Queen Elizabeth National Park Research Articles

The distribution and abundance of marabou storks in Uganda*

SummaryA series of censuses throughout Uganda showed that the population of marabou storks between 1970 and 1972 was of the order of 4000–5000 of which the majority were usually in Ruwenzori (formerly Queen Elizabeth) National Park. There were at least twenty breeding colonies totalling some 1300 nests.Marabous have two main types of food. Firstly, there is what might be termed ‘natural food’, such as insects and amphibia, and the poachings from carcasses. This is assumed to have been the only kind of food available to marabous until comparatively recently. The other type is food obtained as a consequence of human activity. In Uganda, the second category is now far more important than the first.The numbers of marabous at three sites are considered in relation to their food supply, and in each case it appeared that there was usually an excess of food. Against this background, consideration is given to those factors which might be limiting to the rate of increase of this species.Marabous have obviously benefited from human activity and have no doubt increased greatly in numbers as a result. Moreover, they are probably still increasing, and it appears likely that they will continue to do so.

A test of the counting of elephants from the air

SummaryAerial counts of elephants made three times a day over the same region tended to be consistent if due allowance is made for observed movements to and from the area. There was little difference between observers when two were present. Ground counts made on the same day as the aerial counts tended to return lower totals, due probably to elephants in dense vegetation being hidden from the ground observer but visible from the air. It is concluded that aerial survey is the most efficient way of counting elephants, at least in the Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Parasites of the marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus (Lesson)) in Queen Elizabeth National Park*, Uganda

Parasites of the marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus (Lesson)) in Queen Elizabeth National Park*, Uganda

Trypanosomes from game animals of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Uganda.

An examination of blood samples from72 animals shot or immobilised in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Uganda, has revealed that some species are infected with trypanosomes. An overall infection rate of11 per cent was established from the results of thick blood film examination and mouse inoculation.

NIGHT COUNTS OF HARES AND OTHER ANIMALS IN EAST AFRICA

SummaryNight counts of hares and other animals were made on a disused airstrip in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda and on the road between Magadi and Nairobi in Kenya. Lepus crawshayi is the only species of hare which occurs in the Queen Elizabeth Park but L. capensis is also found in Kenya. No regular seasonal fluctuations were found in the number of hares recorded due probably to the continuous breeding of these equatorial species. The number of waterbuck seen in Uganda on moonlit nights was significantly greater than that counted on dark nights. This is not thought to be due to better viewing conditions under a full moon since the phenomenon was not found with other species. The number of hares recorded varied inversely with the number of other mammals present but bore no relationship with the number of birds. It is concluded that night counts can be useful in revealing population trends but not for assessing total numbers or for comparing densities in different areas.

THE EFFECT OF COMPLETE REMOVAL OF HIPPOPOTAMUS ON GRASSLAND IN THE QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK, UGANDA

SummaryCoincident with the shooting out of hippopotamus in May 1958 20 permanent 30.46 m line intercept transects were established on the denuded grassland of the Mweya Peninsula, Queen Elizabeth National Park, western Uganda, to assess botanical changes in basal cover, species composition and frequency. Between May 1958 and May 1959, grass basal cover (GBC) decreased from 14.7% to 5.3% and bare ground increased from 78.3% to 83.6%. After four years total ground cover was 10.9% GBC, 27.2% litter, 1.3% dicotyledons and 60.6% bare ground.Changes occurred in grass species composition. The perennial carpet grass, Chrysochloa orientalis, declined from 37.7% GBC (transect frequency 100%) to 6.6% (87%) by May 1962. Bunch grasses showed marked recovery: Sporobolus pyramidalis increased from 8.0% GBC (60%) to 27.6% (100% frequency). Cynodon dactylon, initially prominent in two lakeside transects only, declined from 9.2% GBC to 2.1%, then became re‐established in inland localities and recovered to 11.7% GBC.The variable rainfall (714 mm annual average) and its influence on plant growth is discussed and the advantage of mechanically increasing effective rainfall mentioned. Authorities for plant names are given in Table 3.

