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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Three different scenarios are analysed; the first is based on the assumption that the whole<br />
of <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong>, excluding the current development footprint and actual road surfaces, is<br />
suitable for utilisation (Table 12); second that the current building footprints, actual road<br />
surfaces and landscaped gardens are subtracted from the available area (Table 13); and<br />
third that only the parkland and current road reserves are available for utilisation (Table<br />
14).<br />
If it is considered that stocking densities for Burchell’s zebra Equus burchelli should not<br />
exceed four animals per 100 ha of suitable habitat, blue wildebeest Connochaetes<br />
taurinus seven animals per 100 ha, common impala Aepyceros melampus melampus 12<br />
animals per 100 ha, and kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros three animals per 100 ha, the<br />
following stocking options can be applied.<br />
In the first scenario (Table 12), the optimum stocking density of Burchell’s zebra has<br />
been reached and no active intervention is required in manipulating the animal numbers.<br />
This will place <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong> on a 13.54 percent non-selective graze utilisation that leaves<br />
a deficit of 36.46. As the introduction of other animal species to fill this niche is not<br />
currently recommended, their impact on the vegetation need be simulated applying<br />
accepted ecological management principles. In the high selectivity category the current<br />
stocking density of blue wildebeest can be increased to 108 individuals. In the mixed<br />
feeder category, however, the impala stocking density must be reduced to 185 animals.<br />
The kudu from the same category can be increased to 46 animals. The giraffe from the<br />
browse feeder category also need to be reduced to seven animals, because of range<br />
requirements. If these numbers are exceeded the giraffe population must be monitored for<br />
any deviant behaviour, and the vegetation monitored for undesirable change such as<br />
hourglass formations. Applying these recommendations will ensure a 42.03 percent<br />
utilisation of the potential ecological graze capacity and a 78.28 percent utilisation of the<br />
potential ecological browse capacity, excluding the giraffe utilisation.<br />
In the second scenario (Table 13), the optimum stocking density for Burchell’s zebra is 50<br />
individuals, in which case 12 animals need to be removed from <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong>. In the high<br />
selectivity category the current stocking density of blue wildebeest can be increased to 88<br />
individuals. In the mixed feeder category, however, the impala stocking density must be<br />
reduced to 150 animals. The kudu from the same category can be increased to 38 animals.<br />
The giraffe from the browse feeder category also need to be reduced to six animals,<br />
because of range requirements.<br />
© Ecological Associates/ <strong>Marloth</strong> <strong>Park</strong> 75