The feeding habits of brown hyaenas (<i>Hyaena brunnea</i>) on a game ranch in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Burgener, Nicole; Gusset, Markus

doi:10.1080/15627020.2003.11657207

Cited by 12 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The vegetation is sour bushveld (Acocks, 1988) or Waterberg moist mountain bushveld (Van Rooyen & Bredenkamp, 1998) of the savannah biome. The study was part of a general survey of larger carnivores in an area where direct assessment of ecological parameters, such as feeding habits (Burgener & Gusset, 2003) and carnivore numbers (this study), was not possible for practical and financial reasons, leaving indirect sampling as a valid and feasible alternative.…”

Section: Study Site and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating larger carnivore numbers from track counts and measurements

Gusset¹,

Burgener

2005

African Journal of Ecology

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Knowing the abundance of larger carnivores is critical for their conservation management. However, direct assessment of carnivore numbers is often difficult, expensive and time‐consuming, leaving indirect sampling as a valid and feasible alternative. Indirect census techniques have proved to be cost‐effective, repeatable and objective. We therefore estimated the numbers of six larger carnivore species in a relatively small area in northern South Africa, comparing three indirect sampling methods based on track counts and measurements: (i) a qualitative approach, whereby individuals were subjectively identified by comparing differences in track measurements; (ii) a quantitative approach using the strong linear correlation of track density with carnivore density found in other studies; and (iii) a quantitative approach applying repeated measures analysis of variance and post‐tests to the track measurement data, in order to test statistically for differences in track sets. All three methods provided similar results that appear to be reasonable and which might be an indication of the real number of larger carnivores that occur in the study area. These results support the reliability of indirect estimates of larger carnivore numbers based on tracking data, which is promising for future research and conservation efforts involving these animals.

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Section: Study Site and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating larger carnivore numbers from track counts and measurements

Gusset¹,

Burgener

2005

African Journal of Ecology

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“…Although specific prey counts were not conducted, the absence of stocked game and the presence of feral domestic dogs and poaching in the cattle farming area, resulted in a generally lower observation of wild game. Brown hyaenas are scavengers with a wide range of food sources (Burgener& Gusset 2003) which are likely to be available in all farming areas, whilst cheetahs and leopards may have benefited from the increased prey availability on the game ranches and mixed farmland. Leopard densities were highest on game farmland which would correspond with the expected higher prey availability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Density of Large Predators on Commercial Farmland in Ghanzi, Botswana

Boast

Houser

2012

South African Journal of Wildlife Research

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Accurate estimates of predator densities are important for the conservation management of large predator populations. Predator densities outside of protected areas are often understudied and management decisions are based on assumptions of predator numbers. This study conducted three spoor surveys on commercial farmland in Botswana to estimate large predator densities. Brown hyaenas (Hyaena brunnea) were found to occur evenly across both cattle and game farms at higher densities than previously assumed. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and leopards (Panthera pardus) were more commonly located on game ranches, at or below population density assumptions. This study demonstrated the importance but difficulties of conducting predator surveys on farmland, where study animals are often at risk of persecution by landowners, due to the perceived or real threat predators may pose to livestock and stocked game.

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“…Again, this was the maximum effort achievable within logistical and time constraints. We conducted all surveys from a vehicle travelling at 10-15 km/h and ≥2 trained observers searched for sign (tracks and scats) on and within a 2 m strip either side of the road (Burgener & Gusset 2003;Stone 2005). Sign was identified to species level based on colour, dimensions, position and presence of accompanying signs, but was not aged.…”

Section: Sign Surveysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Efficacy of Sign Surveys, Spotlighting and Audio Playbacks in a Landscape-Scale Carnivore Survey

Thorn

Green

Bateman

et al. 2010

South African Journal of Wildlife Research

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Many carnivores are difficult and labour-intensive to detect, often leading to prohibitively high effort and cost in large-scale surveys. However, such studies provide information that is important for effective management and conservation. Here, we evaluate the suitability of three survey methods for landscape-scale multi-species monitoring. We compare sign surveys, spotlighting, and audio playbacks in terms of detection efficiency, precision, effort, and cost. Sign surveys out-performed the other methods in all comparison criteria, although supplementary methods were needed for some species and sites. We found that using established analysis techniques, robust landscape-scale abundance estimates would require unrealistically high effort and cost. Occupancy estimation required considerably lower sample sizes and was therefore more economical. We conclude that sign-based occupancy estimates constitute a versatile and efficient option for future large-scale, multi-species carnivore surveys.

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The feeding habits of brown hyaenas (Hyaena brunnea) on a game ranch in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Cited by 12 publications

References 10 publications

Estimating larger carnivore numbers from track counts and measurements

Estimating larger carnivore numbers from track counts and measurements

Density of Large Predators on Commercial Farmland in Ghanzi, Botswana

Comparative Efficacy of Sign Surveys, Spotlighting and Audio Playbacks in a Landscape-Scale Carnivore Survey

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