Habitat management for large mammals

Collared pronghorn antelope in Cain's US study

HOORC heard a presentation today from Dr James Cain of the University of the Witwatersrand who has been working on the monitoring of large mammals in the southwestern United States and in Kruger National Park with Professor Norman Owen-Smith. Dr Cain spoke about their studies of the consequences of developing water sources for wildlife. Findings from both locations indicate that the relationship between water availability and mammal populations is complex and strongly influenced by vegetation and climate change. Provision of artificial sources of water should be made only after careful observation and monitoring of environmental conditions, and with clearly defined objectives.