DOCSLIB.ORG

Ecology of Three Apex Predators in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ecology of Three Apex Predators in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi Ecology of three apex predators in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi By Willem Daniel Briers-Louw Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science, Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology, Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Dr Alison J. Leslie Faculty of AgriSciences Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology December 2017 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Willem Daniel Briers-Louw December 2017 Copyright © 2017 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved i Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract Apex carnivores play an important role in the ecosystem by regulating prey via predation. Anthropogenic influences have resulted in rapid range and population reductions of large carnivores across the African continent. These carnivores are often reintroduced into protected areas to compensate for human-induced losses, restore ecosystem functioning and promote eco-tourism. Majete Wildlife Reserve in Malawi is a prime example, as human persecution resulted in the extirpation of large carnivores, with the exception of a small spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta; hereafter hyena) population. As from 2003, African Parks attempted to rectify this problem by restoring and developing the reserve. Between 2011 and 2012, three lions (Panthera leo) and six leopards (Panthera pardus) were reintroduced. The aim of this study was to describe the ecology of the apex predators and to determine whether the felid reintroduction was successful or not. Lion and leopard movements and home ranges were determined using GPS collars. The reintroduction of felids was considered successful. This was based on: (1) reduced post-release movements; (2) lack of homing tendencies; (3) breeding success; and (4) population persistence. Mean home ranges of lion (380.45 ± 117.70 km2 [SE]) and leopard (495.08 ± 80.99 km2), were the largest on record for any reintroduced felid in Africa, which was likely due to a low competitor density. Thus, we expect home range sizes to decrease with an increase in conspecific density. Population abundances and densities were estimated with the use of camera traps. The known lion population increased to eleven individuals in five years, while the leopard population was estimated at 11 (range = 9–17). This indicates population persistence and growth. Both founder populations were small and require additional translocations to maintain genetic diversity. Hyena density (2.62 hyenas/100 km2) and clan size (5.33 ± 0.67) were the lowest estimates in any woodland habitat and comparable to arid areas. This may be explained by decades of direct persecution and poaching of their prey, or a naturally low density. Predator diets were described and compared by means of scat analysis. Lion and hyena exhibited a high dietary overlap of medium to large herbivores. Using Jacobs’ preference index, both species preferred warthog (Phacocoerus africanus) and waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus). Hyenas selected a broader range of prey, likely reducing competition with lions (which almost exclusively selected only four species). In contrast, leopards occupied a lower dietary niche, which consisted mainly of small-to medium-sized ungulates. These findings indicate that the three apex predators use resource partitioning to reduce competition. ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za This study suggests that reintroduction is a viable tool for re-populating large carnivores in protected areas in Malawi. The current predator population appeared to have a minimal impact on prey populations due to their small population size. We recommend long-term monitoring of predator- prey dynamics as the predator populations increase to prevent major ecological imbalances. Finally, we encourage management to focus energy and resources on the formation of a managed carnivore metapopulation to establish a genetically viable carnivore population within Malawi. iii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Opsomming Top roofdiere speel ‘n belangrike rol in die regulering van ekosisteme deur predasie. Menslike invloede het gelei tot ‘n vinnige afname in karnivoor populasiegetalle en habitatverliese in Afrika. Hierdie karnivore word dikwels hervestig in bewaarde areas om te kompenseer vir menslik ge- induseerde verliese, funksionering van ekosisteme te herstel en eko-tourisme te bevorder. Majete Wildreservaat is ‘n prima voorbeeld waar menslike vervolging groot karnivore uitgeroei het, behalwe vir die gevlekte hiëna (Crocuta crocuta; hierna hiëna) populasie. Vanaf 2003 het African Parks gepoog om hierdie probleem reg te stel deur restourasie en ontwikkeling van die reservaat. Tussen 2011 en 2012 was drie leeus (Panthera leo) en ses luiperds (Panthera pardus) hervestig. