Management and Reproduction of the African Savanna Buffalo (Syncerus Caffer Caffer)
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Management and reproduction of the African savanna buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) by Walter Ralph Hildebrandt Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Sciences in Animal Science at the University of Stellenbosch Supervisor: Prof. Louw Hoffman Co-supervisor: Dr. Alison Leslie Faculty of Agricultural Science Department of Animal Science March 2014 Stellenbosch University http://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. Date: March 2014 Signature Date signed Copyright © 2014 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved ii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost I would like to thank and acknowledge my heavenly Father without Whom nothing would be possible. Furthermore I would like to thank the following individuals and institutions for support and guidance: Professor Louw Hoffman, Department of Animal Science, University of Stellenbosch, Dr. Alison Leslie, Department of Conservation Ecology, University of Stellenbosch, Mrs. Gail Jordaan, Department of Animal Science, University of Stellenbosch, Mrs. Zahn Munch, Department of Geology, University of Stellenbosch, The buffalo farmers that provided the necessary data, Mr. Craig Shepstone for technical and moral support and supplying much needed info regarding the game feeding, Staff members and post graduate students at the Department of Animal Science: Ms. Adina Bosch, Dr. Donna Cawthorn, Ms. Megan North, the final hurdle inspirators (Ms. Nikki Neethling, Ms. Jeannine Neethling and Ms. Greta Geldenhuys) and the other two members of the 3 musketeers, My family and friends including Hannes (Bun) Beukes. iii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the current managerial practices as used by African Savanna buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) farmers. Consequently, the best management practices would be combined to formulate a basic management plan to farm captive buffalo. The distribution of buffalo throughout South Africa was also investigated and each province was considered separately for different types of buffalo (Kruger also known as project; Addo and other) and different disease statuses (Foot and Mouth; TB; Corridor disease and disease-free or clean). The basic infrastructure of all farms studied was noted and evaluated to attain the most effective structures and layouts needed for basic captive buffalo farming. The reproductive capabilities of buffalo were assessed on different farms. These farms were divided into winter and summer rainfall areas to ascertain whether season or rainfall would have an effect on calving season. Additionally the reproduction data was analysed to set a benchmark for the reproductive performance of buffalo in herds as well as individually. This assisted in selection in captive breeding of buffalo. Buffalo are currently distributed throughout South Africa and occur in all nine provinces, with the highest quantity found in Limpopo with 1300 registered buffalo farms. Provinces that contain only disease-free buffalo include Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Freestate, North-West and Gauteng. Corridor infected buffalo are found in the Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal. Foot and Mouth disease is found in Limpopo and Mpumalanga and TB infected buffalo are found in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal. Factors to consider when managing captive buffalo herds are the herd dynamics and composition, feeding and nutrition and lastly parasite control. Management should be approached adaptively as different areas present different challenges. Infrastructure is divided into the farm and biomes thereof, feeding and parasite treatment. As with herd management these should be approached adaptively as the composition of each farm differs. Reproductive maturity of buffalo is reached between the ages of two and six years. Average intercalving period of captive buffalo was to be 443 days with optimal intercalving being below 400 days. Seasonal calving differences between summer and winter rainfall areas were found with calving peaks differing by two months between these areas. iv Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za OPSOMMING Die doel van hierdie studie was om die bestuurstegnieke wat tans deur Afrika Savanna buffel (Syncerus caffer caffer) boere gebruik word te evalueer. Gevolglik sal die beste bestuurs-praktyke gekombineer word om ‘n basiese bestuursplan the formuleer om omheinde buffels te boer. Die verspreiding van buffels in Suid-Afrika is ook ondersoek en elke provinsie is afsonderlik oorweeg vir die verskillende tipes buffels (Kruger ook bekend as projek; Addo en ander) en verskillende siektestatusse (Bek-en-Klou seer; TB; Corridor siekte en siekte-vrye of skoon). Die basiese infrastruktuur van al die plase in die studie is genoteer en geivalueer op die mees effektiewe strukture en uitlegte vas te stel wat benodig word vir die boer van omheinde buffels. Die reproduktiewe vaardighede van buffels is geassesseer op verskillende plase wat verdeel is in winter en somer reënval streke om vas te stel of seisoen of reënval ‘n invloed het op kalf seisoen. Die reproduksie data is ook geanaliseer om ‘n riglyn te stel vir die reprodutiewe prestasie van buffels in ‘n kudde asook individueel. Dit sal help met die seleksie van teeldiere. Buffels is tans wyd versprei oor Suid-Afrika and kom in al nege provinsies voor met die hoogste hoeveelheid in Limpopo (1300 geregistreerde buffelplase). Die provinsies wat slegs siekte-vrye buffels bevat is Wes-Kaap; Oos-Kaap; Vrystaat; Noord-Wes en Gauteng. Corridor-besmette buffels kom voor in Noord-Kaap; Mpumalanga en KwaZulu Natal. Bek-en- Klou seer kom voor in Limpopo en Mpumalanga en TB kom voor in Mpumalanga en Kwa- Zulu Natal. Faktore wat oorweeg moet word met die bestuur van omheinde buffeltroppe is kudde dinamika en samestelling, voeding en laastens parasietbeheer. Buffelbestuur moet aanpasbaar wees aangesien verskillende areas verskillende uitdagings bied. Infrastruktuur kan opgedeel word in die plaas en sy biome, voeding en parasiet behandelings toediening. Soos met kuddebestuur moet infrastruktuur ook aanpasbaar wees, aangesien die samestelling van elke plaas verskil. Reproduktiewe volwassenheid van buffels word bereik tussen die ouderdomme van twee en ses jaar. Gemiddelde interkalf periode vir omheinde buffels was 443 dae met optimale interkalwing van minder as 400 dae. Seisoenale kalwingsverskille tussen somer en winter reënvalstreke is opgemerk met kalfpieke wat verskil met twee maande tussen die streke. v Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page List of tables ....................................................................................................................... vii List of figures ...................................................................................................................... ix List of plates ......................................................................................................................... x 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 2. Background and history of African Savanna buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) ............. 3 1. Buffalo in Africa ...................................................................................................... 3 2. The Captive Game Industry ................................................................................... 4 3. Distribution of African Savanna buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) in South Africa ..... 15 4. The African Savanna buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) industry ................................... 30 1. Future of the industry ........................................................................................... 30 5. Wild African Savanna buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) ................................................. 34 1. Population and family structure ............................................................................ 34 2. Behaviour ............................................................................................................. 38 3. Nutrition ................................................................................................................ 44 4. Reproduction ........................................................................................................ 48 5. Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 51 6. Case studies (materials and methods) ........................................................................ 52 7. Results ............................................................................................................................ 56 8. Discussion ...................................................................................................................... 71 9. General conclusion ...................................................................................................... 113 10. Recommendations ....................................................................................................