A note on the distribution and abundance of puku, Kobus vardoni Livingstone, in Kasanka National Park, Zambia

Abstract

This study (1994) examines the distribution and abundance of puku (Kobus vardoni Livingstone) in Kasanka National Park (area=470 km2) Zambia, following five years of anti‐poaching control. The puku is an important ‘flagship’ species for the park. Most puku were confined to a limited number (n=19) of river floodplains and dambos (total area=20·29 km2) towards the centre of the park. Large areas of ‘suitable’ habitat contained few, if any animals. The total population was estimated to be 613 (confidence limits=414–967) with an average density of 35·93 km−2 on occupied sites. The population sex ratio was markedly biased towards females (mean=3·4 females to 1 male), but group sizes were similar to those recorded in other African studies. Male groups were on average (2·6), smaller than those of females (7·3). Males appeared to be particularly vulnerable to poaching. The distribution of puku reflected a patchy distribution of resources and a flexible social system. Puku numbers have increased two fold since the previous (1989) survey. Other species have faired less well. Further work is required to clarify dispersal mechanisms. Taylor's power law may provide a useful model for describing population dispersion. Kasanka is an important local refuge for this increasingly threatened species in Zambia. Metapopulation theory may be applicable to puku because of their ability to move between patches, during seasonal flooding.

An assessment of the puku (Kobus vardoniiLivingstone 1857) population at Lake Rukwa, Tanzania

“…However, modal group size (six to ten individuals) was higher than the figure found by Corti et al. (2002) (one individual) but comparable with that found by Rodgers (1984) (one, two and six to ten individuals) and the modal group size (three individuals) found by Goldspink et al. (1998) in Kasanka National Park, Zambia.…”

“…The puku ( Kobus vardonii Livingstone 1857) is a medium‐sized antelope of the Reduncinae sub‐family with a scattered distribution across Eastern and Central Africa, being native to eight countries (East, 1998; Jenkins, Maliti & Corti, 2003; IUCN, 2007). It is strongly dependent on floodplain grasslands and is never found far from water (Kingdon, 1982; Goldspink et al. , 1998).…”

Does inbreeding distort sex-ratios?

“…McPhee et al 1931;Campos Rosado and Robertson 1966;Hook 1969;Soule´1980). Further, distorted sex-ratios have been reported in threatened species of butterflies (Konvicka and Kuras 1999), turtles (Evrard and 'Canfield 2000), birds (Lens et al 1998;Vanderwerf et al 2001), marsupials (Clark et al 1995;Eldridge et al 1999;Banks et al 2003) and eutherian mammals (Hintz and Foose 1982;Starfield et al 1995;Goldspink et al 1998;Strier 2000;Srivastava et al 2001). The heath hen and the dusky seaside sparrow both finally became extinct when their last clutches produced all male offspring following severe population declines and consequent inbreeding (Simberloff 1988;Avise and Nelson 1989).…”

Evidence for local declines in Tanzania’s puku antelope (Kobus vardoni Livingstone, 1857) population between 1999 and 2003

“…Puku adopt a flexible social structure, which results in a ‘free passage of animals within and between patches’ (Goldspink et al. , 1998).…”