This project encompasses abundance estimation of wildlife in the reserve. Knowing number and density of wild animals is important for wildlife ecology and management. About 3000 heads of wildlife freely roam the area in Kuzikus. We estimate population size and number of larger ungulates using a distance sampling method.
Since large predators are not prevalent and abundant in the area, wildlife is held in check mainly by translocation, game catching. Our project is to walk 44 transects of 1.2 km through the reserve, count and take data on the animals we see. This data is then analyed through a distance analysis using the software DISTANCE, which gives us a precise estimate of animal density.
Biology graduate and undergraduate students participating in this project will gain practical fieldwork experience on African wildlife, methodology useful for wildlife ecology and management.
|
