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Since the formation of the Reserve, Dougal has encouraged research on the Reserves habitats and wildlife. This contributes to the correct management of the reserve and increasing knowledge of species behaviour, abundance and habitat preference. Research of this type has escalated in the last 10 years since Universities and Research groups have used Mankwe as a Field Centre undertaking a variety of projects on a regional level as well as expanding individual areas of interest.

South Africa's Brown Hyenas
2006 saw the expansion of a project which commenced in 2004 into the endangered brown hyena. It is estimated that fewer than 1700 free ranging brown hyena's exist in South Africa. The project, which is based at Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, assesses carnivore populations in areas with different levels of protection and management (including Mankwe), this will help to develop an understanding of the ecology and conflict these animals face and to aid future conservation directions.
Dr. Dawn Scott, Ph.D (Project Principle Investigator)

Monitoring of White Rhino at Mankwe Wildlife Reserve
Since 2005, management at Mankwe Wildlife Reserve has been monitoring the range utilization, habitat use and behavioural patterns of White Rhino on the reserve. Using a GPS grid mapping system, the locations of the White Rhino are mapped and dated to aid in a long term project, assessing trends in the reproduction, movements and behaviour of individuals in relation to climate and habitat.

Grassland Survey
An ongoing project since 2003 examines the interactions between burning, grassland community ecology and local patch choice by grazing ruminants. Data collected will assist Reserve management in compiling burning and stocking programmes to improve biodiversity or to improve stock grazing conditions whilst maintaining the veld in optimum conditions.
F. Wragg (Aberdeen University) & P. Ward (Napier University)

Nocturnal Predators Survey
The management team at Mankwe Wildlife Reserve are currently introducing a new research project which aims to survey nocturnal predators on the reserve. Species that are to be looked at will be black-backed jackal, caracal, genet, serval, civet, owls and leopard. Using a range of field techniques such as driven night transects, camera trapping, species observation and walking spoor and track transects the project aims to find out about population densities, territories, social behaviour and diet.

Population dynamics of small mammals
Small mammals are an important component of the ecosystem, comprising of the main prey base for many small carnivores and are themselves predators of vegetation which in turn can have a dramatic effect on the vegetation community. Under the instruction of Dr. Richard Yarnell, we will be undertaking a long term survey using capture mark recapture methodology to discover the impacts cover, food and predation have on Mankwe's small mammal populations. The data collected will be used in conjunction with the monitoring of nocturnal predators to discover any trends in the population dynamics of both predator and prey.
Dr. Richard Yarnell, Ph.D

A number of other research projects are ongoing on the reserve and it is one of the key tasks for NKOMBI Volunteers to carry out field work for many of these. Furthering study projects that have been undertaken in the past and new projects that are of interest to the management team are also encouraged. These include the abundance and distribution of steenboks, reptiles, and amphibians and to compile a comprehensive list of wildflower occurring on the reserve.
















Nocturnal Predator Survey.




 

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Mankwe Wildlife Reserve
P.O. Box 20784
Protea Park
0305
South Africa