Abstract
The post-fledging dependence period (PFDP) is one of the most critical stages in the life history of some avian species. Birds are particularly sensitive to mortality during this stage as they must learn essential skills, such as efficient locomotion, proficient food location and predator avoidance. Knowledge of the PFDP would provide valuable information for conservation management of endangered species, many of which experience high juvenile fatality rates. Post-fledging movements of five endangered Cape Vultures were recorded using Global Positioning System/Global System for Mobile communication telemetry in South Africa. Home range sizes, distances travelled from the nest and habitat use were determined over 11 months during the PFDP. Fledglings increased their home range progressively for the first 2 months, then exhibited a rapid increase in home range size associated with dispersal from their natal colony. Maximum net daily distance also rapidly increased following the dispersal period. A preference for protected areas and woody vegetation (representing cliff faces used for roosting) in terms of habitat use for foraging was evident. The knowledge of the movement and habitat use of juvenile Cape Vultures can aid in the effective conservation planning for the species. Conservation programs in identified areas can be focused on power line and wind-farm mitigation, areas of supplementary feeding and anti-poisoning events.
Zusammenfassung
Orstbewegungen nach dem Flüggewerden und die räumliche Ökologie des bedrohten Kapgeiers ( Gyps coprotheres )
Die Zeit direkt nach dem Flüggewerden ist einer der kritischsten Abschnitte im Leben einer Vogelart. In dem Stadium ist die Sterblichkeitsrate der Vögel besonders hoch, da sie in dann ganz wesentliche Fähigkeiten wie z.B. die effiziente Fortbewegung, das geschickte Auffinden von Nahrung sowie das Vermeiden von Feinden erlernen müssen. Genaueres Wissen über diesen Lebensabschnitt böte dem Management für den Schutz bedrohter Arten wertvolle Informationen, da viele dieser Arten in ihrer juvenilen Lebensphase eine hohe Sterblichkeitsrate aufweisen. Für fünf gefährdete Kapgeier zeichneten wir in Südafrika nach dem Flüggewerden die Ortsbewegungen mittels GPS/GSM-Telemetrie auf. Über elf Monate hinweg wurde während dieser Lebensphase ihr Aktionsradius, die Strecken zwischen Nest und genutztem Habitat, aufgezeichnet. In den ersten beiden Monaten erweiterten die flüggen Jungtiere kontinuierlich ihren Aktionsradius; dann vergrößerten sie ihn rapide, verbunden mit der Ausbreitung weg von ihrer Brutkolonie. Im Verlauf dieser Ausbreitung vergrößerte sich rasch auch die maximale tägliche Entfernung von der Kolonie. Bei der Nahrungssuche zeigten sie eine klare Präferenz für Naturschutzgebiete und für Gehölzvegetation (mit steilen Felswänden zum Übernachten). Genauere Informationen über die Ortsbewegungen und Habitatnutzung junger Kapgeier kann bei der Planung effektiver Schutzmaßnahmen für diese Art helfen. Programme zu ihrem Schutz können sich in ausgewiesenen Gebieten auf die Entschärfung von Hochspannungsleitungen und Windkraftanlagen konzentrieren sowie auf Gebiete für zusätzliche Fütterung und die Bekämpfung des Auslegens von Giftködern.
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Acknowledgements
The Endangered Wildlife Trust are thanked for providing the necessary training and equipment. Thomas River Conservancy, P. Miles, R. and K. Wardle, H. and M. Neethling and Eskom are thanked for assistance, especially with housing, during fieldwork. H. Payne, T. Caine, V. Thabethe, C. Fritsch, M. Small, P. Gibson, J. Greef, B. Hoffman, S. McPherson, A. Bowe, B. DePreez, D. Mafuso, A. Harvey, R. Stretto, K. Lindner, T. van der Meer, P. Singh, M. Drabik-Hamshare and the community of Colleywobbles are thanked for their assistance with fieldwork. The Rufford Foundation, Gay Langmuir bursary, BirdLife South Africa, National Research Foundation, A. and M. Jooste, Fairfield Tours, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Nelson Mandela University and the University of KwaZulu-Natal provided financial support. We thank the reviewers for their comments, which greatly improved the manuscript.
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All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. The procedures were approved by the University of KwaZulu-Natal Ethics Committee. Permits for the capture and handling of vultures and the fitting of tracking devices were granted by the Department of Environmental Affairs through the Threatened or Protected Species permit (permit number:29551).
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10336_2018_1564_MOESM2_ESM.tif
Fig A1 Movement of five fledged Cape Vultures once independent of parental influence from Colleywobbles Vulture Colony, Eastern Cape, South Africa (TIFF 25508 kb)
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Martens, F.R., Pfeiffer, M.B., Downs, C.T. et al. Post-fledging movement and spatial ecology of the endangered Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres). J Ornithol 159, 913–922 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-018-1564-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-018-1564-x