Theses and Dissertations (Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies)

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    An operational information system for zoo medicine
    (University of Pretoria, 2006-03-29) Meltzer, David George Anton; Espie, Ian W
    Objectives: 1. Describe a computer system built and being further developed to facilitate management of data and information relating to Zoo Medicine at the National Zoological Gardens. 2. Contextualise and evaluate this information system in terms of the original objectives, its potential, applied functionality and the manner in which it meets information systems criteria. 3. Make recommendations for further development.
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    The role of the ram in the impala (Aepyceros melampus) mating system
    (University of Pretoria, 2006-03-29) Skinner, J.D. (John Dawson), 1932-; Oliver, Colin Malcolm
    The role of territoriality was investigated using 25 impala rams in a site in South Africa. Field data were used to determine known rams as territorial and bachelors, as well as aspirant and indeterminate. The mean territorial tenure was 67.25 days, with a mean territory size of 21.0 ± 11.27 ha, compared to the home ranges of 34.1 ha ± 9.03 ha for territorial and 58.8 ha ± 33.35 ha for bachelor males. Territory boundaries seemed to remain constant through the season, and are smaller when bordering important features such as water holes, which appear to be neutral in terms of territoriality. Mating was observed on three separate dates between 16 May - 4 June 2001, three times by territorial males, the exception being an aspirant ram. The most important diurnal behaviour was feeding, followed by watching, walking, ruminating, resting and licking salt. It was found that bachelors browse more than territorial males, and all males browse and lick salt more in the non-rut. All rams were also more vigilant after lions were released. Only bachelors spar and allogroom, and they also orally groom themselves more than territorial males. Territorial males chase and roar more, and perform longer object aggression acts during the non-rut than bachelors. Other behaviours were rare or performed by all rams during the year.
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    Copper deficiency in Blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) from the Karoo Nature Reserve
    (University of Pretoria, 2006-03-09) Meltzer, David George Anton; Quan, Melvyn
    The copper status of blesbok was evaluated by measuring the hepatic and plasma copper concentrations, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity. The copper status of blesbok from the Karoo Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape was shown to be significantly lower than blesbok from the Willem Pretorius and Gariep Dam Game Reserves, Free State. Analysis of soil and water in the Karoo Nature Reserve suggests that alkaline soil, associated with organic matter, may be responsible for decreased availability of copper to plants. It was shown that leaching of copper could take place when liver samples are stored in 10% buffered formalin. Storage of samples in liquid nitrogen was found to be the only reliable method of maintaining erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity for extended periods of time.