**4.1 Study site**

292 Modern Telemetry

important for foxes at both small and large spatial scales. It is, thus, possible to use our findings as indirect evidence supporting the idea that fox-feeding is altering the way that red foxes use habitats in the study site, and possibly other areas of Prince Edward Island

The African wild dog is a highly endangered carnivore (IUCN 2006) that has showed significant declines in population numbers over the last century, especially during the last 35-45 years (Woodroffe et al., 1997). Like much of Africa, the agricultural and economic development of South Africa led to the local extinction or extirpation of large predators in all but the most uninhabitable areas (e.g., Kruger National Park and north-east KwaZulu-Natal). Apart from rainforest areas and deserts, African wild dogs (herein called wild dogs) were historically distributed throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa (Fanshawe et al., 1991; Monod, 1928; Schaller, 1972). Now, however, they have been extirpated from most of their range, being confined to a few areas in southern Africa where human population density remains low. According to Fanshawe et al. (1997), there is about 3,000-5,500 wild dogs left in 600-1,000 packs, more than half of which are found in southern Africa. Unfortunately, most of these populations are too small to be considered viable in the long-term. For instance, it is commonly accepted that the only viable population of wild dogs in South Africa occurs in

The principal threats to wild dogs are pressures resulting from human activities and infectious diseases. Both of these are mediated by habitat fragmentation, which increases contact between wild dogs, humans and domestic dogs. Wild dogs are intensely social animals, spending almost all of their time in close association with one other. Hunting in packs, each member achieves a higher foraging success than it would if it hunted alone (Creel & Creel, 1995). Packs may be as small as a pair, or number as many as 49 adults, yearlings and pups. Studies have shown that wild dogs live at very low densities, and are rare even when they live in large well-protected habitats where prey may be abundant, making these animals unusually susceptible to the loss and fragmentation of natural habitats (Woodroffe & Ginsberg, 1997). Growing human populations have caused wild-dog habitat to become increasingly fragmented or discontinuous, as large tracts of land have been taken over for livestock grazing and cultivation. In addition, wild dogs have been persecuted and their prey has been depleted. Like other large- and mediumbodied size mammalian carnivore species, wild dogs do kill livestock under some circumstances, and have therefore been shot, snared and poisoned in most livestock areas. Overall, the combination of all these factors has resulted in wild dog populations to become increasingly isolated in fragments of habitats with low human population

Species reintroduction is a tool for conservation and wildlife management (Griffith et al., 1989) that may sometimes offer the only chance of survival for highly endangered or threatened species (Hayward et al., 2007a, 2007b). In the interest of improving the current status of the African wild dog, efforts are underway to reintroduce wild-dog packs into several parks and reserves of South Africa, including Mkhuze Game Reserve (IUCN Wild Dog Advisory Group, 2005; Lindsey et al., 2004; Lines, 2006; Mills et al., 1998; Wells & Richmond, 1995). Mkhuze Game Reserve (~ 360 km2) was established in 1912 and forms part of iSimangaliso Wetland Park (World Heritage Site formerly called the Greater St.

National Park where fox-feeding is common.

**4. Case study 2: The African wild dog** 

Kruger National Park (Fanshawe et al., 1991).

densities.

Mkhuze Game Reserve is located between 32°06'25" to 32°56'46" E and 26°51'26" to 28°29'07" S in the subtropical zone (Fig. 3). The game reserve receives about 1,200 mm of rain annually, 60% of which falls in the summer. Mkhuze Game Reserve comprises a diverse array of habitat types, including grasslands, lakes and pans, wetlands, savannahs, thickets, woodlands and forests (van Rooyen, 2004). Two types of grasslands characterize the game reserve: lebombo-wooded grasslands and floodplains. Lebombo-wooded grasslands are mostly found on sandy soils near the bordering Lebombo Mountains but can also be present on soils composed of clay. The game reserve also includes several freshwater pans that although are mostly permanent bodies of water, may also undergo seasonal changes such as regular flooding and inundation (Van Rooyen, 2004). Although thickets and savannahs occur in various parts of the game reserve, most of the area is occupied by woodlands and forests. Woodlands have a discontinuous canopy while forests, also known as closedwoodlands, have a continuous canopy that commences at an elevation of 5 m or greater above the ground (Hockey et al., 2005).

Use of Telemetry Data to Investigate

areas or centers of activity within home-ranges.

Section 3.2.2).

