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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Space requirements: Kudu have ranges of 90 to 600 ha size. Animal densities should not<br />
exceed 3 to 4 animals per 100 ha of suitable habitat.<br />
Food preference: Kudu are browsers and eat many plants avoided by other browsers.<br />
Preferred tree species include Acacia tortilis, Acacia nigrescens and Combretum<br />
hereroense early in the growth season, and Dichrostachys cinerea and Combretum<br />
apiculatum later in the dry season.<br />
Water requirements: 7 to 9 l/day, water dependent<br />
Minimum viable group size: Seven individuals<br />
Sex ratio: In the wild the male to female ratio is 1:2. A sex ration of 1:4 is recommended<br />
for a wildlife ranch<br />
Recommendation: The habitat on <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong> is considered most suitable for kudu, and<br />
according to the September 2005 game count, at least 33 animals occur on the property.<br />
Density limitations are four individuals per 100 ha of suitable habitat, however, browse<br />
availability is currently a further limitation as much of the browse is above the maximum<br />
browse height of 2 m.<br />
Nyala Tragelaphus angasii Gray 1849<br />
Historic distribution: Lowveld and mopane veld.<br />
Habitat requirement: Dense shrubs to thickets, riparian thickets, forests and floodplains.<br />
Space requirements: Nyala have a natural range of 65 to 390 ha.<br />
Food preference: Nyala are predominantly browsers. However, in summer they mainly<br />
feed on grass. Preferred tree species are Ziziphus mucronata, Adansonia digitata and<br />
Acacia species.<br />
Water requirements: 3.5 l/day, not water dependent<br />
Minimum viable group size: 12 to 15 individuals<br />
Sex ratio: In wildlife areas the male to female ratio is 1:2.<br />
Recommendation: The Nyala is not endemic to the <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong> region; however, a<br />
number of individuals can be found in the Kruger National <strong>Park</strong>. The nyala competes<br />
directly with bushbuck for food and habitat resources, and in less dense vegetation such<br />
as on <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong>, seems to out compete the latter. They are aggressive and drive even<br />
large antelope such as waterbuck out of their habitat. The introduction of nyala is not<br />
recommended.<br />
© Ecological Associates/ <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong> 70