WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT- HABITAT PREFERENCE OF GAME MAMMALS
Habitat preferences of game mammals
D T Rowe-Rowe

The phenomenon that all antelope species are not equally abundant is discussed on an associated web page where it is pointed out that abundance and dispersion were determined primarily by body size and feeding style.  

In addition, each game mammal has its own particular habitat preferences with regard to vegetation type, terrain, living space and climate.
One often hears of a farmer wanting to put game in an area that is totally unsuited to livestock. As a general rule, however, if an area cannot support large numbers of livestock, it will not support large numbers of game. The habitat preferences of hoofed game animals, which occur on farms, or have been introduced or re-established on farms in KwaZulu-Natal, are listed. A knowledge of habitat preferences will help you to appreciate the current distribution of game and whether your property is suitable for introductions.

Blesbok
Blesbok occur only in open grassland on flat to gently undulating terrain. The animal is a grazer, and is not very selective for grass species but is selective for growth stage, favouring short grass.If camps are too small social problems arise, the animals fight with each other and do not breed well. It is therefore recommended that camps are a minimum of 90 to 100 ha and that density does not exceed 1 blesbok/4 ha. The species is generally contained by a standard stock fence.

Bushbuck
Favoured vegetation of the bushbuck is forest or dense bush, irrespective of the degree of slope.
The species is a browser, living mainly on the leaves of bushes and young trees. In frost habitats, the bushbuck take cover in the forest but feed mainly on the forest margin. Each bushbuck requires 12 to 20 ha of living space.

Duiker, blue
The blue duiker or impiti lives in forest or dense bush (either coastal or inland forests). It is a very selective feeder, eating mainly fallen leaves, and seldom browses.

Duiker, grey
This duiker is the most widely distributed antelope in KwaZulu-Natal. It occurs in any habitat where there is sufficient woody vegetation to provide cover. Grey duikers are selective browsers.

Duiker, red
The red duiker is confined to coastal forest and dense bush. It eats fallen leaves and browses.

Eland
This large antelope has a wide habitat tolerance; occurring in savanna, woodland, grassland, and montane grassland, on terrain ranging from level to steep slopes.The animal is a mixed feeder, eating grass when it is green and nutritious, then switching to browse at other times. Eland are not easily contained, even by high game fences. Each animal requires 20 to 50 ha.

Giraffe
Preferred habitat of the giraffe is woodland on flat to gently undulating terrain. Giraffe are browsers that should only be introduced to properties that have a year round supply of green trees, and should not be released on farms that are subdivided into numerous small camps.

Hartebeest, red
Grassland and dry savanna on flat to gently undulating terrain are favoured by red hartebeest. This antelope is a grazer, being more selective for stage of growth of grass than for grass species. The social organization is similar to that of blesbok, therefore camps should be at least 100ha.

Impala
Ideal habitat is woodland or bush that is not too dense, on flat to gently undulating terrain. The impala is both a grazer and a browser, feeding fairly selectively, and is very dependent on water.

When grazing, only short grass is eaten. Impala are prolific breeders and if introduced to properties which include very thick bush or bush on steep hills, problems arise in trying to reduce the numbers, as they hide in inaccessible areas when attempts are made to shoot or capture them.If introduced to heavily utilized areas, or if overstocked, impala cause damage by concentrating on the short grass areas, eventually denuding them. The stocking rate should never exceed 1 impala/4 ha.

Klipspringer
This antelope occurs in dwarf scrub on rocky koppies or on ledges of krantzes. Klipspringer are very selective browsers.

Kudu
Kudu favour bushveld, thicket or woodland. The terrain may be flat to fairly steep. The kudu is a browser, which feeds very selectively and requires a large home range - about 35 ha per animal - and should be introduced only to areas in which there is a year round supply of browse. Kudu are not easily contained, even by high game fences.

Nyala
Nyala occur naturally in bush, thicket, or woodland, mainly on flat to gently undulating terrain.The nyala is a grazer and a browser, showing some degree of selection, and is very dependent on water. Nyala have been introduced to a number of areas outside of their original distribution range.The species is very vulnerable to cold and in areas that experience frost or sudden cold spells, the animals have died.

In warmer areas, nyala introductions have presented other problems - the animals have bred prolifically and overutilised the browse available to the naturally occurring bushbuck and blue duiker, with the result that the last-mentioned two species have decreased in number or died out.
Furthermore, nyala are very difficult to manage as they hide in thick bush and it is extremely difficult to remove them in sufficient numbers.