ELEPHANT ECOLOGY IN THE QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK, UGANDA

Summary1. Aerial and ground counts in the Queen Elizabeth National Park from 1963 to 1969 indicate that the number of elephants has more than doubled. The increase appears to be the result of immigration rather than reproduction.2. Elephant food habits were studied for 10 months in two areas of the Park. In the short‐grass/thicket area, browse intake rose markedly whenever the rainfall fell below 50 mm/month. In the tall‐grass area without thicket, herbs were eaten frequently during the rains and Cymbopogon grass bases in the dry season.3. Food availability had an important influence on the diet of elephants. Sometimes, however, elephant were very selective, e.g. for Panicum maximum, Azima tetracantha, Securinega virosa, and Tribulus terrestris. Certain grass inflorescences were selected during the rains, and bases in the dry season.4. Most browse was consumed in the thicket area during the dry season and most grass was eaten in the tall‐grass area of the Park.5. Stomach and faecal samples gave a similar result and indicated that the diet in the tall‐grass area was comparable to that of elephant in Murchison Falls National Park.6. Analyses of important plant species showed that, in general, tall‐grass had a lower crude protein content than short‐grass, herbs and browse. Browse leaves had a relatively high crude‐protein content in the dry season. Differences were less marked in the rains.7. Ether extract, or fat content, was high in browse leaves and in Cymbopogon, in particular its bases. These may have been selected in the dry season for this reason.8. Grass and browse stems were very fibrous and this may have contributed to their being avoided.9. High carbohydrate levels probably enhanced the palatability of grass bases and browse leaves.10. Grasses were very siliceous, in particular their bases when contaminated with soil. Elephant took considerable trouble to remove soil. Browse leaves had little silica but were rich in other minerals, and this may have contributed to their greater palatability.11. Studies of woodland dynamics show a decline in large trees which corresponds to the increase in elephants. In some cases trees have been almost eliminated. Damage to trees indicates that a most important factor in their decline is the elephant. There is some evidence that the trees are eliminated selectively.12. In the tall‐grass area there has been an increase of 46.3% in elephant numbers, but a decline of 80.3 % in buffalo, over the past 15 years. An overall decline in combined biomass of 36.9 % is calculated. Estimates of energy utilization of the annual vegetation production by elephant and buffalo indicates a decline from 6.1 % to 3.9% over this period.

The lesser flamingo in Western Uganda

African Journal of EcologyVolume 8, Issue 1 p. 201-201 The lesser flamingo in Western Uganda N. A. Din, N. A. Din Uganda National Parks and Nuffield Unit of Tropical Animal Ecology, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Katwe, UgandaSearch for more papers by this authorS. K. Eltringham, S. K. Eltringham Uganda National Parks and Nuffield Unit of Tropical Animal Ecology, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Katwe, UgandaSearch for more papers by this author N. A. Din, N. A. Din Uganda National Parks and Nuffield Unit of Tropical Animal Ecology, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Katwe, UgandaSearch for more papers by this authorS. K. Eltringham, S. K. Eltringham Uganda National Parks and Nuffield Unit of Tropical Animal Ecology, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Katwe, UgandaSearch for more papers by this author First published: August 1970 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2028.1970.tb00842.xCitations: 2AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume8, Issue1August 1970Pages 201-201 RelatedInformation

The Distribution of the Larger Herbivores in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

