Africa's large predator guild (lion, Panthera leo; leopard, Panthera pardus; spotted hyaena, Crocuta crocuta; cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus, and African wild dog, Lycaon pictus) occurs sympatrically with high dietary overlap. Temporal partitioning could facilitate coexistence, but there has been no study testing this or the factors that may Influence the evolution of predator activity patterns. The activity patterns of Africa's large predators were reviewed, using published sources, and the degree of activity overlap was assessed. Six hypotheses were made based on three hypotheses of factors driving the evolution of predator activity patterns: Increased foraging success, and scramble and Interference competition. All predators exhibited a degree of crepuscular behaviour, supporting hypotheses relating to increased hunting success. Nocturnal predators exhibit decreased activity at the darkest times of night due to visual limitations. There was no support for the hypothesis that predators would be active at the same time as their main prey species. Although all members of the guild suffer intraguild predation, only subordinate members exhibited scramble competition avoidance by minimizing activity at the same times as their intraguild predators. Subordinate predators (wild dogs and cheetahs), frequently reported as suffering from kleptoparasitism, minimize simultaneous activity with major kleptoparasites (lions and spotted hyaenas). These latter top predators have high dietary overlap; however, they do not avoid Interference competition by minimizing activity overlap. Thus, optimal activity patterns evolved to satisfy a diverse range of factors that differ amongst species. Competition avoidance is the primary cause of the temporal partitioning in activity between subordinate and top predators. Africa's carnivores have also evolved morphological adaptations to their activity patterns reflecting the length of time they have occurred in sympatry.

Leopards (Panthera partus) are the most widespread large felid, yet comparatively little is known about their fine-scale movement patterns and how these affect the risks they face. There has been much debate on the conservation status and management needs for leopards with much extrapolation from limited data. In order to gather more information on leopard movements in Botswana's Northern Tuli Game Reserve, seven leopards were collared between February 2005 and August 2006. This allowed key aspects that affect demography, and thus resilience to anthropogenic effects, to be investigated. Generally, home ranges were typical for breeding females in woodland savanna (32.9 ± 7.3 km²) with substantial overlap (average 26.0%). Core areas though were independent and extremely small (1.9 ± 2.2 km²). These were used primarily for young cub rearing, and were characterized by rugged terrain along riverbeds. This highly localized use places leopards at potential risk of snaring as snares tend to be concentrated along these landscape features. Furthermore, hunters can conceal blinds from which to shoot leopards more easily in these areas. Further risk to adult female survival came from excursions outside the reserve boundary during which livestock was predated. Three incidences of cannibalism by adult territorial males on adult females are also reported, suggesting significant intra-specific competition.

The yellow mongoose (Cynictis penicillata) is a facultatively social species and provides an opportunity to study the evolution of social behaviour through examination of populations within the species, as well as comparison with obligatorily social species of mongooses. I Identified 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers in the yellow mongoose through cross-species amplification that allow sociogenetic studies to be carried out. Most of these loci showed higher levels of polymorphism and heterozygosity in the yellow mongoose samples screened than in the species in which these microsatellites were originally characterized.

The ability of cats (Fells catus) to colonize most land habitats worldwide led to an increasing number of feral cat populations in many areas where food resources are easily available. High densities of feral cats in urban areas, particularly in conservancies, have the potential to impact negatively on both human and local wildlife populations. Of particular interest was the Howard College Campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a registered conservancy where there are differing opinions concerning the resident feral cat population. Consequently methods of controlling feral cat populations and the implications of these methods were reviewed. Despite various methods of feral cat population control existing there are two basic categories: either eradication or reproductive regulation. It is suggested that to control the feral cat population effectively in this urban conservancy, a suitable and ongoing sterilization programme, that is run in conjunction with a feral cat feeding programme, needs to be Implemented. Both programmes need to be long-term and overseen by management. The feral cat population needs to be maintained at a level that allows the lowest migration rate into the conservancy, as well as a predation rate that will not negatively affect the resident wildlife populations. This may require some removal of feral cats at the start of a programme. Whatever management actions are followed, a monitoring programme must be put in place to document how effective the actions are.

