Bontebok
Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2019 11:33 am
BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE BONTEBOK
Damaliscus pygargus pygargus
IN SOUTH AFRICA
https://cisp.cachefly.net/assets/articl ... on1567.pdf
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) is endemic to the East Coast Renosterveld bioregion within the
Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of the Western Cape. Evidence from fossil records indicate that past climatic and
habitat change promoted the splitting of D. pygargus into the two separately classified subspecies known
today; blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) and bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus). Each
subspecies exhibits different behavioural and morphological traits including body markings and hide colours.
Historically, the natural ranges of the two subspecies did not overlap, with blesbok occurring widely on the
grasslands of Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Free State and bontebok restricted to the coastal
plains in the southern CFR. Here the numbers of bontebok declined to near extinction due to hunting and
human settlement, in the 1800s, to a known population of 20 animals in the Bredasdorp area. As a result a
national park was proclaimed to protect the remaining bontebok and their numbers increased. Worldwide,
habitat loss and the loss of genetic integrity by anthropogenic hybridisation currently threaten many species.
Wildlife species are extensively translocated outside of their historic distribution ranges onto private land as a
part of wildlife management and commercial breeding practices in South Africa. This has at times led to
multiple species on the same property outside their natural ranges. Thus, the two subspecies (bontebok and
blesbok) have come into contact and hybridized, a case which would not have happened naturally as they
historically had largely non-overlapping ranges with different ecosystems.
Bontebok now occur in a number of small, isolated populations across the country and are threatened by low
genetic diversity, population fragmentation, habitat fragmentation and hybridisation with blesbok and
blesbok/bontebok hybrids. In order to mitigate the historic and current threats to bontebok and conserve this
iconic species an integrated management strategy, applied through collaborative partnerships between
stakeholders, is urgently required. This would encourage public support, ensure genetic diversity within the
meta-population and sustainable utilisation of the species by the private sector.
The bontebok population within the Natural Distribution Range (NDR) and Extended Distribution Range (EDR)
in the Western Cape comprises approximately 1650 individuals. An approximately further 7500 individuals
survive on properties outside the NDR of the species throughout South Africa. Bontebok are tolerant of human
activities and adapt to changes in the landscape and readily utilise transformed landscapes with old fields of
short grass areas. The bontebok is listed as Vulnerable (D1, B2a) on the International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, as a Protected Species under the Threatened or Protected
Species (TOPS) regulations in terms of Section 56(1) d of the National Environmental Management:
Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004), and on Appendix II under the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The non-detrimental finding (NDF) for bontebok issued
by the Scientific Authority recommended a BMP-S to improve the management and monitoring of the
subspecies.
In 2011, an inter-agency collaboration between South African National Parks, CapeNature and the National
Department of Environmental Affairs was initiated to develop a bontebok BMP-S to ensure the long-term
survival of the species in nature. Engagements with a variety of stakeholders took place and identified threats
and challenges to the persistence of bontebok. These include human-mediated hybridisation and loss of
genetic diversity, habitat loss, disease and parasite problems and the risk of unintended hybridisation as well
as the lack of a meta-population management plan. The selection of the bontebok for a BMP-S is based on
the recommendations from the NDF, its threat status, the need for a meta-population strategy and inter-agency
collaboration on shared objectives for the conservation of the species, standardised monitoring, cooperative
research, and increased participation by landowners.
Both internal and external stakeholder consultations developed the following desired state for the bontebok:
“The conservation of a secured and well managed* bontebok meta-population.”
* Well managed: an increase in pure Bontebok numbers especially in their indigenous range, sustainable use of habitat and species, securing genetic integrity, researched and regulated to inform decision making and planning.
This desired state is aimed at creating a long term vision for successful conservation of this species and this is to be achieved by a set of associated objectives:
To conserve the genetic integrity and diversity of bontebok;
To prevent further habitat loss and habitat degradation, and establish and maintain historic habitat connectivity;
To establish and maintain effective communication and awareness between and among stakeholders; and
To investigate and conduct research aimed at supporting adaptive management and the implementation of actions to promote and ensure bontebok conservation.