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die ekologie van die top roofdiere te beskryf en te bepaal of die hervestiging van leeus en luiperds suksesvol was. Bewegings en gebiede van leeus en luiperds is bepaal met hulp van GPS-halsbande. Die hervestiging van hierdie spesies was beskou as suksesvol. Na vrystelling was daar: (1) ‘n afname in beweging; (2) geen behoefte om huiswaarts (herkoms) te keer nie; (3) sukses met teling; en (4) populasie oorlewing. Die gemiddelde gebied van leeus (380.45 ± 117.70 km2)[SE]) en luiperds (495.08 ± 80.99 km2) was die grootste op rekord vir enige hervestigde karnivoor in Afrika, moontlik as gevolg van lae kompetisie digtheid. Dus verwag ons ‘n verkleining van gebiede namate die kompetisie digtheid toeneem. Populasiegetalle- en digthede is geskat met behulp van kamerastrikke. In vyf jaar het die erkende leeu populasie tot elf individue vermeerder, terwyl die luiperd populasie op 11 (omvang = 9–17) staan, wat populasie oorlewing en groei aandui. Beide stigter populasies was klein, daarom is addisionele translokasie nodig om genetiese diversiteit te behou. Hiëna digtheid (2.62 hiënas/100 km2) en stamgroep grootte (5.33 ± 0.67) was die kleinste in soortgelyke habitat. Hierdie is moontlik as gevolg van direkte vervolging en stroping van hulle prooi oor dekades of ‘n natuurlike lae digtheid. Roofdierdiëte is beskryf en vergelyk deur misanalise. Leeus en hiënas se diëte van medium tot groot prooi het tot ‘n groot mate oorvleuel. Gebaseer op Jacobs’ indeks, het beide spesies vlakvark (Phacocoerus africanus) en waterbok (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) verkies. Hiënas het egter ‘n wye verskeidenheid prooi geëet, moontlik weens mededinging met leeus (wat amper uitsluitlik net vier spesies geëet het). In kontras met leeus en hiënas, het luiperds ‘n kenmerkende dieet, wat hoofsaaklik uit klein tot medium grootte prooi bestaan. Hierdie resultate bewys dat die drie karnivore kompetitise met mekaar verminder deur verskillende diëte te volg. Hierdie studie dui daarop dat hervestiging van groot karnivore in bewaarde areas in Malawi ‘n vatbare tegniek is. Tot dusver het die roofdierpopulasie ‘n klein impak op die prooipopulasies gehad weens iv Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za die klein roofdier populasiegetalle. Ons beveel aan dat roofdier-prooi dinamika gemonitor word soos wat die roofdiere toeneem om ekologiese wanbalanse te vermy. Ten slotte, moedig ons die bestuur van African Parks aan om ‘n karnivoor meta-populasie in Malawi te stig, wat ‘n genetiese vatbare populasie kan volhou binne die landsgrense. v Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Acknowledgements Thank you to African Parks (Majete) Pty Ltd. for allowing me to witness and be part of the amazing success story that is Majete Wildlife Reserve. Thank you to everyone who made this study possible, particularly those who were involved in the reintroduction and collaring of the lions and leopards. Thank you to Majete management and the entire game capture team, for allowing me to be part of the lion re-collaring, this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Next, I would like to thank Craig Hay and Gervaz Tamala for their supervision and willingness to assist me with my research. To the rest of the management team, thank you for making me feel part of the Majete family. Thank you to the law enforcement team, especially Tizola Moyo, Martin Awazi and John Jiya for organising scouts, providing valuable information and allowing access to reports. To all the scouts who assisted me in the field I am greatly appreciative. Your knowledge about Majete really aided my project and helped me learn so much about the bush. I would also like to thank all the stores-men and mechanics at the workshop, particularly Africa’s best bush-mechanic, Isaac Mlilo, who kept our vehicles going despite numerous setbacks and was always there when we needed him. Thank you to Dr Alison Leslie who provided me the opportunity to experience the “warmest” heart of Africa. Majete has become my home and I will never forget the stories and friends that have been made along this incredible journey. I am overjoyed to have been part of this amazing team and to have experienced this with you. I would like to thank all the Earthwatch volunteers for their contribution. Thank you to Prof Arthur Rodgers for your correspondence and help with operating Home Range Tools in ArcGIS. Thank you to Dr Matt Hayward for providing equations for predator carrying capacities and Prof Martin Kidd for help with statistics. I would also like to thank Dr Dan Parker and Rhodes University for providing access to their reference of animal hair cross-sections. A special thanks to Prof Antoinette Malan for her generosity with laboratory equipment which proved invaluable for the scat analysis. Thank you to the Hay family for your support throughout my stay in Majete and being my role-models. To all my fellow researchers, Anel Olivier, Claire Gordon, Frances Forrer and Kayla Geenen, thank you for all your help and for the good times we shared in Majete.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Collaborative Management Models in Africa
