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Assessing the population status of wildlife is useful for enhancing biodiversity management strategies in protected areas. This study was carried out within the framework of the Faro National Park (FNP) management plan. The objective was to provide baseline data on the status and population dynamics of the Buffon's kob (Kobus kob kob). The surveys were conducted in the month of June at the beginning of the rainy season. Data were collected along 145 line transects of 2.5 km apart and analysed using Distance 7.2 and Quantum GIS 3.4 software. The Buffon's kob population was estimated to comprise around 4,094 ± 1,303 individuals, with an overall density of 1.24 individuals/km². When compared to results from a study conducted in the year 2000, the concentration of Buffon's kob was higher in the northern part of the national park as opposed to the southern part, as was previously recorded. The population trend shows an extensive decline of approximately 80% compared to records of the year 2000. There was also a weak negative correlation between Buffon's kob density and human activities in the FNP.

The waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), though widespread throughout Africa, is suspected to be declining overall. Data on population numbers and structure are lacking for many parts of its range, especially in West Africa, where the subspecies defassa is found. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the abundance, distribution and attributes of waterbuck populations from the Nazinga Forest Reserve, southern Burkina Faso. We investigated waterbuck population trends in the park using transect data collected in 1985–2019. For the more detailed analyses of population structure and distribution of the animals, we used census data gathered during 2019. Most animals were adults (46.6%), and the sex ratio was heavily skewed towards females (5:1). Most animals were concentrated along the larger rivers. There was no influence of poacher activity on waterbuck distribution. In the long term (1985–2019), the population dynamics of waterbuck can be roughly divided into two main periods: a phase of population increase from 1985 to 2005, and one of ongoing population collapse from 2007 to 2019. Although the declining population trend was obvious, coefficients of determination were low indicating that the years explained poorly the number of individuals and the number of sightings obtained. Waterbuck numbers in the Nazinga Forest Reserve are declining, but we found no single reason to explain this trend. It is likely that a combination of factors, including global warming (increased aridity) and illegal activities such as poaching, is responsible. Because there are probably multiple reasons for the observed waterbuck population decline in our study area, we suggest that a multifaceted approach should be adopted in order to enhance the conservation status of the local waterbuck populations.

Species delimitations by morphological and by genetic markers are not always congruent. Magnolia kobus consists of two morphologically different varieties, kobus and borealis. The latter variety is characterized by larger leaves than the former. For the conservation of M. kobus genetic resources in natural forests, the relationships between morphological and genetic variation should be clarified. We investigated variations in nuclear microsatellites, chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequences and leaf morphological traits in 23 populations of M. kobus over the range of species. Two genetically divergent lineages, northern and southern were detected and their geographical boundary was estimated to be at 39°N. The northern lineage consisted of two genetic clusters and a single cpDNA haplotype, while the southern one had multiple genetic clusters and cpDNA haplotypes. The northern lineage showed significantly lower genetic diversity than the southern. Approximate Bayesian computation indicated that the northern and southern lineages had experienced, respectively, population expansion and long-term stable population size. The divergence time between the two lineages was estimated to be 565,000 years ago and no signature of migration between the two lineages after divergence was detected. Ecological niche modeling showed that the potential distribution area in northern Japan at the last glacial maximum was very small. It is thus considered that the two lineages have experienced different population histories over several glacial-inter-glacial cycles. Individuals of populations in the central to northern part of Honshu on the Sea of Japan side and in Hokkaido had large leaf width and area. These leaf characteristics corresponded with those of variety borealis. However, the delimitation of the northern and southern lineages detected by genetic markers (39°N) was not congruent with that detected by leaf morphologies (36°N). It is therefore suggested that variety borealis is not supported genetically and the northern and southern lineages should be considered separately when identifying conservation units based not on morphology but on genetic markers., ファイル公開：2020/11/01

Many terrestrial mammalian migrations are disappearing before they are documented. The Boma-Jonglei ecosystem in South Sudan, one of the world’s poorest and most conflicted countries, contains some of the largest, longest, and least studied ungulate migrations. A rapidly increasing human population, ongoing armed conflict, and looming oil development, however, threatens the migration of 800,000 white-eared kob (Kobus kob leucotis) and 160,000 tiang (Damaliscus lunatus tiang) in this system. To document these migrations and identify potential conflicts, we examined the movements of ungulates in the Boma-Jonglei ecosystem using data from 14 collared individuals (12 kob, 2 tiang). We identified two separate dry season ranges of kob; from each, kob initiated migration with the onset of the rainy season, and migrated to a shared rainy season range also shared by the tiang. The maximum straight-line distance between telemetry locations of kob (399 km) and tiang (298 km) on their dry and rainy season ranges indicated these migrations were among the longest in Africa. The kob range was 68,805 km2, 29% of which was within national parks and 72% within leased oil concessions (54–83% of parks overlap with potential oil concessions). The range of the tiang (35,992 km2) occurred almost entirely (> 99%) within land leased to oil companies. Because disruption or elimination of these migrations will inevitably lead to significant population reductions, maintenance of the migration routes we identified through additional protection measures are essential to conserve one of the largest ungulate aggregations in the world.

