The composition, structure and distribution of forest trees in Ankarafa Forest in the Sahamalaza-Iles Radama National Park, Madagascar, were evaluated to determine the influence of their fruiting on the seasonal feeding/foraging ecology of the mainly frugivorous, endemic blue-eyed black lemur (Eulemur flavifrons). Plots were sampled within the forest core and on the forest edges. A total of 848 live trees belonging to 42 species, 39 genera and 28 families were recorded. Ankarafa Forest is dominated by Mangifera indica (an exotic), Garcinia pauciflora, Sorindeia madagascariensis, Grangeria porosa, bamboo spp. and Mascarenhasia arborescens. More than 20% of the stems counted were exotic, long-lived species which has a negative consequence for future forest dynamics. In particular the predominance of the exotic M. indica has negative implications for fruit availability at the end of the dry season and during the wet season. Canopy height was lower than most tropical forests but similar to other Malagasy forests with an average tree height of 10 ± 3.6 m and a mean diameter at breast height of 13.8 ± 11.7 cm. Height and diameter of trees differed significantly between the edge and core of the forest. However, most trees were between 5 and 15 m high, and most of smaller diameter, both at the edge and core, suggesting it is a complex system. Along the forest edge, many trees were burnt by uncontrolled fire. Trees felled by cyclones were recorded both on the edge and in the core of the forest. Fruit availability was similar throughout the forest on a spatial scale, but differed temporally. Being relatively high in tree species diversity, Ankarafa Forest needs to be protected to continue to support its endemic fauna, particularly those with restricted distribution such as the blue-eyed black lemur. In particular, further forest degradation and fragmentation needs to be avoided.

Faced with an overabundant elephant population amid the difficult context of the land reform programme in Zimbabwe, Savé Valley Conservancy (SVC) applied for an annual management quota of 60 animals in 2008 with the objectives of controlling an increasing population, attracting goodwill from the surrounding rural communities by providing a protein source and reducing the illegal bushmeat trade. Eighty-nine elephants were cropped in eight separate hunts during 2009 and 2010 providing 41 tonnes of meat. With adequate air-support, the cropping of family herds was feasibly and humanely conducted by skilled professional hunters. The handling of carcasses and the preservation of large quantities of meat were technically challenging on site. Because of the high demand for fresh meat, the processing facilities to extend meat shelf-life could not be tested. Cropping elephants remains a costly exercise at around US$550 per carcass. Cost recovery is possible with the sale of meat, offal and hides, but in this study was only partially achieved due to mismanagement of product delivery and sale. With 2.3 kg purchased per buyer, the production of meat partially satisfied the local population demand but offered an opportunity to the game meat producers to establish social links with their neighbours. To observe long-term impact on the illegal bushmeat trade currently affecting the SVC we suggest careful monitoring of future harvests.

We evaluated the effect of Joint Forest Management (JFM) on the number of bushmeat hunters in a forest reserve in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania and tested whether their response to regulations was best characterized by instrumental or normative explanations. A multinomial model based on instrumental proxies revealed that hunters were characterized by significantly lower household asset value, agricultural area cultivated and education level compared to non-hunters. Stronger explanation was revealed by a model based on normative proxies with hunters being characterized by dissatisfaction with, and perceiving low benefits from JFM, less participation in village meetings and JFM activities and by distrusting the financial management of JFM funds. No model was able to differentiate clearly between individuals that stopped or continued hunting. Focus group discussions with hunters, however, supported the quantitative results and provided the missing clues to differentiate between these groups.In combination the results suggest that continued hunting is motivated primarily by normative reasoning whereas compliance is explained by instrumental considerations. This suggests that a number of fundamental changes are required of JFM in order to ensure hunters’ compliance and thereby conserve the unique biodiversity of this component of the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot.

