Marloth Park Management Plan. - Nkomazi Local Municipality

Recommendations on stocking rates
Changing stocking rates cannot be based on grazing and browsing capacities only. Other
factors such as the correct sex ratios, age and social structures as well as habitat and food
selection are of importance. Sex ratios and age structure will influence the breeding
performance of the herd, through mating frequency, time spent on courtship or rank fighting.
Food selection is mainly considered when dividing the species into groups of high and low
selective grazers. Habitat selection is primarily dependent on food palatability and
availability, water, cover, and habitat structure.
SPECIES DESCRIPTION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Low selectivity, bulk grazers
Buffalo Syncerus caffer Sparrman 1779
Historic distribution: Sweet and mixed bushveld, fynbos, thicket, lowveld, mopane veld,
Kalahari and grassland in the southeastern foothills.
Habitat requirement: Buffalo prefer open savannas characterised by tall grass. They
avoid trampled areas. Shade and wallows are necessary habitat features.
Space requirements: Range varies between 50 and 400 km 2 .
Food preference: Buffalo mainly eat grass and prefer species such as Themeda triandra,
Panicum coloratum, Panicum maximum and Digitaria species. Occasionally trees and
bushes of Grewia, Dichrostachys and Combretum species are browsed.
Water requirements: 31 l/day, water dependent.
Minimum viable group size: Eight individuals, consisting of three males and five
females.
Sex ratio: One male for every 5 to 15 females in the wild.
Recommendation: Buffalo is considered one of the most effective non-selective grazers,
with little preference shown for specific grass species; aggressive behaviour, range
limitations and economic considerations usually exclude this animal from introduction on
small game areas. However, if this option is considered, a viable breeding population can
be obtained from the Lionspruit Game Reserve. No buffalo is currently stocked on
Marloth Park, but introduction can be considered. The best alternatives to stocking
buffalo are either, Burchell’s zebra or white rhinoceros.
© Ecological Associates/ Marloth Park 64