Africa Maximum Safaris Specials 2020
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Pending World Record Waterbuck Wins Top Honor SC Life Member Susan Stout Has in THIS ISSUE Dbeen Awarded the President’S Cup Letter from the President
DSC NEWSLETTER VOLUME 32,Camp ISSUE 5 TalkJUNE 2019 Pending World Record Waterbuck Wins Top Honor SC Life Member Susan Stout has IN THIS ISSUE Dbeen awarded the President’s Cup Letter from the President .....................1 for her pending world record East African DSC Foundation .....................................2 Defassa Waterbuck. Awards Night Results ...........................4 DSC’s April Monthly Meeting brings Industry News ........................................8 members together to celebrate the annual Chapter News .........................................9 Trophy and Photo Award presentation. Capstick Award ....................................10 This year, there were over 150 entries for Dove Hunt ..............................................12 the Trophy Awards, spanning 22 countries Obituary ..................................................14 and almost 100 different species. Membership Drive ...............................14 As photos of all the entries played Kid Fish ....................................................16 during cocktail hour, the room was Wine Pairing Dinner ............................16 abuzz with stories of all the incredible Traveler’s Advisory ..............................17 adventures experienced – ibex in Spain, Hotel Block for Heritage ....................19 scenic helicopter rides over the Northwest Big Bore Shoot .....................................20 Territories, puku in Zambia. CIC International Conference ..........22 In determining the winners, the judges DSC Publications Update -
The Eastern Cape –
The Eastern Cape – Revisited By Jeff Belongia A return to South Africa’s Eastern Cape was inevitable – the idea already firmly planted in my mind since my first visit in 1985. Africa, in general, has a wonderful yet strange control over the soul, and many writers have tried to express the reasoning behind it. I note this captivation and recognize the allure, and am too weak to resist. For me, Africa is what dreams are made of – and I dream of it daily. Dr. Martin Luther King was wise when he chose the phrase, “I have a dream.” He could have said, “I have a strategic plan.” Not quite the same effect! People follow their dreams. As parents we should spend more time teaching our children to dream, and to dream big. There is no Standard Operating Procedure to get through the tough times in life. Strength and discipline are measured by the depth and breadth of our dreams and not by strategic planning! The Catholic nuns at Saint Peter’s grade school first noted my talents. And they all told me to stop daydreaming. But I’ve never been able to totally conquer that urge – I dream continually of the romance of Africa, including the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape is a special place with a wide variety of antelope – especially those ‘pygmy’ species found nowhere else on the continent: Cape grysbok, blue duiker, Vaal rhebok, steenbok, grey duiker, suni, and oribi. Still not impressed? Add Cape bushbuck, mountain reedbuck, blesbok, nyala, bontebok, three colour phases of the Cape springbok, and great hunting for small cats such as caracal and serval. -
Western Zambian Sable: Are They a Geographic Extension of the Giant Sable Antelope?
View metadata, citation and similarWestern papers at core.ac.uk Zambian sable: Are they a brought to you by CORE geographic extension of theprovided by Stellenbosch University SUNScholar Repository giant sable antelope? Bettine Jansen van Vuuren1,2*, Terence J. Robinson1, Pedro VazPinto3, Richard Estes4 & Conrad A. Matthee1 1Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602 South Africa 2Centre for Invasion Biology, Department Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602 South Africa 3Universidade Catolica de Angola, Rua Nossa Senhora da Muxima, 29 Luanda, Angola 45 Granite Street, Peterborough, NH 03458, U.S.A. Received 5 September 2008. Accepted 21 January 2010 The giant sable (Hippotragus niger variani ) is one of Africa’s most spectacular large antelope. Years of civil unrest in Angola, a highly localized distribution and interbreeding with its congener the roan antelope (H. equinus) has led to this subspecies being considered as critically endangered. Sable antelope occurring ~600 km to the east in western Zambia superficially resemble giant sable in phenotype, prompting speculation in the popular media that the distribution of giant sable may be larger than currently documented. Our aim here was to investigate the evolutionary placement of western Zambian sable using mitochon- drial DNA control region data. Phylogenetic analyses (maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses) supported the monophyly of H. n. variani (Bayesian posterior probability of >0.95, bootstrap support >80%) and nested the western Zambian sable within H. n. niger. This find- ing was supported by an analysis of molecular variance that discretely grouped western F Zambian sable from giant sable ( ST = 0.645, P = 0.001). -