In West Africa, whether in forests or savannahs, most of the large mammal species have a scattered spatial distribution. Monitoring their population size represents a logistic, financial, theoretical challenge because counting of transects is not appropriate, unlike elsewhere in Africa. In this study, we (i) analyse the patterns of interannual (2006–2008) changes in population density of seven sympatric species of savannah herbivores in a protected area of Burkina Faso with two alternative methods: dung counts versus direct counts and (ii) quantify the economic costs for these two methods. The seven species of mammals we considered are the following: Hippotragus equinus, Alcelaphus busephalus, Sylvicapra grimmia, Tragelaphus scriptus, Ourebia ourebi, Kobus ellipsiprymnus and Phacochoerus africanus. A distance methodology was used to generate estimates with both methods. There were significant correlations between estimates of mammal density obtained using dung counts and direct counts, and an analysis of covariance revealed that the interannual trends in population densities were consistently detected with both methods. In addition, the dung count method costs 55% less. Thus, our study documents that dung counts can be used as a proxy of population size fluctuations for the seven studied species, offering a methodological alternative that is much less expensive, less sophisticated in terms of equipment compared to other methods and that can be performed by field staff with moderate professional qualification. We suggest that standardized campaigns of dung count surveys may be applied to all protected areas and savannah in Burkina Faso, West Africa, in order to improve evidence-based, large-scale conservation and management planning in the region.

Sympatric occurrence of puku (Kobus vardonii) and impala (Aepyceros melampus) characterises large parts of the protected areas in Zambia. The present study assessed traits of the populations as well as spatial and dietary overlap of both antelopes in Kafue National Park and adjacent Game Management Areas in western Zambia. Data were collected via distance sampling along line transects (population and distribution) and via microhistological analyses of dung (diet). Hunting activities might result in fewer males in both antelopes in the Game-Management areas. During the cool dry season there was considerable spatial overlap between puku and impala. However, puku are more abundant in grassland areas, while impala reach highest population densities in intermediate habitats. The diet of puku was characterised by high amounts of grasses during both the cool dry season and the late rainy season. Impala shifted from browsing during the cool dry season to a more grazing diet during the rainy season. This study found niche partitioning via habitat and diet as a key to understand the coexistence of these antelopes and improves our knowledge of Zambian Wildlife.

Similar to declines in antelope species across African conservation areas, sable (Hippotragus niger) at Kgaswane Mountain Reserve, South Africa, has exhibited a negative trend in abundance since 2000. To investigate the cause of decline, we assessed three hypotheses: seasonal forage abundance, habitat conditions and interspecific competition. We considered the evidence for each hypothesis by analysing reserve survey data, rainfall records and historical burn data with hierarchical models that incorporated potential density-dependent effects and environmental covariates. After accounting for the effects of sable abundance, we found that sable population growth was most strongly related to the interspecific competition covariates and to waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) count in particular. Also, the strength of the relationship was shaped by the trend in sable numbers and whether the population was before or after peak abundance: the strongest indication of interspecific competition occurred after sable had reached peak abundance. The interaction between abundance of sable and that of potentially competing species emphasizes the importance of accounting for density-dependent processes, and in particular longer-term phases in abundance, when judging the roles of other factors that affect species abundance.

While protected areas are a centrepiece of conservation, populations of animals in protected areas can still be subject to considerable human influence. Conservation theory suggests that many species should live at lower densities at the periphery of protected areas compared with the core area. Similarly, but more specifically, species subject to exploitation are expected to have lower densities in areas close to human settlements compared with more remote areas. Drawing upon distributional data of eight large African herbivore species (buffalo Syncerus caffer, elephant Loxodonta africana, giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis, impala Aepyceros melampus, topi Damaliscus lunatus, warthog Phacochoerus africanus, waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus and zebra Equus quagga) sampled using ground surveys in 1995 and 1996, and seven large herbivore species (the same species without impala) sampled using aerial surveys from 1987 to 2009, we fitted logistic regression models and used an information theoretic model selection approach to test these two hypotheses in an East African savannah national park subject to illegal hunting from outside. In the vast majority of herbivore species, occupancy was not substantially affected by being close to the edge of the park or in close proximity to human villages. Furthermore, population declines witnessed in this protected area were not reflected in reduced occupancy near park boundaries. We conclude that assumed distributional differences between peripheral and core parts of reserves are not necessarily supported by empirical evidence, and that population declines within reserves do not inevitably proceed from boundaries inwards.

Always regarded as somewhat of an ‘outsider’ (the child of an Englishspeaking (Catholic) mother and an Afrikaans (Protestant) father in an exclusively Afrikaans milieu) and growing up extremely poor, seeing the hardship of others and realising how much talent was going to waste, Kobus Maree took a particular interest in gifted disadvantaged persons. A marginalised loner, he almost inevitably developed creative abilities and took a keen interest in creativity, giftedness and the education of gifted, disadvantaged learners. As an adult, his research showed that many teachers in South Africa have to contend with the generally poor socioeconomic background of learners. A dire need for appropriate teacher and learner support materials, and school environments that are not conducive to achievement (including inadequate facilities, overcrowded classrooms, lack of teacher and learner support materials). South Africa is at a critical stage in its education. It is therefore important for educators to teach emotional intelligence in their classrooms. Our biggest challenge will be to maintain and enhance vitality in gifted education in a dynamic, ever-evolving environment. A combination of scholarly leadership and strategic management to support gifted learners is important. We should do all we can to promote societal transformation and diversity, focussing anew on underrepresented groups (women and ethnic groups) who show promise and support them. The widest array of partners possible including the big institutional players, the entire teaching fraternity (including government departments), nongovernmental organisations and miscellaneous interest groups together should develop strategic, rolling five-year plans and make gifted education a priority.

