A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science,
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of
Science in Quantitative Conservation Biology, 1993 / The aim of the study was to provide a basis for the
determination of acceptable hippo densities along the
Crocodile River, outside the Kruger National Park. Hippo
densities have to be acceptable to land-user~, who suffer
hippo damage, and to the conservation authority,
responsible for the resources along the river. Hippo
nllmbers and distribution in the study area were determined
by using a combination of aerial census and ground count.
The hippo population number was estimated at 88 animals.
Hippo distribution was influenced by flow speed of water.
No hippos were observed in river sections with steep
gradients, (>6.0 m/km) , while major herds were observed at
low gradients «3.5 m/km). A mean density of 0.6 hippo per
km was calculated, with a maximum of 2,5 hLppoe Zkm at
Kaapmuiden, next to the Kruger National Park. TPA Nature
Conservation records on hippo complaints were analyzed, and
no relationship between the occurrence of hippo damage and
hippo density could be found. There were strong indications
that hippo damage are caused by individual problem hippo ,
The majority of land-users (92 %) supported the
conservation of hippos. The size of the area available to
hippo was determined for distances of 5 kn. up- and downriver
from the major hippo herds.
hippo could move away from the river was 336
restriction when compared to the generally assumed hippo
grazing range of 3.2 km. Hippo access to grazing was
assessed by determining the effective grazing area. / MT2017
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/22716 |
| Date | January 1993 |
| Creators | Eksteen, J.J. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | Online resource (70, 35 leaves), application/pdf |
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