The sympatric Heaviside's (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii) and dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) are poorly studied in South Africa and are potentially at risk from anthropogenic threats Including fisheries bycatch. As part of a larger study, shore-based observations were made in a small bay (∼1000 m wide) in the Western Cape, South Africa, during the summer months of 1999–2001 to gather data on their nearshore movements and behaviour. Heaviside's dolphins exhibited a diurnal onshore—offshore migration and the sighting rate varied significantly with time of day and brightness of the moon, with numbers being markedly higher before 12:00 and nearer a full moon. These patterns were presumed to be linked to the vertical migration of their principal prey, Juvenile hake Merluccius species and Heaviside's dolphins appeared to be resting and not feeding Inshore during the day. Sightings of dusky dolphin showed no predictable variation with time of day but their numbers Inshore were significantly lower when upwelllng conditions existed offshore. Larger groups of Heaviside's dolphins (especially groups of four) were more active (leaps, etc.) than smaller groups, but behaviour was not linked to environmental factors. The dissimilar responses to environmental conditions suggest that sympatry in these two species is mediated by niche as well as prey differentiation.

The quagga project has now been in progress for over 20 years. Its aim, given conclusive molecular evidence that the quagga and the plains zebra, Equus quagga, are conspecific, is the retrieval of the pelage characteristics of the quagga by selective breeding from a selected panel of plains zebra Individuals. The programme has now over 25 third generation progeny, and is starting to produce Individuals with a degree of striping reduction shown by none of the original founders and which approximate the striping pattern shown by at least some of the known museum specimens of quagga. These results Indicate that by the fourth generation the project should have largely succeeded in its aim, and will form the basis of a herd of Individuals which can be displayed in the Western Cape as an Illustration of a phenotype which had disappeared from extant populations of plains zebra.

The greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) has become a popular ungulate species for game meat production and the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of day and night cropping on its meat quality. Eight animals were cropped during the day and eight at night. Day-cropped animals had higher mean behavioural scores (perceived amount of ante-mortem stress experienced) and Cortisol levels (behavioural score = 3.0 ± 0.641; Cortisol = 68 ± 1.28 nmol/l) than night-cropped animals (behavioural score = 1.8 ± 0.955; Cortisol = 14 ± 2.15 nmol/l). The muscle ultimate pH (pH_u) values differed significantly between the two treatments (day-cropped animals = 5.40 ± 0.030; night-cropped = 5.48 ± 0.041). Significant differences were also found in drip loss (day-cropped = 2.76 ± 0.261%; night-cropped = 1.36 ± 0.361 %) and in shear force between treatments (day-cropped = 3.45 ± 0.171; night-cropped = 4.06 ± 0.237 kg/1.27 cm diameter). No differences were found between the treatments for any of the colour ordlnates, except L* values (day-cropped: 33.45 ± 0.435; night-cropped = 32.13 ± 0.601). The results of this study are Inconclusive in that although day-cropped animals experienced more ante-mortem stress and, as a result produced meat with higher drip loss, they had a lower shear force and a paler colour, which are positive meat quality attributes associated with less stress.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different seasons and gender on the physical and chemical composition of black wildebeest (Connochaetus gnou) meat. Twenty-six black wildebeest were harvested at Maria Moroka Nature Reserve, in the Free State Province, South Africa, during winter, spring and autumn. Mean body and carcass weight did not differ (P > 0.05) between either seasons or genders. However, dressing percentage was higher (P < 0.05) for males (53.19%) than for females (50.65%). Initial (pH_45min) and ultimate pH (pH_24h) of the M. longissimus dorsi differed (P > 0.05) between seasons, whereas differences (P < 0.05) in temperature of carcasses measured 24 h post-mortem could be ascribed to differences in ambient temperature. Meat from animals harvested during spring (5.52 and 39.63%) had a higher (P ≤ 0.05) drip and cooking loss compared to those harvested in winter (2.27 and 34.59%) and autumn (3.61 and 33.88%). Meat was the most (P < 0.05) tender during autumn (2.27 kg/1.27 cm diameter) while that of females was more tender than the males. The colour of the meat was darker in winter (L*-value of 28.90) compared to spring (34.08) and autumn (32.91). Protein content of the m. longissimus dorsi was lowest (P < 0.05) in spring (20.45%). Lipid content was highest (P < 0.05) in winter (1.22%) and also lowest (P < 0.05) in males (0.90). Although season has significant Influences on some physical and chemical characteristics of meat from the black wildebeest, the extent of these differences does not necessitate a different classification system.