The behaviour of waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus was studied at Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya. Lake Nakuru NP has the highest known population density of waterbuck. At any moment, only 7% of the adult males held a territory. Only about 20% of the males surviving to prime age were likely to become territory owners during their lifetime. Males were territorial all year round. About half of the territorial males tolerated one or several “satellite males” on the territory. About 9% of the adult males were satellites, the remaining 84% were bachelor males. Territories containing a satellite male and territories without satellites did not differ in average number of adult females recorded on them. Bachelor males were recorded in groups with adult females less often than territory holders and satellites and were recorded with fewer adult females when females were present. Nevertheless, some individual bachelor males were recorded more often with adult females and with more adult females than some territory holders. Zusammenfassung Das Verhalten von Wasserbocken, Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa, wurde 25 Monate lang im Nakuru-Nationalpark, Kenya, registriert. Im Nakuru-Nationalpark leben Wasserbocke in der hochsten bisher bekannten Populationsdichte. Etwa die Halfte der Territoriumsbesitzer duldete ein oder mehrere weitere adulte Mannchen als “Satellitenmannchen” im Territorium. Eine solche Gemeinschaft dauerte 13 Monate. Stets hielten nur etwa 7% der adulten Mannchen ein Territorium. Etwa 9% der adulten Mannchen waren Satelliten, die restlichen 84% Junggesellen. Nur etwa 20% der Mannchen, die bis zur Vollreife uberleben, werden jemals Territoriumsbesitzer. Mannchen hielten ein Territorium wahrend des ganzen Jahres. Zwei Monate vor einem Besitzwechsel fanden sich haufiger Satellitenmannchen auf einem Territorium als zwei Monate danach. In Territorien mit und ohne Satelliten hielten sich im Durchschnitt gleich viele Weibchen auf. Die meisten Junggesellen werden seltener mit adulten Weibchen zusammen gesehen als Territoriumbesitzer und Satelliten, und wenn sie mit Weibchen gesehen wurden, dann war deren durchschnittliche Anzahl niedriger als bei Territoriumsbesitzern und Satelliten. Manche Junggesellen wurden allerdings haufiger und mit mehr adulten Weibchen gesehen als manche Territoriumsbesitzer. Kopulationen gab es auch in Junggesellenherden. Das dominante Mannchen in einer Junggesellen-Herde kann vielleicht ebenso viele Kopulationen erzielen wie manche Territoriumsbesitzer. “Satelliten”, die in der Nahe von dominanten Artgenossen bleiben, kennt man von einigen anderen Saugern, Vogeln und Fischen. Zwei Hypothesen werden aufgestellt: Nach der “Parasiten-Hypothese” ist der Aufwand, einen Satelliten fernzuhalten, hoher als der Schaden, den dieser verursacht. Nach der “Netto-Nutzen-Hypothese” bringt die Anwesenheit eines Satelliten auch Vorteile, und diese wiegen schwerer als der Schaden, den seine Anwesenheit verursacht. Die Evolution der Kooperation von Artgenossen, die eigentlich miteinander in Konkurrenz stehen, wird diskutiert.

Territorial aggression in a lek breeding population of white-eared kob (Kobus kob leucotis) was investigated in the Boma National Park region, southern Sudan. The frequency of aggression on leks was positively related to the number of females present, but generally declined over the course of the breeding season. Males fought most strenuously for central territories that were preferred by females. Males with females in their territories were more frequently engaged in fights than unaccompanied males. Such fights often induced females to leave their original partners, especially when large groups of females were involved. Territorial aggression led to damaging injuries in several instances, and mortality of breeding age males was disproportionately high. These results suggest that the intensity of aggression exhibited by territorial males was scaled to potential reproductive benefits.

Mitochondrial DNA control region sequences and seven microsatellites were used to estimate the genetic structuring, evolutionary history and historic migration patterns of the kob antelope ( Kobus kob ). Ten populations were analysed, representing the three recognized K. kob subspecies: K. k. kob in west Africa, K. k. thomasi in Uganda and K. k. leucotis in Sudan and Ethiopia. Despite being classified as K. k. thomasi and being phenotypically identical to the kob in Queen Elizabeth National Park (NP), the Murchison Falls population in Uganda showed high genetic similarity with the phenotypically distinct K. k. leucotis populations in Sudan and Ethiopia. This was regardless of marker type. Pairwise comparisons and genetic distances between populations grouped Murchison with K. k. leucotis , as did the Bayesian analysis, which failed to find any genetic structuring within the group. We propose that the divergent phenotype and life-history adaptations of K. k. leucotis reflect the isolation of kob populations in refugia in west and east Africa during the Pleistocene. Subsequent dispersal has led to secondary contact and hybridization in northern Uganda between lineages, which was supported by high levels of genetic diversity in Murchison. The reduced variability observed in Queen Elizabeth NP reflects a small founder population from west Africa and in part the decimation of Uganda’s wildlife during the country’s political turmoil in the 1970s. Due to similarities in phenotype and ecology, and the joint evolutionary history of their mtDNA sequences, the taxonomic status of K. k. kob and K. k. thomasi as separate subspecies is called into question.

