disruption in the social structure, and some of the small, fragmented groups or plains zebra individuals joined Cape mountain zebra herds. In addition, conservation officials observed ‘Cape mountain zebra’ with plains zebra characteristics. These included slight shadow striping, stripes extending all the way down to the ventral midline of the chest and abdomen, and, although they did have the reddish muzzle of mountain zebra, they did not have the characteristic mountain zebra gridiron pattern on their rumps (Fig. 1), but rather had absent or distorted patterns on the rump. They exhibited the distinct dewlap of the Cape mountain zebra and ear shapes were similar to plains zebra. This raised concerns of possible hybridization between the two species. Here, we report on a molecular evaluation using maternal, paternal and biparental markers to identify suspected hybrid Cape mountain and plains zebra in MZNP and Karoo National Park, South Africa.
{"title":"Hiding in Plain Sight: Evidence of Hybridization between Cape Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra zebra) and Plains Zebra (Equus quagga burchelli)","authors":"D. Dalton, D. Zimmermann, Clearance Mnisi, Megan Taplin, P. Novellie, Halzska Hrabar, A. Kotzé","doi":"10.3957/056.047.0059","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3957/056.047.0059","url":null,"abstract":"Historically, Cape mountain zebras (Equus zebra zebra) were widely distributed along mountain ranges in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa (Boshoff, Landman & Kerley, 2015). By the 1930s, excessive hunting and habitat loss resulted in a reduction in Cape mountain zebra numbers with populations being confined to only five localities. Two of these subpopulations subsequently became extinct. Three relic populations currently exist; the population in the Cradock district,was formally protected in 1937 by the proclamation of the Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP; Lloyd 1984). The two other populations in the Kammanassie and Gamka Mountains, have been protected since 1923 and 1971, respectively. Cape mountain zebra numbers increased steadily from their critical status of fewer than 80 individuals in the 1950s, to an estimated minimum of 4791 individuals by 2015 (Hrabar & Kerley, 2015). Plains zebra (Equus quagga burchelli) were subsequently introduced, in sympatry with Cape mountain zebra into four formally protected areas, including the MZNP in 1999 and Karoo National Park in 1998. Until recently no cases of hybridization between plains zebra and Cape mountain zebra were known. Hybridization was not of great concern as a threat to Cape mountain zebra populations as fertile hybrids were thought to be unlikely, due to the relatively large difference in the number of chromosomal pairs between the two species (44 versus 32 in plains zebra and Cape mountain zebra, respectively; Ryder, Epel & Benirschke, 1978; Cordingley et al., 2009; Hrabar & Kerley, 2013). By 2013, the plains zebra population had increased substantially in the MZNP (estimated at 769 Cape mountain zebra and 124 plains zebra by aerial census (unpublished aerial census data, 2013) and were potentially competing with Cape mountain zebra for resources. A decision was thus taken to remove the plains zebra. This intervention resulted in a disruption in the social structure, and some of the small, fragmented groups or plains zebra individuals joined Cape mountain zebra herds. In addition, conservation officials observed ‘Cape mountain zebra’ with plains zebra characteristics. These included slight shadow striping, stripes extending all the way down to the ventral midline of the chest and abdomen, and, although they did have the reddish muzzle of mountain zebra, they did not have the characteristic mountain zebra gridiron pattern on their rumps (Fig. 1), but rather had absent or distorted patterns on the rump. They exhibited the distinct dewlap of the Cape mountain zebra and ear shapes were similar to plains zebra. This raised concerns of possible hybridization between the two species. Here, we report on a molecular evaluation using maternal, paternal and biparental markers to identify suspected hybrid Cape mountain and plains zebra in MZNP and Karoo National Park, South Africa.","PeriodicalId":49492,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Wildlife Research","volume":"47 1","pages":"59 - 64"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3957/056.047.0059","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45913480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lauren Satterfield, J. Thompson, Andrei Snyman, Luis Candelario, B. Rode, J. Carroll
Human-wildlife conflict and habitat loss are threatening carnivore populations in southern Africa, where the bulk of research focuses on large predators. However, scant research exists on medium and small carnivore (mesocarnivore) ecology. We employed hierarchical community modelling to estimate the effect of habitat on species occurrence and the effect of bait on detection probabilities for the carnivore community in the Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana. We tested sites baited with either impala (Aepyceros melampus) meat (meat sites) or cheesecloth soaked in used cooking fat (fat rag sites) against unbaited sites (control sites). Within each bait classification, we divided our sampling effort between two habitat classifications, riverine and non-riverine sites. Thirteen of 16 carnivore species inhabiting the area (81%), including 10 of 12 species of mesocarnivore (83%), were recorded. Occupancy rates were higher in riverine habitat for several species, in particular African civet (Civettictis civetta), brown hyaena (Hyaena brunnea), and large-spotted genet (Genetta tigrina), demonstrating the importance of riverine habitat, which is declining in the study region. Our results suggest that the use of bait improves detectability. Several large carnivores, including spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta), brown hyaena, and leopard (Panthera pardus), were detected at highest rates at meat sites. Many mesocarnivores, including black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) and African civet responded equally to meat and fat rag sites, with detections greater than at control sites. Notably, large-spotted genet showed highest detection rates at fat rag sites, and brown hyaena showed higher rates at fat rag sites than control sites. Our detection results indicate that spent cooking fat may be used as an effective bait alternative to meat when studying mesocarnivore communities in southern Africa, whereas meat may still be the most effective for studying large carnivore communities. Identifying effective methods of increasing detection rates will benefit carnivore survey and monitoring initiatives, especially for cryptic species.