Oribi
Oribi occur only in moist grassland on flat to gently undulating terrain. This antelope feeds very selectively on certain grasses and even on certain parts only of certain grasses, as well as on some forbs. It requires short, good quality veld (either burnt or mowed) for feeding and long grass in which the young can lie up. Each animal requires about 30 ha of suitable habitat. Oribi are easily caught by dogs; therefore, strict control of both domestic and wandering dogs is necessary.

Reedbuck, common
Common reedbuck occur in grassland or woodland near water, favouring flat to gently undulating terrain, particularly valley bottoms. This reedbuck is a selective grazer that favours short, young grass for feeding and long grass for cover. Under ideal conditions reedbuck exist at 1/10 ha.

Reedbuck, mountain
Favoured habitat of this antelope is grassland on steep to very steep hill slopes. The mountain reedbuck (or rooiribbok) is a very selective grazer, feeding only on certain grass species. It feeds on short, recently burnt grass, and favours long grass for cover - often showing a preference for areas where there are rocks or some woody plants. Area requirements are between 20 and 30 ha per animal.

Rhebuck, grey
Grassland on hills and mountains at high altitudes, is typical habitat of the grey rhebuck (or vaalribbok) in KwaZulu-Natal. Grey rhebuck feed very selectively, almost entirely on forbs. The species favours short, burnt veld for feeding and long grass for cover. Each animal requires about 50ha of living space.

Rhino, white
Grassland and open woodland on flat to gently undulating terrain are suitable areas for white rhino. This rhino is a grazer which should preferably be introduced to properties of at least 400 ha, enclosed by a game fence reinforced with cable.

Springbok
Springbok favour grassland in drier areas on flat to gently undulating terrain. The springbok is a grazer and browser, feeding selectively on both grasses and forbs or shrubs, varying its diet seasonally.

Steenbok
Steenbok occur in open grassland in drier areas, or in lightly wooded (with scrub) grassland, on flat to gently undulating terrain. It is both a grazer and a browser, being very selective for both plant species and portions of the plant, requiring about 30 ha/animal.

Suni
Suni occur in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal in sandveld thickets and sand forests, where there is a high density of tree stems and sparse ground cover. They forage on the forest floor, eating mainly fallen leaves, and fruits and flowers when available.

Waterbuck
Habitat is open woodland with good grass cover, within 2km of permanent water. Terrain should be flat to gently undulating. The waterbuck is predominantly a grazer, being fairly selective for grass species, and taking some browse seasonally. Long grass is essential for their success, as they are physically incapable of getting their mouths close enough to the ground to feed on short grass.

Wildebeest, black
Grassland, on highveld in flat terrain is the only suitable habitat for black wildebeest. They are grazers selecting for growth stage. Social conflicts take place in small camps therefore at least 100ha is needed. Black wildebeest tend to concentrate and feed on the flattest areas and areas with the shortest grass, therefore they can be responsible for serious local overgrazing and denudation, if overstocked.

Wildebeest, blue
Blue wildebeest favours grassland or open woodland on flat to gently undulating terrain. The species is a grazer selective for growth stage of grass. Social organisation is similar to that of the black wildebeest, hartebeest and blesbok, therefore they should not be confined to small camps. Because of the danger of transmitting snotsiekte, translocation is subject to veterinary controls.

Zebra
Grassland or open woodland on flat to gently undulating terrain is favoured. The Zebra is a grazer that feeds on longer grass than do antelopes, such as wildebeest, blesbok impala and hartebeest. Zebra require a large home range and move about seasonally. They are not easily contained by a standard stock fence.

CONCLUSION
Landowners may be interested in acquiring game for their properties, or on the other hand may desire advice on managing or improving the habitat for existing species. Farmers in KwaZulu-Natal seeking advice on game management should contact their nearest KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service District Conservation officer. If you do not know how to contact him telephone the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service Head Office on 033 8451999.

KEYPOINTS
Important aspects of the habitat are vegetation type, terrain, living space, and climate.
Game numbers are limited by the amount of suitable habitat.
Most game species favour veld in good condition.
Game can be introduced or habitat can be managed for a species.
Contact your local KZNNCS District Conservation Officer for advice.