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.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:tut/oai:encore.tut.ac.za:d1000760 |
| Date | 01 April 2008 |
| Creators | von Brandis, RG, Reilly, BK |
| Publisher | Southern African Wildlife Management Association |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | |
| Rights | Southern African Wildlife Management Association |
| Relation | BioOne Research Evolved |
Page generated in 0.0024 seconds