Title:

Report on surveying, catching and monitoring Black-footed cats (Felis nigripes) on Grünau Farms, Namibia and Benfontein Nature Reserve, South Africa in 2021

Publication Year:
2022
Abstract:

1 – Grünau (GR) study areas in Namibia: Private farmland comprising an extensive area of 70.000 ha with Dwarf Shrub Savannah vegetation in typical Nama Karoo habitat. The area receives low rainfall of 80-120 mm on average and is lightly stocked with sheep (Ovis aries). We captured and radio-collared four female BFCs in February 2020 here (Sliwa et al. 2021) and one female dispersed 25 km to the north two months later. A well-maintained grid of sand and gravel roads traverses the property allowing good survey coverage. 2 - Benfontein Nature Reserve (BFN): A private nature reserve owned by De Beers Consolidated Mines, located 10 km southeast of Kimberley on the border of the Northern Cape and Free State Provinces in central South Africa. The majority of the 11 400 ha consists of arid plant communities receiving an average annual precipitation of 450 mm. BFN has been the subject of the first field study on the species by A. Sliwa in the 1990s (1992-1998) (Sliwa 2004, 2006, Sliwa et al. 2010) and continues to be an important site for long-term monitoring.

Series:
Black-footed Cat Working Group
Item Type:
Report
Language:
en

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