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Papio ursinus are dietary generalists that exploit a diverse repertoire of food resources. This study explored the foraging strategies of a group of Papio ursinus and the foraging differences between subgroups classified by age and sex. Food resource preference, nutritional properties of food resources, and nutritional demands were examined to test the hypotheses that the foraging strategies exhibited by the subgroups would differ and that food selection is driven by nutritional demands. Adult females and juveniles were found to seek out food resources higher in proteins, while adult males were found to prefer food resources higher in carbohydrates. The findings support the alternative hypotheses and suggest that nutritional pressures are the best predictor of foraging optimization. A pilot study, involving the observation of a provisioned group of Macaca mulatta, that proved elemental to the formulation of the research design employed in the study of Papio ursinus, is also described.

MENVSC / Department of Ecology and Resource Management

Comprendre l'émergence et la propagation des maladies infectieuses chez les animaux sauvages est devenue une priorité en santé publique et en conservation. En combinant la collecte de données et le développement de modèles épidémiologiques, cette thèse s'est focalisée sur la compréhension de deux phénomènes clés: (i) étudier comment l'hétérogénéité au niveau des individus, des groupes, de la population et de l'environnement influence la propagation de parasites et (ii) quantifier la transmission de bactéries résistantes aux antibiotiques depuis l'homme vers les animaux sauvages dans trois aires protégées d'Afrique (Tsaobis NP- Namibie, Lopé NP-Gabon et Dzanga-Ndoki NP- République Centrafricaine). Les principaux résultats de ce travail montrent que : (1) De multiples facteurs incluant la température, la pluie, l'utilisation du territoire, le genre, l'âge et la condition physique influencent la richesse spécifique de parasites gastro-intestinaux chez le babouin chacma, (2) Les contacts entre animaux autour des points d'attractions de l'habitat peuvent influencer de manière importante la propagation spatio-temporelle d'une maladie, (3) La transmission d'entérobactéries résistantes semble avoir lieu depuis les humains ou le bétail vers les animaux sauvages dans des zones où le contact entre ces populations est élevé, (4) Le gradient de densité de gorilles produit par la chasse peut générer une augmentation de prévalence d'un parasite avec la distance au point d'introduction. Les conclusions de ce travail ouvrent de nouvelles possibilités pour l'étude des maladies émergentes chez les animaux sauvages. / Understanding the emergence and spread of infectious disease in wild animal populations has become an important priority for both public health and animal conservation. Combining the collection of empirical data with the development of epidemiological models, this thesis focuses on understanding two key issues of wildlife epidemiology: (i) how heterogeneity at the individual, group, population and landscape level affects parasite spread (ii) investigating whether transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria from humans to wildlife is occurring within three protected areas of Africa (Tsaobis NP-Namibia, Lope NP-Gabon and Dzanga-Ndoki NP-Central African Republic). The main findings of this work indicated that: (1) multiple-scale factors including temperature, rainfall, home range use, sex, age and body condition influence gastro-intestinal parasite richness among wild baboons; (2) animal contacts around ‘habitat hotspots' can substantially influence the spatio-temporal dynamics of a disease; (3) antibiotic resistant enterobacteria seem to be spreading from humans/livestock to wildlife when the territory overlap between these two populations is expected to be high; (4) gradients in gorilla density created by bushmeat hunting can reverse the expected pattern of decreasing parasite prevalence with distance to human-spillover. The conclusions of this work open new possibilities for studying the mechanisms explaining the spread of emerging infectious diseases among wild animals.

The Blyde Canyon Nature reserve displays its natural beauty for most National and International visitors all over the World. The region is renowned for its high rainfall and misty weather, which enhances the natural beauty of the area. Because of the mist belt effect, the area is one of the largest commercial forestry areas in South Africa. Baboons also seek after the topography and vegetation type (Northeastern mountain sourveld) that is typical of this area and numerous baboon troops occur in this region. This combination is often the cause of conflict between baboons and humans. The need arise for these baboons to be studied and managed as a component of this very important ecosystem. The main aims of the study were firstly to identify a natural ranging baboon troop, to habituate them and gather data regarding home range sizes, troop sizes, densities and seasonal food selection and secondly to give a detailed habitat description and vegetation map of the troop's home range. The baboon activity data was collected in 15-minute intervals over a one year period on a troop at Bourke's Luck. This included all activities such as walking, social, foraging, and resting. The food parts selected as well as the species foraged on was identified. Numerous statistical methods were used on the baboon data such as; the Shapiro Wilk test, Spearman rank-order correlation, ANOVA, and the Kolmogarov-Smirnov two sample test. There was a positive correlation between home range areas and troop sizes and the baboons preferred certain habitats above others during different seasons. To give a detailed habitat description of the troop's home range, 50 sample plots was stratified-randomly distributed in order to include all the different stratification units. a TWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures was carried out on the Bourke's Luck section that included the baboons home range. 13 Plant communities, which can be grouped into 7 major community types were identified. This study resulted in the ecological interpretation of baboon activities related to the ecological interpretation of the vegetation in the baboon troop's home range. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M.Tech. (Nature Conservation)

The Blyde Canyon Nature reserve displays its natural beauty for most National and International visitors all over the World. The region is renowned for its high rainfall and misty weather, which enhances the natural beauty of the area. Because of the mist belt effect, the area is one of the largest commercial forestry areas in South Africa. Baboons also seek after the topography and vegetation type (Northeastern mountain sourveld) that is typical of this area and numerous baboon troops occur in this region. This combination is often the cause of conflict between baboons and humans. The need arise for these baboons to be studied and managed as a component of this very important ecosystem. The main aims of the study were firstly to identify a natural ranging baboon troop, to habituate them and gather data regarding home range sizes, troop sizes, densities and seasonal food selection and secondly to give a detailed habitat description and vegetation map of the troop's home range. The baboon activity data was collected in 15-minute intervals over a one year period on a troop at Bourke's Luck. This included all activities such as walking, social, foraging, and resting. The food parts selected as well as the species foraged on was identified. Numerous statistical methods were used on the baboon data such as; the Shapiro Wilk test, Spearman rank-order correlation, ANOVA, and the Kolmogarov-Smirnov two sample test. There was a positive correlation between home range areas and troop sizes and the baboons preferred certain habitats above others during different seasons. To give a detailed habitat description of the troop's home range, 50 sample plots was stratified-randomly distributed in order to include all the different stratification units. a TWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures was carried out on the Bourke's Luck section that included the baboons home range. 13 Plant communities, which can be grouped into 7 major community types were identified. This study resulted in the ecological interpretation of baboon activities related to the ecological interpretation of the vegetation in the baboon troop's home range. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M.Tech. (Nature Conservation)