Impact of elephant induced vegetation change on the status of the Bushbuck( tragelaphus scriptus ornatus) along the chobe river in Northen Botswana
Date
2016
Authors
Addy, Joanne Estelle
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Abstract
This study was carried out along the Chobe liver front region in Northern Botswana.
Bushbuck numbers had reportedly declined along the river front (Gibson 1990). The
decline was probably related to the vegetation change which had occurred due to the
heavy utilisation by elephant. The aims of this study were;
(1) to estimate the extent of the decline in the bushbuck population along the
Chobe river front since 1969/19'70; and
(2) to determine the relation between the elephant induced vegetation change and
the current status of the bushbuck population.
Bushbuck abundance and distribution were assessed by road and river counts and
identification of known in9Jy!Quals. The results obtained from my study were
compared with the results from a previous study in 1969/1970. The general study
area (GSA) extended from the Park headquarters to Ihaha, Within the GSA a smaller
intensive study area (ISA), situated between Crocodile island and Ihaha was delimited,
The study confirmed a decline in the bushbuck population over the 21 years. This
decline appears to have been spatially variable along the river frontage. There were
pockets where suitable habitats persisted and where the population had declined to
about 34% (b~twcefl24% and 43%) of the 1969170 level. They included the
intensive study area where bushbuck had been abundant historically. The extent of
the decline had been more severe in the section of the GSA outside the ISA. In these
areas the bushbuck numbers had dropped to only 2% of the former level.
The adult sex. ratio was biased towards. females, as found in other studies. 'The
incidence of juvenile sightings increased in October and November. The known
individuals showed that there was no lack of breeding success in the ISA.