Thesis (M. Sc. (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / Livestock production in communal areas is faced by a myriad of challenges such as environmental degradation, poor markets, stock theft and disease. This has drawn interest towards wildlife-based land-use practices as an alternative or complement to livestock production. Wildlife-based land-uses have potential to generate incomes and create employment in wildlife rich areas. On the other hand, several problems such as human-wildlife conflict have been identified in wildlife rich areas. This study investigated perceptions of rural households in areas adjacent to the Kruger National Park (KNP) regarding integrated wildlife/livestock land-use practices. Data were collected from 130 households in nine villages alongside KNP in Giyani. Respondents were stratified into cattle owning households and non-cattle owning households, to determine differences in perception towards wildlife. Chi-square and Cramer`s V tests were used to test if there is an association and relationship between the households` opinion and cattle ownership. For empirical analysis, factor analysis and multinomial logistic regression models were run with SPSS. Attitudes and perceptions were analysed by the Likert-scale numbered from 1 to 4. High scores (i.e. 3 and 4) indicated negative attitudes and low scores (i.e. 1 and 2) indicated positive attitudes. The factor analysis managed to reduce the number of attitude variables fitted into the model from 29 to 9 factors (components), that were used in the multinomial logit model analysis. Results from the multinomial regression indicated that demographic factors such as age, gender, education, occupation, marital status, monthly income and cattle ownership had a significant impact in distinguishing between pairs of groups and the contribution which they make to change the odds of being in one dependent variable group rather than the other. Results from factor analysis (component variables or factors) also had a significant impact on the dependent variables when applied to multinomial logit regression. About 59% of the sampled households showed positive attitudes towards integrated wildlife-based land-use practices, and indicated willingness to participate in it. Those who had negative attitudes and were not likely to participate were 13%; and those who were uncertain on whether or not to participate were 28%. Looking at the results of the empirical analysis derived from regression analysis through multinomial logit, several factors were found to have influenced whether or not households were likely to participate in the integrated wildlife/livestock land-uses. Variables: damages caused by wild animals on crops and vegetables; giving land and stopping farming to allow for wildlife conservation; roles and opportunities of wildlife in the community; roles and opportunities of livestock in the community; age of household head; occupation of household head; gender of household head; cattle ownership; Access to market, income earned from sale of livestock, and state of grazing area, were found to be significant (at different significant levels 1%, 5% and 10%) in determining whether or not households were likely to participate in the integrated wildlife/livestock land-uses. However, variables: Government support and the number of people benefiting from livestock, Interest in wildlife protection, Relationship between wildlife, human and domestic animals and land ownership were found to be insignificant in determining whether or not households were likely to participate in the integrated wildlife/livestock land-uses. Most of the households showed interest in participating in wildlife-based land-uses irrespective of whether or not they own cattle. Some households indicated dislike of the proposed land-use practice, mainly those who practiced cattle and crop production, as they perceived wild animals as a high risk to their stock. However, this negative attitude can be managed if benefits to households and community are clearly defined and compensation for loses from wildlife are made a priority. Cooperation of all stakeholders (for example, community, government, conservationists and foreign donor’ agencies) is recommended for implementation of wildlife-based land-uses.

MSc., Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / Spatial patterns in topography and forage distribution clearly determine large herbivore movements but our understanding of the foraging strategies that free-grazing herbivores adopt at different temporal and spatial scales is limited. Different foraging response patterns are displayed at different scales. Here fine-scale foraging strategies of Zebra (Equus quagga) were investigated by studying their selection for vegetation greenness in a Southern African savanna. Zebras have high-energy requirements thus the primary productivity and condition of the habitat plays an important role on their movements. Grass greenness was measured by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), a proxy for vegetation productivity and quality. Finer-scale studies are needed to understand the processes leading to a correlation between NDVI and herbivores performance. Data was collected at two different spatial scales, foraging area and feeding station. Food selection was recorded in relation to grass species and grass tuft greenness. Within the foraging area, grass species and greenness within zebra feeding stations were compared with random non used stations. Within the feeding station, species and greenness of grasses eaten by zebra were compared with those of grasses available but not eaten. Zebra selection was not consistent across scales. Although greenness was a factor in selection at feeding station levels and grass tuft levels; feeding station selection was limited to greenness due to season, and selection for species occurred only at the grass tuft level. However, zebra did select for the greener grass tufts within the feeding station even if it meant to eat ‘less palatable’ species (i.e. Eragrostis rigidior) instead of ‘very palatable’ species (i.e. Panicum maximum).