The implementation of the bontebok BMP-S will have the following benefits:
1. Ensuring the bontebok population inside and outside (nationally) the NDR increases and is resilient to threats faced;
2. Ensuring that harvesting and off-takes of bontebok are sustainable;
3. Scientific sound meta-population management is implemented and through this the full extent of genetic diversity is represented throughout the population;
4. To facilitate the establishment and maintenance of a National Database to advise on the status of populations;
5. Identify priority conservation land for bontebok conservation within the NDR;
6. Promote collaboration and cooperation between government agencies as well as between government and the private sector;
7. Coordinated management actions; and
8. Identify accountable parties and clearly define roles and responsibilities.
The anticipated outcomes of the BMP-S are as follows:
1. The management of the bontebok population inside and outside (nationally) the NDR to ensure the long term survival of this species;
2. A co-ordinated national approach to bontebok conservation both in- and outside of the NDR in terms of management, monitoring and research;
3. The halt of the loss of habitat and ultimately ensuring a steady increase in conserved habitat and rehabilitation of degraded areas for reintroduction of bontebok especially within, but also outside the NDR;
4. Highlight research and communication priorities and identify appropriate parties to implement actions;
5. A National Database of population distribution and national testing and profiling protocols for bontebok;
6. The identification and immediate elimination of hybrids of this species to maintain the economic and conservation value of bontebok; and
7. Promotion of bontebok as an iconic flagship conservation species for Renosterveld vegetation, the CFR and the World Heritage Sites found there.
The Fynbos Biome comprises more than 120 different vegetation types, and there are four different types of
Renosterveld in the NDR of the bontebok: Western-, Central- and Eastern-Rûens Shale Renosterveld and
Rûens Silcrete Renosterveld. Today, this Renosterveld is highly fragmented with fewer than 50 fragments over
100 ha remaining. Before human settlement in the region, this vegetation type supported large numbers of big
game, including black rhino, eland, the now extinct bluebuck and quagga, and bontebok. Sadly, the extirpation
of the large herbivores and severe transformation of the landscape has allowed extensive areas to become
degraded. The bontebok is recognised as an iconic flagship species for the protection and conservation of
Renosterveld. The Biodiversity Management Plan for the bontebok provides the opportunity for the
conservation of both the bontebok antelope and the critically endangered renosterveld vegetation type on
which they naturally occur. It serves as a reference to the management and development of the identified
actions to enable stakeholders to contribute to the desired outcome of ensuring the long term survival of the
subspecies in nature and thereby ensuring the sustainable use of the bontebok by private land owners
participating in the meta-population strategy.
The bontebok BMP-S focusses on implementing a meta-population strategy and associated conservation actions aimed at ensuring that bontebok populations are and stay genetically diverse, and overall metapopulation fitness and resilience within and outside the NDR is enhanced and maintained in the long-term.
Damaliscus pygargus pygargus
IN SOUTH AFRICA
https://cisp.cachefly.net/assets/articl ... on1567.pdf
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) is endemic to the East Coast Renosterveld bioregion within the
Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of the Western Cape. Evidence from fossil records indicate that past climatic and
habitat change promoted the splitting of D. pygargus into the two separately classified subspecies known
today; blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) and bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus). Each
subspecies exhibits different behavioural and morphological traits including body markings and hide colours.
Historically, the natural ranges of the two subspecies did not overlap, with blesbok occurring widely on the
grasslands of Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Free State and bontebok restricted to the coastal
plains in the southern CFR. Here the numbers of bontebok declined to near extinction due to hunting and
human settlement, in the 1800s, to a known population of 20 animals in the Bredasdorp area. As a result a
national park was proclaimed to protect the remaining bontebok and their numbers increased. Worldwide,
habitat loss and the loss of genetic integrity by anthropogenic hybridisation currently threaten many species.
Wildlife species are extensively translocated outside of their historic distribution ranges onto private land as a
part of wildlife management and commercial breeding practices in South Africa. This has at times led to
multiple species on the same property outside their natural ranges. Thus, the two subspecies (bontebok and
blesbok) have come into contact and hybridized, a case which would not have happened naturally as they
historically had largely non-overlapping ranges with different ecosystems.
Bontebok now occur in a number of small, isolated populations across the country and are threatened by low
genetic diversity, population fragmentation, habitat fragmentation and hybridisation with blesbok and
blesbok/bontebok hybrids. In order to mitigate the historic and current threats to bontebok and conserve this
iconic species an integrated management strategy, applied through collaborative partnerships between
stakeholders, is urgently required. This would encourage public support, ensure genetic diversity within the
meta-population and sustainable utilisation of the species by the private sector.
The bontebok population within the Natural Distribution Range (NDR) and Extended Distribution Range (EDR)
in the Western Cape comprises approximately 1650 individuals. An approximately further 7500 individuals
survive on properties outside the NDR of the species throughout South Africa. Bontebok are tolerant of human
activities and adapt to changes in the landscape and readily utilise transformed landscapes with old fields of
short grass areas. The bontebok is listed as Vulnerable (D1, B2a) on the International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, as a Protected Species under the Threatened or Protected
Species (TOPS) regulations in terms of Section 56(1) d of the National Environmental Management:
Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004), and on Appendix II under the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The non-detrimental finding (NDF) for bontebok issued
by the Scientific Authority recommended a BMP-S to improve the management and monitoring of the
subspecies.