Two subspecies of waterbuck ( Kobus ellipsiprymnus ), common ( Kobus ellipsiprymnus ellipsiprymnus ) and defassa ( Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa ), are recognized based on differences in rump pattern, coat colour and geographical distribution. These forms are parapatrically distributed with an area of range overlap in East Africa, where phenotypically intermediate populations occur. Variation in 478 bp of the mitochondrial DNA control region and 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci were used to describe the genetic structure and phylogeographical pattern of the species, and to assess if the intermediate populations are the results of hybridization. In total, 186 individuals from 11 localities were analysed. A high degree of genetic differentiation was found between subspecies, although this was most evident from the microsatellite data. Hybridization was suggested in the phenotypically and geographically intermediate Nairobi NP population in Kenya. A neighbour-joining (NJ) tree based on microsatellite population genetic distances grouped Nairobi between the common and defassa populations, and a Bayesian analysis clearly showed introgression. Individuals sampled in Samburu NP, Kenya, had a common waterbuck phenotype, but introgression was suggested by both markers. Although a high degree of maternal defassa input was indicated from the sequence data, the Samburu population grouped with the common waterbuck in the microsatellite population genetic distance tree, with high support. Analyses of linkage disequilibrium and maximum-likelihood estimates of genetic drift suggested that admixture between subspecies is a recent event. The fact that introgression is limited between subspecies could be caused by chromosomal differences, hindering gene flow between common and defassa waterbuck.

Although there are populations of puku antelope Kobusvardoni (Livingstone) scattered throughout eastern and centralAfrica, it is estimated that 75% of the total population is now restricted tothe Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. The Kilombero Valley is an area rich inagricultural potential and natural resources; wildlife populations are also highand the inner valley is a Game Controlled Area, although this only provideslimited protection. Aerial surveys during the 1989, 1994 and 1998 dry seasonsshowed the puku population to be stable at around50000–60000 animals. Livestock populations fluctuated, butincreased from 17309 ± 6487 to 54047 ±17247 over the same period. Signs of human activity (e.g. huts, fieldsand livestock) were highest around the edge of the Game Controlled Area,indicating intense pressure on 'boundary-zone' habitats at thefloodplain–woodland interface. Puku use 'boundary-zone'habitats during the wet season when large areas of grassland are flooded.Potential threats to the puku population are therefore likely due to habitatdegradation through over-grazing by domestic herbivores, agriculturalencroachment, and the expansion of human settlements. Licensed trophyhunting probably has a negligible impact on puku because of very low off-take, but illegalhunting represents a serious threat near human settlements during thewet season and in accessible parts of the floodplain during the dry season.

The kob (Kobus kob kob) population studied in the Comoe National Park, Ivory Coast, suffered unsustainable losses to poaching before and during the investigation. This in turn did not only lead to low densities but also changed the population composition, resulting in a strong female bias in all age classes except juveniles. The relative rarity of adult males probably had negative effects on the population recruitment. Although mating occurred throughout the year and birth intervals were short, at least in some females, annual birth-rate was low compared to earlier studies in the same area. Effective conservation measures are urgently needed to ensure the future existence of the studied population. Resume La population de kobes (Kobus kob kob) etudiee au Parc National de Comoe, en Cote d'Ivoire, a souffert de pertes insoutenables dues au braconnage, avant et pendant les investigations. Ceci a entraine non seulement de faibles densites mais aussi des changements de la composition de la population, avec pour resultat un biais important en faveur des femelles dans toutes les classes d'âge sauf les juveniles. Bien que les accouplements aient lieu toute l'annee et que les intervalles entre les naissances soient courts, en tout cas pour certaines femelles, le taux de natalite annuel etait faible compare aux etudes realisees precedemment dans la region. Il faut absolument prendre des mesures de conservation urgentes et efficaces pour garantir l'avenir de la population etudiee.

Few studies are available on the population dynamics of medium and large mammals in gallery forests of the Sudan and Sahel regions of West Africa. Line-transect studies of the abundance (estimated by KIA) of nine species of ungulates and three species of primates were carried out between 2004 and 2013 in the Comoé-Leraba protected area of Burkina Faso, West Africa. No peer-reviewed study of population sizes of mammals in this protected area has been published, making the data presented of special relevance. Population size trends varied significantly across years in both primates and ungulates, with some species (Papio anubis, Phacochoerus africanus, Alcelaphus busephalus and Tragelaphus scriptus) decreasing consistently. Significant relationships were observed between poaching intensity and population oscillations in Erythrocebus patas, Kobus ellipsiprymnus, Kobus kob, Ourebia ourebi and Cephalophus rufilatus.

The territorial system of kob antelopes in the Comoe National Park, Cote d’Ivoire, was studied from March 1993 until April 1997. Whereas size and shape of territories remained constant between 1993 and 1994, the number of territories decreased from 1994 onwards. A decline of the population density probably led to the decline in territory numbers and also to variations in size and shape of the remaining territories. The decline of kob numbers is the result of heavy poaching in the study area. Whereas a lekking system was present in the study area prior to 1975 when the population density was approximately 14.4 kobs/km2, males switched to the resource defence territorial system present today after the population density decreased to 12.5/km2 in 1993 and finally to 2.3/km2 in 1997. Compared to other research areas with higher population densities, territories in the Comoe National Park are larger, almost all adult males are capable to defend a territory, fights over territories are rare and loss of territory tenureship is almost exclusively due to the death of the territorial male. We suggest that those differences can all be related to the low population density in the study area. Resume De mars 1993 a avril 1997, on a etudie le systeme territorial des cobes au Parc National de Comoe, en Cote d’Ivoire. Alors que la taille et la forme des territoires restaient constantes entre 1993 et 1994, le nombre de territoires a diminuea partir du 1994. Une baisse de la densite de population a probablement conduit a une reduction du nombre de territoires et aussi a des variations de taille et de forme des territoires restants. La baisse du nombre des cobes resulte du braconnage intense dans la zone etudiee. Alors qu’un systeme de leks existait dans la zone etudiee avant 1975, lorsque la densite de population etait d’environ 14,4 cobes/km2, les mâles ont change pour le systeme de defense territorial base sur les ressources qui existent actuellement, apres que la densite de population a baisse jusqu’a 12,5/km2 en 1993, pour atteindre 2,3/km2 en 1997. Compares aux autres regions d’etudes ou les densites de population sont plus elevees, les territoires sont plus grands dans le Parc National de Comoe, presque tous les mâles adultes sont capables de defendre un territoire, les combats pour des territoires sont rares et la perte de la possession d’un territoire est presque exclusivement due a la mort du mâle qui l’occupait. Nous suggerons que toutes ces differences peuvent etre attribuees a la faible densite de population de la zone etudiee.

