Thesis (MTech. degree in Nature Conservation ) - Tshwane University of Technology, 2004. / It was investigated whether long term trends in the quality of trophy ungulates hunted in sub-Saharan Africa can be used to monitor the status of those populations. The philosophy of the underlying assumptions are discussed and weighed against the absence of population monitoring techniques in countries exhibiting poor socio-economic conditions. A database of approximately 10 000 trophy measurements were analysed on a spatio-temporal scale in order to define potentially concerning trends in trophy quality over time. A threshold of potential concern was defined and incorporated into a stochastic model. In the species-specific analysis, concerning declines were found for Impala, Springbuck and Mountain reedbuck in South Africa. In the area-specific analysis, concerning declines were found in Botswana and the Northern Cape province of South Africa. As a population-monitoring tool this method is cost-effective and requires little effort however, the lack of statistical sensitivity only provides significant results in extreme conditions. As an economic indicator, this method allows governments to evaluate the quality and sustainability of their ‘huntable’ ungulate resources and adjust hunting quotas accordingly.

Adatabase of approximately 9000 trophy measurements of ungulates hunted in South Africa between 1993 and 2001 was analysed in order to detect species-specific, regional variation in mean trophy quality. Blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas), eland (Taurotragus oryx), impala (Aepyceros melampus), kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula) and springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) showed statistically significant variation in trophy quality. A number of other species including blue wildebeest (Connochaetus taurinus), black wildebeest (Connochaetus gnou), bushbuck (Tragelaphus angusticeps), common reedbuck (Redunca redunca), gemsbok (Oryx gazella), red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus), nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) and waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) were insignificant. The manipulation of trophy quality on ranches is speculated to be the major cause of these significant regional variations. It is recommended that species-specific baselines of trophy quality and associated levels of ‘acceptable manipulation’be established and incorporated into a national trophy quality monitoring programme to provide some level of protection to an industry that contributes significantly to the South African economy.