9th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium

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The 9th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, "Wildlife: The Key to Prosperity for Rural Communities," was held September 12-16, 2016 at Hotel Safari and the Safari Court in Windhoek, Namibia to "tell the world that private and communal conservation is important, it can fill fragmented gaps, and we need to include everyone in the quest for a planet that supports wild animals, wildness, and appreciation of wild things." These digital collections include materials from the 9th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium as well as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2nd African Buffalo Symposium.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 78

Open Access
American bison: Relic symbol? Domesticated novelty? Rewilding dream?
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Benson, D. E., author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
The US Congress and President unanimously agreed on a national mammalian symbol with the National Bison Legacy Act of 2016. The law is entirely symbolic and could mean nothing to socially and ecologically rewild bison which might have totaled 30-60 million: the last clause of the bill reads "Nothing in this act or the adoption of the North American bison as the national mammal of the United States shall be construed or used as a reason to alter, change, modify, or otherwise affect any plan, policy, management decision, regulation, or other action by the federal government." Approximately 500,000 bison (20,000 plains and 10,000 wood bison) live in 62 conservation herds in the Great Plains and boreal forests of North America. Perhaps 15,000 bison are free-ranging and able to function ecologically. Relic extant populations persisted since near extirpation during the 1800s in Yellowstone National Park (4,900), and were restored on other public lands. Most numbers, 90 percent, were introduced to fenced private and tribal lands, bred for meat, husbanded as novelties and exhibits, or fostered for ecological and social considerations. The rewilding dream is limited by human populations and infrastructures, land uses, fragmented suitable landscapes, and attitudes that are incompatible with free-roaming wild herds of 1/2 to one ton ungulates. Mangers with governments, tribes, organizations, and private lands seek uncertain futures for bison considering legislation, land use alternatives, economics, social perspectives, dreams, and actions that not all can agree. Must we accept symbolic management of relics or ecologically rewild our dreams.
Open Access
Analyzing herbivore movements in relation to resource availability in the Savuti-Mababe-Linyanti Ecosystem (SMLE) in northern Botswana
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Sianga, K., author; Fynn, R., author; Bonyongo, M. C., author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
The size and stability of large herbivore populations is dependent upon the ability to adapt to strong inter-annual and inter-seasonal variation in forage quantity and quality, while minimizing the risk of predation. Thus, understanding seasonal variations in habitat suitability in relation to a species' requirements at different stages in its reproductional cycle is essential to develop strategies for large, trans-national conservation areas and to mitigate conflicts between conservation and human land use. The Savuti-Mababe-Linyanti region has been selected as an area to study seasonal resource utilization by buffalo. GPS collars were deployed to3 buffalo herds between 2011 and 2013 and allowed to track animal movements with ~ 6occurrence points per day. Based on these, an interpretation of field- and laboratory analysis of the movement of buffalo in relation to forage quality and quantity was conducted. Buffalo, moved into thicker woodland habitats where taller leafy grasses were common during the wet season which varied in forage quality and quantity. Buffalo herds used woodlands where visibility was low probably because they can defend themselves against their predators. Both species relied on ephemeral water in the pans during the wet season. When pans dried out during the dry season, buffalo moved to their dry season ranges around permanent water. During the early dry season, the buffalo used a range of woodland habitats and floodplain grasslands around the Selinda Spillway, Linyanti Swamps and Savuti Marsh.
