Labour says pro-cull campaigning may have given a "green light" to people mistreating badgers
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesmanIf anyone has any evidence of that occurring, they are strongly encouraged to report this to local wildlife crime police officers to deal with”
Bush Pig |
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Name Bush Pig [Potamochoerus larvatus]AppearanceThe Bush Pig is a strong, stocky pig with powerful forequarters. Its upper tusks are barely visible, but the lower tusks are razor sharp and grow to 7cm in length. It is very dangerous when surprised in the bush or wounded during hunting, it can inflict serious wounds with the sharp, protruding canines. An adult boar measures up 900mm at the shoulder and can weigh as much 60 Kgs.Diet Bush
Pigs can thrive in close proximity to human settlements as a
consequence of their stealth and predilection for agricultural food
crops such, potatoes, maize, tomatoes, sugar cane and other vegetables.
Some farmers consider the Bush Pig as a pest because of such crop
damage. In the wild they feed on plant roots, rhizomes, bulbs, tubers,
fruits and insect larvae which are rooted from the subsurface soil.BehaviourBush Pigs are also the largest animals in the subregion to build nests. Sows bite off grass and pile it into heaps up to 3m across and one metre high, which when completed looks like a small haystack. Apart from suckling them, the sows leave the care of piglets to the dominant boar. It also readily wades in water to reach aquatic plants, and is a strong swimmer which wallows in mud to cool down. Once piglets are introduced to the group, boars assume the role of protector. Piglets remain with the group until the age of six months, and thereafter are evicted from the group by the dominant pair.Bush Pigs are also the largest animals in the subregion to build nests. Sows bite off grass and pile it into heaps up to 3m across and one metre high, which when completed looks like a small haystack. Apart from suckling them, the sows leave the care of piglets to the dominant boar. It also readily wades in water to reach aquatic plants, and is a strong swimmer which wallows in mud to cool down. Once piglets are introduced to the group, boars assume the role of protector. Piglets remain with the group until the age of six months, and thereafter are evicted from the group by the dominant pair. Where they are foundFound in dense forests and underbrush situations along rivers, streams and at the bases of mountains of the Eastern Cape Province, Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Northern Province of South Africa, and further northwards through tropical Africa.PredatorsTheir main predators of Bushpig are Leopards and man. They are considered problem animals in most places they occur due to their habit of destroying crops | ||
African Civet |
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NameCivet [Civettictis Civetta]AppearanceCivets are beautifully marked but secretive nocturnal animals with bushy coats with black and white spots and stripes. Civets are good swimmers. They feed mostly on spiders, snakes, millipedes, small mammals and birds but also eat fruit, berries and other vegetable matter. Civets secrete an oily substance from anal glands when they are excited.Vital Statistics
Breeding1 - 4 young are born from August - December after a gestation period of ± 2 months.Spoor DescriptionHas 5 toes on the fore- and hind-feet, but only 4 toes show in the spoor of the fore- and hind-feet, as the first toes are set far back and do not touch the ground. The claws mark clearly in the spoor. | ||
Wildebeest |
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Black Wildebeest - Appearance Black
Wildebeest have a dark brown to black body, an erect mane and a long
whitish tail. Both sexes have heavy, forward curving horns. Bulls
measure 1.2 metres at the shoulder and weigh 161 Kg. Cows measure 1.16
metres at the shoulder and weigh 130 Kg. The horns of calves are
initially straight, and start to grow the characteristic curvature at
approximately nine months of age.DietThey are primarily a grazer, in order of preference selecting for predominantly grass, and occasionally karroid shrubs and herbs.Behaviour Socially, the
Black Wildebeest is found in three types of herds namely those
consisting of territorial bulls competing to attract receptive cows,
female herds, and lastly bachelor herds. Dominant bulls are spaced
across a grid of individual territories, each of which is actively
defended. Generally older bulls are isolated from the social structure.
This species shows strong attachment to particular areas, which are
selected for all round visibility to enhance safety.Habitat Their preferred habitat is open grassveld, and it actively avoids areas with tall grass and dense vegetation.Where they are found Black
Wildebeest are endemic to South Africa. Historically the Black
Wildebeest occupied the central open grassland plains of the country,
from the Northern Cape, the Free State, the southern highveld regions of
the former Transvaal, western Lesotho, western Swaziland and the
grassland areas below the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal. Recently
introduced to other parts of the country and neighbouring countries.
With population estimates of about 12 00 it is not regarded as
threatened by extinction.Blue Wildebeest - Appearance The
dark silver-grey body is marked with dark vertical bands on the front
quarters. Blue wildebeest are characterised by a long black mane and a
beard of hair hanging from the throat and neck. Both sexes grow short
curved horns. In adult bulls the horns are heavily bossed. Bulls weigh
250 kg and measures 1.5 m at the shoulders. Cows are slightly smaller,
measuring 1.4 m at the shoulder and with a mass of 180 kg.BreedingBlue Wildebeest are seasonal breeders. Births of single calves per cow occur during summer after a gestation period of nine months. Calves can run with the herd within minutes after birth.Behaviour Seasonal
migration was an optimised survival strategy which allowed the
effective use of resources over larger areas and which minimised
over-utilisation, both during wet and dry seasons. This is a gregarious
herbivore, occurring in herds ranging from ten to a few thousand
individuals. Bulls maintain territories when the herd is sedentary.Where they are found Distribution
is concentrated to the north-eastern regions of South Africa. Not
regarded as endangered, but mostly found in conservation areas. Also
widely distributed in countries north of South Africa. Population
numbers are drastically reduced due to fencing, which restricts
traditional and instinctive migration. | ||
Impala |
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NameImpala [Aepyceros melampus]AppearanceThis is the most common antelope of the bushveld regions of South Africa. A very graceful, rufous-fawn antelope, with white underparts, measuring approximately 900mm at the shoulders. Rams weigh around 60 Kg and ewes 40 Kg. A black stripe extends from the top of the rump down the back of each thigh. The lower hind legs have glands beneath tufts of black hair. Only the rams have horns which are lyre-shaped, and reach a length of 700mm.Diet The
Impala is a mixed feeder. It browses on shrubbery and grazes grass on
gently undulating or flat terrain. Acacia pods and fruits are taken when
available.BreedingFollowing a gestation period of 194-200 days single calves are born during early summer. An ewe is sexually mature at two years of age. Young rams can breed as yearlings, but are prevented to do so by territorial rams, which dominate reproductive opportunities.Behaviour Herds
seldom wander more than eight km from permanent water supply. Renowned
for their spectacular leaps over shrubs and bushes, when alarmed.
Rutting occurs during early winter months. Young rams live in bachelor
herds, and those strong enough to be successful in establishing
territories, become solitary within their respective domains during the
rut. Females live in breeding herds.Habitat Its preferred habitat is woodland savannahs of the northern and eastern districts of South Africa, and in countries beyond.PredatorsThe Impala is preyed upon by most of the large carnivores and the young often fall prey to Pythons. The Impala are therefore on constant alert. Should one of them spot danger, it will snort an alarm and the whole herd will scatter. It is one of the treats offered by nature to see this antelope perform their incredible 3 metre high and 12 metre long leaps.Vital Statistics
Breeding A single young is born from September - January after a gestation period of about 6 months.Spoor DescriptionHooves are sharp, neat and pointed and 4 - 6 cm long.Field NotesOne of the more common antelope of the African savannah, Impala have been referred to as the Macdonalds of the bush as they are of the most common prey for predators. The distinction markings on the rump also resemble the company logo to a degree. | ||
