The “vulnerable” listing by IUCN of cheetah Acinonyx jubatus in Africa has caused urgency in the protection of their habitat and development of predator management strategies. By understanding the movement and home range of cheetah in Botswana, translocation of problem cheetah or reintroduction of non-problem animals can be managed appropriately. More importantly this information will help to protect what is already there. Due to the increasing numbers of cheetahs being taken by illegal trade and poaching, there have become incidents of orphaned cubs where the only option for their survival is rehabilitation for release into the wild, or euthanasia. The first part of the study focuses on baseline information of movement patterns of cheetah in Botswana. Eleven cheetahs were collared and monitored from 2003-2007, including males and females with and without cubs from the Ghanzi and Southern districts. The understanding of cheetah movement is critical in determining methods of protection and survival of the species in protected areas living with competing predators such as lion Panthera leo, brown hyaena Hyaena brunnea and leopard Panthera pardus, as well as on farmlands where human conflict and habitat loss are the main causes of cheetah death. In the Southern district the cheetah were able to move freely in and out of the Jwana Game Reserve surrounded by communal livestock farms with low to medium conflict, utilizing various livestock protection methods, whilst Ghanzi consisted of livestock and game farms where conflict was high and protection methods were limited or nonexistent. Home ranges in males ranged from 492 km2(in single males) to 849 km2(in one coalition) in Ghanzi, while females ranged from 241 km2 to 306 km2 in Jwaneng. In addition, in order to determine the correlation between spoor density and true density, a 15 month spoor study was conducted in Jwaneng at the Jwana Game Reserve on a population of free ranging wild cheetah. A correction factor was tested and adjusted for accuracy, resulting in two formulas to be used in the wet and dry seasons. Spoor surveys are by no means a determinant factor, as they need to be repeated over time to observe population fluctuations due to outside factors, and are time consuming and can be expensive, but they are a management tool that can be utilized for estimations of cheetah densities on private farms or protected areas. The third part to the study was the rehabilitation of three orphaned cubs, from different families, that were put together from eight to twelve weeks old. The goal of this project was to raise and release fully functional, self sufficient, breeding animals into the wild population on a game farm. These cubs were raised in isolation until 1.5 years of age, then transferred to a 100 ha enclosure where they were given the opportunity to learn to hunt. Daily observations of their behavioural development and hunting abilities were recorded for 48 days and are presented in a descriptive way. At two years old they were released onto a 9000 ha game farm where their potential to survive on farmland was monitored. Botswana does not have the facilities or desire to keep predators captive, and if orphaned cubs could be utilized by placing them back into wild populations where they could add to the gene pool, alternatives would be available for captive bred animals or cheetahs facing life long captivity. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Centre for Wildlife Management / unrestricted

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MSc (Wildlife Management))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Zoology and Entomology / MSc / Unrestricted

Cheetah are difficult to census and as a result there is only a limited amount of information regarding the status of cheetah populations across South Africa making it difficult to identify and address potential threats and to plan effective conservation strategies. The aim of this study was to determine if scatology could be used as a non-invasive method for genetic analysis of cheetah in South Africa. Corresponding blood and faecal samples were collected from cheetah at the De Wildt Cheetah Centre. The faecal samples were aged and then collected and stored in ethanol after four days and after two weeks. Faecal samples of suspected wild cheetah were also collected in the Thabazimbi area in the Limpopo Province. DNA was than isolated from all the blood and faecal samples. A species-specific primer set was developed in the mitochondrial control region to reliably identify cheetah faecal samples. The PCR amplification success of the species-specific marker was high, all fresh faecal samples had a positive result (100%), four-day-old samples were 83% positive and two-week-old samples were 94% positive. The species-specific primer was found to be effective in accurate cheetah identification and had greater amplification success on fresh samples. Twelve microsatellite markers were used to profile the blood and faecal samples. Multiple PCRs were performed per faecal sample per marker to ensure that the genotype obtained was correct. Amplification success of the 12 microsatellites was 59% for fresh samples, 20% for four-day-old samples and 2.4% for two-week-old samples. Difficulties associated with the technique included poor DNA quality and quantity and genotyping errors, resulting in allelic dropout and false alleles. Genotyping errors were determined by comparing the genotype of the faeces with that of the matching blood sample. Overall, allelic dropout experienced was 16% and 7% for false alleles. These values correspond to the results of similar studies. Samples of suspected wild cheetah were collected in the Thabazimbi area and were analysed. The alleles obtained were similar to those from the pilot study. Data of 45 De Wildt cheetah samples obtained from the NZG were analysed and compared with the results of the pilot study, as expected, all alleles in the De Wildt population occurred in the NZG samples. The alleles found in this study and in the NZG samples can be used as the standard when using molecular scatology techniques. The results of this study provide valuable guidelines for future studies of cheetah using the non-invasive technique of scatology. The genotypic information from the 12 microsatellites can now be used as a standard when analyzing samples of cheetah origin. Using this information, additional markers can now be tested for improved amplification success and decreased rates of allelic dropout and occurrences of false alleles. The results prove the feasibility of using cheetah faeces as a potential source of DNA for population studies of cheetah in South Africa in addition to the methods currently employed. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