Open Access
Back to basics: "hunt for food": wildlife industry to regulate game meat
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) van der Merwe, M., author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
The 2014-2016 Montreal - Sustainable Wildlife Management Progress Report (Canada, 25-30 April 2016) listed two of the four integral thematic areas as: wildlife and food security and animal and human health. This sentiment echoed from WRSA 15 years ago when vast proportions of financial investment, resources and expertise were applied to finalizing the legal framework for game meat in South Africa. Following the failure of these efforts, further work was initiated to investigate the alternative of an international guideline for the safe production of game meat in SA. Self-regulation was considered the only option left for the game industry in SA with WRSA acknowledging the future small but tangible role of government in the process. The recent "Wildlife Lab" (April - May 2016) initiative, driven by relevant and involved SA Ministers in the wildlife realm, was tasked to bring innovation but practical executable solutions to the challenges in the game industry. The main objective being a totally deracialised game meat industry with safe, legal production of a quality and nutritious protein food which will help address food security in SA and secondly, to empower local communities, BBE's and SMME's through wealth development thereby increasing the industry's contribution to GDP. This R490 million investment proposal provides for inter alia the current game numbers projected growth to 2021 and 2030 with the build-on concurred initiatives. This model will be explained and rolled out based on the 72% financial contribution from the private sector, 22% new entrepreneur funding and 6%institutional support from the SA government. Furthermore, the model highlighted the need for legal guidelines for game meat production and spurred the long overdue publication of the Game Regulations for public comments. In addition, this model and its foreseen successes for game meat production as proposed by the Wildlife Lab could be carbon copied for and maybe the only solution to re-instating the safe and sustainable utilization of bush meat. Correlations between wildlife hunting and bush meat hunting are: both are part of the customary sustainable use of biodiversity to fulfil nutritional protein needs, both are done for economic gain with meat sold in markets, irrespective of being legal or not. However, the difference lies in that: bush meat hunting is the result of an unmanaged common resource being unsustainably harvested due to weak governance, inadequate policy frameworks, and limited data and knowledge. Wildlife hunting on the other hand takes place generally on privately owned land where the land owner also has ownership of the animals, manages these knowledgeably and harvests the resources sustainably resulting in a huge growth in game numbers. In view of its ecological, social and economic value, wildlife is an important renewable natural resource, with significance for areas such as rural development, land-use planning, food supply, tourism, scientific research and cultural heritage. If sustainably managed, wildlife can provide economic- and food security and contribute considerably to the alleviation of poverty as well as to safeguard human and environmental health.
Open Access
Balepye rhino conservation and sustainable livelihoods: game ranching presentation
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Maenetja, Dipati Benjamin, author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
International trade in rhino horn was banned in the 1970's and this ban has had the same effect as the prohibition of alcohol did in the US by creating a black market. Banning trade has only contributed to increasing poaching as also evidenced by South Africa's ban of domestic trade in rhino horn being followed by a spike in poaching. Legalising trade will take away control of trade from black markets and let regulated markets take over thus crippling criminal syndicates and curbing rhino poaching. The ban on international trade of rhino horn and all other interventions, including anti-poaching units and awareness campaigns, have failed to effectively protect rhinos. Sustainable utilisation of rhinos is the only logical option left to save rhinos. Sustainable utilisation requires legalizing trade and has been proven in the past to be effective as seen with animals such as ostriches, crocodiles and others. Sustainable use of South America's vicuñahas resulted in the animal being saved from extinction while contributing to conservation and alleviating poverty, the same can be achieved with rhinos through legalisation of trade. For this reason rhino horn can be sustainably utilised by harvesting it regularly through dehorning without killing the animal. When harvesting you get about 30 to 60 kilograms of rhino horn from a single rhino that is kept alive over a period of time. Through poaching or pseudo hunting you only get about 1-3kg and at times even 6kg from a full grown adult and the rhino is killed.
Open Access
Beef Industry
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 1974-03-20) Don
Open Access
BWPA: Botswana Wildlife Producers Association
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) de Wet, Rudie, author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Botswana is one of the success stories globally in terms of conservation. If you look at the ratios of land that is dedicated to conservation it ranks among the best in the world. We have a government which appreciates the value of conservation and the preservation of that. This effort also contributes to the popularity of Botswana's tourism sector as Botswana is rated as one of the best tourist destinations in the world. The game ranching industry in Botswana is relatively in its infant shoes as it started in the early 2000's. We have over a 100 registered game ranches with an average size of 9,000 hectares. The number of game animals on the ranches is currently a quarter of the total population of all Botswana's game numbers. Bearing in mind that the ranches cover 1% of Botswana's land mass and 8% of the combined areas including National Parks and Game Reserves. The ban of hunting had a huge effect on the game ranch industry as it is perceived globally that there is no hunting in Botswana, although it is permitted on registered game ranches. When hunting of big game was allowed in the concession areas we had a huge spin off from clients who wanted to hunt plains game on the ranches. It is currently very difficult to market Botswana as a hunting destination. The ban of hunting also had a huge effect on the communities who benefitted from that. I agree that it make sense to convert certain concession areas into photographic areas as it is ideally suited for that. But Botswana is a vast country and certain areas are not suited for photographic tourism. Hunting in those areas will ensure proper management where communities can benefit from it and also ensure survival of species as there will be proper anti-poaching measures put in place. There is also an increase in human animal conflict in Botswana after the ban of hunting where predators especially are affected. Botswana needs to relook at the ban to ensure a sustainable conservation effort.