Antelopes are prominent wildlife in Waza National Park (NP) that, situated in Sahelo-Sudanian Cameroon, has witnessed dramatic changes in rainfall, flooding and management. Scholte, Adam & Bobo (2007) reviewed 26 aerial and terrestrial surveys, comprising total, transect and partial counts from 1960 till 2002. Estimated numbers of kob [Kobus kob (Erxleben)] dropped from 20,000 in the 1960s to 2000 in the mid-1980s. They recovered to over 6000 in the late 1990s due to increased flooding. Estimated numbers of korrigum [Damaliscus lunatus korrigum (Burchell)] and roan [Hippotragus equinus (E. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire)] dropped in the early 1970s and only slightly recovered in the 1990s. The diversity of the counting methods notwithstanding, Scholte, Adam & Bobo (2007) attributed the drop in kob numbers and the disappearance of waterbuck [Kobus elypsiprymnus (Ogilby)] to the construction of the Maga dam in 1979 followed by drought. They further argued that antelope–livestock contacts, provoking the transmission of diseases, especially rinderpest, better explained the drops in population numbers than poaching. However, concern was expressed on increasing human pressure and declining numbers of park guards (Scholte, 2005). Recent reports on escalating poaching (Tumenta et al., 2010) motivated the organization of a total waterhole count to assess recent changes in antelope populations. To avoid taking a snapshot of the current situation only, results are presented along other counts conducted since 2002. This study also aims at contributing to the understanding of the continent-wide decline in large mammals, especially how long-term environmental changes interact with human pressure (Caro & Scholte, 2007; Scholte, 2011).

SummaryAlthough bushmeat is known locally to be an important source of protein, large-scale patterns of demand are poorly defined. One area for which information is especially lacking is northern Cameroon, and this study therefore conducted a survey of 345 households in this region. Information sought from questionnaire interviews included the frequency of consumption, species preferences, and prices of bushmeat, together with people's perceptions of trends in the wildlife population involved. Bushmeat was estimated to represent c. 24% of the animal protein intake in the region and respondents generally preferred bushmeat to meat from domestic livestock. North African porcupine (Hystrix cristata) was the most preferred species, closely followed by guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), and Buffon's kob (Kobus kob). There was a tendency for the price of a kilogramme of bushmeat to decrease with the weight of the animal. A majority of the respondents said they perceived declines in some wild animal species within the last 10 years. For those who eat bushmeat one or more times a week, there was a tendency for villagers to eat more bushmeat than for people in towns. A number of measures should be taken, including wildlife farming and domestication and anti-poaching measures in national parks.

As part of a biological assessment of Toro Game Reserve, the status of Uganda kob Kobus kob thomasi Newmann, was studied. A survey of traditional mating grounds, foot transects and opportunistic sightings was used to determine population size and structure. The influences of habitat, predation and poaching intensity were also investigated. This study indicates that the population of kob in Toro Game Reserve is approximately 100 animals and, though small, has a viable structure for expansion. Data indicate a comparatively high proportion of females in the population, with a ratio of adult females:adult males:juveniles (< 1.5 years old) of 5:2:2. The preferred habitat is the major vegetation type within the Reserve and presents no limiting factor to population growth. Predator levels are low and the principal threat to the survival of Uganda kob is poaching.

The Nile lechwe Kobus megaceros population at Rome Zoo originates from 1.1 wild-caught animals which arrived in 1959. The ‘harem’ mating system, where the ♀♀ only mate with the dominant J, is typical of this species and because the population has not been genetically managed, the animals have been inbreeding continuously. This study examines the effects of inbreeding depression, particularly in relation to neonate mortality, on this population.

Summary Historical records of black lechwe numbers in the Bangweulu Swamps in northern Zambia indicate a major population decline during the first half of this century followed by a minor recovery during the years 1970-83. Aerial censuses conducted during October 1988-91 suggest that the population has ceased to increase and the lechwe are now being maintained at approximately 30,000 by the illegal hunting of at least 3000 individuals per annum. Poaching may also be implicated in the apparent large-scale changes in distribution of lechwe throughout the swamps. The conservation importance of high-density concentrations of lechwe, which occur during the wet season on shallow-water ftoodplains in certain localities on the periphery of the swamp, is highlighted. Resume Des rapports anciens sur le nombre de cobes lechwes noirs dans les marais de Bangweulu au nord de la Zambie indiquent une diminution importante de la population pendant la premiere moitie de ce siecle, suivie d'une reprise mineure entre 1970 et 1983. Des recensements aeriens effectues en octobre, de 1988 a 1991, montreraient que la population a cesse d'augmenter et que les lechwes sont maintenus aux environs de 30000 a cause de la chasse illegale d'au moins 3000 animaux par an. Le braconnage est peutetre aussi responsable des changements apparemment a grande echelle de la distribution des lechwes dans les marais. On met en evidence l'importance de la conservation des fortes concentrations de lechwes, qui se rassemblent en saison des pluies dans les eaux basses des plaines inondables, dans certaines localites situees a la periperie des marais.