**4.3 Results** 

Home Range and Habitat Selection in Mammalian Carnivores 295

Zealand). In order to reduce disturbance during the early stages of this wild-dog reintroduction program, the pack was located only twice daily (once at dawn and once at dusk). Geographic coordinates (latitude, longitude) of radio-tracking locations were recorded using a Garmin-GPS unit (± 0.30 m). Three types of radio-tracking locations or sightings were recorded in this study: A-sightings consisted of a close and accurate radiotracking location where the pack was seen directly; B-sightings represented the presumed location of the close, but elusive, pack where a strong signal was recorded but the landscape prevented direct viewing; and C-sightings resulted from three compass bearings and a computer-tabulated triangulation. Triangulation angles were maintained between 40° and 150. About 80% of radio-tracking locations were taken with the animal in view of the observers (i.e., 80% of locations were A-sightings). The software LOAS 2.1 (Ecological Software Solution 2003) was used to estimate the actual locations. Statistical independence of radio-telemetry data was not an issue for this study since only two sightings were recorded per day. Data on home-range size and core-areas were analyzed using the Animal Movement SA version 2.0 in ArcView (version 3.3; ESRI). The minimum number of locations required to accurately assess the home-range size of the pack was estimated by plotting cumulative home-range sizes against the number of locations (i.e., asymptotic home-range; Philipps & Catling, 1991). Similar to Case Study 1, home-range values were calculated using the 100% minimum convex polygon (MCP) and the 95% fixed Kernel method while the 50% fixed-kernel method was used to estimate size and shape of the core-

Habitat variables were determined using a digitized map (aerial photographs of the study area were not available) of the habitat types comprised within Mkuze Game Reserve. ArcView GIS (version 9.3 and 3.3; Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., ESRI) was used to map animal locations obtained from radio-telemetry monitoring sessions and to assign to each location a habitat type. Two habitat classification systems were used to examine habitat selection patterns. First, we used a broad classification system that separated the habitats encompassed within Mkhuze Game Reserve into six types: woodland, forest, thicket, river floodplain (includes seasonal stream habitats), *Terminalia sericea* savannah and other habitats (includes human-use areas, roads, etc). Most mammal species move throughout their home range and as they encounter different components and combination of features of their habitats they also make different selections. Thus, our second classification system involved a more refined classification that attempted to separate certain habitats (i.e., woodlands and forests) in categories that were perhaps a little bit more relevant to wild dogs inhabiting southern South Africa (Woodroffe & Ginsberg, 1997). Eleven habitat types were used for this second classification system: *Acacia nilotica* low-closed woodland, Acacia tall-open woodland, *Acacia tortillis* low-open woodland, dryclosed woodland, Lebombo wooded-grassland, low-thicket, open-woodland, river floodplain (includes seasonal stream habitats), riverine forest, *Terminalia sericea* savannah and other habitats (includes human-use areas, roads, etc). Similar to Case Study 1, habitat selection was examined by comparing use and availability of habitat types (using both habitats classification systems) within Mkhuze Game Reserve using the Neu Method (see

When all the radio-telemetry locations (n = 847) were plotted on the map of the Mkhuze Game Reserve, they appeared scattered throughout the entire reserve, although the

Fig. 3. Map of Mkhuze Game Reserve in relation to South Africa showing the main camps (solid dots) and roads (dashed lines) traversing the game reserve. The scale-bar refers to Mkhuze Game Reserve only.

#### **4.2 Data collection and analysis**

Radio-telemetry data of wild dogs were obtained from the Priority Species Monitoring Project of the Mkuze Game Reserve. As part of this monitoring project, two African wild dogs belonging to a pack reintroduced in 2005 were radio-collared and tracked from December 2006 to June 2008. Although only one animal usually needs to be tracked when following a wild-dog pack, two animals were tracked in this case to ensure data collection success in case of death or malfunctioning of a collar. For the purpose of this study, we only used the radio-tracking data from the animal for which more data were collected. The Animal Care Protocol used in this study followed the guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists (Gannon et al., 2007) and was approved by both Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Conservation and iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority. Animals were darted with a combination of fentanyl and xylazine to minimize capture and handling stress. Once animals were immobilized, radio-collars (with activity and mortality signals as well as antisnare plates; Model V5C181; width = 40 mm, circumference = 420 mm, weight ~ 420 g; Sirtrack radio-collars) were attached to them. The radio-telemetry procedure used in this study followed White & Garrott (1990). Radio-collared animals were tracked as a pack using Telonics aerials (Telonics, Arizona, USA) and Sirtrack receivers (Sirtrack, Hastings, New