This document is submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree: Master of Architecture (Professional) at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2018 / Through increased urbanisation and industrialisation, the human species has become separated from the natural world, valuing the environment only as far as it is useful to us. Society has become used to living through a human-centric view that places humans above all other natural beings. The destructive nature of this perspective is visible to us in the rapid depletion of our natural resources and, perhaps most alarmingly, the increasing amount of species driven to extinction and endangerment by the destruction of natural habitats. As we are now beginning to see the harmful effect this view has had on the natural world, it is necessary for society to change the way we interact with the natural world. We need to begin to act not only for the good of ourselves, but with the good of all living beings in mind. A shift in perspective is needed that places the human species into the natural world as an equal part of the system rather than a being of superior importance. In order to achieve this shift, we must understand our role as an integrated part of our surrounding natural ecosystems. The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Centre for Conservation is proposed as a centre devoted to conservation biology research placed within the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi National Park in order to promote the easy access of researchers, South African and international, to this rich natural ecosystem. Its aim is to enable researchers to make use of the unique opportunities this protected environment offers in understanding the rise and fall of plant and animal species and thus to further understand how to increase and protect the biodiversity of this country. As well as this, the Centre for Conservation aims to showcase a method of building that is in no way harmful to the surrounding sensitive landscape and that functions as a part of the ecosystem, thus displaying to visitors how humans can interact with their natural environment in a symbiotic relationship and promoting a deeper care and respect for the natural world / MT 2019

Thesis (Ph.D. (Zoology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2012

This study examines the possibilities within the conservancy movement for the facilitation of environmental education. By means of a case study approach, a conservancy in the Northern Cape and the conservancy movement within the Free State provinces are compared with a view to elucidating factors militating against and promoting the success of environmental education programmes. The current lack of research in isolated rural areas is discussed. Re-orientation of perspectives regarding the value of conservancy-based environmental education within governmental, academic and local circles is recommended.

It is widely acknowledged that the organised wildlife and hunting industry in South Africa contributes significantly to the country’s economy, as well as to the effective management and conservation of wildlife on privately owned land. Despite this, hunting has come under increasing attack by anti-hunting proponents who wish to bring a ban on hunting. A number of broad shifts across society at large and lobbying against hunting by anti-hunting proponents have given rise to legitimate concerns regarding the social acceptability of hunting. To maintain the social legitimacy of hunting, it is imperative to put strategies in place to actively broaden the base of public acceptance of hunting. Towards this aim, this study is an empirical investigation of the causal determinants of the public’s attitudes towards hunting and of the implications it holds for improving the social legitimacy of hunting. The study commenced by building a sound theoretical foundation from the available literature on the measurement of attitudes, the structure and formation of attitudes, the instrumental and experiential aspects of attitudes, attitudinal ambivalence, the psychology of strong attitudes, as well as the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance. Thereafter, the study turned to identify an adequate and empirically valid research approach for investigating attitudes and its causal determinants. A popular attitude theory in social psychology, namely the theory of reasoned action, was identified as a suitable conceptual framework for conducting this study. According to the reasoned action model, the salient behavioural beliefs people associate with a particular behaviour form the informational foundation (or cognitive foundation) on which their attitudes towards the behaviour are based. More specifically, the model suggests that peoples’ overall attitude towards a behaviour is a function of their perceived probability that a behaviour will produce certain outcomes (belief strength), as well as the degree to which they judge the perceived outcomes of the behaviour as positive or negative (outcome evaluation). The methodological design of the study’s empirical component was strictly based on the standard procedures prescribed by the theory of reasoned action. Two consecutive and methodologically interrelated surveys were conducted amongst members of the public to collect the study’s primary data. The main salient behavioural beliefs on which different attitudes towards hunting are based were identified and further investigated. The results were analysed from the perspective of the theory of reasoned action and a clear understanding of the causal determinants of different attitudes towards hunting were attained. Based on the findings of the study, a number of conclusions and recommendations were made that may guide the development of future strategies to improve the social legitimacy of hunting. Amongst other things, it was suggested that public education programmes should be developed to address the public’s misconceptions of hunting; that public relation campaigns be undertaken to improve the public’s negative image of hunters; and that hunter education programmes be put in place to make hunters aware of the role they could play at community level to improve the social acceptability of hunting. Detailed guidelines regarding the contents of such education programmes and public relation campaigns were provided.