In 2011, an inter-agency collaboration between South African National Parks, CapeNature and the National
Department of Environmental Affairs was initiated to develop a bontebok BMP-S to ensure the long-term
survival of the species in nature. Engagements with a variety of stakeholders took place and identified threats
and challenges to the persistence of bontebok. These include human-mediated hybridisation and loss of
genetic diversity, habitat loss, disease and parasite problems and the risk of unintended hybridisation as well
as the lack of a meta-population management plan. The selection of the bontebok for a BMP-S is based on
the recommendations from the NDF, its threat status, the need for a meta-population strategy and inter-agency
collaboration on shared objectives for the conservation of the species, standardised monitoring, cooperative
research, and increased participation by landowners.
Both internal and external stakeholder consultations developed the following desired state for the bontebok:
“The conservation of a secured and well managed* bontebok meta-population.”
* Well managed: an increase in pure Bontebok numbers especially in their indigenous range, sustainable use of habitat and species, securing genetic integrity, researched and regulated to inform decision making and planning.
This desired state is aimed at creating a long term vision for successful conservation of this species and this is to be achieved by a set of associated objectives:
To conserve the genetic integrity and diversity of bontebok;
To prevent further habitat loss and habitat degradation, and establish and maintain historic habitat connectivity;
To establish and maintain effective communication and awareness between and among stakeholders; and
To investigate and conduct research aimed at supporting adaptive management and the implementation of actions to promote and ensure bontebok conservation.
The implementation of the bontebok BMP-S will have the following benefits:
1. Ensuring the bontebok population inside and outside (nationally) the NDR increases and is resilient to threats faced;
2. Ensuring that harvesting and off-takes of bontebok are sustainable;
3. Scientific sound meta-population management is implemented and through this the full extent of genetic diversity is represented throughout the population;
4. To facilitate the establishment and maintenance of a National Database to advise on the status of populations;
5. Identify priority conservation land for bontebok conservation within the NDR;
6. Promote collaboration and cooperation between government agencies as well as between government and the private sector;
7. Coordinated management actions; and
8. Identify accountable parties and clearly define roles and responsibilities.
The anticipated outcomes of the BMP-S are as follows:
1. The management of the bontebok population inside and outside (nationally) the NDR to ensure the long term survival of this species;
2. A co-ordinated national approach to bontebok conservation both in- and outside of the NDR in terms of management, monitoring and research;
3. The halt of the loss of habitat and ultimately ensuring a steady increase in conserved habitat and rehabilitation of degraded areas for reintroduction of bontebok especially within, but also outside the NDR;
4. Highlight research and communication priorities and identify appropriate parties to implement actions;
5. A National Database of population distribution and national testing and profiling protocols for bontebok;
6. The identification and immediate elimination of hybrids of this species to maintain the economic and conservation value of bontebok; and
7. Promotion of bontebok as an iconic flagship conservation species for Renosterveld vegetation, the CFR and the World Heritage Sites found there.
The Fynbos Biome comprises more than 120 different vegetation types, and there are four different types of
Renosterveld in the NDR of the bontebok: Western-, Central- and Eastern-Rûens Shale Renosterveld and
Rûens Silcrete Renosterveld. Today, this Renosterveld is highly fragmented with fewer than 50 fragments over
100 ha remaining. Before human settlement in the region, this vegetation type supported large numbers of big
game, including black rhino, eland, the now extinct bluebuck and quagga, and bontebok. Sadly, the extirpation
of the large herbivores and severe transformation of the landscape has allowed extensive areas to become
degraded. The bontebok is recognised as an iconic flagship species for the protection and conservation of
Renosterveld. The Biodiversity Management Plan for the bontebok provides the opportunity for the
conservation of both the bontebok antelope and the critically endangered renosterveld vegetation type on
which they naturally occur. It serves as a reference to the management and development of the identified
actions to enable stakeholders to contribute to the desired outcome of ensuring the long term survival of the
subspecies in nature and thereby ensuring the sustainable use of the bontebok by private land owners
participating in the meta-population strategy.
The bontebok BMP-S focusses on implementing a meta-population strategy and associated conservation actions aimed at ensuring that bontebok populations are and stay genetically diverse, and overall metapopulation fitness and resilience within and outside the NDR is enhanced and maintained in the long-term.
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