Animal and Wildlife sciences

The main objectives of this study was to compare fish abundance, species composition and fish mean lengths between fished and non-fished (protected) area of Lake Chivero, Zimbabwe. Biological data (species, weight and length) for individual fish sample collected from fished and non fished areas using gillnets of different mesh sizes were recorded. Mean Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE), Species diversity (H'), species richness (S), species evenness and mean fish lengths were determined for each area. A total of eleven fish species from five fish families were caught during the entire study period. The findings revealed that there were significant differences in fish abundance between fished and non-fished areas (P< 0.005) and a non-significant difference in fish species composition and fish mean lengths between the two areas (P> 0.005). This suggests almost equal levels of resources exploitation and disturbances within the two areas or high levels of fish migration from protected areas to re-colonize depleted stocks in fished areas.

Recently, concern over agricultural diffuse pollution sources in integrated water quality management has been growing. High inorganic and organic fertilisers application rates may increase groundwater pollution and these effects were investigated in the Dufuya Wetland (1917’S; 2921’E) in Chief Sogwala area of Lower Gweru Communal Lands, approximately 42km west of the City of Gweru, Zimbabwe. Forty-two (42) water samples were collected for analysis of pH, conductivity, calcium, nitrates, and phosphates during the months of September, October, and November 2008. A questionnaire procedure was used for collection of manure application rate, wetland and crop management data in the studied area. The results demonstrated that cattle manure in the Dufuya wetland is applied at the rate of 30t/ha60t/ha per year. Groundwater and surface runoff water samples have pH, conductivity, calcium, phosphates and nitrates levels within the WHO permissible guideline of 6.5-8.5, 1500μScm, 200mg/l, 0.09mg/...

A comparison of home range sizes of 4 collared lions, Panthera leo was carried out in two management blocks of Hwange National Park during the wet season. Home range sizes and utilization distribution were determined. Female lions’ home ranges significantly differed in the Main Camp and Ngamo Blocks (t-calculated= 3.37; 2d.f; t-critical= 2.92). Intersex variations in home ranges were observed in the Main Camp block (t-calculated= 7.82; 2d.f; t-critical= 2.92). Lions spent most of the time inside the park but some moved outside the park. Solitary lions encroached in human settlements more than prides and there were interactions between the solitary male and female lions from Main Camp block. Main Camp lions had larger range sizes than Ngamo lions and males exhibited larger ranges than females. The encroachment of lions into communal areas has important implications for park management and human-wildlife conflict.

The study investigated the reliability of using faecal progesterone as an indicator of ovarian activity in Sabi ewes and how this is affected by level of feeding. Three diets were formulated to simulate feed availability in communal areas of Zimbabwe, a below maintenance diet, a maintenance diet and an above maintenance diet. Faecal and blood samples were collected from 18 ewes (six in each treatment) once every two days for two oestrus cycles in order to determine progesterone levels. Diet had a significant effect on the plasma progesterone concentration (P 0.05). On all diets, faecal progesterone concentrations were higher than plasma progesterone concentration. The pattern of faecal and plasma progesterone concentration were positively correlated in on a maintenance diet (r=0.920, P 0.05 and r=0.50, P&gt;0.05). Response-relationship between faecal and plasma progesterone concentration profiles was non-linear (R-square=0.25, P&gt;0.05) for ewes on an above maintenance diet and lin...

A comparison of home range sizes of 4 collared lions, Panthera leo was carried out in two management blocks of Hwange National Park during the wet season. Home range sizes and utilization distribution were determined. Female lions’ home ranges significantly differed in the Main Camp and Ngamo Blocks (t-calculated= 3.37; 2d.f; t-critical= 2.92). Intersex variations in home ranges were observed in the Main Camp block (t-calculated= 7.82; 2d.f; t-critical= 2.92). Lions spent most of the time inside the park but some moved outside the park. Solitary lions encroached in human settlements more than prides and there were interactions between the solitary male and female lions from Main Camp block. Main Camp lions had larger range sizes than Ngamo lions and males exhibited larger ranges than females. The encroachment of lions into communal areas has important implications for park management and human-wildlife conflict.

Abstract: Recently, concern over agricultural diffuse pollution sources in integrated water quality management has been growing. High inorganic and organic fertilisers application rates may increase groundwater pollution and these effects were investigated in the Dufuya Wetland (19o17’S; 29o21’E) in Chief Sogwala area of Lower Gweru Communal Lands, approximately 42km west of the City of Gweru, Zimbabwe. Forty-two (42) water samples were collected for analysis of pH, conductivity, calcium, nitrates, and phosphates

Recently, concern over agricultural diffuse pollution sources in integrated water quality management has been growing. High inorganic and organic fertilisers application rates may increase groundwater pollution and these effects were investigated in the Dufuya Wetland (19 o 17'S; 29 o 21'E) in Chief Sogwala area of Lower Gweru Communal Lands, approximately 42km west of the City of Gweru, Zimbabwe. Forty-two (42) water samples were collected for analysis of pH, conductivity, calcium, nitrates, and phosphates during the months of September, October, and November 2008. A questionnaire procedure was used for collection of manure application rate, wetland and crop management data in the studied area. The results demonstrated that cattle manure in the Dufuya wetland is applied at the rate of 30t/ha-60t/ha per year. Groundwater and surface runoff water samples have pH, conductivity, calcium, phosphates and nitrates levels within the WHO permissible guideline of 6.5-8.5, 1500µScm-1 , 200mg/l, 0.09mg/l and 10mg/l respectively. The mean nitrate and phosphate concentrations in surface runoff water in the garden and the sponge are 0.00275mg/l, 0.0117mg/l and 0.00377mg/l, 0.00077mg/l respectively. Groundwater concentrations are 0.026mg/l, 0.0167mg/l and 0.0021mg/l, 0.00228mg/l for nitrates and phosphates respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean concentrations of nitrates and phosphates in water (ground/surface) in the sponge and the garden (P < 0.005). Fertiliser applications have no negative effects on dambo water quality.

The rapidly spreading Australian red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus in the Zambezi Basin is a cause for concern considering its potential impacts. The assessment the impacts of C. quadricarinatus critical for the prioritisation of policy and management actions in Africa where literature on impacts of C. quadricarinatus is generally scant. We quantified the socioeconomic impacts conferred by C. quadricarinatus on artisanal gillnetting fishery in Lake Kariba to validate anecdotal fisher reports regarding crayfish damage to fish catch on static gillnets. From the catch assessments with registered fishers, fish catch composition, catch per unit effort (CPUE), crayfish entangled on gillnets CPUE, damaged fish CPUE, and damaged areas were recorded. Basin 2 had significantly higher CPUE with respect to fish catch and crayfish, as well as catch damage than other basins. The damage by crayfish on fish was recorded in all the basins except in Basin 5. Damage was significantly correlated...