EWT: Carnivore Conservation Programme Cheetah Tracking Data
Citation
Marnewick K, Page-Nicolson S, Roxburgh L, Somers M (2017). EWT: Carnivore Conservation Programme Cheetah Tracking Data. Version 1.1. Endangered Wildlife Trust. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/0nsr0r accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-09-01.Description
In partnership with the University of Pretoria, The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) Carnivore Conservation Programme collared nine free-roaming Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) in the Thabazimbi area in Limpopo Province, South Africa. This study was undertaken to determine the spatial ecology of free-roaming Cheetahs and how they utilize areas that lack larger, competing predators such as Lions and Spotted Hyenas. The data were collected between September 2003 and November 2008; resulting in a total of 3165 location points for nine individual Cheetahs.Purpose
The aim of this study (in the form of a Doctoral thesis - Marnewick 2015), was to determine, through satellite tracking, how free-roaming Cheetahs utilize utilize areas that lack larger, competing predators such as Lions (Panthera leo) and Spotted Hyenas (Crocuta crocuta. The current dataset is held at the Endangered Wildlife Trust.Sampling Description
Study Extent
The study covers two provinces within South Africa; the Limpopo Province and the North-West Province, where a free-roaming population of Cheetah occurs. Most data points (> 95%) occur in Limpopo; typically around the town of Thabazimbi located in the western reaches of the province. Some of the points (< 5 %) occur in the northern areas of the North-West Province.Sampling
Cheetahs were trapped using double door traps (described in Marnewick 2015; Marnewick & Celliers 2006). Trapped Cheetahs were immobilised by a professional wildlife veterinarian and fitted with tracking collars. In instances where coalitions were caught (i.e. George and Joss), only one member of the coalition or group was fitted with a tracking collar. Cheetahs were allowed to recover from immobilisation in the trap cage and were released at the site of capture. Cheetahs were monitored for the extent of their life or the life of the collar. All activities involving Cheetah handling and research were done under the guidance of the University of Pretoria Animal Use and Care committee (reference number: EC030-09) and with permits issued by Limpopo Economic Development Environment and Tourism department (the local conservation authority). Cheetahs were monitored for between 28 and 2 119 days, depending on the life of the Cheetah or the collar. Initially, VHF collars (African Wildlife Tracking, Pretoria, South Africa) were fitted to two individuals. Later in the study, these were replaced by GPS/GSM collars (African Wildlife Tracking, Pretoria, South Africa & Hot Group, Pretoria, South Africa) which were utilized to obtain more frequent and more accurate data. Two collars needed to be replaced as a result of deteriorating batteries. In these instances, the Cheetahs were immobilised from a helicopter. The two male (AM196 - GeorgeJoss) and three male (AS68 - CBU) coalitions were initially monitored using VHF collars resulting in 56 (2.8% of total) and 12 (8.6% of total) data points being obtained respectively.Quality Control
The dataset has gone through a cleaning and georeferencing verification process to ensure GPS points and accompanying location information is correct.Method steps
- Locations for animals wearing VHF collars were recorded by tracking the individuals from a microlight aircraft with one pilot and one researcher on board. For GPS/ GSM collars, all GPS fixes were recorded directly from the device and transmitted through cell phone towers. This data was then accessed and downloaded through an online platform. The GPS/ GSM devices were set to take either two or four locations per day (at 12h00 and 00h00 for the collars set for two daily locations and additional times of 06h00 and 18h00 for collars with four daily locations).
Additional info
Papers published from the dataset: Marnewick K, Ferreira SM, Grange S, Watermeyer J, Maputla N, et al. 2014. Evaluating the Status of African Wild Dogs Lycaon pictus and Cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus through Tourist-based Photographic Surveys in the Kruger National Park. PLoS ONE 9(1): e86265. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0086265. Marnewick, K. & Cilliers, D. 2006. Range use of two coalitions of male cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus in the Thabazimbi district of the Limpopo province, South Africa. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 36(2): 147-151. Marnewick, K., Cilliers, D., Hayward, M. & Somers, M. 2009. Survival of cheetahs relocated from ranchlands to fenced protected areas. In: Hayward, M & Somers, M. (Eds.) The re-introduction of top order predators, chapter 13. Blackwell Publishing. Marnewick, K. & Somers, M.J. 2015. Home range size of cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus outside protected areas in South Africa. African Journal of Wildlife Research 45(2): 223–232. Marnewick, K. 2015. Conservation biology of cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus (Schreber, 1775) and African wild dogs Lycaon pictus (Temminck, 1820) in South Africa. Phd. University of Pretoria.Taxonomic Coverages
The dataset covers a single species, namely the Cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus
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Acinonyx jubatuscommon name: Cheetah rank: species
Geographic Coverages
Limpopo and North West provinces of South Africa
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
Kelly Marnewickoriginator
position: Carnivore Conservation Programme Manager
Endangered Wildlife Trust
ZA
email: kellym@ewt.org.za
Samantha Page-Nicolson
originator
position: Science Officer
Endangered Wildlife Trust
ZA
email: samanthap@ewt.org.za
Lizanne Roxburgh
originator
position: Senior Scientist
Endangered Wildlife Trust
ZA
email: lizanner@ewt.org.za
Michael Somers
originator
University of Pretoria
ZA
email: Michael.Somers@up.ac.za
Lizanne Roxburgh
metadata author
position: Senior Scientist
Endangered Wildlife Trust
ZA
email: lizanner@ewt.org.za
Lizanne Roxburgh
custodian steward
position: Senior Scientist
Endangered Wildlife Trust
ZA
email: lizanner@ewt.org.za
Kelly Marnewick
administrative point of contact
position: Carnivore Conservation Programme Manager
Endangered Wildlife Trust
ZA
email: kellym@ewt.org.za