{"title":"Estimating Occurrence and Detectability of a Carnivore Community in Eastern Botswana using Baited Camera Traps","authors":"Lauren Satterfield, J. Thompson, Andrei Snyman, Luis Candelario, B. Rode, J. Carroll","doi":"10.3957/056.047.0032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3957/056.047.0032","url":null,"abstract":"Human-wildlife conflict and habitat loss are threatening carnivore populations in southern Africa, where the bulk of research focuses on large predators. However, scant research exists on medium and small carnivore (mesocarnivore) ecology. We employed hierarchical community modelling to estimate the effect of habitat on species occurrence and the effect of bait on detection probabilities for the carnivore community in the Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana. We tested sites baited with either impala (Aepyceros melampus) meat (meat sites) or cheesecloth soaked in used cooking fat (fat rag sites) against unbaited sites (control sites). Within each bait classification, we divided our sampling effort between two habitat classifications, riverine and non-riverine sites. Thirteen of 16 carnivore species inhabiting the area (81%), including 10 of 12 species of mesocarnivore (83%), were recorded. Occupancy rates were higher in riverine habitat for several species, in particular African civet (Civettictis civetta), brown hyaena (Hyaena brunnea), and large-spotted genet (Genetta tigrina), demonstrating the importance of riverine habitat, which is declining in the study region. Our results suggest that the use of bait improves detectability. Several large carnivores, including spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta), brown hyaena, and leopard (Panthera pardus), were detected at highest rates at meat sites. Many mesocarnivores, including black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) and African civet responded equally to meat and fat rag sites, with detections greater than at control sites. Notably, large-spotted genet showed highest detection rates at fat rag sites, and brown hyaena showed higher rates at fat rag sites than control sites. Our detection results indicate that spent cooking fat may be used as an effective bait alternative to meat when studying mesocarnivore communities in southern Africa, whereas meat may still be the most effective for studying large carnivore communities. Identifying effective methods of increasing detection rates will benefit carnivore survey and monitoring initiatives, especially for cryptic species.","PeriodicalId":49492,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Wildlife Research","volume":"47 1","pages":"32 - 46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3957/056.047.0032","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41855271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tropical inland lakes harbour a variety of waterbirds and provide a wintering habitat for Palaearctic and other migratory birds. However, the importance of the lakes as a temporary site for migrant bird populations has not been adequately studied. The point count method was used to study waterbird species diversity and abundance in Lake Ashenge, in the semi-arid region of northern Ethiopia, with the main aim to underscore the lake's importance as a stop-over site for Palaearctic and other migratory birds. A total of 36 species belonging to 14 waterbird families were encountered. Fifteen of the species were resident birds, including the endemic Wattled Ibis (Bostrychia carunculata), and 14 of the species were Palaearctic migrants, including the globally Near-Threatened Ferruginous Duck (Ayithya nyroca) and Maccoa Duck (Oxyura maccoa). Significant temporal variation in diversity and abundance was observed during the study period; diversity was highest (Shannon-Wiener H′ = 1.98) in the dry season (December/January) and lowest (H′ = 1.11) in the rainy season (August/September), whereas mean abundance was highest (c. 4219 individuals) in the post-rainy season (October/November) and lowest (c. 2631 individuals) in the dry season. Increased abundance of Palaearctic species towards the dry season increased species diversity,but may have caused displacement of resident birds resulting in lower overall abundance in this season. This study provides a new distributional record for Maccoa Duck, highlights the significance of the lake for several waterbird species and calls for its protection.
