Abstract
Five years of mortality data of impala Aepyceros melampus, blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus, buffalo Syncerus caffer and kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros have been used to describe the minimum mortality profiles of the respective species in an open savanna system with the full compliment of predators. Predation is the principle cause of natural mortalities on the study site, Letaba Ranch, which is adjacent to the Kruger National Park. The principle cause of impala mortality are leopards Panthera pardus and wild dogs Lycaon pictus. Lion Panthera leo were major contributors to the mortality of wildebeest and buffalo. Anthrax Bacillus anthracis was the main cause of kudu mortality.
Highlights
Predation constitutes an important feature of the biotic environments of wild ungulates (Hirst 1969) and the effect of this on small private nature reserves can lead to financial implications
To collect a large data set on the game mortalities occurring on Letaba Ranch, the rangers who patrolled the reserve on a daily basis were tasked with noting mortality data
Lion were responsible for the greater part of deaths among blue wildebeest, buffalo and kudu (Table 1)
Summary
Predation constitutes an important feature of the biotic environments of wild ungulates (Hirst 1969) and the effect of this on small private nature reserves can lead to financial implications. The availability of mortality data, expressed as a financial benefit or loss relative to tourism benefits, is an important factor in determining the sustainability of undertakings. Mortality registers updated on a weekly and annual basis is a valuable source of information during periods in which game censuses are absent. This data is a means to monitor annual mortalities effecting the adjustments of ungulate trends over time
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
