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Biology and management affecting the decline of a black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis minor (Linnaeus, 1758), population in Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012.
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University of Pretoria
2013
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| _version_ | 1867613528254316545 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Somers, Michael J. |
| author_browse | Somers, Michael J. |
| author_facet | Somers, Michael J. |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2011, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. E12/4/506/ |
| description | Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/31147 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:37:34.848Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publishDateRange | 2013 |
| publishDateSort | 2013 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/31147 Biology and management affecting the decline of a black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis minor (Linnaeus, 1758), population in Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Somers, Michael J. Van Rensburg, Berndt J. Matthews, Wayne Sidney Van der Westhuizen, Rickert UCTD Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) are classified as critically endangered on the IUCN red data list (IUCN 2010). In Ndumo Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, a black rhino population has seen a decline in numbers from nearly 50 rhino in 1988 to only eight in 2006. This study aimed to determine the factors or events responsible for the decline in black rhino numbers in Ndumo. The first part of this study focuses on the historical data and literature on Ndumo’s black rhino population. Specifically, I examined historical data regarding Ndumo’s black rhino population estimates, recruitment patterns, mortality rates, number of removals, introductions, densities and other large herbivore population estimates. Results suggest that a combination of high removals due to inaccurate estimates and competition from other herbivore populations, specifically nyala (Nyala angasi) and impala (Aepyceros melampus), played a role in this population’s decline. Also, a change in the Usuthu River course negatively affected the population’s social structure, movement patterns and recruitment success. The introduction of five black rhino from Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in 2008 seems to have been a success, and should increase reproductive success. Secondly, we determined the amount of browse currently (2008) available to black rhino in Ndumo, the proportional species composition of this browse and its suitability for black rhino. The results show that browse availability is fairly high (average of 17.8%) in Ndumo but the suitability is low. Croton menyhartii is the single biggest contributor to browse availability in Ndumo, contributing 25% of all available browse. This plant species is unfortunately rejected by black rhino and most other browsers. Furthermore, two invasive alien plant species (Chromolaena odorata and Lantana camara) are amongst the four most abundant plant species in Ndumo and are also rejected by black rhino. An effective alien plant clearing programme is needed to eradicate invasive alien species in Ndumo, which will help alleviate the poor browse conditions. A population viability analysis (PVA) was done during the last part of the study to predict the possibility of extinction or survival of this black rhino population in future. The VORTEX model was used in this study. Data and trends as actually observed in Ndumo since 1988 was used as the first simulation’s input parameters, to test whether the model will predict a similar decline in black rhino numbers as observed in Ndumo. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses with different input parameters were done to test the probability of extinction or survival under all possible circumstances. The model predicted a high probability of survival, even with most of the sensitivity analyses, suggesting that small populations of less than 50 individuals are viable if managed correctly. Parameters that impacted negatively on the growth rate of this population were density dependant breeding, a low recruitment rate and a decline in carrying capacity. Centre for Wildlife Management MSc Unrestricted 2013-09-09T12:06:47Z 2012-08-14 2013-09-09T12:06:47Z 2012-04-24 2012-08-14 2012-08-10 Dissertation Van der Westhuizen, R 2012, Biology and management affecting the decline of a black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis minor (Linnaeus, 1758), population in Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, MSc Dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/31147> E12/4/506/gm http://hdl.handle.net/2263/31147 http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-08102012-142510/ © 2011, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. E12/4/506/ application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Biology and management affecting the decline of a black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis minor (Linnaeus, 1758), population in Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title | Biology and management affecting the decline of a black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis minor (Linnaeus, 1758), population in Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_full | Biology and management affecting the decline of a black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis minor (Linnaeus, 1758), population in Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Biology and management affecting the decline of a black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis minor (Linnaeus, 1758), population in Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biology and management affecting the decline of a black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis minor (Linnaeus, 1758), population in Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_short | Biology and management affecting the decline of a black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis minor (Linnaeus, 1758), population in Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_sort | biology and management affecting the decline of a black rhinoceros diceros bicornis minor linnaeus 1758 population in ndumo game reserve kwazulu natal south africa |
| topic | UCTD |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/31147 http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-08102012-142510/ |