Version 1
: Received: 25 July 2023 / Approved: 26 July 2023 / Online: 27 July 2023 (12:01:51 CEST)
How to cite:
Matumbure, L.K.; Matengo, T.; Long, S.; Tarakini, T. Vulture Interactions on Carcasses in a Protected Area: Implications for Conservation in a Savannah Context. Preprints2023, 2023071921. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202307.1921.v1
Matumbure, L.K.; Matengo, T.; Long, S.; Tarakini, T. Vulture Interactions on Carcasses in a Protected Area: Implications for Conservation in a Savannah Context. Preprints 2023, 2023071921. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202307.1921.v1
Matumbure, L.K.; Matengo, T.; Long, S.; Tarakini, T. Vulture Interactions on Carcasses in a Protected Area: Implications for Conservation in a Savannah Context. Preprints2023, 2023071921. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202307.1921.v1
APA Style
Matumbure, L.K., Matengo, T., Long, S., & Tarakini, T. (2023). Vulture Interactions on Carcasses in a Protected Area: Implications for Conservation in a Savannah Context. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202307.1921.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Matumbure, L.K., Stephen Long and Tawanda Tarakini. 2023 "Vulture Interactions on Carcasses in a Protected Area: Implications for Conservation in a Savannah Context" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202307.1921.v1
Abstract
The species composition of vultures and their interactions on carcasses of various stages of decomposition is not well understood yet it potentially affects their food acquisition and survival. We collected data from six carcasses between June and December 2021 using camera traps that were set on carcasses undergoing various decomposition states in Sinamatella Camp of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Of interest were the cases in which each vulture species was dominating in interactions which gave it an advantage in terms of food acquisition. Four vulture species were observed (White-backed, White-headed, Lappet-faced and Hooded Vultures). Vulture abundances were greatest on fresh carcasses and least on dry ones. Although dominance behaviors by the White-backed and White-headed Vultures were recorded over all other vulture species, there were no records of the Lappet-faced dominating other vultures. In addition, the Hooded Vultures were mostly dominating non-vulture avian species on advanced decay carcasses. Our results demonstrate how various species may be prone to intense competition that may further place them at disadvantageous positions if food sources decline, more so under climatic shifts and various anthropogenic pressures.
Keywords
Vultures; decomposition state; Camera traps; dominance
Subject
Environmental and Earth Sciences, Ecology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
