Habitat use, feeding ecology and the impact of re-introduced elephants (Loxodonta africana) on trees within a restricted conservation area in the semi-arid, Little Karoo, South Africa

Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-97).The reintroduction of free-roaming elephants on the 540 km2 Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the Little Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa, raised concerns over the possible negative impacts that these animals may have on the biodiversity of the property, especially the tree component. The main objectives of this study were to determine the home range, habitat use and diet selection of the herd of re-introduced elephants and to document their impact primarily on the key tree species in the reserve. It was found that the home range of these animals was considerably smaller than expected (26 km2) and was strongly associated with the flood plain and tributaries of the only extensive water body on SWR