Conservation and management of brown hyaenas (Hyaena brunnea) is hampered by a lack of information on abundance and distribution, which is difficult and labour-intensive to obtain. However, occupancy surveys offer a potentially efficient and robust means of assessing brown hyaena populations. We evaluate the efficacy of camera trapping for estimating brown hyaena occupancy, and the effect of environmental variables and lures on detection probability. We estimated population density in Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa, at 2.8/100 km², occupancy at 1.0 and model-averaged detection probability at 0.1. Using a fish lure increased detection probability to 0.2 and significantly increased encounter rates. We also found that brown hyaenas are more likely to be detected in areas of scrub or woodland rather than grassland. Our results suggest that 13 camera sites would be needed to achieve an occupancy estimate with S.E. of 0.05, and a minimum of 16–34 sampling occasions (with and without the fish lure) should be used in comparable study areas. We conclude that camera trapping is a viable method of estimating brown hyaena occupancy at local and landscape scales and capture—recapture analysis is also possible at a local scale.

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) movements should be considered when developing management strategies for long-term survival and coexistence with humans. Although work has been done In Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania little data on the home range and territory size of cheetah In Botswana has been published. This study aimed to estimate male and female home range sizes and daily movement on farmland and a game reserve In Botswana. Cheetahs were monitored from October 2003 to April 2007. The cheetah were fitted with cell/GPS or VHF collars and released back Into their home range. Single male home ranges were 494 km² and 663 km² and a coalition of two males had a home range of 849 km² (fixed kernel method). The females' home ranges were 241 km² and 306 km² (fixed kernel method). Females travelled a mean distance of 2.16 ± 0.07 km/day (range; 0–20 km/day) compared to 6.13 ± 0.30 km/day (range; 0–39 km/day) in males. Female maximum daily travel increased from 4.17 km/day when cubs where In the den to 8.16 km/day when cubs had left the den.

We Investigated the potential Impacts that free-ranging lions (Panthere leo) have within a small (220 km²), enclosed, protected area, and the subsequent challenges to conservation managers. Challenges Include: over-population; In-breeding depression; decline of prey and other predator species; conflict with neighbouring communities and, In some cases, spreadIng disease. Lions are prolific breeders and reserves exceed their local carrying capacity within a relatively short period. Within the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve we assessed a range of management Interventions that can potentially achieve short and/or long-term reserve objectives, namely relocation, contraception, hunting, and artificial takeovers. None of the Intervention methods resulted In long-term behavioural or social consequences. Constraints on lion management were more from societal values than biological or technological Influences. If applied In the correct manner, at the correct time, all of these Interventions, or a combination of them, can assist In achieving management objectives.

Oribi (Ourebia ourebi) are listed as endangered and one of the options to increase their numbers and populations is to breed them in captivity and subsequently reintroduce them into suitable habitat. A captive breeding facility for oribi in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, had been used to reintroduce captive-bred oribi on to the neighbouring agricultural/game farm for the previous 10 years. However, the success of these reintroductions was unknown. Consequently the aim of this study was to monitor the success of the reintroduction of captive-bred oribi. As in previous years, 10 captive-bred oribi were released by the owners of the facility onto the neighbouring farm. Using radio-telemetry and mortality sensors, survivorship of the reintroduced oribi was monitored, and the factors involved in a successful or failed reintroduction attempt Identified. Within two months of release, seven of the 10 oribi were dead. The causes of mortality varied, but predation by natural predators and humans was a major factor. Consequently no further reintroductions on to this property were advised. Several factors of concern were raised and need to be addressed in future captive breeding, reintroduction and management of oribi.

In South Africa, night cropping from a vehicle Is commercially used to crop game. Conventional hunting employs the principles of fair chase and usually consists of hunting on foot during the day. The purpose of this study was to compare the meat quality of the Impala (Aepyceros melampus) shot utilizing these two methods. No significant differences In pH₄₅ or pH_u were found between the two methods. An exponential decay model (y = a b^-ct) was fitted to the pH data and conventionally hunted animals showed significantly higher rates of pH decline (c = -0.385 ± 0.022 units per hour) than night-cropped animals (c = -0.184 ± 0.019 units per hour) - a phenomenon that may be linked to the ante-mortem stress experienced by the animals, and the cooling rate of the carcasses. Impala conventionally hunted also had significantly higher constants for the pH exponential model (a = 5.424 ± 0.039; b = 1.405 ± 0.034) than the night-cropped Impala (a = 5.295 ± 0.033; b = 1.556 ± 0.029). No significant differences were found with regards to meat quality between treatments except for slight differences In colour (night-cropped: a* = 10.56 ± 0.229, chroma = 12.81 ± 0.235; day-hunted: a* = 11.41 ± 0.245, chroma = 13.78 ± 0.252: the later being slightly darker). The study therefore found that conventional hunting affected the rate of pH decline of the carcasses but did not adversely affect the meat quality compared to night cropping.