    Collaborative Management Models in Africa Peter Lindsey Mujon Baghai Introduction to the context behind the development of and rationale for CMPs in Africa Africa’s PAs represent potentially priceless assets due to the environmental services they provide and for their potential economic value via tourism However, the resources allocated for management of PAs are far below what is needed in most countries to unlock their potential A study in progress indicates that of 22 countries assessed, half have average PA management budgets of <10% of what is needed for effective management (Lindsey et al. in prep) This means that many countries will lose their wildlife assets before ever really being able to benefit from them So why is there such under-investment? Two big reasons - a) competing needs and overall budget shortages; b) a high burden of PAs relative to wealth However, in some cases underinvestment may be due to: ● Misconceptions that PAs can pay for themselves on a park level ● Lack of appreciation among policy makers that PAs need investment to yield economic dividends This mistake has grave consequences… This means that in most countries, PA networks are not close to delivering their potential: • Economic value • Social value • Ecological value Africa’s PAs are under growing pressure from an array of threats Ed Sayer ProtectedInsights areas fromare becoming recent rapidly research depleted in many areas There is a case for elevated support for Africa’s PA network from African governments But also a case for greater investment from
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation
    conservation In pursuit of our 100 year purpose our commitment to conservation 25 years ago, on a piece of family-owned land in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve, a boutique safari lodge opened on the banks of the Sand River, setting the pace for a new brand of luxury safari experiences. Singita Ebony Lodge would become the first of 12 environmentally sensitive properties dotted across Africa, forming the heartbeat of Singita’s conservation vision. The lodge created a benchmark for sustainable and eco-friendly tourism that remains to this day; a model which combines hospitality with an amazing wilderness experience to support the conservation of natural ecosystems. This founding philosophy drives every aspect of Singita’s day-to-day operations, as well as its vision for the future, which extends to the next 100 years and beyond. A single-minded purpose to preserve and protect large areas of African wilderness for future generations is the force behind an ambitious expansion strategy that will see Singita broaden its efforts to safeguard the continent’s most vulnerable species and their natural habitats in the coming years. The profound impact of Singita’s conservation work can be seen in the transformation of the land under its care, the thriving biodiversity of each reserve and concession, and the exceptional safari experience this affords our guests. With our lodges and camps across three countries partially funding the conservation of large areas of protected land, Singita has redefined luxury safaris as an essential tool for conservation contents Sustainability – operating in an environmentally conscious way at every level of the business – is a key component of conservation success, alongside maintaining the integrity of our reserves and their ecosystems, and working with local communities to ensure that they not only benefit from the existence of the lodges, but thrive because of them.
    [Show full text]
  • Private Investments to Support Protected Areas: Experiences from Malawi; Presented at the World Parks Congress
    See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264410164 Private Investments to Support Protected Areas: Experiences from Malawi; Presented at the World Parks Congress... Conference Paper · September 2003 DOI: 10.13140/2.1.4808.5129 CITATIONS READS 0 201 1 author: Daulos Mauambeta EnviroConsult Services 7 PUBLICATIONS 17 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE All content following this page was uploaded by Daulos Mauambeta on 01 August 2014. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. All in-text references underlined in blue are added to the original document and are linked to publications on ResearchGate, letting you access and read them immediately. Vth World Parks Congress: Sustainable Finance Stream September 2003 • Durban, South Africa Institutions Session Institutional Arrangements for Financing Protected Areas Panel C Private investments to support protected areas Private Investments to Support Protected Areas: Experiences from Malawi Daulos D.C. Mauambeta. Executive Director Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi. Private Bag 578. Limbe, MALAWI. ph: (265) 164-3428, fax: (265) 164-3502, cell: (265) 991-4540. E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] Abstract The role of private investments in supporting protected areas in Malawi cannot be overemphasized. The Government of Malawi’s Wildlife Policy (Malawi Ministry of Tourism, Parks and Wildlife 2000, pp2, 4) stresses the “development of partnerships with all interested parties to effectively manage wildlife both inside and outside protected areas and the encouragement of the participation of local communities, entrepreneurs, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and any other party with an interest in wildlife conservation”.
