SPATIAL UTILISATION OF AN ENCLOSED AREA OF THE KAROO BY SPRINGBOK ANTIDORCAS MARSUPIALIS AND MERINO SHEEP OVIS ARIES DURING DROUGHT

SUMMARY

The distributions of springbok and Merino sheep in a 350 ha paddock on a game ranch in the Karoo were monitored over 16 periods of 5 days throughout one year. Limited forage resulted from high stocking rates and drought. This necessitated the provision of supplementary feed which was utilised solely by Merino sheep. Springbok were at all times more dispersed than Merino sheep especially so when pasture conditions deteriorated and feed was provided. Springbok preferred a ‘rand’ vegetation where favourite food plants such as Pentzia spp. and Pteronia spp. predominated. Merino sheep were largely dependent on the close proximity of feed and watering sites and exhibited a preference for a ‘pan’ vegetation. Temporal variation in these distribution patterns is discussed. Levels of association between the two species changed through the year. Observed inter-specific differences suggest that a combination would lead to a better utilisation of the vegetation.