Managers of African lions (Panthera leo) on reserves where they have been reintroduced increasingly face challenges associated with ecological regulation,genetic degradation and increased susceptibility to catastrophic events. The Lion Management Forum (LiMF) was formed in 2010 to define these challenges and explore possible solutions with the view to developing appropriate management guidelines. LiMF bases its recommendations on the ecologically sound premise that managers should, as far as possible, mimic natural processes that have broken down in reserves, using proactive rather than reactive methods, i.e. management should focus on causal mechanisms as opposed to reacting to symptoms. Specifically, efforts should be made to reduce population growth and thus reduce the number of excess lions in the system; disease threats should be reduced through testing and vaccination whenever animals are translocated; and genetic integrity should be monitored. The latter is particularly important, as most of these reserves are relatively small (typically <1000 km²). An adaptive management framework is needed to implement the guidelines developed here on reserves across the country, with regional nodes addressing more local genetic issues, within an overall national plan. Ongoing monitoring and scientific assessment of behavioural, population and systemic responses of lion populations and responsive modification of the guidelines, should improve management of lions on small reserves in South Africa. This approach will provide a template for evidence-based conservation management of other threatened species. Ultimately ‘National Norms and Standards’ must be established and a ‘National Action Plan’ for lions in South Africa developed.

Interactions between apex and mesopredators and their impacts on prey populations have been well documented, while the influence of apex predators such as lions on carrion availability and the subsequent impacts at lower trophic levels are not fully understood. Here we assess dietary overlap between two sympatric carnivores (brown hyaena, Parahyaena brunnea, and black-backed jackal, Canis mesomelas) in neighbouring reserves with and without apex predators (lions, Panthera leo, and wild dog, Lycaon pictus). We investigate whether apex predators facilitate niche partitioning between mesocarnivores by creating additional scavenging opportunities through predatory activity. We found that brown hyaena density was higher in the area with apex predators, while black-backed jackal density was higher in the area without apex predators. Black-backed jackal scats contained broadly similar dietary items at both sites, while large mammal remains occurred significantly more frequently in brown hyaena scats collected in the presence of apex predators. In the absence of apex predators there was a markedly higher degree of overlap between brown hyaena and jackal diets, suggesting increased levels of inter-specific competition. Our results suggest that apex predators potentially reduce levels of inter-specific competition for food between mesocarnivores by providing additional scavenging opportunities for specialist scavengers such as brown hyaena.

Carnivores that persist outside of protected areas are often deemed to have highly adaptable and generalist foraging strategies. Using data from three GPS-collared female leopards (Panthera pardus) and over an eight-month period, we attempted to establish whether leopards in a mountainous landscape display preferential behaviour (i.e. specialist) or not (i.e. generalist). We investigated whether female leopards used habitats in accordance with availability for both hunting and regular activities, and whether female leopards demonstrated preference for a particular prey species. Finally, we assessed tree caching behaviour and discuss leopard spatial dynamics in the context of superior competitors, such as lions (Panthera leo). Female leopards demonstrated selection for certain prey species. Mixed closed woodland (greatest vegetation density; lowest prey density) and tall open woodland (greatest vegetation biomass; high prey density) were preferred over other habitats. Female leopards on Welgevonden cached significantly larger prey species in trees. Our results suggest that female leopards in this landscape are selecting habitats - enabling the exploitation of certain ecological features - that balance energy expenditure against the likelihood of capturing prey in an attempt to maximize efficiency, whilst reducing inter-specific competition. We suggest that female leopards are limited in their foraging ability as a result of interference competition by superior species like lions, which in turn, affects their choice of prey. These findings highlight the potential importance of numerous ecological, spatio-temporal, and anthropogenic factors that influence leopard behaviour, and therefore have significant implications for leopard persistence and conservation.

An analysis, the first of its kind in Namibia, was conducted on five years' (2006–2010) Aircraft-wildlife collision (AWC) records from two Namibian airports. These records were compared to AWC reports of three Namibian airlines. Trends in annual and seasonal occurrence of AWCs and species responsible for collisions were investigated. A total of 55 and 73 AWC incidents were reported at Hosea Kutako and Eros airports, respectively. No year-on-year trends in reported AWC incidents could be established, with the highest percentage recorded in the first year (37% of all records). By cross-referencing reports from different entities we estimate that only 19% of incidents were recorded over the study period. Both birds and mammals were involved in AWCs during the period with the two most common species being crowned lapwing (Vanellus coronatus) (16% of all incidents at Hosea Kutako and 69% of incidents at Eros) and helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) (9% and 8%, respectively). Unidentified species accounted for, on average, 25% of incidents at Hosea Kutako and 9% at Eros. This analysis provides public and scientific awareness on AWCs as a form of human-wildlife conflict and provides focus for further research into habitat and environmental factors which attract species frequently involved in aircraft collisions. The study sets a baseline of collision frequency against which the success of future airport wildlife minimization efforts can be measured.