Movements, habitat selection and population structure of buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer Sparrman) in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin

Abstract

Buffalo herd movements, home range, habitat selection, herd structure and daily activity patterns were studied for 14 months in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, Transvaal, South Africa. The structure of the herds remained stable throughout the year with some overlap in home ranges. No subgroups were found to exist in herds. Adult females outnumbered adult males with all other age classes having 1:1 ratio. Bachelor male groups fluctuated seasonally in size, with adult bulls joining the breeding herd in summer in order to mate. The buffalo did not use the available habitat types in proportion to their occurrence and showed seasonal variation in habitat selection. Movement patterns were adjusted seasonally to accommodate various shifts in habitat selection and water availability. Although the buffalo had certain favoured grazing areas and routes between resource patches, they did not show a fixed pattern of range utilization. Buffalo herd movements and seasonal shifts in habitat selection ensured utilization of the most suitable habitat in the various seasons, which were not necessarily the best available. Graze availability and water resources were the main factors that controlled herd movements. Daily activity patterns were adjusted in response to seasonal variation in resource availability and distribution.