The objectives of this study were(1) to analyse a data-set on cheetah home range size, habitat utilisation, prey selection and hunting behaviour in the Kruger National Park (KNP), and (2) conduct a comparative study on the above aspects of cheetah ecology across a variety of African savanna ecosystems. Cheetah home range sizes in the KNP for territorial male cheetahs were 173 km2, 438 km2 for a nomadic male cheetah coalition, and 193 km2 and 179 km2 for two female cheetahs. Cheetahs preferred open savanna habitat, although females used areas with thicker bush such as drainage lines) more than males, probably because this is the preferred habitat of their main prey. Analysis showed that while females were closely associated with drainage lines, males were closely associated with roads. A male cheetah coalition preferred scent marking along roads rather than in the bush. Impala occurred most frequently in the cheetahs’ diet, although males took larger prey than females. Cheetahs hunted and killed more frequently in open savanna, even though impala densities were higher in adjacent habitats. Mean chase distance for successful hunts was 18l9 m and unsuccessful hunts was 96 m. Cheetah hunting success was 20.7%, kleptoparasitism was 11.8%, mean kill retention time was 165 min, kill rated averaged 1 kill per 4.61 days, and consumption rate of a three-male cheetah coalition was 1,4 kg meat/cheetah/day. Across African savanna ecosystems, female cheetah home range size was determined by the dispersion patterns and biomass of medium-sized prey. Female home range size was larger in areas with migratory (833 km2) than sedentary prey (105 km2) and increase as prey biomass decreased in areas with sedentary prey only. Conversely, male cheetah territory size was smaller in areas with migratory (37 km2) than sedentary prey (108 km2). Although it was predicted that male cheetah territory size would be determined by female cheetah density, no relationship was found here. Across a range of African savannas, cheetahs showed distinct preferences for open habitats that provided some woody cover. Adults (40%) and juveniles (20%) of medium-sized prey made up the largest proportion in the cheetahs’ diet. There were, however, significant variations in the size and age groups of prey taken by cheetahs in different areas. Areas with the least amount of cover appeared to have the longest mean chase distance, and the greatest percentage hunting success and incidents of kleptoparasitism (%). A population viability analysis, using VORTEX, found that cheetah population viability was greater in a woodland savanna than a grassland savanna, particularly at small population sizes. While the grassland savanna population was most affected by changes in juvenile mortality the woodland savanna population with exceptionally high cub mortality may be a sink for cheetahs while the woodland population with lower cub mortality and predicted high dispersal rates may be a source. Maximum annual litter size and female mortality rates had large impacts on population persistence. / Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

Please read the abstract (Uittreksel) in the section, 00front of this document. See also 10summary / Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Zoology and Entomology / MSc / unrestricted

The conservation benefits of animals in captivity are limited to education and genetic preservation. However, where species or sub-species are critically endangered, the release of captive bred animals into the wild can be used as a strategy to supplement existing populations or to form new founder populations. Cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus born in captivity have no prior experience of survival in wild circumstances. Captive bred cheetahs are currently the greatest source of individuals. This project worked in conjunction with IUCN reintroduction guidelines and pre-existing recommendations in an attempt to develop an ideal methodology of reintroducing captive bred cheetah into the wild. Three captive bred cheetahs, one female and two males, were reintroduced onto Makulu Makete Wildlife Reserve, a predator proofed reserve in the Limpopo province of South Africa, as part of an experimental rehabilitation project. The cheetahs had to lose their homing instinct, be habituated to researchers, become accustomed to eating venison, chewing skin, infrequent large meals and strength development within the three months spent in the enclosures. The cheetahs were habituated to the field researchers on foot and to research vehicles for ease of monitoring. A soft release methodology was used to ease the cheetahs into the environment. Upon release they were tracked twice daily to observe behavior and interaction with their environment. The duration of the project was 20 months which includes enclosure time. The establishment of a home range indicated that the resource need of the cheetahs was satisfied. Eight habitat types were identified in the study area and all cheetahs encompassed part of each in their home range. Though the hunting instinct was present in all the cheetahs, the appropriate hunting techniques and prey selection had to be learned overtime. There was no difference between what was stalked and what was caught. From the observed kills, prey weight ranged from small <40 kg to medium <160 kg. This weight range is comparable to wild cheetahs that select prey within the same range. Each cheetah hunted every four to five days and consumed three to five kilograms of meat per day. Nine prey species were identified, two of which were not detected during direct observations. In the collection of scat, the trained dog found approximately a scat per hour while each direct observation by the researchers took approximately 10 hours. These captive bred cheetahs had to learn how to hunt and how to select appropriate prey thus addressing learned behavior versus instinct. Given the frequency and intensity of injuries sustained and the extensive human influence in the form of veterinary treatment, the reintroduction was not a success. However the techniques developed and modified are relevant for future endeavors‟. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