Fig. 3. Map of Mkhuze Game Reserve in relation to South Africa showing the main camps (solid dots) and roads (dashed lines) traversing the game reserve. The scale-bar refers to

Radio-telemetry data of wild dogs were obtained from the Priority Species Monitoring Project of the Mkuze Game Reserve. As part of this monitoring project, two African wild dogs belonging to a pack reintroduced in 2005 were radio-collared and tracked from December 2006 to June 2008. Although only one animal usually needs to be tracked when following a wild-dog pack, two animals were tracked in this case to ensure data collection success in case of death or malfunctioning of a collar. For the purpose of this study, we only used the radio-tracking data from the animal for which more data were collected. The Animal Care Protocol used in this study followed the guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists (Gannon et al., 2007) and was approved by both Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Conservation and iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority. Animals were darted with a combination of fentanyl and xylazine to minimize capture and handling stress. Once animals were immobilized, radio-collars (with activity and mortality signals as well as antisnare plates; Model V5C181; width = 40 mm, circumference = 420 mm, weight ~ 420 g; Sirtrack radio-collars) were attached to them. The radio-telemetry procedure used in this study followed White & Garrott (1990). Radio-collared animals were tracked as a pack using Telonics aerials (Telonics, Arizona, USA) and Sirtrack receivers (Sirtrack, Hastings, New

Mkhuze Game Reserve only.

**4.2 Data collection and analysis** 

Zealand). In order to reduce disturbance during the early stages of this wild-dog reintroduction program, the pack was located only twice daily (once at dawn and once at dusk). Geographic coordinates (latitude, longitude) of radio-tracking locations were recorded using a Garmin-GPS unit (± 0.30 m). Three types of radio-tracking locations or sightings were recorded in this study: A-sightings consisted of a close and accurate radiotracking location where the pack was seen directly; B-sightings represented the presumed location of the close, but elusive, pack where a strong signal was recorded but the landscape prevented direct viewing; and C-sightings resulted from three compass bearings and a computer-tabulated triangulation. Triangulation angles were maintained between 40° and 150. About 80% of radio-tracking locations were taken with the animal in view of the observers (i.e., 80% of locations were A-sightings). The software LOAS 2.1 (Ecological Software Solution 2003) was used to estimate the actual locations. Statistical independence of radio-telemetry data was not an issue for this study since only two sightings were recorded per day. Data on home-range size and core-areas were analyzed using the Animal Movement SA version 2.0 in ArcView (version 3.3; ESRI). The minimum number of locations required to accurately assess the home-range size of the pack was estimated by plotting cumulative home-range sizes against the number of locations (i.e., asymptotic home-range; Philipps & Catling, 1991). Similar to Case Study 1, home-range values were calculated using the 100% minimum convex polygon (MCP) and the 95% fixed Kernel method while the 50% fixed-kernel method was used to estimate size and shape of the coreareas or centers of activity within home-ranges.

Habitat variables were determined using a digitized map (aerial photographs of the study area were not available) of the habitat types comprised within Mkuze Game Reserve. ArcView GIS (version 9.3 and 3.3; Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., ESRI) was used to map animal locations obtained from radio-telemetry monitoring sessions and to assign to each location a habitat type. Two habitat classification systems were used to examine habitat selection patterns. First, we used a broad classification system that separated the habitats encompassed within Mkhuze Game Reserve into six types: woodland, forest, thicket, river floodplain (includes seasonal stream habitats), *Terminalia sericea* savannah and other habitats (includes human-use areas, roads, etc). Most mammal species move throughout their home range and as they encounter different components and combination of features of their habitats they also make different selections. Thus, our second classification system involved a more refined classification that attempted to separate certain habitats (i.e., woodlands and forests) in categories that were perhaps a little bit more relevant to wild dogs inhabiting southern South Africa (Woodroffe & Ginsberg, 1997). Eleven habitat types were used for this second classification system: *Acacia nilotica* low-closed woodland, Acacia tall-open woodland, *Acacia tortillis* low-open woodland, dryclosed woodland, Lebombo wooded-grassland, low-thicket, open-woodland, river floodplain (includes seasonal stream habitats), riverine forest, *Terminalia sericea* savannah and other habitats (includes human-use areas, roads, etc). Similar to Case Study 1, habitat selection was examined by comparing use and availability of habitat types (using both habitats classification systems) within Mkhuze Game Reserve using the Neu Method (see Section 3.2.2).