A fading legacy Through the intensive investigation of the rhino trade, the thesis proposes the development of a biodiversity center to serve as a research, education, training and enforcement facility which will support a legalized rhino horn trade. The relationship between architecture and nature. In so doing, it questions whether architecture can effectively facilitate the conservation of our spectacular wildlife through and ecological approach to brief, site and context. The thesis promotes and architecture that is respectful of its natural surroundings. An architecture that provides occupants with facilities that are conducive to the conservation of endangered species.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The geometric tortoise, Psammobates geometricus, found in the Western Cape, South Africa, is one of the world's rarest tortoises. At present, it is only known from five isolated geographical areas, one being the Worcester-Tulbagh Valley. The primary aims of my study were to determine the status of geometric tortoise subpopulations along the Nl highway in the Worcester Valley, to determine the population structure of these subpopulations and, if necessary, to provide recommendations for the mitigation ofNI highway-induced impacts on geometric tortoise subpopulations along the road. All Renosterveld remnants along the Nl between Du Toitskloof and Worcester were surveyed for the presence of geometric tortoises, and tortoise density and population structure were determined for each remnant that supports tortoises. Two geometric tortoise subpopulations on opposite sides of the Nl were identified. In the larger remnant of the two, females dominated both the subadult and adult classes, whereas in the other remnant male frequency was slightly higher than female frequency for the adult class only. In both remnants, adult females were significantly larger than adult males in mean carapace length. Mean body mass for adult females and males also differed significantly in both remnants. Analysis of habitat quality showed that both remnants supporting the geometric tortoise are seriously infested by encroaching indigenous and alien plants. The barrier effect of the Nl highway can be mitigated by constructing underpasses, linking the two remnants on opposite sides of the road. Furthermore, road mortality of tortoises can be avoided by erecting tortoise proof fencing along appropriate sections of the highway in the Worcester Valley. By linking the remnants, the largest single area available to the geometric tortoise in the Worcester Valley will also be formed. An additional aim of my study was to investigate the correspondence of geometric tortoise density in individual habitat remnants to the West-to-East change in vegetation composition/characteristics occurring along the Nl in the Worcester Valley. Vegetation composition/characteristics were thus determined in all remnants also surveyed for tortoises. The West-to-East change in vegetation composition/characteristics of the study area indicates that there is a transition from Renosterveld in the West to karroid veld in the East. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die geometriese skilpad, Psammobates geometrieus, wat in die Wes-Kaap, Suid- Afrika, voorkom, is een van die wêreld se skaarste skilpaaie. Vandag word hierdie skilpad net nog in vyf geïsoleerde geografiese streke gekry, een van hulle die Worcester-Tulbagh Vallei. Die primêre doel van my studie was om die status van geometriese skilpad subpopulasies langs die Nl snelweg in die Worcester Vallei te ondersoek en om die populasiestruktuur van hierdie subpopulasies te bepaal. Verder was die doelook, om aanbevelings te maak oor hoe die impakte van die pad op die geometriese skilpad subpopulasies langs die Nl verminder kan word. Al die Renosterveld oorblyfsels langs die Nl tussen Du Toitskloof en Worcester, en binne die bekende gebied van die geometriese skilpad, is deursoek vir geometriese skilpaaie. Populasiedigtheid en populasiestruktuur van die skilpaaie is bepaal vir elke oorblyfsel wat skilpaaie bevat. Twee geometriese skilpad subpopulasies is gekryaan teenoorgestelde kante van die Nl. In die groter oorblyfsel, het wyfies albei die onvolwasse en volwasse klasse gedomineer. In die ander oorblyfsel is gevind dat die frekwensie van mannetjies ietwat hoër was as die frekwensie van wyfies, maar vir slegs die volwasse kategorie. Binne albei oorblyfsels is gevind dat volwassse wyfies betekenisvol groter in gemiddelde doplengte is as volwasse mannetjies. Gemiddelde liggaamsgewig het ook betekenisvol verskil tussen volwasse wyfies en mannetjies in albei oorblyfsels. 'n Analise van habitatkwaliteit het gewys dat beide oorblyfsels wat die geometriese skilpad ondersteun grootliks ingeneem is deur inheemse indringers, sowel as uitheemse plante. Die versperrings effek van die Nl snelweg kan verminder word deur duikwege te skep wat die twee ooblyfsels, op teenoorgestelde kante van die pad, verbind. Bowendien, deur 'n ondeurdringbare heining langs passende dele van die snelweg in die Worcester Vallei op te rig, sal skilpadmortaliteit vermy word. Deur oorblyfsels te verbind, salook die grootste enkele area, beskibaar aan die geometriese skilpad in die Worcester Vallei, gevorm word. 'n Addisionele doel van hierdie studie was om veranderinge in vegetasie langs 'n wes-na-oos gradient binne die studie area te korreleer met die teenwoordigheid van skilpaaie langs hierdie gradient. Vegetasie samestelling/eienskappe is dus bepaal vir elke oorblyfsel wat deursoek is vir skilpaaie. Die wes-na-oos verandering in vegetasie samestelling/eienskappe binne die studie area wys dat daar 'n oorgang van Renosterveld in die weste na 'n karooagtige veld in die ooste is.

Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional) to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Architecture and Planning at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2017 / In light of an increasing scientific and social focus on unsustainable human practices, mankind’s dominant relationship with the natural world is now being challenged. Few phenomena demonstrate this destructive relationship better than the growing number of animals being driven to extinction through human actions. The most notable of these, within the South African context, is the devastation of rhinoceros populations caused by illegal poaching, particularly in the Kruger National Park. In dealing with this issue, we have a unique opportunity to embody and catalyse a sustainable paradigm shift. Such a shift would seek to transition mankind into a symbiotic rather than parasitic relationship with the natural world. It would promote the use of cutting edge technologies for the benefit both human and non-human actors, breaking down the separation between man and nature. The resultant hybridised ecosystem would stand as an exemplary manifestation of the long theorised ‘cyborg’ entity, not as individual, but as a new form of habitat and, ultimately, societal organisation. Contextualising such a ‘Cyborgian Nexus’ as a solution to the scourge of rhino poaching is the chief subject of this research report. The Matsulu Centre for Rhino Defense is proposed as a Connected Conservation Centre in the disadvantaged Matsulu community, bordering the Kruger National Park. Its aim is to be the heart of a sophisticated system of cutting edge technologies which allow park rangers to overcome the poaching threat. Through its program as well as its architecture, the project aims to become a recognizable icon of a new relationship between man and nature. One in which human innovation allows for the natural world and the human world to coexist sustainably to the mutual benefit of both. / GR2017

M. Tech. Architecture (Professional) / The National Research Foundation has recognized the zoo as a critical player towards the conservation of animal heritage in southern Africa. Yet, as we have seen, tantamount to having outstanding research methods, is having the needed facilities to deploy them effectively. In order for this to come to bare, the zoo requires a careful assessment of architectural concerns. This thesis presents exactly those. The wildlife medical centre here proposed precipitates out of a comprehensive study engaging the following issues of concern; zoo healthcare and rehabilitation, sub-nature and animal architecture. The proposed site location currently supports the out-dated hospital (built in 1969), which is on the zoo's south-eastern corner along Boom Street. Its facilities include a veterinary hospital, research laboratories, a bio-bank, temporary wards, and rehabilitation wards whose design derives not only from traditional matters of architectural concern but also the informed, first-hand knowledge of the animals' needs and preferences as understood by the zoo's staff. Additionally, the proposed design exposes and showcases the zoo's research facilities along its public interface in order to better serve its educational efforts. Thus, this proposal presents the means for promoting conservation awareness and, at the same time, empowers its dedicated staff.