Hippotragus Equinus – Roan Antelope
Hippotragus equinus – Roan Antelope authorities as there may be no significant genetic differences between the two. Many of the Roan Antelope in South Africa are H. e. cottoni or equinus x cottoni (especially on private properties). Assessment Rationale This charismatic antelope exists at low density within the assessment region, occurring in savannah woodlands and grasslands. Currently (2013–2014), there are an observed 333 individuals (210–233 mature) existing on nine formally protected areas within the natural distribution range. Adding privately protected subpopulations and an Cliff & Suretha Dorse estimated 0.8–5% of individuals on wildlife ranches that may be considered wild and free-roaming, yields a total mature population of 218–294 individuals. Most private Regional Red List status (2016) Endangered subpopulations are intensively bred and/or kept in camps C2a(i)+D*†‡ to exclude predators and to facilitate healthcare. Field National Red List status (2004) Vulnerable D1 surveys are required to identify potentially eligible subpopulations that can be included in this assessment. Reasons for change Non-genuine: While there was an historical crash in Kruger National Park New information (KNP) of 90% between 1986 and 1993, the subpopulation Global Red List status (2008) Least Concern has since stabilised at c. 50 individuals. Overall, over the past three generations (1990–2015), based on available TOPS listing (NEMBA) Vulnerable data for nine formally protected areas, there has been a CITES listing None net population reduction of c. 23%, which indicates an ongoing decline but not as severe as the historical Endemic Edge of Range reduction. Further long-term data are needed to more *Watch-list Data †Watch-list Threat ‡Conservation Dependent accurately estimate the national population trend. -
Caracal Feeding Behaviour
Series: 2_003/2 less than 25% of the diet, less than 15% in the Karoo, Sandveld and Bedford area, FEEDING ECOLOGY OF THE 10% in the southern Free State, and less CARACAL than 7% in Namaqualand. A study in Namibia found that less than 12% of the Although the caracal is an opportunistic caracals that were tracked with radio predator like the black-backed jackal, it collars predated on livestock, and in these feeds mostly on small- to medium-sized cases, livestock made up only 2% of those mammals. caracals’ diets • Caracals do scavenge at times, especially Diet when resources are low. In areas where • Over 90% of the diet consists of mammals. caracals are persecuted, however, Rodents (e.g. rats, mice and springhare), caracals are rarely observed to return to a rabbits and hares, and rock hyrax (dassie) kill. are the most common prey items in caracal diet. In areas where small- and The occurrence of specific prey items in the medium-sized antelope are abundant, they diet fluctuates seasonally, which means that also form a major part of the diet caracals eat the most abundant prey • Birds constitute a small percentage of the available at the time. diet (generally less than 5% of the diet). The diet of caracals does not differ much between protected areas (such as game • Reptiles are only eaten occasionally (less reserves) and farmland if the same types of than 1% of the diet). prey are available on farms as in the • Other carnivores (smaller species) are neighbouring protected area. preyed on opportunistically. In Namibia, the most common carnivore species found Feeding behaviour in caracal diet were black-backed jackal Caracals hunt daily and are capable of and African wild cat. -
EAZA Antelope & Giraffe
EAZA Antelope & Giraffe TAG Introduction & report on some activities Joint TAG chairs meeting 2016, Omaha Dr. Jens-Ove Heckel Zoo Landau in der Pfalz, Germany EAZA Antelope & Giraffe TAG chair [email protected] EAZA Antelope & Giraffe TAG • Antelope & Giraffe TAG continues as one of the largest and most complex TAGs representing 50 species (and approximately 90 taxa) in EAZA zoos • our remit: try to retain as many species as possible in healthy populations in EAZA collections • currently the TAG holds 11 EEPs and 11 ESBs; 4 species are part of ISBs; the remaining species are monitored (Mon-P, Mon-TAG). Chair Jens-Ove Heckel Landau Vice chair Sander Hofman Antwerp Vice chair (till 11.2015) Tania Gilbert Marwell Vice chair (since 12.2015) Kim Skalborg Simonsen Givskud Sub-group Okapi & Giraffe SG Sander Hofman Antwerp Sub-group Woodland antelope SG Kim Skalborg Simonsen Givskud Sub-group Savannah antelope SG Catrin Hammer Goerlitz Sub-group Aridlands antelope SG Ian Goodwin Marwell (Sub-group) (Mini antelope SG) (Klaus Müller-Schilling) (Hanover) Studbook keepers/Program managers EAZA Antelope & Giraffe TAG meeting 2015, Wroclaw Coordinator Conservation Tania Gilbert Marwell Coordinator Research Eulalia Moreno Almeria Advisor Veterinary Sven Hammer Goerlitz Advisor Genetics Rob Ogden Edinburgh Advisor Population management Laurie Bingaman Lackey USA Advisor Nutrition Marcus Clauss Zuerich Advisor Husbandry n.n. Advisor Education n.n. Regular support and advice also provided by: Exec. Coordinator - Collect. Coordin. & Conserv. Merel Zimmermann EPMAG / Population Management Kristin Leus Population Biologist - Collect. Coordin. & Conserv. Kristine Schad Good links to: IUCN SSC Antelope SG, IUCN Giraffe & Okapi SG/Giraffe Conservation Fdn., other EAZA Ungulate TAGs, BIAZA Hoof stock focus group, AZA Antelope & Giraffe TAG, Sahara Conservation Fund/SSIG etc. -
