Management interventions in small (<30 000 ha) to medium-sized (<100 000 ha) fenced reserves require careful planning to minimize alterations to predator-prey dynamics. However, when interventions result in severe changes to predator prey dynamics, learning from these outcomes can assist in informing future interventions. In small to medium-sized ventions. We used lion (Panthera leo) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer) interventions (lion introduction and buffalo translocation) in the Addo Elephant National Park to investigate the response of the buffalo—lion dynamic in the park. Responses did not conform to our expectations for either lions or buffalo. Rather than dominate the remaining solitary male lion, the introduced coalition split, with one of the introduced male lions (known to hunt buffalo successfully where it originated) joining with the remaining solitary male. Following fragmentation as a result of the buffalo translocation, previously large buffalo herds failed to re-form. These two outcomes resulted in a significant increase in buffalo predation primarily by the newly formed coalition of males, with the majority of buffalo killed originating from splintered herds rather than male-dominated groups as is conventionally found in large ecosystems. Ultimately, management actions can enable us to learn by monitoring the consequences of interventions, allowing us to implement what we have learned in an adaptive management framework.

We surveyed bats at 30 localities in the Soutpansberg and Blouberg Mountains within the newly proclaimed Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (VBR) of northern South Africa, based on ANABAT acoustic recordings (63 nights) conducted in parallel with captures of 260 individuals from harp traps (29 trap-nights) and mist nets (54 trap-nights), and searches of ten day-roosts and two night-roosts. Twenty-four species of bats were captured, or positively identified from roosts, out of 44 species previously recorded for the VBR. For those species captured during the study and one additional commonly recorded species, Chaerephon ansorgei, which was not captured, we compiled a library of ANABAT call parameters for reference calls, based on released bats or bats emerging from known-species roosts. Reference calls were obtained from the study area where possible, or from the closest possible site in the savanna region of southeastern Africa. Using principal component analysis and plots of frequency histograms of selected parameters, we investigated the extent to which reference calls of different species could be distinguished on call parameters. Complete separation was obtained for most species but certain species-pairs or trios showed overlap, particularly amongst molossid bats. Accurate identification of unknown calls was complicated by natural intraspecific variation in echolocation call structure due to habitat and behaviour in our species-rich study area. We advocate a conservative approach whereby species-pairs or groups with overlapping calls are treated as single ‘species’. Such underestimation can be partly corrected using rarefaction approaches, as illustrated by data collected from Blouberg Nature Reserve. Particularly when surveying bats in species-rich areas such as the eastern savannas of southern Africa, both acoustic and capture-based surveys are necessary to accurately estimate true species richness. From our capture data and roost searches, we recorded nine to 14 species at four west—east, grouped localities defined by this study. Adding acoustic data using a conservative approach to classify overlapping species-pairs or trios, we obtained minimum richness estimates of 15 to 21 species, values which were close to those predicted by a recent macro-ecological model. We found no evidence for a west—east increase in richness with increasing precipitation as predicted by coarse-scale macroecological predictions.

We identified the diet of brown hyaenas (Hyaena brunnea) on the farmlands of north-central Namibia based on scat analysis, den site orts, and evidence of scavenging at leopard (Panthera pardus) kills. In the absence of larger carnivores, which have been credited with providing larger food items for brown hyaenas elsewhere, we compared interspecific dietary overlap and activity patterns with the remaining large carnivores, leopards and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Where hyaenas and leopards were sympatric, diets of both nocturnal species (n = 212 hyaena scats and 41 leopard scats) were quite similar (both >89% wild, with some domestic ungulates), and only somewhat different from cheetahs in a previous study. Additionally, evidence of brown hyaena scavenging was found at 76% of 29 leopard kills available to them. Brown hyaenas occurring on Namibian farmlands likely find medium-sized to large ungulate prey by scavenging from leopards and perhaps cheetahs.

Bovid diets have been studied for decades, but debate still exists about the diets of many species, in part because of geographical or habitat-related dietary variations. In this study we used stable carbon isotope analyses of faeces to explore the seasonal dietary preferences of 11 bovid species from a West African savanna, the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve (PBR), along the browser/grazer (or C₃/C₄) continuum. We compare our carbon isotope values with those for eastern and southern African bovids, as well as with dietary predictions based on continent-wide averages derived from field studies. Oribi and reedbuck, expected to be grazers were found to be predominantly C₃-feeders (browsers) in the PBR. Bushbuck, common duiker and red-flanked duiker consumed more C₄ grass than reported in previous studies. When comparing wet and dry season diets, kob, roan and oribi showed the least variation in C₃ and C₄ plant consumed proportions, while red-flanked duiker, bushbuck, reedbuck and waterbuck showed the most marked shifts. This study shows that animals in the betterstudied eastern and southern African savannas do not exhibit the full range of possible dietary adaptations. Inclusion of data from a wider geographical area to include less well-studied regions will inform our overall picture of bovid dietary ecology.

