Tragelaphus strepsiceros browse during the dry season in the mopani veld of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Colophospermum mopane, commonly known as mopane, provides essential browse to the greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), especially during the dry season. This study uses analysis of rumen-contents to quantify the use of C. mopane and other plants browsed by the greater kudu in the dry season. The study was conducted at the Sandown Game Farm, Musina Local Municipality, Limpopo Province of South Africa. Rumen samples were collected from three male and two female greater kudu culled in June 2014 and statistically analysed using t-Test: Paired Two Sample for Means and Pearson Correlation Coefficient analysis. Findings show that C. mopane contributed the most (47%) to the diet of the greater kudu during the dry season. Other important browse plants were Dichrostachys cineria (30%), Commiphora edulis (12%), Grewia bicolor (6%) and Combretum apiculatum (5%), with the contribution of T. prunioides and G. flava to the diet being insignificant. The plant parts mostly browsed were leaves, which contributed 75% to the diet. The remaining 25% of the diet consisted of pods and seeds. Gender differences in diet selection were observed. The diet of the female greater kudu consisted mainly of C. mopane (71%) and D. cineria (22%). The diets of the male greater kudu contained less C. mopane (33%), similar proportions of D. cineria (31%) and other browse species. Implications for the management and conservation of the greater kudu in the mopani veld are discussed.