Observations on the movement patterns and daily home range size of Impala, Aepyceros melampus (Lichtenstein) in the Kruger National Park

Abstract

The movements and other behavioural and physiological patterns of impala and of some of the other more abundant game species in the Kruger National Park were studied to provide information which could be applied to their management, especially in regard to the artificial provision of water.

Preliminary results reveal that the daily home ranges of impala are relatively small (±0,98 km2/24 h), their short daily movements (±3,0 km/24 h) are especially restricted at night (±0,6 km/12 h) and that surface water and the availability of edible succulent vegetation in the vicinity thereof, strongly influence the regional distribution of this species in the Kruger National Park. Maps are included to illustrate typical impala movements in relation to the distribution of watering points and other ecological features, while quantitative information on their movements and daily home range size is compared with that of blue wildebeest, Connochaefes taurinus (Burchell), Burchell's zebra, Equus burchellii antiquorum H. Smith, buffalo, Syncerus caffer (Span-man) and the elephant, Loxodonta africana (Blumenbach).