Open Access
Can cheetahs and wildlife ranchers ever live in co-existence?
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Marker, Laurie, author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Large carnivores are currently facing severe threats and are experiencing substantial declines in their populations and geographical ranges around the world (Ripple et al., 2014). Human-wildlife conflict is a risk to 31% of the global carnivore species (IUCN Red List, 2016). The vast majority of Namibia's cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) (over 90%) and other large carnivores reside outside of national parks. Namibia is made up of a mosaic of land uses which includes both privately owned mixed livestock and wildlife unfenced farms, fenced game farms, and open communal and commercial conservancies. Fences are meant to protect biodiversity however; fences have an ecological impact by blocking migration movements especially in arid ecosystems. The fences confine individuals in turn carnivore abundance may exceed their available resources leading to a potential rapid decline of the population or local extinction. Commercial farmers have utilised game fences to keep and protected their game which equates to their livelihood. However, game fenced farmers catch more cheetahs than that of livestock farmers (Marker et al. 2010). As more game fences are erected, the rate of human-wildlife conflict has increased, which is an issue not only for the cheetah but all large carnivores across Namibia. CCF's research over the years has uncovered the complex relationships between individual cheetahs, their competition such as leopards and their prey base. By understanding these relationships it is possible to share information on how these influences affect cheetahs on game ranching farms and in turn how farmers can farm in co-existence. CCF's Future Farmers of Africa (FFA) project is a multifaceted integrated programme as it aims to help farmers with both human and environmental issues through education. CCF has created a set of integrated programmes aimed at addressing the principle threats to the cheetah by developing simple techniques through their FFA's programme and farmer training workshops. These tools include; livestock guarding dogs and swing gates that allow free movement of animals across game farms. These tools have already reduced the rate of human-wildlife conflict and help to maintain a viable population of carnivores across Namibia's conservancies. Through education CCF believes that both commercial and communal farmers can successfully live together with large carnivores across Namibia now and in the future.
Open Access
Catch rain: people working together to restore land and rivers
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Huelin, Astrid, author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Rural communities in Zimbabwe and Zambia are being inspired to work together to restore land and rivers by changing wildlife, livestock and land management practices. There is improved rural community resilience & prosperity in the face of climate change. The Catchment Approach is low input, simple, practical & duplicatable. The results seen are due to community ownership and empowerment to manage their own wildlife, livestock and land resources for the long term. Stories from Zimbabwe: In 2012, The Mwalanga River in Sizinda Community Matabeleland North, started flowing above ground from December to December. For 20 years this river only flowed during the rainy season. Grasslands are being restored, perennial grasses are increasing and wildlife and livestock are being managed with solutions focused thinking. Ngarazi Village of Chief Chisunga area in Mushumbi Pools have set aside a 6000 hectare community conservancy. Recognising the need to improve rainwater infiltration into the soil the community is applying simple regenerative agricultural techniques to manage their area. Muhlanguleni, Chilonga and Gondoweni villages of Chief Sengwe area, Mazvingo Province, Zimbabwe are excited to start changing wildlife, livestock and land management practices to restore their grasslands to health. Stories from Zambia: Communities of the Kafue floodplains are creating solid social management structures to manage their wildlife, livestock, land and rivers.
