Forest duikers (Cephalophinae) are important targets of the bushmeat trade but a reliable and efficient assessment of these shy animals is often regarded as problematic. Using a power analysis approach, we assessed the performance of three established methods (diurnal, nocturnal and indirect dung surveys) in producing density estimates for the blue and the Ogilby's duiker (Cephalophus monticola, Cephalophus ogilbyi ogilbyi) in a 16 km² section of primary forest, systematically sampled using line transects. Direct survey methods (diurnal and nocturnal) yielded density estimates between 8.3 and 6.8 (blue duiker) and 6.5 and 4.3 animals/ km² (Ogilby's). The coefficients of variation of density estimates implied a resolution of 44% density change detectable in diurnal surveys but only of 140% in nocturnal surveys. Density estimates derived from the dung survey were lower than those of direct surveys (1.5 animals/ km² and 1.4 animals/ km², respectively). Associated coefficients of variation imply a resolution of change in density estimates detectable for changes far larger than 100%. However, dung pile density was susceptible to variation in key parameters (decay and production rates) and difficulties in data acquisition lead us to reject the dung survey as a suitable method in our particular setting. Our results suggest that diurnal direct surveying from line transects can be reliable and effective even for shy forest ungulates under (some) hunting pressure.

The trophy hunting of lions is contentious due to increasing evidence of impacts on wild populations, and ethical concerns surrounding the hunting of captive-bred lions in South Africa. The captive-bred lion hunting industry in South Africa has grown rapidly while the number of wild lions hunted in other African countries has declined. In 2009 and 2010, 833 and 682 lion trophies were exported from South Africa, respectively, more than double the combined export(2009,471;2010,318) from other African countries. There has been an associated increase in the prevalence of the export of lion bones from South Africa: at least 645 bones/sets of bones were exported in 2010, 75.0% of which went to Asia. Such trade could be problematic if it stimulated demand for bones from wild lions or other wild felids. Captive-bred lion hunting differs from wild lion hunting in that lions are hunted in smaller areas (49.9 ±8.4 km²compared to 843 to 5933 km², depending on the country), hunts are cheaper (US$20 000–40 000 compared to US$37 000–76 000 [excluding the costs of shooting other species and government charges]), shorter (3.3 compared to 14–21 days), success rates are higher (99.2% compared to 51.0-96.0%), and trophy quality is higher (skull length breadth = 638.8 compared to 614–638 cm). Most clients perceive captive-bred and wild lion hunting to be different products but there is some overlap in markets: 48.7% of clients that had hunted captive-bred lions showed no preference regarding the type of future hunts. Owing to the size of the captive-bred hunting industry, even marginal overlap in demand could affect wild lion hunting significantly. If captive-bred lion hunting were ever prohibited, a transfer of demand to wild lion hunts could lead to elevated off-takes with negative impacts on wild populations. However, if off-takes of wild lions were held constant or reduced through effective regulation of quotas, increased demand could increase the price of wild lion hunts and strengthen financial incentives for lion conservation. These possibilities should be considered if future efforts are made to regulate captive-bred lion hunting.

The proximate composition of milk from freefree-ranging-ranging kudu, eland, and oryx is reported with detailed analysis of fatty acid composition and protein identification by electrophoresis. The milk of the eland, kudu and gemsbok contained, respectively, 88.0 ± 13.3,67.5 ± 5.6 and 61.7 ± 12.3 g/kg protein, 67.9 ± 22.7,61.0 ± 18.0 and 71.9 ± 27.1 g/kg fat, and 50.0 ± 10.5,41.0 ± 2.5 and 41.9 ± 2.3 g/kg lactose, and are comparable with ovine milk. The gemsbok milk contained 4.4 ± 1.5 g/kg oligosaccharide, which is four times higher than that found in other ruminants. The milk of the eland and kudu contained significantly lower levels of saturated fatty acids than that of the gemsbok, the levels being respectively, 62.55 ± 3.61,69.70 ± 1.62 and 79.46 ± 0.84%, due to the saturated acids of 8–14 carbon chain lengths. When adding the milk composition of sable antelope from the literature, statistical analysis (PCA) showed a difference between the milk composition of the subfamilies Hippotraginae and Bovinae (tribe Tragelaphini), suggesting phylogenetic effects. Observations on the composition of milk from scimitar oryx, lechwe, okapi and southern pudu are also reported.

