Green Hunting and Population Dynamics in APNR and Kruger National Park, South Africa
A collaborative project investigating elephant movements and dynamics using GPS collars. The research is also assessing attitudes to culling, sport hunting and green hunting. In June 2003, researcher Michelle Greyling began a project to examine the population dynamics and movement of elephants within the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) and the adjacent Kruger National Park (KNP). The research is being conducted with assistance from Timbavati owner and STE trustee Marlene McCay in collaboration with STE and Kruger National Park.
An individual ID file of elephants utilising the APNR is being established, and Michelle is examining habitat use and elephant-impact on specific tree species, a particular concern for APNR stakeholders). A total of 30 satellite collars will be placed on 18 bulls and 12 matriarchs from independent family units over the next five years. To date, one satellite collar has been deployed on 'Mac', one of the large tuskers within the APNR. The deployment of the collar was a part of Timbavati's ongoing Green Hunting programme. On the 9th of May 2002, 'hunter', Texan Bob Mann, placed an anaesthetic dart into the elephant's rump after a long and exhausting hunt. Once the elephant fell down asleep, the hunter took photos of his magnificent trophy, a GPS collar was fitted and the bull was revived with an antidote.
The GPS collar, made by African Wildlife Tracking, transmits data via satellite recording fixes of Mac's movements three times a day. In July 2003 the collar's batteries failed, but Mac was re-sighted within the APNR on the 20th of August 2003 and his collar was successfully replaced. GPS data from Mac's collar shows that the total area traversed by Mac represents 4,540 km2. These results differ considerably from previous estimates of home range size for bulls within the APNR, determined from conventional telemetry methods, which had a mean estimate of home range of 238 km2. The project is also assessing the attitudes of stakeholders in the APNR towards culling, sport hunting and green hunting of elephants as well as gathering interest and support for the project.
An individual ID file of elephants utilising the APNR is being established, and Michelle is examining habitat use and elephant-impact on specific tree species, a particular concern for APNR stakeholders). A total of 30 satellite collars will be placed on 18 bulls and 12 matriarchs from independent family units over the next five years. To date, one satellite collar has been deployed on 'Mac', one of the large tuskers within the APNR. The deployment of the collar was a part of Timbavati's ongoing Green Hunting programme. On the 9th of May 2002, 'hunter', Texan Bob Mann, placed an anaesthetic dart into the elephant's rump after a long and exhausting hunt. Once the elephant fell down asleep, the hunter took photos of his magnificent trophy, a GPS collar was fitted and the bull was revived with an antidote.
The GPS collar, made by African Wildlife Tracking, transmits data via satellite recording fixes of Mac's movements three times a day. In July 2003 the collar's batteries failed, but Mac was re-sighted within the APNR on the 20th of August 2003 and his collar was successfully replaced. GPS data from Mac's collar shows that the total area traversed by Mac represents 4,540 km2. These results differ considerably from previous estimates of home range size for bulls within the APNR, determined from conventional telemetry methods, which had a mean estimate of home range of 238 km2. The project is also assessing the attitudes of stakeholders in the APNR towards culling, sport hunting and green hunting of elephants as well as gathering interest and support for the project.