The oribi Ourebia ourebi is probably South Africa's most endangered
antelope. As a specialist grazer, it is extremely susceptible to habitat loss and the
transformation of habitat by development. Another major threat to this species is
illegal hunting. Although protected and listed as an endangered species in South
Africa, illegal poaching is widespread and a major contributor to decreasing oribi
populations. This study investigated methods of increasing oribi populations by using
translocations and reintroductions to boost oribi numbers and by addressing overhunting.
Captive breeding has been used as a conservation tool as a useful way of
keeping individuals of a species in captivity as a backup for declining wild
populations. In addition, most captive breeding programmes are aimed at eventually
being able to reintroduce certain captive-bred individuals back into the wild to
supplement wild populations. This can be a very costly exercise and often results in
failure. However, captive breeding is a good way to educate the public and create
awareness for the species and its threats. Captive breeding of oribi has only been
attempted a few times in South Africa, with varied results. A private breeding
programme in Wartburg, KwaZulu-Natal was quite successful with the breeding of
oribi. A reintroduction programme for these captive-bred oribi was monitored using
radio telemetry to assess the efficacy of such a programme for the oribi. As with many
reintroductions of other species, this one was not successful and resulted in many
mortalities. However, many variables have been identified that contributed to the
failure of this programme and they can be adapted to increase the chances that captive
breeding and reintroduction be a viable conservation tool for oribi.
Besides captive breeding and reintroductions, the translocation of wild animals
can also be effective in sustaining wild populations. Translocations usually appreciate
a higher rate of success than reintroductions. A translocation of wild oribi was
attempted in this study. This involved the translocation of four males and eleven
females and a year-long monitoring programme. This translocation proved to be
extremely successful in establishing a sustainable wild population of oribi with few
mortalities and several births. However, such translocations can only be attempted
when there is suitable habitat and high security from poaching.
One source of oribi for the translocation part of the study was from a housing
estate that had a high density population of oribi. The existence of such a thriving
population of animals on what is often a controversial type of development led to a
case study investigation. Housing developments are increasing in size and in numbers
in South Africa, and are rarely held accountable for the destruction caused to local
habitat or wildlife. This case study used this housing estate as an example of
development and conservation cooperating and enjoying the success of a thriving
population of endangered oribi. Many variables have been identified that contribute to
the success of this venture and that could be used as a requisite for planned housing
developments in the future. In particular, clustering of houses to leave open wild areas
that are managed ecologically.
Finally, the issue of illegal hunting was identified as a very serious threat to
oribi conservation. Using surveys, residents of rural settlements and landowners were
probed about this issue so that a demographic profile of hunters could be created. This
profile could then be used to make recommendations on ways to slow the spread of
illegal hunting as well as educate hunters and conservation laws. The results showed
that many rural people hunt on a regular basis and most hunt with dogs. It also
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showed that there is a high level of ignorance amongst these people on the laws
concerning conservation and wildlife species.
It was concluded from this study that captive breeding and reintroduction of
oribi might be a way to enhance wild populations, but might be more useful in
creating public awareness. Translocation, on the other hand, was extremely successful
as a way of saving doomed populations and augmenting stable ones. However, it
requires suitable and protected habitat. Using housing estates as havens for
endangered species is an option but only if the right legislation is passed and
cooperation demanded with large portions of land remaining undeveloped.
Addressing illegal hunting is the most important, and possibly the most difficult
hurdle for oribi conservation besides habitat destruction. Finally, recommendations
for oribi conservation and management were made based on the results from this
study. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/5514 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Grey, Rebecca Victoria. |
| Contributors | Downs, Colleen Thelma., Kirkman, Kevin Peter. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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