Open Access
Cawston Game Ranch, Zimbabwe: facts and figures
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Booth, Vernon R., author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Cawston Game Ranch, located in Matabeleland Province in Zimbabwe, has operated as a trophy hunting destination since its inception in 1987. The ranch is situated in a semi-arid region with limited arable soils and subject to high rainfall variability. The ranch is surrounded by resettlement and subsistence farmers and their families. Vegetation is dominated by Colophospermum mopane – Acacia species on basalt soils. There are no perennial river systems requiring the maintenance of an extensive artificial game water supply system strategically located across the ranch. The 128 km2 property is surrounded by a 2.4 m high, 13 strand game fence. A mixture of grazers and mixed feeders make up the 17 species of ungulates with large predators limited to leopard and brown hyena. There are no buffalo, lion or elephant. Approximately 9,000 animals have been harvested over a 20-yearperiod. Rifle and bow trophy hunting and cropping are main source of revenue together with irregular live sales of impala, giraffe, sable, wildebeest, kudu and warthog. The founder populations have been monitored annually using robust road strip count surveys since 1997. These data have been analysed using the programme DISTANCE (Buckland, S.T., Anderson, D.R. Burnham, K.P. and Laake, J.L. 1993) to monitor changes in population estimates. A relationship using an abundance index for different species to estimate population numbers has been developed that provides game ranch managers with a simple tool to track population changes and hence establish sustainable quota offtakes without necessarily having to use complex and expensive survey techniques.
Open Access
Closing thoughts & future
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Benson, D. E., author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Open Access
Comparative analysis of forest buffalo grouping patterns in Central Africa
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Melletti, Mario, author; Groenenberg, Milou, author; Breuer, Thomas, author; Turkalo, Andrea K., author; Hogg, Forrest, author; Ekouoth, Davy, author; Korte, Lisa, author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Understanding the social organization of elusive forest-dwelling ungulates may have important conservation and management implications. We present a comparison of grouping patterns in forest buffalo across different sites and through time in Central African rainforest. We examined five sites: Mbeli Bai and Bonye Bai (Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Republic of Congo), Dzanga Bai and Bai-Hokou (Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, C.A.R.) and Lopé-Okanda National Park (Gabon).Buffalo showed high site fidelity to open areas, including forest clearings. Forest buffalo herds (mean 12 ind. ± SD; range 3-24) were much smaller than records of savanna buffalo herds (mean 350 ind. ± SD; range 12-1500>), but also showed frequently fission-fusion patterns. Data from Mbeli Bai collected from 2012 to 2016confirm a stable presence of two buffalo herds (range 9-10 ind.) with occasional visits by lone individuals. Observations from Dzanga Bai over a period of 10 years (2006-2016) confirm the occurrence of only one buffalo herd (range 8-10ind.). In Bai-Hokou site, a single buffalo herd increased from 16 to 24 individuals during a three year period (2001-2004). Finally in Lopé National Park (a mosaic of savanna and forest fragments), the mean group size for 18 herds monitored from2002 to 2004 was 12±2 ind. (range of means=3–24). We analysed if herd size and herd stability are affected by clearing size, clearing type (e.g. marsh or land) and grass coverage across different sites and through time.
Open Access
Controversial cuisine
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Cawthorn, Donna, author; Hoffman, Louw, author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Open Access
Country foods development initiative in the Arctic: a resource sustainability and value-added processing strategy for Aboriginal people
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Renecker, Lyle A., author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Food insecurity in northern aboriginal communities has been identified. The WHO defines food security when all people have access to good food to maintain life. An Inuit Health survey in 2007-08 has shown that about 68-69% of preschool children lived in food insecure homes. In order to achieve a level of food security where people have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food is a problem circumpolar. Most often, food insecurity results from a lack of access to food rather than one of availability. Quality, acceptability (in terms of traditions and culture), and long-term stability are also considered important aspects of food security. Natural food resources are an important cultural aspect of life for circumpolar aboriginal communities. An abundance of fish, sea mammals, birds, and berries exist for sustainable harvest, however, residents often lack the tools and training to turn these resources into hygienic, nutritious food products for community nutrition and markets. However, through value-added processing an even wider product spectrum can be manufactured in regional communities. At the same time, residents do not have the skills - both hard and soft - to operate such facilities in northern settings to meet the taste requirements of their palates. Initiatives have been implemented in the Arctic north to assist Inuit to become more food secure using country foods. Resource development in the north generally involves harvest of raw material for individual households or village use. There is minimal amount of extra value applied to material through further processing and packaging because such facilities and trained personnel are lacking. In order to maintain healthy and sustainable fish and wildlife stocks, there is a need to harvest sufficient numbers of a species in order to maintain a balance between a population and its' food resources. However, without the ability to process product, there is an inability to often fill the available quotas and maintain resource balance. Asa result, opportunity is lost economically, ecologically, nutritionally, and culturally. This paper will discuss how Alaska, Arctic Canada (in conjunction with Palace Hillside Farm Group), Greenland, Scandinavia, and Russia have addressed these challenges.
