Tuli
Elephants
Tuli
Elephants | Statistics | Herd
Identification
SIZE OF THE POPULATION
To assess the number of elephants
in the Central Limpopo Valley two total aerial counts were conducted
within the study area. The counts were done in August 00 and July
01. Observers was instructed to count all groups and the numbers,
location, habitat of all elephants was recorded and plotted on a
1:250 000 GIS map of the area.
The aerial count covered a previously identified
range. Current information suggests this as the Northern Tuli Game
Reserve, the Tuli Block up to Bainsdrift, Tuli Circle, Shashe River
and the Maramani, Nottingham Estate and Sentinel Ranch area in
Zimbabwe as well as the Limpopo riverine strip on the South African
side.
Three aeroplanes were used to carry out a simultaneous count in the three different
countries. The Central Limpopo Valley was divided according to the different
countries involved. The aim of the total aerial censuses is to obtain
a minimum count for the elephant population utilising the Central Limpopo Valley
study area. During August 2000 the first total aerial count of the
Central Limpopo Valley Elephant Population was done. The total number of elephants
counted in the study area was 1388. The procedures followed were similar for
both total counts done in the study area. A 10% correction factor was used
as prescribed by Kruger National Park.During the total aerial count
of July 2001 a total of 1238 elephants were counted over a three-day period.
A 10% correction factor was used giving a minimum count of 1362 elephants within
the study area. The results of the minimum total aerial counts are represented
in table 1 and figure 1.
Table 1: Comparison of the
results two total aerial counts of the Central Limpopo Valley elephant
population.
| Subgroup |
Locality |
Total (Corrected) |
Difference |
| |
|
Aug 2000 |
Jul 2001 |
2000 - 2001 |
| |
|
*F.R. Males |
Total |
F.R. Males |
Total |
Male Groups |
Total |
| NTGR |
Botswana - NTGR |
6 |
575 |
37 |
957 |
31 |
382 |
| Zimbabwe - Tuli Circle |
3 |
63 |
0 |
0 |
-3 |
-63 |
| South Africa - Greeffswald |
0 |
0 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
| South Africa - Ratho |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| South Africa - Den Staat |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| South Africa - Schroda |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| South Africa - Samaria
II |
5 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
-5 |
-6 |
| |
14 |
644 |
53 |
973 |
39 |
329 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Southern Tuli
Block |
Botswana- Tuli Block |
18 |
398 |
46 |
277 |
28 |
-121 |
| Botswana - Village Areas |
7 |
28 |
0 |
0 |
-7 |
-28 |
| |
25 |
426 |
46 |
277 |
21 |
-149 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Nottingham & Sentinel |
Zim - Nottingham & Sentinel |
1 |
187 |
5 |
105 |
4 |
-82 |
| |
1 |
187 |
5 |
105 |
4 |
-82 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Northern Shashe |
Zim & Bot
- Upper Shashe |
0 |
132 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
-121 |
| |
0 |
132 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
-121 |
| TOTAL |
|
40 |
1389 |
104 |
1366 |
64 |
-23 |
* F.R. males Free
Roaming males
The
total figures obtained from both total aerial counts are similar.
The highest number of elephants counted within the Northern Tuli
Game Reserve was along the Motloutse River area. This area joins
to the rest of the Tuli Block and need to be seen as one unit due
to frequent movement of the elephants between the two sections. Comparing
the results of the two total aerial counts for the Northern Tuli
Game Reserve and the Tuli Block collectively there is an average
deviation of 261.
During
the August 2000 count a higher number of elephants were counted
within the Zimbabwean section than the July 2001 count. The difference
between the two consecutive years is 266. A higher number of elephants
were also observed within the Limpopo riverine on the South African
section compared to the previous year.The
total number of elephants counted during the July 2001 count was
not significantly different from the August 2000 count. The counts
serve as a minimum count for the Central Limpopo Valley Elephant
population.
The
general distribution of the population did not differ between the
two counts. The elephants concentrate in areas of low human densities.
The numbers counted in different sections of the study area was however
different between the two counts. The Northern Tuli Game Reserve
seem to form the core area of their distribution with a large sub
population forming within the Tuli Block. A resident population has
also established on the two private game farms, Sentinel Ranch and
Nottingham Estate in the Zimbabwean section. Movement across the
Limpopo River from both Zimbabwe and Botswana into South Africa occur
on a regular basis as well as movement along the Limpopo River from
Botswana to Zimbabwe and back again. This may account for the differences
observed in numbers between the two aerial counts. More elephants
were observed during the July 2001 count on the Motloutse River in
Botswana than the August 2000 count. This can also account for the
higher number of elephants counted within the Northern Tuli Game
Reserve.
The
fact that no elephants were counted within the Tuli Circle during
the July 2001 count is interesting and no apparent reason for this
can be found except maybe the impact that high hunting pressure
within the area might have on the elephant population within the
area.
The
boundaries of the study area seem to be well defined but movement
of groups out of the area is likely. Such areas are mainly along
Shashe River in the northern section of the study area and to the
east of Beitbridge.
This
however I believe is to be a low percentage of the population. The
elephants are mainly distributed within areas of low human densities.
Factors like rainfall, water availability and food distribution may
influence the distribution and movements of elephants within these
areas. These aspects however need further investigation and will
be addressed in a follow-up study.
The
Central Limpopo Valley Elephant Population are estimated at 1400
elephants within the region with the highest density of elephants
occurring within the Northern Tuli Game Reserve and the Tuli Block,
Botswana. It appears that four sub populations have established
within the study area. A resident group of approximately 100 – 200
elephants has established themselves on Sentinel Ranch and Nottingham
Estate, Zimbabwe. Another group seem to be utilising the Shashe
River in the northern section of the study area. This area however
needs further investigation. A
resident sub population of 300-400 elephants are estimated within
the Tuli Block and within the Northern Tuli Game Reserve the resident
population are estimated at 500 – 600 elephants. The high
density of elephants within this area is a matter of great concern
to the landowners within the area. High densities of elephant together
with a decrease in rainfall have resulted in a dramatic change
in the vegetation of the area.