When a giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) lowers its head to drink, blood could enter the Jugular vein from the Inferior vena cava or regurgitate from the Jugular veins into the cranial veins. We investigated the anatomy of Jugular valves in giraffes to establish if they could prevent either of these regurgitations. Jugular vein length and intervalve distances of 396 valves (192 left, 204 right) were measured in 60 veins from 25 adult (11 males and 14 females) and five foetal giraffes. The average number of valves in the left Jugular veins was 6.4 ± 2.7 (mean ± S.D.; range = 2-13) and in the right was 6.8 ± 2.1 (range = 3–12). Male giraffes had 7.3 ± 2.7, females 5.9 ± 2.1, and foetuses 7.0 ± 2.1 valves per vein. None of these differences was statistically significant (t-test; P > 0.05). Most valves (88%) were bicuspid in structure. Their position in the veins was Irregular. Most (36.1 %) were located in the first 500 mm of vein. The relative distribution of foetal valves was not significantly different from that in adult giraffes (χ² = 0.274, P > 0.05). We concluded that the main function of the Jugular vein valves is to prevent regurgitation of blood from the Inferior vena cava and right atrium Into the Jugular vein and that the number of valves is fixed in utero.

Population estimates based on strip transect aerial surveys of large herbivores can aid management decisions If estimates are accurate and precise. Because sampling Intensities may Influence precision, we simulated survey Intensities to determine which could yield accurate and precise population estimates and detect population changes for several African elephant (Loxodonta afrlcana) populations. Simulated surveys of hypothetical elephant populations had to cover 5–20% of a study area to yield accurate estimates, but this depended on how density and distribution varied. Precise estimates, however, needed survey Intensities greater than 50%. In addition, the detection of typical rates of population change needed greater sampling Intensities than those currently used for most elephant surveys. Survey Intensity plays an Important role In estimating the accuracy and precision of population estimates and the detection of population trends. Population managers should consider existing Information on population density, distribution, and survey Intensity to design aerial surveys that will yield both accurate and precise estimates.

Rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) are categorized as ‘Least Concern’ in the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In South Africa they were once listed as vermin in the old Cape Province due to their high population numbers and Impact on grazing. However, about 10 years ago, populations in the KwaZulu-Natal province became locally extinct. This resulted in the recent reintroductions of rock hyraxes, purchased at annual wildlife auctions in the province. Success of these reintroductions was unknown as there had been no post-release monitoring. This study determined the success of reintroducing rock hyraxes, using two source populations, namely rock hyraxes that had been in captivity for 16 months (n = 17) and those from the wild (n = 9). Captive rock hyraxes did not have site fidelity after release and after three months could not be found. All wild rock hyraxes, except one whose fate is unknown, were found dead within 18 days of release. One had an accidental death while the rest were preyed upon. In conclusion, the reintroduction of captive and wild rock hyraxes likely failed due to predation. This may have been a consequence of group disintegration, probably as a result of incorrect group composition, captive stress, and type of release. Suggestions to improve the success of future rock hyrax reintroductions are provided.

Cannon- and rocket-projected nets have long been popular methods for mass capture of a variety of bird species. In recent years, obtaining licences to use the explosives required by these methods has become Increasingly difficult. We describe the construction of methods of mass capture that do not need explosives, including a cannon-net powered by compressed air and a walk-in trap, and test these on Old World vultures (Accipitridae, subfamily Aegypiinae). The compressed air cannons were sufficiently fast and powerful to capture birds, and compared well with explosive-based methods. The walk-in trap proved more effective for capturing birds than any cannon-net method, but suffers from a lack of portability and a long construction time.