The increasing prevalence of humans in areas used by elephants is a major challenge to elephant conservation. To investigate anthropogenic impacts on elephants, data on population structure, sex ratios, social structure and behaviour of elephants were examined along vehicle road transects in areas with different protection status. These included: Lake Manyara National Park (protected), Manyara Ranch (partially protected), and the adjacent communal area (non-protected). The maximum number of elephants seen in one day (with similar search effort per day) was 117 in the park and 25 on the ranch, suggesting a higher elephant density inside the park. No elephants were seen in the community area during the survey. In the park, the adult sex ratio was skewed towards females, while on the ranch the adult sex ratio was skewed towards males. The mean group size of elephants was significantly larger in the park compared to the ranch. Tusk sizes of male elephants were significantly larger in the park than on the ranch and elephants on the ranch were significantly more responsive to human approach than elephants in the park. Considering elevated rates of poaching for ivory in the ecosystem and the apparently poor safety for elephants in Manyara Ranch, we strongly suggest improving law enforcement on the ranch.

The aims of the study were to assess heavy metals (lead and cadmium) values in meat and offal from harvested springbok. For cadmium (Cd), mean concentrations in liver and kidney were 0.10 ± 0.04 mg/kg, 0.33 ± 0.05 mg/kg and 1.04 ± 0.15 mg/kg, 0.91 ± 0.12 mg/kg for lead (Pb). None of the samples had a Cd level above the limits set for the liver (0.5 mg/kg) and 1.0 mg/kg set for the kidney while two of the samples had a Pb level above the limits for the liver (0.5 mg/kg) and 12 samples had Pb values above the limits for the kidney (0.5 mg/kg). The mean Pb and Cd concentrations in muscles were below the detection limit. In the current study, interpretation of the results was limited by the small number of positive samples; however, values were within the range previously reported in literature for wildlife species elsewhere. Key words: cadmium, kidney, lead, liver, muscle, springbok.

Natal dispersal is a key spatially structuring demographic process for many species but is poorly known for wide-ranging carnivores, especially in cryptic, solitary species such as the leopard (Panthera pardus). We report a failed long-distance natal dispersal of a subadult male leopard (M67) in Maputaland, southern Africa, the longest reported for the species. M67 traversed three countries covering a minimum distance of 352.8 km, with a straight-line distance of 194.5 km between his natal range and the site of his death. His movements reveal potential linkages between leopard populations in southern Mozambique, Swaziland, northern KwaZulu-Natal and the Greater Kruger Ecosystem, which might represent a functioning leopard metapopulation currently regarded as separate conservation units.

African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) populations and their geographic distributions have been greatly reduced due to direct human persecution and habitat reduction; however, remnant groups still manage to persist on private reserves and farmland. Farmland, especially game farming areas, can potentially be suitable for wild dog conservation. However, little is known about them in these areas. To increase our understanding regarding the presence and general ecology of wild dogs on private land we used a camera trapping picture database initially used to census leopards (Panthera pardus) to report on wild dog presence on private farmland and reserves within the Waterberg Biosphere, South Africa. We identified nine different wild dogs from the camera trap images and all wild dog signs were restricted to Lapalala. We further supplemented the data set with opportunistically collected scats to report on wild dog prey use. Only three species could be identified in the scats, namely bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), impala (Aepyceros melampus) and greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), with bushbuck the most important prey species. Our results show that some wild dogs still persist on private land in the Waterberg, confirming that private land can play an important role in wold dog conservation. We suggest that conservation efforts focussing on mitigation actions to improve local tolerance towards wild dogs would be the most efficient action to secure a viable wild dog population.

The use of camera traps for wildlife research and monitoring is increasing and this is yielding significant observations at an accelerating pace. Yet many potentially valuable observations are overlooked, misinterpreted or withheld. Using our first-ever images of a wild African golden cat (Caracal aurata) catching prey, we consider practical challenges and opportunities for more effective image management systems. In particular we highlight the benefits of online image archives and assessments.

The stomach of the lesser bamboo lemur is unspecialized whereas the caecum and colon are large and sacculated; most likely to accommodate a symbiotic microflora for the digestion of a diet high in insoluble fibre.

Leopard seals inhabit the pack-ice rim of Antarctica, and they regularly haul out on Antarctic and Sub-antarctic islands. Occasionally, vagrants are sighted further north in South America, Australia, New Zealand, and very rarely in southern Africa and Oceania. Here we report on an observation made on the 15th of July 2010 of a single 3-m-long juvenile leopard seal at ‘Die Dam’ in the Western Cape, South Africa (34°45.772′S, 19°42.582′E). We searched historical records and found details of four observations of leopard seals along the coast of South Africa since 1946. All of these sightings were of juvenile animals. The relative scarcity of observations is a likely reflection of the great distance from Antarctica and the Subantarctic to South Africa.