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Mammal prey population response to reintroduction of cheetah in a fenced reserve
Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2015.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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2026
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| _version_ | 1867613535489490944 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | De Bruyn, P.J. Nico |
| author_browse | De Bruyn, P.J. Nico |
| author_facet | De Bruyn, P.J. Nico |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2015. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/110132 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:37:41.590Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/110132 Mammal prey population response to reintroduction of cheetah in a fenced reserve De Bruyn, P.J. Nico lcbester@zoology.up.ac.za Bester, Laura Catherine large predator reintroduction cheetah reintroduction prey vigilance prey population demographics Laohu Valley Reserve Acinonyx jubatus programme DISTANCE aerial survey road transect survey post-release monitoring predator-prey interactions South Africa carnivora Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2015. Large carnivores are important apex predators and exert notable effects on ecosystems. Cheetahs are the focus of intensive conservation efforts, with breeding programmes and reintroduction attempts both of key importance. This dissertation describes the changes elicited by reintroduced cheetah in prey vigilance behaviour and prey population dynamics, using road and aerial surveys and behavioural observations from 2012 to 2014. Following 184 hours of behavioural observations of both blesbok and springbok, it was determined that although vigilance was higher in areas frequented by cheetah, prey vigilance decreased overall following the release of the cheetah. Herd size in both species A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S | iv increased under increased predation pressure, with vigilance behaviour decreasing as herd size increases. Road and aerial surveys proved to be consistent in estimations of population trends of species frequenting open areas. Prey population surveys indicated declines in mountain reedbuck and springbok populations; conversely a steady increase in a species known to be targeted by cheetah (blesbok) was observed. Literature review suggests that although the 87km2 release area is large, quantifying the effect of two cheetahs on the resident prey populations is possible as they still have the potential to make a significant impact on prey demographics, depending on prey selection. This study has provided baseline data with which future prey population information can be compared. Continued monitoring of LVR prey populations will shed more light on long term effects of these cheetahs, especially when future reintroductions amplify the effects of predation pressure. Zoology and Entomology MSc (Zoology) 2026-05-15T17:26:24Z 2026-05-15T17:26:24Z 15/11/24 2015 Dissertation http://hdl.handle.net/2263/110132 en application/pdf |
| spellingShingle | large predator reintroduction cheetah reintroduction prey vigilance prey population demographics Laohu Valley Reserve Acinonyx jubatus programme DISTANCE aerial survey road transect survey post-release monitoring predator-prey interactions South Africa carnivora Mammal prey population response to reintroduction of cheetah in a fenced reserve |
| title | Mammal prey population response to reintroduction of cheetah in a fenced reserve |
| title_full | Mammal prey population response to reintroduction of cheetah in a fenced reserve |
| title_fullStr | Mammal prey population response to reintroduction of cheetah in a fenced reserve |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mammal prey population response to reintroduction of cheetah in a fenced reserve |
| title_short | Mammal prey population response to reintroduction of cheetah in a fenced reserve |
| title_sort | mammal prey population response to reintroduction of cheetah in a fenced reserve |
| topic | large predator reintroduction cheetah reintroduction prey vigilance prey population demographics Laohu Valley Reserve Acinonyx jubatus programme DISTANCE aerial survey road transect survey post-release monitoring predator-prey interactions South Africa carnivora |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/110132 |