    [Show full text]
  • African Parks 2 African Parks
    African Parks 2 African Parks African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on the total responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. By adopting a business approach to conservation, supported by donor funding, we aim to rehabilitate each park making them ecologically, socially and financially sustainable in the long-term. Founded in 2000, African Parks currently has 15 parks under management in nine countries – Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda and Zambia. More than 10.5 million hectares are under our protection. We also maintain a strong focus on economic development and poverty alleviation in neighbouring communities, ensuring that they benefit from the park’s existence. Our goal is to manage 20 parks by 2020, and because of the geographic spread and representation of different ecosystems, this will be the largest and the most ecologically diverse portfolio of parks under management by any one organisation across Africa. Black lechwe in Bangweulu Wetlands in Zambia © Lorenz Fischer The Challenge The world’s wild and functioning ecosystems are fundamental to the survival of both people and wildlife. We are in the midst of a global conservation crisis resulting in the catastrophic loss of wildlife and wild places. Protected areas are facing a critical period where the number of well-managed parks is fast declining, and many are simply ‘paper parks’ – they exist on maps but in reality have disappeared. The driving forces of this conservation crisis is the human demand for: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Singita Sabi Sand Wildlife Report
    Singita Sabi Sand Ebony & Boulders Lodges Castleton House South Africa Wildlife Report For the month of November, Two Thousand and Fourteen Temperature Rainfall Recorded Average minimum: 18.2˚C (64.7˚F) For the period: 51 mm Average maximum: 33.1˚C (91.5˚F) For the year to date: 110.5 mm Minimum recorded: 11.0˚C (51.8˚F) Maximum recorded: 41.0˚C (105.8˚F) Glorious summer Article by Ross Couper With our heightened lookout for young impalas over the last month, it’s been hard not to notice all the other young around at this time of the year. A friendly wager amongst the guides as to when this season's first newborn impala would be seen had us all waiting in anticipation to spot a long-legged youngster and call it in over the radio. This year’s winner was Dylan – the lucky date was 4 November 2014. Lambing time has meant that impalas have had more human attention than usual during game drives, with very pregnant impalas moving off on their own and newborn lambs struggling to stand or wobbling on their stilt-like legs. There are lots of "ooohs" and "aaahs" being whispered during the game drives. The softer side of the guides is noticeable as well, as we study the little creatures with our binoculars and announcing we have seen an umbilical cord or reporting that the young are allogrooming (mutual grooming) each other already. As the temperatures have increased we've noticed the larger species like elephant and buffalo spending more time at the waterholes, packing their bodies with mud to avoid flies and to rid themselves of ticks in the process.
    [Show full text]
  • Lion-Sands-Game-Reserve-Travel-Options-Fact-Sheet-2019.Pdf
    TRAVEL OPTIONS – FACT SHEET 2019 Flights Pg1 | Road Transfers Pg2 MORE Head Office/Reservations | Tel: +27 (0) 11 880 9992 | Email: [email protected] www.more.co.za Flights We recommend guests fly with Airlink into Skukuza Airport (SZK) – the closest airport to Lion Sands’ four lodges. The airport is a 5- to 25-minute drive from the Lion Sands lodges, which offer complimentary transfers in open safari vehicles. Airlink Operates twice-daily scheduled, direct flights connecting Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Skukuza Airport (SZK) in the Kruger National Park. Johannesburg (JNB) / Skukuza (SZK) / Johannesburg (JNB) Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time SA8861 JNB 10h00 SZK 10h50 SA8862 SZK 13h30 JNB 14h35 SA8865 JNB 13h20 SZK 14h10 SA8866 SZK 14h50 JNB 15h50 Operates once-daily scheduled direct flights connecting Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and Skukuza Airport (SZK) in the Kruger National Park. Cape Town (CPT) / Skukuza (SZK) / Cape Town (CPT) Flight Number Departure Time Arrival Time SA8651 CPT 10h35 SZK 13h05 SA8652 SZK 11h20 CPT 13h55 Reservations: flights can be booked directly with Airlink (flyairlink.com), through South African Airways (flysaa.com), or through MORE Reservations. Pg 1 Unique Air Operates a Safari Link scheduled air-transfer service connecting lodges in Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Madikwe Game Reserve, Marataba South Africa, and Welgevonden Game Reserve on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Sabi Sand and Madikwe Departure Lodge Departure Time Arrival Lodge Arrival Time Sabi Sand 11h00
    [Show full text]
  • (Harry) Kirkman Was Born in the Steytlerville District of the Eastern Cape on 31St March 1899. He Il
    Harry Kirkman Walter Henry (Harry) Kirkman was born in the Steytlerville District of the Eastern Cape on 31 st March 1899. He illegitimately joined up with the armed forces at the age of 15 and served in the East African campaign. After the war he took over the management of the T.C.L. cattle Ranch on the Sabie River (now the Sabi-Sand Game Reserve). He took over duties in 1927 from his friend Bert Tomlinson who left this position to become a Ranger in the Kruger National Park. Many of the duties of this position such as predator control, fire management and anti-poaching, were similar to those of a Ranger and in 1933 he followed his friend Bert Tomlinson into service with National Parks. Initially Col. James Stevenson-Hamilton in a clerical position, which was not much to his liking, employed him but he accepted the job as it gave him a foot in National Parks. In 1935 he was appointed to a Ranger’s position and was given the Sabi Section of the Park. Given his new status, he promptly married Ruby Cass. During this time, Harry followed up on reports of Black Rhino in the Gommondwane area of the KNP and found tracks, but could not get to see this animal. He was thus the last person to record this species in KNP as thereafter Black rhinos were not recorded again as they had become extinct. In 1938 Harry was moved to a new Ranger’s Section. This became known as Shangoni and he was instrumental in its development.