Objectives: The aims of this study was to investigate the RC microbiota in CCF canine teeth in the domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), identify the possible factors related to the presence of aerobic or anaerobic bacteria and evaluate and evaluate antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated. Animals: Thirty nine animals suffering from CCF of their canine teeth were included in this study, of which 20 were dogs and 19 were cheetahs. Procedures: Evaluation of the oral cavity of animals while under general anaesthesia was performed and those without necrotic pulps or those that had received antibiotic therapy in the previous two weeks were excluded. Microbial samples were taken from 63 RC of which 27 were from dogs and 36 were from cheetahs. Strict anaerobic and aerobic techniques were used in parallel for plating, incubation and identification of the bacteria isolated in this manner. In an attempt to evaluate the sensitivity of the culture media and anaerobic technique used, additional samples were collected after the samples for bacterial isolation had been taken from the last eight pulps. These comprised those from six cheetahs and two dogs and were analysed using culture techniques and an initial screening with the 16S rRNA-specific PCR. Results: • Dogs: A total of 49 cultivable isolates were recovered belonging to 19 different bacterial species and 13 different genera. Individual RC yielded a maximum of four bacterial species. Of the bacterial isolates, 4.08 % were strict anaerobes, being represented by Clostridium acetobulitycum (2.04 %) and Prevotella melalinogenica (2.04 % ). The incidence of aerobic bacteria and facultative anaerobic bacteria in this study were 18.36 % and 77.56 %respectively of all the bacterial isolates. Of these Pasteurella multocida ( 10.20 % ), Corynebacterium spp. (10.20 %), Moraxella spp. (8.17 %), Bacillus spp. (6.12 %), Aeromonas salmonicida (6.12 %), Escherichia coli (6.12 %) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.12 %) were the bacteria most frequently isolated. In summary, the RC microflora was found to be predominantly Gram negative facultative anaerobic microorganisms. The antibiotic agents that showed the highest efficacy in vitro against the different bacteria isolates were Enrofloxacin (85.21 % ), Gentamicin (92.39 %), Chloramphenicol (89.13 %). • Cheetahs: A total of 59 cultivable isolates, belonging to 19 different microbial species and 13 different genera were recovered from 36 RC sampled. Thirty-two (54.49 %) of the cultivable isolates were Gram positive while 27 (45.71 %) were Gram negative. Individual root canals each yielded a maximum of six species. Four RC had no cultivable bacteria. The bacterial micro flora recovered from the RC of the animals showed a higher number of facultative anaerobes (62.72 % of all the bacterial isolates). Aerobic isolates were 28.81 %, and strict anaerobes 8.47 % of all the isolates. The latter species comprised Clostridium sordelli (5.08 % ), and Clostridium septicum (3.38 % ). The species with the highest isolation frequency were Bacillus spp. (22.13 %), Pasteurella multocida (10.16 %), Corynebacterium spp. (8.47 %), Enterococcus spp. (8.47 %), Moraxella spp. (8.47 %) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.25 %). In summary, the bacteria isolated from the RC were Gram positive facultative anaerobic bacteria. The antibiotics, which showed the highest efficacy in vitro against the different bacteria isolates, were Enrofloxacin (91.96 %), Gentamicin (86.37 %) and Orbifloxacin (86.28 %). • Nucleic Acid-Base detection: In dogs, Gram negative and Gram positive bacterial species were equally represented. Anaerobic bacterial species predominated at 83.3 % (5/6) of the species detected. On the other hand, in cheetahs, the bacterial species isolated by the PCR method showed a prevalence of anaerobic bacteria (60.8 %, 14/23), while facultative anaerobes were isolated in 30.2 % (7 /23) of cases and aerobic bacteria in 8.6 % (2/23). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: This study has indicated that the microbial flora in any single infected RC is much more diverse than it has been shown using cultural techniques alone and can contain potentially uncultivable bacterial species. Some of these species may represent potentially new phylotypes, which may be involved in endodontic infections and ultimatelyin periradicular periodontitis, and should therefore be considered in any future studies involved in defining endodontic pathogens. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Companion Animal Clinical Studies / restricted