The Nuffield Unit of Tropical Animal Ecology was set up to study tropical animals in relation to their environment. The initial studies were aimed at establishing the population densities of large mammals and their interactions with the environment, especially vegetation, climate and soils, and with other animals. At an early stage of the research programme a series of study areas was selected, with a view to obtaining regular quantitative information on the numbers, densities, distribution and population structure of the larger animals, and to relate this information to data on the vegetation and other environmental factors. Preliminary observations had shown that the overall distribution of mammals in the Park was uneven and locally showed considerable heterogeneity in different vegetation types both in absolute numbers and relative to other species. Twelve easily accessible study areas were chosen which were considered to be generally representative of the varied grassland ecosystems of the Queen Elizabeth Park, as regards different animal associations, vegetation communities, standing water and varied distance from the lakes and the Kazinga Channel; an additional study area was sampled for 1 year only. Monthly counts of animals began in March 1963 and continued to Macrh 1967. The species involved were elephant (Loxodonta africana Blumenbach), hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius Linn.), warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus Pallas), buffalo (Syncerus caffer Sparrman), Uganda kob (Adenota kob Neumann), waterbuck (Kobus defassa Ruppell), reedbuck (Redunca redunca Pallas), bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas) and topi (Damaliscus korrigum Ogilby). It was also intended to relate expected changes in the densities of grazing animals to changes in the number of hippopotamus induced by management cropping in some of the study areas. Management cropping involved shooting and utilization of the carcases and is referred to below as 'cropping'. Owing to our limited resources and the demands of other programmes it was not possible to determine primary productivity or standing crop of plants, and the vegetation survey was limited to mapping the distribution of plant communities in the study areas. The results from ten of the thirteen study areas, in which similar counting techniques could be applied, are presented. Scientific names follow Ellerman, Morrison-Scott & Hayman (1953),l Harker & Napper (1960) and Dale & Greenway (1961).

A Study of the Feeding Habits of the Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus AmphibiusLinn.) in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, With Some Management Implications

(1970). A Study of the Feeding Habits of the Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus Amphibius Linn.) in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, With Some Management Implications. Zoologica Africana: Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 71-86.

Water relations of the waterbuck, an East African antelope.

ARTICLESWater relations of the waterbuck, an East African antelopeCR Taylor, CA Spinage, and CP LymanCR Taylor, CA Spinage, and CP LymanPublished Online:01 Aug 1969https://doi.org/10.1152/ajplegacy.1969.217.2.630MoreSectionsPDF (1 MB)Download PDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesGet permissionsTrack citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInWeChat Previous Back to Top Download PDF FiguresReferencesRelatedInformation Cited ByComparing walking and running in persistence huntingJournal of Human Evolution, Vol. 172Population Ecology and Possible Threats to Defassa Waterbuck (Kobus Ellipsiprymnus Defassa) in the Nechsar National Park, EthiopiaInternational Journal of Zoology, Vol. 2022Seasonality and Oldowan behavioral variability in East AfricaJournal of Human Evolution, Vol. 164Intake, digestibility, water balance, ruminal dynamics, and blood parameters in sheep fed diets containing extra-fat whole corn germAnimal Feed Science and Technology, Vol. 285Ecological and behavioral mechanisms of density‐dependent habitat expansion in a recovering African ungulate population23 August 2021 | Ecological Monographs, Vol. 91, No. 4Fermentation profile and nutritional quality of silages composed of cactus pear and maniçoba for goat feeding6 August 2020 | The Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 158, No. 4Impact of water