    [Show full text]
  • African Parks AR2017 – Majete
    22 THE PARKS | MAJETE AFRICAN PARKS | ANNUAL REPORT 2017 23 MALAWI Majete Wildlife Reserve 700 km² African Parks Project since 2003 Government Partner: Malawi Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) The Wyss Foundation and WWF-Belgium were major funders in 2017 A small herd of elephants move through Majete Wildlife Reserve in Malawi. © Pete McBride 24 THE PARKS | MAJETE AFRICAN PARKS | ANNUAL REPORT 2017 25 Majete CRAIG HAY | PARK MANAGER MALAWI – Over just 14 years, Majete has transformed from a once empty forest with no employment or tourism and only a few remaining antelope within its perimeter, to a productive and flourishing haven for Africa’s most iconic wildlife, generating revenue and benefits for local communities. Decades of lawlessness and poaching had seen the reserve’s wildlife, including elephants, completely eradicated by the 1990’s. But this all changed in 2003, when African Parks signed a 25-year management agreement with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) to manage Majete, the first park to enter our portfolio. We immediately began to revive the park through a series of species reintroductions: rhinos in 2003, elephants in 2006 and lions in 2012, bringing back 2,900 animals overall representing 14 different species. With their return, tourists started to come to the park, and much needed revenue followed, feeding back into the management of the reserve and supporting local communities. Today, Majete is flourishing, so much so that wildlife is being moved to populate other parks and private reserves within the country. We've maintained a 14-year track record of zero poaching of rhinos and elephants since their introduction; 154 elephants and 345 other animals were successfully translocated to Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve completing the historic ‘500 Elephants’ translocation, and tourism increased 14 percent from last year, with over 9,000 visitors, half of whom were Malawian nationals bringing in over US$550,000 to the reserve and communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Carnivore Research Malawi
    CARNIVORE RESEARCH MALAWI VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME INFORMATION WWW.CARNIVORERESEARCHMALAWI.ORG A Project of Conservation Research Africa Welcome to the CRM volunteer programme Thank you for your interest in CRM. Volunteers can play a vital role in helping us to achieve our aims. We need as much help as we can get to make a difference for wild dogs and their habitats in Africa, we are a small team with a big task ahead. In return it is our hope that volunteers will enjoy volunteering with us, meet like-minded people and develop some new skills. 2. Why Malawi? Malawi is a unique county with remnant populations of carnivores in each national park and very little conservation research. CRM are the only carnivore research organisation working in Malawi to conserve carnivores across the country. CRM started working in Malawi with a focus on the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus). The African wild dog is one of Africa’s most endangered carnivores and have undergone severe declines in the last 50 years and viable populations are believed to be limited to only six of 34 previous range countries. The conservation of remaining wild dog populations is outlined as the highest priority for the conservation of the species (Woodroffe et al. 1997). The presence of a unknown breeding population of wild dogs, low densities of competing predators, and the potential to enhance the link to the Zambian population make the Malawi dog population particularly important. Research is urgently required to assess the status of the Malawi population and determine the site-specific ecological factors limiting wild dogs to facilitate the conservation of wild dogs in Malawi.
