Abstract
The Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is a threatened species, central to the tourism appeal of private game reserves in South Africa. Privately owned reserves in South Africa tend to be smaller than government run reserves such as Kruger National Park. Because of their relatively small size and the often heterogeneous nature of the landscape private game reserve managers benefit from detailed knowledge of white rhinoceros terrain selection preferences, which can be assessed from their ranging behaviours. We collected adult and sub-adult white rhinoceros distribution data over a 15 month period, calculating individual range size using kernel density estimation analysis within a GIS. From this, terrain selectivity was calculated using 50% and 95% kernels to extract terrain composition values. Jacob’s correction of the Ivlev’s selectivity index was subsequently applied to the terrain composition of each individual to identify trends in selectivity. Results reveal that adult males hold exclusive territories considerably smaller than those found in previous work conducted in “open” or large reserves. Similarly, results for the size of male versus female territories were also not in keeping with those from previous field studies, with males, rather than females, having the larger territory requirement. Terrain selection for both genders and age classes (adult and sub-adult) showed a strong preference for open grassland and avoidance of hill slope and riparian terrains. This research reveals white rhinoceros terrain selection preferences and how they influence range requirements in small, closed reserves. We conclude that this knowledge will be valuable in future white rhinoceros conservation management in small private game reserves, particularly in decisions surrounding removal of surplus individuals or augmentation of existing populations, calculation of reserve carrying capacity and future private reserve acquisition.
Highlights
Private game reserves in South Africa are becoming increasingly integral to the maintenance and enhancement of its biodiversity
It has long been recognised that the majority of wild animals develop a gender-specific home range, usually in relation to age [4], and that the ranging behaviour and patterns that result are a consequence of individuals utilising locations in ways which benefit them [5]
Female 95% kernel sizes sit between from adult males (F males) and E males
Summary
Private game reserves in South Africa are becoming increasingly integral to the maintenance and enhancement of its biodiversity. Among the largest state run reserves are the Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park which cover 19,485 km 591 km2 respectively [1], while 123km is stated by Sims-Castley et al, [2] as the average size for private game reserves in the Eastern Cape. We can consider home range as non-random use of space that brings the animal back to the same areas repeatedly [5] Access to these locations is driven by a number of factors, including the distribution of key resources (food, water, and shelter), travel costs within the overall range (influence of terrain and other environmental features) and seasonality and defence costs (access to mating opportunities). Access to home ranges and the resources they provide, are a complex mix of social, gender and environmental cues [5]
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