View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

243
rilliltl.'ll
water consumption and related data, with specific reference to black settled areas, are
given later in the chapter.
Table L1: A broad overview of water consumption by wild animals in South Africa.
Species Details
African elephant African elephants can draw up to 17,5 t of water (via the
(Loxodonta africana) trunk) at a particular time, and can consume up to 322 t
on a single occasion. A distinction must be made
between water required for physiological (drinking) needs
183% of total consumption) and water required for
spraying (cooling) purposes (17% of total consumption).
An African elephant of average size (approximately
2 045 kg) normally uses 163,8 t of water at a time, visits
watering-places on average every 43,4 hours (in winter),
and consumes 90,6 t of water in a 24 hour period. Large
bulls normally use 356,5 t of water at a time or 197,3 t
every 24 hours. Under extreme conditions, elephants can
visit up to 15 water-containing veld pans a day in
summer. During dry winter months, elephants may
sometimes remain without water for more than three
days. An elephant of average size uses the daily water
equivalent of four buffaloes; or six zebra; or 11
wildebeest, or 66 impala of average size
Buffalo
Buffaloes usually drink 34,5 t of water at a time and visit
(Syncerus caffer) watering-places approximately once every 38 hours (in
winter). An individual buffalo consumes 21,6 t of water
on a daily basis in winter.
more frequently .in summer
Buffaloes visit watering-places
Blue wildebeest
Blue wildebeest drink 16,6 t of water at a time and visit
(Connochaetes taurinusl watering-places approximately once every 46,9 hours in
winter. Average daily consumption is some 8,7 t of
water per animal during winter
Burchell's zebra
Zebras usually drink some 14,7 t of water in a 24 hour
(Eguus burchellii antiguorum) cycle. They visit watering-places once every 35,2 hours
in winter, consuming an average of 21,6 t of water per
animal
Impala
Impala drink approximately 4,1 t of water at a time or
(Aepyceros melampusl 1,4 t in a 24 hour period. In winter, impala normally drink
once every 68,4 hours. During severe droughts, impala
can remain without water for five or more days. It has
been found that impala (in the Kruger National Park), can
survive for unspecified periods without drinking water
Source: After Young,· E., 1972. The water requirements of wild animals in the
Kruger National Park, Custos. VOl 1(6), p. 31 - 35.