Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover Aus dem Deutschen Primatenzentrum Göttingen, Leibniz Institut für Primatenforschung und dem Institut für Tierhygiene, Tierschutz und Nutztierethologie On the acclimatisation of African rhinoceros after re- introduction to former livestock farmland in Namibia INAUGURAL - DISSERTATION zur Erlangung des Grades eines Doktors der Naturwissenschaften - Doctor rerum naturalium - (Dr. rer. nat.) vorgelegt von Thomas Göttert Haldensleben Hannover 2011 Wissenschaftliche Betreuung: Prof. Dr. Michael Böer & Prof. Dr. J. Keith Hodges 1. Gutachter: Prof. Dr. med. vet. Michael Böer 2. Gutachterin: Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ute Radespiel Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 14.02.2011 It takes a very long period of observing to become really familiar with an animal and to attain a deeper understanding of its behaviour; and without the love for the animal itself, no observer, however patient, could ever look at it long enough to make valuable observations on its behaviour. Konrad Lorenz Meinen Eltern LIST OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I: GENERAL INTRODUCTION......................................................................................... 1 African rhino population dynamics........................................................................................ 1 Namibia’s importance for rhino conservation........................................................................ 2 The relationship between translocation and acclimatisation: implications for rhino management ........................................................................................................................... 4 Study objectives ..................................................................................................................... 5 Study area............................................................................................................................... 6 Position............................................................................................................................... 6 Geology, soils and vegetation ............................................................................................ 7 Climate ............................................................................................................................... 7 Land use ............................................................................................................................. 9 Animals and Translocation procedures................................................................................ 10 Black rhinos...................................................................................................................... 10 Animals .......................................................................................................................... 10 Translocation procedures ............................................................................................... 11 White rhinos ..................................................................................................................... 12 Animals .......................................................................................................................... 12 Translocation procedures ............................................................................................... 14 Management implications .................................................................................................... 17 References ............................................................................................................................ 17 CHAPTER II: ASSESSING BIODIVERSITY AND HABITAT QUALITY IN COMBINATION WITH RHINO MONITORING ............................................................................................................................. 21 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 21 Material and methods........................................................................................................... 22 Data collection.................................................................................................................. 22 Data analysis .................................................................................................................... 23 Results .................................................................................................................................. 23 Amphibians ...................................................................................................................... 25 Reptiles............................................................................................................................. 25 Birds ................................................................................................................................. 25 Mammals.......................................................................................................................... 27 Discussion ............................................................................................................................ 30 Birds ................................................................................................................................. 30 Mammals.......................................................................................................................... 31 Management implications .................................................................................................... 33 Summary .............................................................................................................................. 33 References ............................................................................................................................ 39 LIST OF CONTENTS CHAPTER III: POST-RELEASE EXPLORATION BEHAVIOUR, SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND HABITAT USE OF BLACK RHINOS...................................................................................................................... 41 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 41 Material and methods........................................................................................................... 42 Data collection.................................................................................................................. 42 Rhino behaviour ............................................................................................................. 42 Habitat use...................................................................................................................... 43 Data analysis .................................................................................................................... 44 Home ranges................................................................................................................... 44 Habitat use...................................................................................................................... 45 Results .................................................................................................................................. 46 Rhino behaviour ............................................................................................................... 46 Establishment of total home ranges (100 % MCP)........................................................ 46 Total home ranges and core areas (Kernel method)....................................................... 53 Seasonal home ranges and core areas ............................................................................ 53 Associations between individuals .................................................................................. 60 Description of used habitats ............................................................................................. 63 Woody plant species....................................................................................................... 63 Bivariate comparison of vegetation plots....................................................................... 63 Multivariate comparison of vegetation plots.................................................................. 65 Discussion ............................................................................................................................ 67 Methodological approach................................................................................................. 67 General acclimatisation cues............................................................................................ 69 Home range size and establishment patterns.................................................................... 70 Habitat use........................................................................................................................ 71 Social structure................................................................................................................. 72 Management implications .................................................................................................... 73 Summary .............................................................................................................................. 74 References ............................................................................................................................ 74 LIST OF CONTENTS CHAPTER IV: DIURNAL ACTIVITY AND DISTURBANCE BEHAVIOUR