This study provides data on gastrointestinal parasite infections in the geographically isolated and locally fragmented Cape Peninsula baboon population and two troops from neighbouring populations in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. We obtained data on parasite diversity and prevalence from 616 faecal samples collected from over 350 individuals in eight troops between July 2006 and May 2008. We processed faecal samples using a modified formalin-ether sedimentation technique and identified nematode eggs and protozoan cysts. We recovered seven nematode genera (Trichuris sp., Oesophagostomum sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Physaloptera sp., Ascaris sp., an unidentified hookworm morphotype, and an unidentified spirurid) and eight protozoan species (Balantidium coli, Entamoeba coli, E. histolytica/dispar, E. chattoni, E. hartmanni, lodamoeba bütschlii, Endolimax nana and Chilomastix mesnili). The nematode and protozoan fauna of the Cape Peninsula baboon population was similar to both neighbouring and geographically distinct chacma baboon populations in South Africa. Parasite prevalence was variable across study sites and seasonality did not appear to have an effect on patterns of infection. The finding of the eggs of an ascarid, possibly Ascaris sp., in the Cape Peninsula baboon population represents the first report of this nematode genus in wild baboons in South Africa.

Anthropogenic land transformation processes in the vicinity of the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Johannesburg, South Africa, are a significant threat to natural vegetation and biodiversity. Breeding and feeding records of a Verreauxs' eagle (Aquila verreauxii),pair in the garden were analysed in relation to changes in the local environment due to urbanization. Natural prey-suitable habitat within a 10 km radius of the nest diminished by approximately 29.7 km² (9.5%) during 1984–2007. In 2007 approximately 116.7 km² (37.2%) of suitable prey habitat remained within this radius. Feeding data within a more recent period (1996–2008) suggest that there has been a switch from an optimal diet of rock hyrax (Procavia capensis)to less characteristic avian prey species such as helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris),francolins (Francolinus spp.) and supplemented food. Annual breeding success indicated few inconsistencies in incubation period, nestling period and postfledging dispersal period relative to breeding Verreauxs' eagle elsewhere. Despite a reduction in the suitable prey habitat and change in prey composition (including supplemental feeding), breeding has persisted successfully over a 16-year period (1993–2008). The presence of a large apex avian predator in an extensively urbanized metropolis is encouraging with regard to ecological integrity and functioning but the future prospects for these Verreauxs' eagles may depend on an as yet unknown threshold of prey abundance, both natural and supplemented, and environmental disturbance.

Genetic variability is an important component in the ability of populations to evolve and adapt to changing environmental conditions and consequently for their long-term survival. Here we report the first description of both nuclear loci and mitochondrial control region sequence variability in a population of the desert warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) sampled from 12 localities in its natural range in eastern Africa. From the total sample (30 individuals), at the six microsatellite loci that were analysed, a total of 43 alleles was observed averaging seven alleles per locus. Expected heterozygosity (H_E) per locus was high, ranging from 0.53 to 0.87. At the mitochondrial loci, nucleotide diversity was low (π = 0.12%) with two unique haplotypes observed from the 19 individuals that amplified successfully. The diversity indices observed in the desert warthog are comparable to those previously reported for the closely related but widespread species, the common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus). These results suggest that the desert warthog is not genetically depauperate despite the rinderpest epidemic of the 1880s that eliminated it frommost of its natural range.

The diet of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor) has been the subject of a number of studies in various regions but information for the central bushveld region is sparse. This communication shows a number of woody species utilized by black rhino in this region and identified by means of microhistological faecal analysis. A total of 18 species were identified from the samples collected.

We document the first reported instance of offspring adoption in a wild leopard (Panthera pardus) population and discuss the potential fitness benefits accrued by the biological and foster mothers. A 15-year-old female leopard adopted the 7-month-old male cub of her 9-year-old daughter and successfully raised him to independence. The behaviour was presumably motivated by kin selection as no reciprocal support was gained by the adoptive mother, she did not benefit from additional parental experience, and it was unlikely to be a case of reproductive error.

Two anaesthesia protocols with short-duration and partially reversible drug combinations were compared for anaesthesia quality and cardio-pulmonary dynamics in free-ranging lions (Panthera leo). A primary anaesthetic drug (ketamine) was separately combined with either of the two α₂-adrenergic receptor agonists, medetomidine or detomidine. Thirty two lions were immobilized, half of which (16) received one of the two drug combination protocols, respectively. Seven quantitative and three subjective categories of data that were compared showed little overall difference in the quality of anaesthesia. However, use of the ancillary drug (detomidine) originally developed for sedation in domestic horses resulted in cost savings of up to five times over the one developed for domestic carnivores (medetomidine). Keeping drug costs down helps to lower the high cost of wild animal immobilizations and is thus particularly useful when routine or frequent capture is required. Short-acting reversible anaesthetics are much preferable in free-ranging situation for short-duration procedures to avoid prolonged recoveries previously experienced with non-reversible alternative anaesthetic agents (tiletamine-zolazepam).