Animals of Africa
Silver 49 Bronze 26 Gold 59 Copper 17 Animals of Africa _______________________________________________Diamond 80 PYGMY ANTELOPES Klipspringer Common oribi Haggard oribi Gold 59 Bronze 26 Silver 49 Copper 17 Bronze 26 Silver 49 Gold 61 Copper 17 Diamond 80 Diamond 80 Steenbok 1 234 5 _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ Cape grysbok BIG CATS LECHWE, KOB, PUKU Sharpe grysbok African lion 1 2 2 2 Common lechwe Livingstone suni African leopard***** Kafue Flats lechwe East African suni African cheetah***** _______________________________________________ Red lechwe Royal antelope SMALL CATS & AFRICAN CIVET Black lechwe Bates pygmy antelope Serval Nile lechwe 1 1 2 2 4 _______________________________________________ Caracal 2 White-eared kob DIK-DIKS African wild cat Uganda kob Salt dik-dik African golden cat CentralAfrican kob Harar dik-dik 1 2 2 African civet _______________________________________________ Western kob (Buffon) Guenther dik-dik HYENAS Puku Kirk dik-dik Spotted hyena 1 1 1 _______________________________________________ Damara dik-dik REEDBUCKS & RHEBOK Brown hyena Phillips dik-dik Common reedbuck _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________African striped hyena Eastern bohor reedbuck BUSH DUIKERS THICK-SKINNED GAME Abyssinian bohor reedbuck Southern bush duiker _______________________________________________African elephant 1 1 1 Sudan bohor reedbuck Angolan bush duiker (closed) 1 122 2 Black rhinoceros** *** Nigerian -
Common Eland
Tragelaphus oryx – Common Eland recognised, though their validity has been in dispute (Thouless 2013): Tragelaphus o. livingstonii (Sclater 1864; Livingstone's Eland): also called kaufmanni, niediecki, selousi and triangularis. It is found in the Central Zambezian Miombo woodlands i.e. south- central Africa (Angola, Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi). Livingstone's Eland has a brown pelt with up to twelve stripes. Tragelaphus o. oryx (Pallas 1766; Cape Eland): also called alces, barbatus, canna and oreas. This subspecies is found south of the Zambezi river (South Africa, Botswana and Namibia). The fur is tawny, and adults lose their stripes. Regional Red List status (2016) Least Concern Tragelaphus o. pattersonianus (Lydekker 1906; East National Red List status (2004) Least Concern African Eland or Patterson's Eland): also called Reasons for change No change billingae. It is found in east Africa extending into the Somali arid areas, hence its common name. Its coat Global Red List status (2008) Least concern can have up to 12 stripes. TOPS listing (NEMBA) None Tragelaphus o. oryx occurs throughout the larger part of South Africa, but the far northern Limpopo Province CITES listing None bordering Zimbabwe is regarded as a transitional zone Endemic No between T. o. oryx and T. o. livingstonii or an area where they overlap. This argues the case that they should rather During drought conditions Eland roam extensively be described as ecotypes (in ecotypes, it is common for in order to meet forage and water requirements; in continuous, gradual geographic variation to impose the southern Kalahari during abnormally dry analogous phenotypic and/or genetic variation; this conditions, Eland were found to cover more than situation is called cline.). -
Copy of Roan Antelope Project
Roan Antelope Project Roan Antelope (Hippotragus equines) are Africa’s second largest antelope after the eland. Historically they were widely distributed in small herds over a large part of Swaziland. They became locally extinct when Swaziland’s very last freeranging roan antelope was poached at Maphiveni in 1961. Roan have become extremely rare across their entire natural range. The reason for their demise is probably a combination of factors which include poaching, diminishing range, stressinduced disease, predation, and competition by high density species. A small group of 4 roan (3 females, 1 bull) reintroduced to Mkhaya from Namibia perished because, we now believe, the animals were naïve to tickborne diseases in a densely tick hostile environment where mortalities overwhelmed recruitment. It is likely that the tickborne Theileria hippotragi disease played a large role. Theileria is a protozoal disease which is fatal to roan and sable antelope. The expertise of Dr Johan Steyl under the supervision of Prof. Leon Prozesky of the Onderstepoort Veterinary Faculty of the University of Pretoria has helped enormously with this project. The vector is the redlegged tick Rhipicephalus evertsi, which is abundant in Swaziland, but little was known about its impact on wildlife at the time of the Namibian introduction. Our Roan Antelope project got underway in 2002 after Dr Hamish Currie, founder and chief executive of Back to Africa, very generously committed to assist in restoring a viable population of roan antelope to Swaziland. Dr Hamish Currie wisely harnessed the expertise of Dr Johan Steyl whose guidance has without doubt been pivotal to the success of the project so far. -