Open Access
Creating voluntary payment programs effective program design and ranchers' willingness to conserve Florida panther habitat
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Pienaar, Elizabeth F., author; Kreye, Melissa M., author; Soto, José R., author; Adams, Damian C., author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Landowner resistance to Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations is a key challenge to endangered species protection and recovery. Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) strategies have been promoted as an effective market-based strategy for conserving imperiled species and offsetting ESA regulatory pressure on private landowners. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently proposed that a mix of PES and regulatory assurances be implemented in Florida to encourage cattlemen to engage in Florida panther recovery efforts. To identify cattlemen's preferences for the proposed programs we conducted a mail-based survey employing a choice experiment typically used in marketing research (i.e., best-worst scaling). We found that the utility associated with an incentive program depends on both the type and level of incentive offered and contract features that impact personal autonomy. Our findings suggest that voluntary conservation programs are most likely to enroll politically conservative landowners if these programs (1) provide per-acre payments or tax reductions, (2) are of shorter duration, (3) are based on norms of reciprocity, and (4) do not require overly intrusive or restrictive levels of monitoring to ensure program compliance.
Open Access
Crocodile farming: a fresh approach
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Reader, Robert, author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
South Africa Crocodile Farmers are generally in a favourable position regarding the farming of this protected natural resource. It has eliminated the risks of the potentials of extinction of this prehistoric animal and ensured sustainable farming practises through good farming practises. The situation is now that this animal can be traded in theory similar to any stock domestic animals. Traceability is however a future requirement and we are measured by end consumer. The demand for high quality skins is still there and farmers can obtain good margins on these skins. The other grades are where the demand is met with low prices but eventually all skins are consumed in the manufacturing environment but here we are price takers. Can we do better? The following are matters which require further discussion: · At what price is it still economically to produce second grade skins? · Rising energy cost has forced crocodile farmers to look for alternative ways of effectively heating and cooling facilities · Structure design- Indoor/intensive farming or external/semi extensive farming · Integrated systems versus specific concentration · Probiotic · Free food/chicken mortalities, dry mix or combination · Abattoir or not · Export of wet or tanned skins · Quality or quantity · DEAT or Agriculture · Own Breeder Stock or hatchling/yearling purchasing · Agent or own marketing · The role of cooperation · Lessons from the poultry Industry
Open Access
Demography and morphometry of an important mesopredator (black-backed jackal - Canis mesomelas) in southern Africa
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) de Waal, HO, author; Combrinck, Wliie, author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Predation losses on livestock and wildlife ranches are more than ZAR 2 thousand million per year. The black-backed jackal Canis mesomelas is an important mesopredator in South Africa and Namibia and implicated for much of these losses. Despite control over decades, little is known about their demography and morphometry. Information was collected by farmers and specialist predator hunters during a period of 21 months. Time of year hunted (age relative to whelping), eruption of the permanent teeth and the wear of incisors were used to categorise 4 age groups: <0.5 years (pups), 0.5–1 years (juveniles), between 1–2 years (yearlings), and ≥2 years (adults). The 455 males and 411 females did not support the assumption that hunted (stressed) populations respond by producing more females to increase reproductive fitness of the species. Except for significantly more females in the age group 1-2 years (yearlings), their sex ratio was not skewed. Sexual dimorphism was evident with males weighing consistently more than same age females; the heaviest adult male and female weighed 12.5 kg and 11.5 kg, respectively. Growth and development of black-backed jackals occurred mostly in the first 6months of their lives, thereafter decreasing gradually. Sexual dimorphism was also displayed by morphometry and total body length, body length and tail length of males were consistently more than for females. Predation management of black-backed jackals must be informed by good knowledge of the interface between its biology and management; this information is now used to develop meaningful coordinated predation management strategies.
