eNews

#05 2024

Savanna giants: Elephants, trees and the birds in-between

By Liam Taylor, MSc student and Prof. Dave Thompson, SAEON Ndlovu Node

Transfrontier nature reserves such as the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area offer unparalleled conservation opportunities by expanding habitats for wildlife to disperse and migrate. The South African component encompasses a mosaic of private land, state-owned land, Mapungubwe National Park (South African National Parks – SANParks) and the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape. 

When the transfrontier area was created in the early 2000s, the removal of international border fences led to elephants crossing over from Botswana and Zimbabwe. While this was a conservation “win” in many regards, it has also raised concerns about the negative impacts elephants may have on the vegetation and on other animals.

The additional space for the transfrontier population that Mapungubwe National Park provides, is still relatively small compared to the historical unhindered migration pathways that existed before fences were erected and large-scale human development began. Therefore, it is vital to monitor landscape-scale impacts by elephants to continue to make informed management decisions suitable for the conservation of the elephants themselves, and other biodiversity that exists within these protected areas.

A bull elephant (Loxodonta africana) stripping bark from a baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) in Mapungubwe National Park. (Photo: Liam Taylor)

For his Master of Science dissertation, Liam Taylor is exploring elephant impacts on the woody vegetation in Mapungubwe National Park and the bird species that require this habitat for nesting. The study is undertaken in conjunction with Prof. Dave Thompson (SAEON), Prof. Ed Witkowski (University of the Witwatersrand), Dr Sarah Venter (The Baobab Foundation) and Dr Melissa Whitecross (Conservation Alpha), with field-assistance from Steven Khoza (SANParks).

Two surveys conducted in the dry and wet seasons of 2023 documented elephant damage and recorded nesting species from a total of approximately 10 km of sampling transects. Each transect began at a baobab tree, the focal large tree species of this project, in light of the reported mortality of many individuals in Mapungubwe National Park.

Endangered species such as this Lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotos) breed on the large trees (Senegalia nigrescens, in this instance) facing damage by elephants in the Greater Mapungubwe Conservation area. (Photo: Liam Taylor)

A family of Southern white-faced owls (Ptilopsis granti) nesting in an abandoned Red-billed buffalo-weaver nest (Bubalornis niger) in a baobab tree in Mapungubwe National Park. (Photo: Liam Taylor)

First large-scale avian study 

The project is the first large-scale avian study in the national park which highlights the importance of large trees for a multitude of nesting species, including IUCN threatened species such as vultures. The project is also providing insight into elephant-induced tree damage and mortality, not just for baobabs, but all large tree species in the park, including the riverine assemblage.

The next phase of the work, which will form part of Liam’s PhD from 2025, will build on current findings. Its objectives are threefold – gaining a better understanding of elephant dispersal within the transfrontier area, conducting a larger-scale raptor study which will involve collaborating with surrounding landowners to understand hurdles and opportunities for future conservation planning, and investigating large tree regeneration.

The Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area, with the study site (Mapungubwe National Park) located centrally on the South African side. (Source: Peace Parks Foundation)

MSc student Liam Taylor is exploring elephant impacts on the woody vegetation in Mapungubwe National Park and the bird species that require this habitat for nesting. (Photo: Victoria Roetger)