The behaviour of the bontebok Damaliscus Dorcas Dorcas, with special reference to territorial behaviour

David, Jeremy Hugh Markham

The behaviour of the bontebok Damaliscus Dorcas Dorcas, with special reference to territorial behaviour

Master Thesis

1970

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Abstract

Fieldwork for this study was commenced during the end of January 1969 and terminated in mid-April. 1970. It was conducted on a full time basis and follow-up visits were made to the Park at intervals duririg the remainder of 1970. The study was carried on exclusively in the Bontebok National Park which contains by far the largest herd of bontebok in the country. Visibility in the Park is good and all observations were made from a vehicle with the aid of binoculars at distances ranging from about 30 m to over 400 m. Most animals were tolerant of a motor vehicle but there were one or two exceptions, particularly territorial males whose territories were situated away from the roads and who were therefore unused to being approached closely by vehicles. Females were on the whole more nervous than males and especially females with new born lambs were very nervous and would run from a vehicle at 100 m or more.

Keywords

Zoology

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