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See also: (i) David, J.H.M., 1973. Observations on frequency of drinking in the
bontebok, Damaliscus dorcas dorcas, Zoologica Africana, VOl 8(1),
p.135-137.
(ii) Young, E., 1970. Water as faktor in die ekologie van wild in die
Nasionale Krugerwildtuin, D.Sc. Thesis, Department of Wildlife
Management, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 192 p.
liii) Young, E., 1970. Water in game management, Water Year 1970,
Convention on Water for the Future, [Department of Water Affairs),
16 - 20 November 1970, Pretoria, 7 p. ISome slight differences in
the data are evident vis-a-vis Young, 1972 - above).
Note: (i) The data refer to the Kruger National Park. Winter consumption was
assessed since the dry season represents a critical period when
natural watering-places are sparse. Accordingly, the data refer to
consumption patterns at artificial water-holes installed by Park
authorities. During summer, game frequent a much higher proportion
of natural watering-places (rivers and pans), where (summer)
consumption data would be impossible to derive. The higher
moisture content land availability) of grazing in summer is also a
factor influencing water demand.
•
(ii) Elephants, buffaloes, blue wildebeest, zebra and impala, representing
a large majority of the more than 250 000 bigger mammals in the
Kruger National Park at the time of the survey, consumed an
estimated 1 784340 i of water a day. In terms of respective body
size buffaloes, blue wildebeest and impala all consume approximately
the same daily volume of water, namely, 4% of their body mass
Isome 0,04 t kg- 1 ). .
liii) According to Young 11970 liiill, preliminary investigations in the
Kruger National Park in winter, suggested a mean feeding radius from
the nearest water of 5,9 km for elephants; 7,8 km for buffaloes;
7,4 km for blue wildebeest; 7,2 km for zebra, and 2,2 km for impala.
The concentration ofgame around watering-places often exposes the
adjacent areas to excessive trampling, overgrazing and soil
erosion·.
liv) The water supply situation in the Kruger National Park has now
assumed serious proportions. The possibility exists that Iwaterrelated)
culling of some larger mammals might be required in the
future, unless other sources of water can be found. An interesting
See Thrash, I., Nel, P.J., Theron, G.K. and Bothma, J. du P., 1991. The impact of the provision of
water for game on the basal cover of the herbaceous vegetation around a dam in the Kruger National
Park, Koedoe, VOL 34(2), p. 121 - 130., as well as Thrash, I., NeI, P.J., Theron, G.K. and Bothma,
J. du P., 1991. The impact of the provision of water for game on the woody vegetation around a
dam in the Kruger National Park, Koedoe, VOl 34(2), p. 131 - 148. See in addition, Weir, J. and
Davison, E., 1965. Daily occurrence of African game animals at waterholes during dry weather,
Zooloqica Africana, VOl 112), p. 353 - 36B. Examine likewise Owen-Smith, N., 1996. Ecological
guidelines for waterpoints in extensive protected areas, South African Joumal of Wildlife Research,
VOl 26(4), p. 107 - 112.