Transboundary Species Project
TRANSBOUNDARY SPECIES PROJECT ROAN, SABLE AND TSESSEBE Rowan B. Martin Species Report for Roan, Sable and Tsessebe in support of The Transboundary Mammal Project of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibia facilitated by The Namibia Nature Foundation and World Wildlife Fund Living in a Finite Environment (LIFE) Programme Cover picture adapted from the illustrations by Clare Abbott in The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion by Reay H.N. Smithers Published by the University of Pretoria Republic of South Africa 1983 Transboundary Species Project – Background Study Roan, Sable and Tsessebe CONTENTS 1. BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION ...................................... 1 a. Taxonomy ..................................................... 1 b. Physical description .............................................. 3 c. Habitat ....................................................... 6 d. Reproduction and Population Dynamics ............................. 12 e. Distribution ................................................... 14 f. Numbers ..................................................... 24 g. Behaviour .................................................... 38 h. Limiting Factors ............................................... 40 2. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE THREE SPECIES ........................... 43 a. Conservation Significance ........................................ 43 b. Economic Significance ........................................... 44 3. STAKEHOLDING ................................................. 48 a. Stakeholders ................................................. -
Mixed-Species Exhibits with Pigs (Suidae)
Mixed-species exhibits with Pigs (Suidae) Written by KRISZTIÁN SVÁBIK Team Leader, Toni’s Zoo, Rothenburg, Luzern, Switzerland Email: [email protected] 9th May 2021 Cover photo © Krisztián Svábik Mixed-species exhibits with Pigs (Suidae) 1 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 3 Use of space and enclosure furnishings ................................................................... 3 Feeding ..................................................................................................................... 3 Breeding ................................................................................................................... 4 Choice of species and individuals ............................................................................ 4 List of mixed-species exhibits involving Suids ........................................................ 5 LIST OF SPECIES COMBINATIONS – SUIDAE .......................................................... 6 Sulawesi Babirusa, Babyrousa celebensis ...............................................................7 Common Warthog, Phacochoerus africanus ......................................................... 8 Giant Forest Hog, Hylochoerus meinertzhageni ..................................................10 Bushpig, Potamochoerus larvatus ........................................................................ 11 Red River Hog, Potamochoerus porcus ............................................................... -
Antelope (Includes Sables, Impalas, and Elands)
Antelope (includes Sables, Impalas, and Elands) Range: antelope species can be found in parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East Habitat: varies widely, from savanna to woodlands to marshes and swamps to desert, depending on the species It’s about horns and hooves Horns— All antelope species have horns, although in some species they are only found on the males. The horns are made of a bony core, encased in a hard material made largely of keratin. They are permanently attached—not like a deer’s antlers, which are shed each year. Some antelope horns, like those of the kudu Tragelaphus sp. and eland Taurotragus sp., twist in interesting spirals; others have ridges, like those of the impala Aephyceros melampus and the sable antelope Hippotragus niger; and others grow in wide curves with a sharp point on the end, like those of the wildebeest Connochaetes sp. (also called the gnu, a name it gets from its call, which sounds like “ge-nu”). Antelope use their horns in defense against predators; males and sometimes females also use them to establish their position in a herd or to fight rivals Hooves— Hooves are another specialty for many antelope. Each hoof has a split down the middle, dividing the hoof into two “toes.” Because they live in wetlands and swamps, sitatungas Tragelaphus spekeii have wide hooves up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) across that help them walk on mud and mats of plants without slipping. Nile lechwes Kobus magaceros, which also live in swampy areas, have long, pointed hooves to give them sure footing in the water.