restriction periods on carcass traits and meat quality of feedlot lambs in the Brazilian semi-arid regionMeat Science, Vol. 156Comparative analyses of basal rate of metabolism in mammals: data selection does matter27 July 2017 | Biological Reviews, Vol. 93, No. 1Missing in action: Species competition is a neglected predictor variable in species distribution modelling14 July 2017 | PLOS ONE, Vol. 12, No. 7The influence of thermal tolerances on geographical ranges of endotherms24 March 2017 | Global Ecology and Biogeography, Vol. 26, No. 6Climate influences thermal balance and water use in African and Asian elephants: physiology can predict drivers of elephant distribution10 July 2013 | Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol. 216, No. 15Stable Carbon Isotope Analysis of the Diets of West African Bovids in Pendjari Biosphere Reserve, Northern BeninSouth African Journal of Wildlife Research, Vol. 43, No. 1Bulk and intra-tooth enamel stable isotopes of waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus from Queen Elizabeth National Park, UgandaAfrican Journal of Ecology, Vol. 46, No. 4Hybridization between subspecies of waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) in zones of overlap with limited introgression14 August 2006 | Molecular Ecology, Vol. 15, No. 12Mechanisms of Thermoregulation and Water Balance in Desert UngulatesWildlife Society Bulletin, Vol. 34, No. 3Cover, food, competitorsandindividual densities within bushbuckTragelaphus scriptus female clan home rangesActa Theriologica, Vol. 51, No. 3Water balance in goats subjected to feed restrictionSmall Ruminant Research, Vol. 63, No. 1-2Seasonal variation in energy expenditure, water flux and food consumption of Arabian oryx Oryx leucoryxJournal of Experimental Biology, Vol. 204, No. 13Dependency of surface temperature regulation on body size in terrestrial mammalsJournal of Thermal Biology, Vol. 20, No. 3Dimensions of the intestine, diet and faecal water loss in some African antelopeJournal of Zoology, Vol. 229, No. 3Food habits and the basal rate of metabolism in birdsOecologia, Vol. 77, No. 3Some effects of water deprivation on dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas) in the SudanComparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, Vol. 90, No. 2Physiology of the dik-dik antelopeComparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, Vol. 91, No. 1On the relation between basal and maximum metabolic rate in mammalsComparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, Vol. 87, No. 1Basal metabolic rates in mammals: Taxonomic differences in the allometry of BMR and body massComparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, Vol. 81, No. 4Seasonal influences and the kidney fat index in two equatorial African ungulatesAfrican Journal of Ecology, Vol. 22, No. 3Relationship among body mass, metabolic rate and the intrinsic rate of natural increase in mammalsOecologia, Vol. 56, No. 1Condition and mortality of waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) in the Umfolozi Game ReserveAfrican Journal of Ecology, Vol. 20, No. 2Factors Influencing the Consumption of Plant Products by Large HerbivoresReferencesMammalsThe comparative energetics of neotropical marsupialsJournal of Comparative Physiology B, Vol. 125, No. 2Utilization of waterholes in Tsavo National Park (East)African Journal of Ecology, Vol. 13, No. 3-4The Nuffield Unit of Tropical Animal Ecology (1961–1971)20 August 2009 | Journal of Zoology, Vol. 173, No. 4The water metabolism of a small East African antelope: the dik-dik1 January 1997 | Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences, Vol. 184, No. 1075Water metabolism of East African ruminants in arid and semi-arid regions126 April 2010 | Zeitschrift für Tierzüchtung und Züchtungsbiologie, Vol. 90, No. 1-4A comparative study of transepidermal water loss through the skin of various animalsComparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, Vol. 43, No. 4A BIBLIOGRAPHY RELATING TO THE ECOLOGY AND ENERGETICS OF EAST AFRICAN LARGE MAMMALSAfrican Journal of Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 1UNGULATES More from this issue > Volume 217Issue 2August 1969Pages 630-634 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1969 by American Physiological Societyhttps://doi.org/10.1152/ajplegacy.1969.217.2.630PubMed5799396History Published online 1 August 1969 Published in print 1 August 1969 Metrics