Open Access
Diseases of special importance to the wildlife industry in Namibia
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Tubbesing, Ulf, author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Open Access
Do we really understand accommodation preferences of visitors to the Kruger National Park?
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Kruger, Martinette, author; van der Merwe, Peet, author; Slabbert, Elmarie, author; Saayman, Melville, author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Accommodation plays such an important role in the tourist's experience, and one would imagine that many studies concerning this topic have been conducted. However, surprisingly very few studies have been carried out on this subject despite the growth in both demand and supply. This gap or lack of research led to the present exploratory study that addressed the question: what are visitors' accommodation preferences when they select accommodation in the Kruger National Park (KNP)? Based on a visitor survey in the Northern region of the Park during December 2015 where295 fully completed questionnaires were administered, respondents were segmented based on their accommodation preferences (self-serviced, serviced and safari). Three distinct clusters were identified, Self-service seekers, Service seekers, and Safari, service seekers. These clusters differ regarding their socio-demographic characteristics and especially regarding the factors they regard as important when selecting accommodation and campsites. This was the first time that the accommodation preferences of visitors to the flagship national park in South Africa were analysed. The results show that while visitors to the KNP appear homogeneous regarding their demographic profile, they differ significantly when it comes to accommodation needs and preferences. The findings from the research are valuable to park management especially when developing and expanding accommodation options in the park as it shows the preferences of each distinct market. This research furthermore makes a contribution to the current literature regarding ecotourism and ecotourists' accommodation preferences.
Open Access
Does age influence biltong hunters behaviour?
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) van der Merwe, Peet, author; Saayman, Melville, author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
When looking at market segmentation, age is often used to segment tourism markets. This was also the case with this study, where age was used to perform a market segmentation of South African biltong hunters. The aim was to determine how age affects hunters' behaviour. Data were obtained during the 2015 national hunters' survey. During this time, 492 completed questionnaires were obtained. The results showed that age does affect hunters' behaviour. Firstly, the results revealed that the main motive for hunters to hunt is to escape, to be in nature and to obtain meat; and secondly, age affects hunters' spending and motives to hunt. This research will help product owners to develop different products for hunters based on their age.
Open Access
Effects of divergent migratory strategies on access to resources for Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer)
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-09) Bennitt, Emily, author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Populations of large herbivores frequently display divergent migratory strategies, a likely consequence of the trade-off between the costs and benefits of migration. Globally, physical and environmental barriers disrupt migrations, leading to increased residency, which can have detrimental consequences. In the Okavango Delta, Botswana, veterinary cordon fences erected in 1982 may have caused enforced residency in some subpopulations of Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer). We used data from GPS enabled collars fitted to females in 1 resident and 1 migratory subpopulation of buffalo to test the hypotheses that (i) residents have access to less productive forage than migrants, (ii) residents occupy smaller home ranges and live in smaller herds than migrants, (iii) reproductive productivity is lower in resident herds, and (iv) residents have poorer body condition than migrants. Forage characteristics varied between resident and migrant ranges, both between and within seasons. Reproductive productivity and body condition did not differ between subpopulations, but residents occupied smaller home ranges during the rainy season and lived in smaller herds than migrants. The area that residents occupied was located in a more central region of the Okavango Delta than that of migrants; therefore, this area would receive higher levels of nutrients from the annual flood, which would have increased heterogeneity in resident ranges, thereby potentially compensating for effects of disrupted migrations. These results highlight the importance of conserving landscapes with spatially and temporally heterogeneous resources to buffer effects of anthropogenic activities such as artificial barriers on migrations.

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