The past distribution of giraffe in KwaZulu-Natal

dc.contributor.authorCramer, M D
dc.contributor.authorMazel, A D
dc.date.accessioned2016-01-20T10:40:58Z
dc.date.available2016-01-20T10:40:58Z
dc.date.issued2007
dc.date.updated2016-01-19T08:06:43Z
dc.description.abstractGiraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) are thought to be introduced aliens in KwaZulu-Natal, an area in which they flourish today. This perception was based on the lack of reference to sightings of giraffe in early colonial literature and the lack of giraffe remains in archaeological sites within KwaZulu-Natal. We have reviewed the literature and found no reliable reference to giraffe in early colonial writings and no reports of rock art featuring giraffe in the area. However, there are recent reports of the recovery of giraffe bones from the Middle Stone Age deposits at Sibudu Shelter, the Holocene hunter-gatherer deposits at Maqonqo Shelter and from the Early Iron Age agriculturist site of KwaGandaganda, all within KwaZulu-Natal. We argue that giraffe were present 1000 BP (date of most recent excavation evidencing giraffe remains), but had died out or been extirpated by c.220 BP (date of written accounts). The demise of giraffe between 1000 and 220 BP may be linked to disease, climate change or anthropogenic causes. The finding of giraffe remains within KwaZulu-Natal raises the possibility that they should be considered as native to the area.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationCramer, M. D., & Mazel, A. D. (2007). The past distribution of giraffe in KwaZulu-Natal. <i>South African Journal of Wildlife Research</i>, http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16453en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationCramer, M D, and A D Mazel "The past distribution of giraffe in KwaZulu-Natal." <i>South African Journal of Wildlife Research</i> (2007) http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16453en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationCramer, M. D., & Mazel, A. D. (2007). The past distribution of giraffe in KwaZulu-Natal: short communication. South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 37(2), 197-201.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn2410-7220en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Cramer, M D AU - Mazel, A D AB - Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) are thought to be introduced aliens in KwaZulu-Natal, an area in which they flourish today. This perception was based on the lack of reference to sightings of giraffe in early colonial literature and the lack of giraffe remains in archaeological sites within KwaZulu-Natal. We have reviewed the literature and found no reliable reference to giraffe in early colonial writings and no reports of rock art featuring giraffe in the area. However, there are recent reports of the recovery of giraffe bones from the Middle Stone Age deposits at Sibudu Shelter, the Holocene hunter-gatherer deposits at Maqonqo Shelter and from the Early Iron Age agriculturist site of KwaGandaganda, all within KwaZulu-Natal. We argue that giraffe were present 1000 BP (date of most recent excavation evidencing giraffe remains), but had died out or been extirpated by c.220 BP (date of written accounts). The demise of giraffe between 1000 and 220 BP may be linked to disease, climate change or anthropogenic causes. The finding of giraffe remains within KwaZulu-Natal raises the possibility that they should be considered as native to the area. DA - 2007 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town J1 - South African Journal of Wildlife Research LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2007 SM - 2410-7220 T1 - The past distribution of giraffe in KwaZulu-Natal TI - The past distribution of giraffe in KwaZulu-Natal UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16453 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/16453
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationCramer MD, Mazel AD. The past distribution of giraffe in KwaZulu-Natal. South African Journal of Wildlife Research. 2007; http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16453.en_ZA
dc.languageengen_ZA
dc.publisherSouthern African Wildlife Management Associationen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Biological Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.sourceSouth African Journal of Wildlife Research
dc.source.urihttp://www.sawma.co.za/
dc.subject.otherAcacia, alien, archaeology, biodiversity, bones.
dc.titleThe past distribution of giraffe in KwaZulu-Natalen_ZA
dc.typeJournal Articleen_ZA
uct.subject.keywordsAcaciaen_ZA
uct.subject.keywordsalienen_ZA
uct.subject.keywordsarchaeologyen_ZA
uct.subject.keywordsbiodiversityen_ZA
uct.subject.keywordsbonesen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceArticleen_ZA
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