Ticks from waterbuck and warthog in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Ticks from waterbuck and warthog in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Some Diseases of the Hippopotamus in Uganda

Sixty wild hippopotami killed at random on Lake Edward, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda were autopsied. Schistosomal hepatitis and its complications, biliary coccidiosis, and fascioliasis were the most significant findings. These diseases may be of ecologic importance. A case of congenital bronchiectasis and one of bilateral pheochromocytoma were found. A tumor-like mass, possibly of viral origin, was found in a thyroid. Arteriosclerosis, a mild disease in hippopotami, with fibromuscular medial plaques, progresses throughout life. It produces no significant morbidity. Endocarditis, particularly in the right chambers, occurs frequently, apparently caused by schistosomiasis. Similarities to endemic endomyocardial fibrosis of man, particularly geographic distribution, site of lesion, and, to a lesser extent, structure of lesion, are discussed.

Change in Population Number and Reproductive Rate of Elephants in Uganda

Four aerial counts of elephants (Loxodonta africana) on a 1,500-square-mile area, including the southern two-thirds of Murchison Falls National Park and vicinity, Uganda, were made from July, 1963, to May, 1964. The average number of 6,750 elephants was about 1,000 below the average counted in the same area in 1958-59. An unusually long dry season between mid-June and early November, 1963, caused an early movement of elephants from the grasslands of the study area to the woodlands outside. With the onset of rains in late November, elephants began moving back to the study area. They continued this movement into the December-March Dry Season, concentrating near streams and in unburned woodlands of green vegetation. During the March-May Rainy Season major migrations occurred. The highest count was enumerated at this time and elephants were widely distributed. On two adjacent areas to the north (Tangi-Karuma area and the Elephant Sanctuary) three aerial counts indicated similar distributions and seasonal movements. However, data from four aerial counts in 767square-mile Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwestern Uganda showed different seasonal distributions and movements: 1,758 elephants in the June-August Dry Season, 1,329 in the August-November Rainy Season, a further decline to 1,295 in the December-March Dry Season, and an increase to 2,222 in the March-May Rainy Season. Annual increment varied inversely with population density. The highest increment (8-9 percent) was in Q. E. Park where the average density was 2.2 elephants/square mile and restrictions on migrations are minor. The next highest annual increment (7-7.5 percent) was on the combined Tangi-Karuma area and the Elephant Sanctuary, north of the 1,500-square-mile study area. Here the average density was 2.8 elephants/square mile and migrations have not been appreciably restricted. The lowest annual increment (6-6.5 percent) was obtained on the 1,500-mile study area where density averaged 4.5 elephants/square mile. It is here that drastic changes have occurred to distribution of elephants, and serious restrictions have been imposed on their migratory behavior. Results of 12 aerial counts of elephants, conducted between January, 1957, and August, 1959, on a study area which included the southern two-thirds of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda, were reported by Buechner et al. (1963). In the present report, results of four aerial counts on the same area, conducted between July, 1963, and May, 1964, are presented primarily to show the changes that have occurred in number and annual increment of elephants during the past 5 years. We also conducted aerial counts north of this study area and in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, for comparative information on numbers, annual increment, seasonal distribution, and migratory behavior of elephants. We hope that this information, by emphasizing the deleterious effects of an excessively dense population, will provide a basis for better management of elephants in these and similar areas of East Africa. Definitions of the terms family unit and herd follow those given by Buss and Smith (1966:376). The term group refers to any coordinated assemblage of elephants not identified as belonging to a more specific category. A concentration is defined here as a loose and uncoordinated assemblage of elephants occurring as singles or any combination of categories. We are grateful to the New York Zoological Society for providing funds to conduct most of the aerial counts. The Uganda National Parks and the Uganda Game Department contributed supplementary funds that allowed us to include the northern areas (Tangi-Karuma and the Elephant Sanctu-

Population Densities and the Range-Carrying Capacity for Large Mammals in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

(1965). Population Densities and the Range-Carrying Capacity for Large Mammals in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. Zoologica Africana: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 209-225.

SCHISTOSOMES FROM HIPPOPOTAMUS AMPHIBIUS L. II. THE MORPHOLOGY OF SCHISTOSOMA EDWARDIENSE SP. NOV.

The morphology of the adult blood flukeSchistosoma edwardiensesp.nov. fromHippopotamus amphibiusL. is described and compared with that of other species ofSchistosoma.I wish to acknowledge the receipt of a research grant from Makerere University College towards expenses incurred during this work. I should like to thank Captain F. Poppleton, Warden of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Dr R. M. Laws, Nuffield Unit for Tropical Animal Ecology, and Dr W. M. Longhurst, University of California, for helping me to get specimens from the hippopotami, also Mr L. Rugema, histologist, for sectioning the worms.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: Uganda The Hippopotamus Problem and Experiment

The Queen Elizabeth National Park includes more than half the Uganda coastline of the great lakes Edward and George, as well as the 20-mile-long Kazinga Channel which connects the two. Large schools of hippo are present throughout the length of this coast, and they graze inland each night to a steadily increasing degree. The land area of the park is some 760 square miles, of which at the most 400 can be utilized by the hippo. A careful and conservative estimate gives the population of these animals at not less than 14,000, so that each is restricted to a maximum of 16 acres of grazing. In fact, of course, the hippos graze as near as possible to the waters in which they spend the day, making the actual concentration near the lake shore much higher than this. And there is a large number of other grass-eating animals competing for the same grazing: buffalo, kob, waterbuck and other ungulates as well as elephants, all in large numbers. These, however, are not tied to one particular habitat as are the hippos, and are therefore less likely to be the cause of the overgrazing and beginnings of erosion which are evident.