The social structure of banana bats (Neoromicia nanus) was studied in relation to reproductive events over an annual cycle in banana plantations in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Banana plantations were visited at monthly periods over a year, and social group composition was investigated. Group composition varied considerably over the annual cycle, and was linked to reproductive status. Mixed-sex groups began to form during February, lasted until October, and were most frequent during mid winter (July). During the lactation period (Oct–Jan), females formed maternity colonies composed of lactating females and Juveniles. Three kinds of leaf tubes were identified according to the size of the opening: small (0–20 mm), medium-sized (21–115 mm) and large (115 mm-unfolded leaf). Bats occupied mainly medium-sized leaf tubes. Average daily temperatures were high, even during the winter period (Jun–Aug), with humidity in the leaf tubes >80% throughout the year. Although high humidity may play a role during hibernation to restrict dehydration, low ambient temperatures are important to sufficiently lower their body temperatures in order to lower metabolic rate and thus reduces energy requirements.

Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) are one of the few dangerous predators regularly found outside protected wildlife areas. This is particularly so in northeastern Namibia where an extensive network of rivers and wetlands coupled with successful conservation measures has allowed crocodile populations to flourish since uncontrolled exploitation ended over three decades ago. This area is predominantly communal land characterized by numerous subsistence communities dependent on river and wetland resources. In recent years, the combination of a growing human population and resurgent crocodile populations has resulted in considerable conflict between humans and crocodiles. The principle objective of this study was to quantify the impact of crocodiles on rural livelihoods. Data were obtained from existing records and through community surveys on the lower Kavango, Chobe and Kwando rivers and upper Zambezi River. Existing estimates suggest an annual loss of ∼255 domestic cattle per year for northeastern Namibia whilst community survey estimates suggest a substantially greater annual loss of ∼6864 cattle per year. Community surveys also revealed conflict between crocodiles and artisinal fishermen, with an estimated 71 500 fishing nets damaged by crocodiles per year. Human-crocodile conflict in Namibia may have greater impacts than previously assumed, and may undermine conservation and development objectives.

Reports of bushmeat hunting as a threatening process are almost entirely restricted to tropical biomes and developing countries. Mammalian fauna within South Africa's fenced reserves could be considered immune to such threats; however, there has been no study testing this. Transects were conducted throughout the fenced, temperate coastal indigenous forested reserves of Dwesa and Cwebe to detect sign (observations, footprints, faeces) of medium and large mammals, and evidence of poaching (snares, human footprints, bullet cartridges). I used generalized linear models of relative abundance data to identify the most likely causes of population decline and presence/absence data to identify the most likely causes of local extinction. Two of the largest mammals (white rhinoceros, Ceratotherium simum and eland, Tragelaphus oryx, were the only species that had distance to the reserve boundary (and hunting humans) as the most important factors affecting their distribution; however, three other ungulates avoided humans (avoided reserve boundary or roads). Highly unusual habitat use (forest restriction) was observed for several normally grassland inhabitants, illustrating the perceived risks associated with open habitats. This study illustrates that bushmeat hunting is not a threat restricted to the Third World tropics and that conservation areas require monitoring, as well as fencing, to ensure poaching does not threaten wildlife.

A questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate the level of wood utilization for house building In the community of Manqakulane In Maputaland, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, In 2003. The questionnaire's aims were to evaluate In both a descriptive and quantitative manner the utilization of wood In building construction. House building design In that community has abandoned the traditional round huts with thatched roofs of 20 years ago and now favours square or rectangular houses made with wooden walls covered with mud or cement and with a corrugated Iron roof. While wooden houses represented the majority of buildings, houses made of bricks were on the Increase. Square or rectangular houses with a corrugated Iron roof required significantly less elements for the roof beams than round thatched houses. The wall panels were the most wood-consuming part of a house. It was estimated that the average household would have to source 11 main posts, 10 main beams, 27 roof laths and 277 wall laths annually to replace old buildings. Between 40 and 50% of the material used In house building was obtained from species with an established sustainable harvesting potential. The high preference for Brachylaena huillensis as main posts Is, however, cause for concern as the current population of this species In the communal land of the Manqakulane people cannot sustain such high levels of harvesting.

Milk was obtained from five African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) cows located In the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve and the Phalaborwa district, South Africa. The average nutrient content was 62.9 ± 24.9 g protein, 133.9 ± 80.9 g fat and 51.6 ± 21.0 g lactose per kg milk. The protein fraction respectively consisted of 4.7 ± 3.2 g whey per kg milk and 58.9 ± 21.4 g casein proteins per kg milk. Electrophoresis and subsequent Identification of protein bands showed a migrating sequence of proteins similar to that observed In cattle (Bos taurus) milk. The lipid fraction contained 587.1 ± 50.1 g saturated fatty acids per kg milk fat, and 313.1 ± 35.6 and 27.2 ± 5.8 g/kg mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids respectively. Compared to domesticated bovine species, a low content of short and Intermediary chain length fatty acids were observed, while stearic and oleic acid concentrations were higher. Substantial concentrations of uneven carbon chain fatty acids were also observed.