Background Two types of lechwe antelopes exclusively exist in their natural ecosystems in Zambia; the Black lechwe (Kobus leche smithemani) and the Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis). Despite inhabiting similar ecosystems, tuberculosis has been reported in Kafue lechwe without its documentation in Black lechwe antelopes. However, the past few decades have seen a drastic decline in both lechwe populations. Whereas studies have postulated that infectious diseases such as tuberculosis are having a negative impact on the Kafue lechwe population, no information is available on Black lechwe antelopes. Thus this study was conducted to investigate tuberculosis in Black lechwe antelopes of the Bangweulu swamps in comparison with the Kafue lechwe antelopes of Lochinvar. Findings A total of 44 lechwe antelopes (Black (n = 30): Kafue (n = 14) were sampled from Bangweulu and Lochinvar respectively. A positive case was defined with findings of gross lesions with Ziehl Nielsen and culture confirmation. Out of the 14 animals examined in Lochinvar, 21.4% [95% CI: 15.4, 44.4%] had necropsy lesions consistent with tuberculosis. The corresponding samples from 30 Black lechwe of Bangweulu yielded negative results on all the three tests. Conclusions Current findings from this study intimate the possible absence of tuberculosis in Black lechwe antelopes whilst confirming the presence of tuberculosis in Kafue lechwe of the Kafue basin. The absence of tuberculosis in the Black lechwe suggests that the observed population decline may not be caused by tuberculosis. However, without detailed molecular epidemiological studies it is not possible to determine the association of M. bovis infection in sympatric animal populations. The possible role of transmission of tuberculosis between wildlife and cattle is discussed herein. Findings

The mating system and ecology of black lechwe Kobus leche smithemani was studied in the Bangweulu Basin, northern Zambia. Black lechwe were migratory and concentrated at high density during the wet season on shallow water floodplain and peripheral grassland. Female lechwe were evenly distributed in small groups within the two major habitat types, and density was related to water depth and the quality of vegetation. A proportion of the adult male population defended small, contiguous, resource-based territories of approximately 1–2 ha in size. Particularly high density concentrations of male and female lechwe occurred on small raised areas, which remained dry in comparison to the inundated floodplain. These areas superficially resembled the leks of other reduncine antelope. However, the presence of vegetational resources and the comparatively low levels of agonistic and sexual behaviour suggested that raised areas were clusters of resource-based territories. We suggest that the absence of lek-breeding in this high density population of lechwe is related to the homogeneity of vegetational resources and the corresponding even distribution of females. This may have led to a reduction in male harassment of oestrous females and the increased ability of males to retain oestrous females within single resource territories.

A massive outbreak of anthrax in the wildlife of the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe between August and November 2004 resulted in the death of almost all the reserve's estimated 500 kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros). Other species badly affected were nyala (Tragelaphus angasi), bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) and roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus), which suffered losses of approximately 68 per cent, 48 per cent, 44 per cent and 42 per cent of their populations, respectively. Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) were also badly affected and although their population suffered only a 6 per cent loss, the numbers of deaths ranked second highest after kudu. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first record of anthrax in wildlife in Zimbabwe.

A computer simulation model was developed to compare six alternative management strategies with respect to their economic performance and impact on population size and structure of Buffon’s kob (Kobus kob kob). The model allows for both controlled and illegal harvesting depending on the level of protection enforcement. Additional features include age–sex structure, density dependence, and environmental stochasticity. The compared strategies combine two enforcement levels and three harvest rates in both sexes. Under low enforcement regime, the population size either remained stable or decreased with legal harvesting. By contrast, an increased protection resulted in a population growth that was either logistic or dampened by legal off-take. Within the tested range of parameters, it appeared that a sustainable harvest could be achieved by taking up to 7% of the kob population. The sex ratio was slightly biased towards females under illegal but random shooting or when male harvesting was high. Both recruitment and yearling-to-cow ratios tend to be low in undisturbed, lightly hunted populations and relatively higher in depressed populations. A substantial reduction in the percentage of illegal harvest was achieved by raising the minimum anti-poaching effort from 0.15 to 0.3 (in arbitrary monetary units). Allowing a simultaneous controlled harvesting increased the amount of captured benefits (meat, trophies and their total value) and hence the household shares in the neighbouring community. At lower discount rates (10% or less), ecological and economic goals are better balanced by combining an increased protection with a high harvest rate. A sensitivity analysis revealed that small increments of the harvest quota return larger increase in revenues, especially for quota levels below 5%. Further, the rate of illegal harvest showed low sensitivity (i.e., hardly changed) when the model assumed that illegal off-take was a quadratic rather than a linear function of anti-poaching effort. In practical terms, the reduction in illegal off-take can be expected to decline linearly with the enforcement budget. Based on the obtained results, a number of suggestions are made with respect to the interpretation of survey results and the harvesting of kob populations.

Review(s) of: Shaping the Story: A Guide to Facilitating Narrative Counselling, by Kobus Maree (Ed.), (2007). Pretoria: Van Schaik, ISBN 978-0-627-02684-3.

Extracted from text ... EDITORIAL Assessing communities of practice One of the dominant themes in this edition of Education as Change is the quest for alternative forms of assessment. Natalie Hyde-Clarke proposes the use of online continuous assessment in her article, while both sets of authors, Linda du Plessis and Imelda Koen and Mary Grosser and Kobus Lombard suggest the use of portfolio assessment. Louise Botha, Neels Fourie and Hester Geyser reflect on the impact large classes have on assessment, as an integral part of the teachingteaching- assessment triad. These four articles aim to investigate the possibilities of "a greater and improved learning experience" ..

