Nuusbrief / Newsletter FEBRUARIE / FEBRUARY 2020

www.pmfsa.co.zaThis e-newsletter is compiled from sources that are deemed to be reliable.

However, the publisher accepts no responsibility for any errors or the effect of any decisions based on this publication.

Nuusbrief / Newsletter FEBRUARIE / FEBRUARY 2020

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Assessing the jackals among the sheep1

Reviewer Prof. Brian Reilly speaks positively on the PredSA publication that was released in 2018. He regards it as a high-quality narrative, but its major value lies in the comprehensive literature cited. At the end of each chapter knowledge gaps are identified, and suggestions raised as to where optimal scientific and financial investments in the future should lie.

The book will be useful in many areas of research and may also help to change attitudes towards land and wildlife management.

Click here to read his review pmfsa.co.za/images/news/PredSA_Review1.pdf.

Daar is menige boere wat predatore doeltreffend bestuur en daarom wil ons graag sulke suksesstories aanhoor en deel met medeboere. U geslaagde bestuurspraktyk sal in die maandelikse PMF- nuusbrief

verskyn en ook op die webtuiste geplaas word. Skakel Bonita Francis by (041) 365 5030 of per e-pos by [email protected].

Deel u bestuurspraktyk met ons!

Dissecting Scientific Assessment2Over the past few months, seven of the nine chapters of the Scientific Assessment have been addressed and concluding remarks by lead authors and authors were highlighted. This month we are focusing on the role of mesopredators in ecosystems, and the last chapter relating to the biology, ecology, and interaction of other predators with livestock will be dealt with next month.

CHAPTER 8The role of mesopredators in ecosystems: potential effects of managing their populations on ecosystem processes and biodiversity

Mesopredators are vital for ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. Most of the research effort and funding in South Africa are directed at charismatic apex predators as much as in the rest of the world.

This chapter highlights the multitude of ecological roles that mesopredators play; however, our general understanding of these roles for black-backed jackal and caracal is limited.

Much of what we know about the removal of these mesopredators from agri-pastoral landscapes comes from inference rather than rigorous inquiry. However, based on the above discussion, removing black-backed jackals and caracals from simple agri-pastoral environments could result in a greater abundance of small mammals (i.e. rodents) that could limit plant regeneration through seed predation. The loss of black-backed jackal could result in small ungulate numbers increasing with a resulting increase in livestock–wild ungulate competition. However, under this scenario, the remaining black-backed jackals and caracals would have abundant prey, potentially reducing predation on livestock where wild prey is still caught preferentially. The loss of black-backed jackals and caracals may result in an increase in population densities of bat-eared fox, Cape fox, black-footed cat, African wild cat, genet species, and many mongoose species, but may also lead to differences in their relative abundance (and subsequent losses of prey species of these specialised predators) in certain habitats. These populations may flourish if rodent numbers are high.

Scientific Assessment link

The single document Livestock Predation and its Management in South Africa: A Scientific Assessment, containing detailed and current insight and knowledge into the complex situation of predation management is available on the PMF website. Click here to view and download the publication.predsa.mandela.ac.za/Scientific-Assessment-Publication

News from the desk of the Predation Management Centre (PMC)

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Control of black-backed jackal (lethal management)Black-backed jackal control can be used to reduce black-backed jackal numbers or to eliminate individuals causing damage in areas experiencing livestock losses due to these predators. Best results are often obtained when control (lethal) methods are used in combination with preventive (non-lethal) methods of predation management. As with preventive methods, the choice of control method depends on, among others, terrain, prevailing environmental conditions, and the cost of the methods.

Our leaflet “Managing jackal – corrective methods” contains more information on the control of black-backed jackal, and is available here:ufs.ac.za/docs/librariesprovider22/pmic-documents/01_05-managing-jackal---corrective.pdf?sfvrsn=64759a21_2 This leaflet covers only some of the legal methods currently in use. Although other methods of control are also available, little or no scientific information is available for those methods.

The methods described here are restricted methods in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004). It is therefore advisable to contact your local conservation authority when considering the use of any of these methods.

For more information on the methods or specialists in the field of predator control, please visit their website ufs.ac.za/pmic or contact them on Tel: +27 51 401 2210 or email: [email protected]

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