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