Trypomastogotes of Trypanosoma brucei were detected from 4 asymptomatic kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) on a game ranch located approximately 45 km north east of Lusaka, Zambia. Blood smears examined from 14 wildlife species comprising of the impala (Aepyceros melampus), Kafue lechwe (kobus leche kafuensis), sable antelope (Hippotragus niger), tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus), warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus), puku (Kobus vardoni), zebra (Equus burchelli), waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), reedbuck (Redunca arundinum), wilderbeest (Connochaetes taurinus), hartebeest (Alcephelus lichtensteini), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), and kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) showed that only the kudu had T. brucei. Although game ranching has emerged to be a successful ex-situ conservation strategy aimed at saving the declining wildlife population in the National Parks, our findings suggest that it has the potential of aiding the re-distribution of animal diseases. Hence, there is a need for augmenting wildlife conservation with disease control strategies aimed at reducing the risk of disease transmission between wildlife and domestic animals.

Summary Results of a previous study on the waterbuck {Kobus ellipsipyrmnus (Ogilby)} in the Umfolozi Game Reserve prompted the hypothesis that interspecific competition was the ultimate factor responsible for the decline of this population. Subsequent removal of many of the putative competitors allowed for the testing of this hypothesis. The present study confirms that the waterbuck population was declining, but the link between calf mortality and competition is de-emphasized. It appears that competition may have acted only secondarily to aggravate tick-induced calf mortality. RESUMEE Les resultats d'une etude precedente sur le waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus (Ogilby)) dans la Reserve de Faune d'Umfolozi suggeraient l'hypothese qu'une competition interspecifique etait le facteur ultime responsable du declin de cette population. En supprimant ulterieurement de nombreux competiteurs potentiels, on a pu tester cette hypothese. La presente etude confirme que la population de waterbuck etait en diminution, mais le lien entre la mortalite juvenile et la competition est moins mis en evidence. Il semble que la competition peut avoir agi secondairement pour aggraver la mortalite juvenile induite par les tiques.

Although it is commonly presumed that many populations of large-herbivores are limited by food availability, supporting evidence is scarce. This hypothesis was investigated in a population of over 800,000 white-eared kob in the Boma National Park region of the southern Sudan. Food availability, body condition, and mortality rates of adults and calves were measured during the dry seasons of 1982 and 1983. Sampled age distributions from both the live population and carcasses were used to calculate age-specific rates of mortality. In 1982, food supplies during the dry season were augmented by substantial rainfall, which produced regrowth of grass in areas that ordinarily had little green forage. As a result, fat reserves declined little, and rates of adult mortality showed no increasing trend. Total adult mortality was 5%. In 1983, there was no rainfall during the dry season and food intake was insufficient to meet the estimated energy requirements of kob. As a result, fat reserves declined and adult mortality rates increased fourfold. Total adult mortality was 10% (equivalent to the recruitment rate of yearling into the population). Calf mortality during the dry season was similar in both years (50%), based on field estimates of mortality rates and calf/female ratios. Lactation throughout the dry season possibly provided a buffer for calves against variations in food availability. The age structure of the live population in 1983 suggests that a drought in 1980 reduced kob numbers by 40%. These results suggest that adult survival is influenced strongly by the availability of food during the dry season. However, the duration of the dry season also plays an important role. During the dry season, declining fat reserves make an increasing proportion of the population vulnerable to mortality. As a result, even moderate droughts may lead to substantial changes in population numbers.

Summary This paper describes condition and mortality data for a declining population of waterbuck (Kobus ellipsipryrnnus) in the Umfolozi Game Reserve, South Africa. Emphasis is placed on the investigation of juvenile mortality because it is believed to play a major role in the decline of the study population. Lion (Panthera leo) predation is a main cause of death in adults but the frequency of non-predatory deaths is probably underestimated. Severe infestations of the brown ear tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) are identified as possibly the main cause of death in young waterbuck. Blood assays from immobilized waterbuck and carcasses suggest that juveniles could be in poorer condition than adults and that adults may be often in poor or only moderate condition at the beginning of winter. More data are needed regarding normal blood values in both adults and young waterbuck before these suggestions can be substantiated. It remains unknown whether poor condition has increased the frequency and severity of tick infestation in waterbuck. The difficulty of investigating causes of mortality in young African antelope, because of swift scavenger action, is emphasized, as is the major effect which juvenile mortality can have on population growth. Resume Cet article decrit les conditions et les chiffres sur la mortalite dans une population de waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) en regression dans la Reserve de Chasse d'Umfolozi en Afrique du Sud. La priorite est donnee aux recherches sur la mortalite juvenile etant donne qu'elle doit jouer un role primordial dans le declin de la population etudiee. La predation du lion (Panthera leo) est la cause premiere de la mort d'adultes, mais la frequence de morts qui ne sont pas dues a un predateur est probablement sous-estimee. De graves infestations de tiques (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) sont reconnues comme etant peut-etre la principale cause de mortalite chez les jeunes waterbucks. Des analyses de sang preleve sur des animaux immobilises et sur des carcasses font penser que les juveniles pourraient etre en moins bonne condition que les adultes et que ceux-ci peuvent souvent etre en mauvaise ou mediocre condition au de but de I'hiver. I1 est necessaire d'avoir plus de donnees sur les caracteristiques naturelles du sang tant pour les adultes que pour les jeunes waterbucks avant de confirmer ces hypotheses. On ne sait toujours pas si des mauvaises conditions augmentent la frequence et la gravite de I'infestation des waterbucks par les tiques. On souligne al difficulte de rechcrcher les causes de mortalite chez la jeune antilope africaine en raison de l'intervention rapide des charognards, de meme que le'effet majeur que la mortalite juvenile peut avoir sur la croissance de la population.