{"title":"Importance of Lake Ashenge, a Small Important Bird Area in Northern Ethiopia, to Palaearctic and Other Migratory Birds","authors":"Yismaw Alemayehu, Kiros Welegerima, Y. Meheretu","doi":"10.3957/056.047.0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3957/056.047.0001","url":null,"abstract":"Tropical inland lakes harbour a variety of waterbirds and provide a wintering habitat for Palaearctic and other migratory birds. However, the importance of the lakes as a temporary site for migrant bird populations has not been adequately studied. The point count method was used to study waterbird species diversity and abundance in Lake Ashenge, in the semi-arid region of northern Ethiopia, with the main aim to underscore the lake's importance as a stop-over site for Palaearctic and other migratory birds. A total of 36 species belonging to 14 waterbird families were encountered. Fifteen of the species were resident birds, including the endemic Wattled Ibis (Bostrychia carunculata), and 14 of the species were Palaearctic migrants, including the globally Near-Threatened Ferruginous Duck (Ayithya nyroca) and Maccoa Duck (Oxyura maccoa). Significant temporal variation in diversity and abundance was observed during the study period; diversity was highest (Shannon-Wiener H′ = 1.98) in the dry season (December/January) and lowest (H′ = 1.11) in the rainy season (August/September), whereas mean abundance was highest (c. 4219 individuals) in the post-rainy season (October/November) and lowest (c. 2631 individuals) in the dry season. Increased abundance of Palaearctic species towards the dry season increased species diversity,but may have caused displacement of resident birds resulting in lower overall abundance in this season. This study provides a new distributional record for Maccoa Duck, highlights the significance of the lake for several waterbird species and calls for its protection.","PeriodicalId":49492,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Wildlife Research","volume":"47 1","pages":"1 - 9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3957/056.047.0001","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43556708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Roan D. Plotz, W. James Grecian, Graham I.H. Kerley, Wayne L. Linklater
Observer impacts on animal behaviour concern conservation managers and researchers of critically endangered species, like black rhino (Diceros bicornis). Repeated observations are sometimes necessary, but may distress and displace animals. Information from more remote observations using radio-triangulation is limited and includes larger measurement errors. We investigated the influence of observer visits on average daily displacement by 14 black rhinos in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa, and the accuracy of triangulated locations with increasing observer distance and the time to complete bearing sets. Fortnightly observer visits for 34 months that often disturbed rhino (52% of visits) had an insignificant impact on daily movements. However, increasing observer distance from rhino, and the time taken to triangulate, were both significant explanations of rhino location error. We recommend that measures to quantify and minimize observer influence become standard monitoring protocol and that bearings for radio-triangulation of black rhino locations occur from <1 km (not >2 km), and be completed within 30 minutes. Reporting measures for spatial error and observer influence permit the development of objective thresholds for data inclusion to improve radio-telemetry data and inter-study comparisons of black rhino range studies.
{"title":"Too Close and Too Far: Quantifying Black Rhino Displacement and Location Error During Research","authors":"Roan D. Plotz, W. James Grecian, Graham I.H. Kerley, Wayne L. Linklater","doi":"10.3957/056.047.0047","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3957/056.047.0047","url":null,"abstract":"Observer impacts on animal behaviour concern conservation managers and researchers of critically endangered species, like black rhino (Diceros bicornis). Repeated observations are sometimes necessary, but may distress and displace animals. Information from more remote observations using radio-triangulation is limited and includes larger measurement errors. We investigated the influence of observer visits on average daily displacement by 14 black rhinos in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa, and the accuracy of triangulated locations with increasing observer distance and the time to complete bearing sets. Fortnightly observer visits for 34 months that often disturbed rhino (52% of visits) had an insignificant impact on daily movements. However, increasing observer distance from rhino, and the time taken to triangulate, were both significant explanations of rhino location error. We recommend that measures to quantify and minimize observer influence become standard monitoring protocol and that bearings for radio-triangulation of black rhino locations occur from <1 km (not >2 km), and be completed within 30 minutes. Reporting measures for spatial error and observer influence permit the development of objective thresholds for data inclusion to improve radio-telemetry data and inter-study comparisons of black rhino range studies.","PeriodicalId":49492,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Wildlife Research","volume":"47 1","pages":"47 - 58"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3957/056.047.0047","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49319011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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