Enkele aspekte van die identiteit, verspreiding, gedrag en voeding van die kameelperd Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa, Boddaert 1785 in die Nasionale Krugerwildtuin

Abstract

The availability of data recorded since 1902 on the giraffe in the Kruger National Park (K.N.P.) initiated this study and further relevant information gathered during the years 1972 to 1976 by the author, led to the completion of this work. Using eight morphological features it is concluded that the giraffe population of the K.N.P. should be assigned to Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa, Boddaert. Overall geographical distributio, patterns of giraffe elsewhere in Africa seem to be greatly deter= mined by a relatively .hot climate, a savanna type of vegetation and the availability of preferred plant species such as acacias and combretums and this seems to be also true for the K.N.P. However, these patterns are far from stable and may in the K.N.P. be influenced by a combination of additional factors such as migrational routes followed during recolonization, bush fires, fences, competition with members of its own species and other browsers during periodes of dought, enemies and diseases. Behaviour of herds and individuals with regard to their own species and members of other species show great similarity to the results obtained for giraffe elsewhere in Africa. Preferences of acacias and combretums are evident. However under stresses of food shortages a grat variety of other plant species may be utilized. A steady increase in numbers since 1902 is ob= served and although certain areas in the K.N.P. are presently well populated, especially the central and southern areas, there is reason to con= elude that this animal has not reached its maximum population density in areas where it is presently found nor has it colonized all the areas suitable for habitation.