biodiversity
(2) SABLE
Performed well initially, now seemingly in decline, probably
a result of overgrazing/bush encroachment.
(3) RED HARTEBEEST
Performed well initially, population reached 135 in 1986.
Reasons for steep decline most likely as per sable.
(4) HARTMANN’S MOUNTAIN ZEBRA
Strange introduction. Way out of range/habitat totally
unsuitable. Removed.
(5) ROAN
Initial poor growth rate attributed to too many males being
brought in. After five males were hunted/removed, little
improvement was shown and the herd never seemed to
thrive. It would be interesting to know what eventually
happened to this population, as these animals would
have been direct descendants of the original roan
captured in the Waterberg and transferred to Percy
Fyfe in the late 1960s.
(6) TSESSEBE
Initial poor growth rate attributed to too many males being
brought in. Significant improvement was shown after six
males were hunted/removed and the population seems to
have subsequently performed quite well although it is now
starting to show signs of decline. Once again overgrazing/
bush encroachment is the likely culprit.
(7) ELEPHANT
Population now way too high, more than double what it
should be (106 in 2015) and well beyond a crisis point. >>
2 Performed
well initially:
Sable antelope
(Hippotragus niger).
Photo © Gerrit de Vries3 Performed well initially:
Red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus caama).
Photo © Simon g