The ecological potential of the kudu for commercial production in savanna regions

Abstract

This paper considers the choice of a browsing ungulate to supplement cattle in savanna regions susceptible to problems of bush encroachment, and evaluates the kudu in particular. Relevant aspects of its ecology considered include (i) the vegetation components utilized at different seasons and in different areas, with regard to principal food species, reserve dry season species, rejected plant species and potential food limitations; (ii) social grouping patterns and home range extent; (iii) population densities, reproductive parameters, survival rates and population dynamics in relation to rainfall; (iv) impact on the vegetation of browsing and branch breakage. Features of the kudu are compared with those of other browsing ungulates, including giraffe, eland, impala and goats. It is concluded that the kudu is a prime candidate for inclusion alongside cattle in mixed species ranching enterprises in most regions of savanna vegetation.

Uittreksel

In hierdie artikel word die gebruik van ‘n blaarvretende hoefdier, bykomend tot beeste, in die savannagebiede wat vir bosindringing ontvanklik is, oorweeg, en die koedoe word in besonder geevalueer. Die invloed van reënval op bevolkingsdigtheid, voortplantingsfaktore, oorlewing en bevolkingsdinamika en die invloed wat die vreet van blare en breek van takke op plante het. Koedoes word ten opsigte van die bostaande faktore met ander blaarvretende hoefdiere soos kameelperde, elande, rooibokke en boerbokke vergelyk. Die gevolgtrekking hieruit afgelei is dat koedoes ‘n uitstekende potensiaal het om saam met beeste, in gemengde veeboerdery‐aktiwiteite in die meeste savanna‐gebiede ingesluit te word.

Additional index words:

• Wildlife
• browsing
• animal production
• Tragelaphus strepsiceros