    [Show full text]
  • The Sabi Sand Game Reserve an Exclusive Safari Haven
    DISCOVER The Sabi Sand Game Reserve An exclusive safari haven The Sabi Sand Game Reserve is one of the most prestigious private game reserves in South Africa, and is famous for its incredible leopard sightings. The reserve shares an unfenced boundary with the 2 million hectare Kruger National Park, and is home to one of the richest wildlife populations in the country. &BEYOND SOUTH AFRICA DISCOVER THE SABI SAND GAME RESERVE Why visit the Adjacent to the world renowned Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is not only famed for its intimate wildlife encounters, Sabi Sand? but also for its elite luxurious lodges and exclusive experiences. 2 4 ICONIC WILDLIFE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY In addition to incredible leopard &Beyond has exclusive traversing 1 viewing, and the famous Big Five, rights on 10,500 hectares PRISTINE LOCATION discover a vast variety of plant and (26,000 acre) of wilderness land, Sharing an unfenced border with the animal species that share 2 million 3 which means our guests can world renowned Kruger National Park, hectares of unfenced terrain with the FINEST GUIDES AND SAFARIS explore the reserve on foot, free the Sabi Sand Game Reserve is famed Kruger National Park. Encounter a Highly knowledgeable &Beyond- from the constraints of roads and for its intimate wildlife encounters, few of the over 500 bird species, trained guides can offer you vehicles, go on a night drive, or particularly leopard viewing and 145 animal species, 110 reptile night drives as well as specialist sensitively go off-road enabling the Big Five. The uniqueness of species and 45 fish species, that safaris such as walking, tracking, you to get closer to wildlife.
    [Show full text]
  • WILDLIFE JOURNAL SINGITA SABI SAND, SOUTH AFRICA for the Month of October, Two Thousand and Nineteen
    WILDLIFE JOURNAL SINGITA SABI SAND, SOUTH AFRICA For the month of October, Two Thousand and Nineteen Temperature Rainfall Recorded Sunrise & Sunset Average minimum: 19.3˚C (66.74˚F) For the month: 9.3mm Sunrise: 05:21 Average maximum: 33.5˚C (92.3˚F) For the season to date: 21.6mm Sunset: 18:01 Minimum recorded: 12˚C (53.6˚F) Maximum recorded: 42˚C (107.6˚F) Our senses tingle as the tenth month of the year commences. With the first rains for the summer season revitalising the dry dusty land, some of the smaller creatures are prompted into action. The loud raucous calls from frogs and toads accompanied by the chirping of European bee-eaters are a welcomed addition to the bushveld orchestra. With the Sand River almost completely dried up, we’ve witnessed an array of storks dominating the miniature pools, lapping up the opportunity to catch an easy meal. Predators such as leopards and lions have also been seen utilising the riverine area, hoping to catch an unsuspecting impala or nyala. The expression “keep your friends close, your enemies closer” could not be truer right now. Here’s a Sightings Snapshot for October: Lions • Many water sources have now dried up, including a large part of the Sand River. The sound of water flowing is minimal and the pools and dams of valuable water sources have become invaluable. We’ve watched predators such as lions taking full advantage of these places. The Ottawa pride in particular have used the shade of the reeds and bushwillows to lie in during the day, waiting for the inevitable arrival of water dependant antelope and buffalo to arrive.
    [Show full text]
  • Monthly Report
    Monthly Report September 2016 1 CRM Staff Dr Emma Stone Robert Davis Olivia Sievert Godwin Zimba Victor Chagoma Founder/Coordinator Senior Research Assistant Research Assistant (LNP) Community Engagement Community Engagement Officer (LNP) (KNP) Officer (Lilongwe) Contents Updates on community engagement 2 Community engagement update 2 Goats killed in Kwenje village 2 Liwonde National Park Research Camp 3-5 Beating the heat 3 Lower sanctuary clan moves 3 Follow up on hyaena reports on Western boundary 3 Bait site findings 4 Scat collection summary 5 Appendix I - LNP outreach work summary 6 1 Updates on Community Engagement Community Engagement Update the community they were called by African This month Godwin Zimba, our community Parks (AP) personnel who were able to engagement officer in LNP, has been corroborate these accounts. working on linking our project to various communities (Figure 1). His work this month included networking with eco-clubs, and conducting education and awareness sessions with both eco-clubs and communities (Appendix I). He has also been working on setting up facilitators in various communities with a total of five signing up this month. Figure 2. The track of an adult spotted hyaena which was found in Kwenje village. AP were driving through the village to Makanga camp the night of the attack and saw a lone hyaena chasing a group of goats near the curio shop. This hyaena attack is a first for the village and left everyone noticeably shaken. With our team Figure 1. Godwin engaging with other community receiving even more reports of hyaenas in projects the area, we continue to investigate this incident and engage with the community regarding improved livestock husbandry, Goats taken from Kwenje village and coexisting with wildlife.
    [Show full text]