Summary This paper reports the high frequency of dental abnormality found among a population of waterbuck in Nakuru National Park, Kenya, and discusses the possible causes. The data were obtained from examination of carcasses and skeletons found in the Park–58.3% of these displayed uneven wear along the posterior tooth row, sometimes resulting in tooth loss. These patterns were found in individuals of both sexes and all ages. It is argued that this high incidence of dental abnormalities is the result of the specific conditions in which the Nakuru water-buck population live (isolation and reduced competition and predation) leading to inbreeding and increased homozygosity and a higher frequency of expressed genetic abnormalities. These conclusions may have some implications for wildlife management of isolated populations. Resume Ce travail discute de la frequence elevee d'anomalies dentaires constatee parmi la population de waterbucks du Parc National de Nakuru (Kenya) et examine les causes possibles de celle-ci. Les donnees ont ete obtenues par l'examen de carcasses et squelettes trouves dans le Parc, dont 58.3% presentaient une usure inegale le long de la rangee dentaire posterieure parfois due a la perte de dent. Cette usure est relevee chez des individus des deux sexes et de tous âges. Il est suggere que l'incidence elevee d'anomalies dentaires est le resultat des conditions specifiques qui regissent la population de waterbuck de Nakuru (isolation, competition reduite et predation) qui menent a une consanguinite, une homozygosite accrue et une plus haute frequence d'anomalies genetiques. Ces conclusions peuvent avoir certaines implications pour la gestion de populations sauvages isolees.

Summary The dynamics of a population of waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) (Ogilby, 1833) which was believed to be declining were investigated in the Umfolozi Game Reserve using ground and aerial methods. Abundance estimates produced are higher than previous ones, and no significant decline was found during the study period. The validity of previous trend estimates is questioned. An analysis of population structure does, however, suggest that the population was declining, the reason being a high (81%) mortality of calves. Simple modelling of the population indicates that with the present sub-maximal fecundity, first year mortality would have to be reduced to 55% before stability could be expected. This figure would be just over 60% if fecundity were maximized. The importance of juvenile mortality in affecting mammalian population growth is emphasized. Resume La dynamique d'une population de waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) (Ogilby, 1833) supposee en diminution fut etudiee dans la Reserve de Chasse de Umfolozi par des methodes terrestres et aeriennes. Les estimations d'abondance qu'on en retire sont superieures aux precedentes et l'on n'a observe aucune diminution significative durant la periode d'etude. La validite des estimations precedentes est mise en question. Une analyse de structure de la population suggere cependant bien qu'elle etait en diminution puis qu'on constatait une mortaliteelevee (81%) parmi les jeunes. Mais une simple modelisation de la population indique qu'avec I'actuelle fecondite sub-maximale, la mortalite de premieire annee aurait duetre ramenee a 55% avant que la stabilite ait pu etre esperee. Cette proportion serait juste superieure a 60% si la fecondite avait ete maximalisee. L'importance de la mortalite juvenile comme facteur influencant la croissance de la population est mise en evidence.

Mweya Peninsula (00? 11'S 29? 53'E) forms the northern shore of the Kazinga Channel at its confluence with Lake Idi Amin Dada (formerly Lake Edward). It is connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. The peninsula (Fig. 1) lies at two levels with a steep fault 30 m high running in a curve from north-east to south-west and dividing the area into two approximately equal parts. The lower area varies between lake level and about 15 m above it and is covered with scattered bushes of Capparis tomentosa Lam. which become dense towards the west. There are also isolated trees of Euphorbia candelabrum Kotschy. The upper part of the peninsula is more grassy and rises to a maximum of about 45 m above lake level. The dominant grass is Sporobolus pyramidalis P. Beauv. but Chloris gayana Kunth is also prominent. The National Park Headquarters, the laboratories of the Uganda Institute of Ecology and the Safari Lodge occupy the eastern part of the upper peninsula which is, therefore, not available to the wild animals although some enter the built-up region particularly at night. The area utilized by the animals is estimated to be about 4-4 km2. A grass airstrip, 950 x 33 m, was built in 1967 along the top of the north-west fault. The only other notable topographical features are three large erosion gullies on the south-east shore. Each is densely vegetated and has a grassy delta projecting into the channel. Mweya Peninsula was chosen for this study for a number of reasons apart from its convenient proximity to the laboratories of the Institute. It is an area which has been studied intensively for a number of years since Petrides & Swank (1965) first counted the game there in 1956 and it was one of the study areas in a series of monthly game counts carried out from 1963 to 1967 (Field & Laws 1970). It is also an area in which detailed studies have been or are being made of the small mammals (Neal 1970), waterbuck (Kobus defassa Ruppell) (Spinage 1967, 1969, 1970), warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus Pallas) (Clough 1969), bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas) passerine birds and of the primary productivity. It has also the advantage of carrying a more or less resident population of animals apart from the elephant which move on and off freely. Fire has been excluded as a policy since 1964 and the area is closed to park visitors. However, the over-riding consideration which prompted the present study was the desire to monitor changes in the large mammal community which may have resulted from the removal of 270 hippopotamus (Hippopotmaus amphibius L.) in 1957-58. Prior to this, the number of