The Plight of the Bushbucks: Losing By Conserving – Part 4

Reduction of the Nyala numbers in South Africa through culling saved Bushbuck populations from extinction. That was clear from studies across multiple areas and ecosystems. Another key correlate for healthy Bushbuck populations seems somewhat counterintuitive. If leopard density was high, Bushbucks were able to co-occur with Nyalas. In areas where leopards were scarce, Bushbucks struggled to co-exist with Nyala. It appears that leopard prefer to prey on Nyala and, like culling, keep their numbers down to a Bushbuck-pleasing level.

As the South African scientists detected, there is an Nyala population size below which co-occurring Bushbucks thrive. If the number of Nyalas exceed this limit, Bushbucks suffer, with extinction being a possible, even likely, outcome. So, what is on the horizon for the Coutada 11 Bushbucks? Obviously, leopards occur in the concession, and throughout the Marromeu Complex. However, leopard numbers are not high in Coutada 11. It is likely that they are too few and far between to have a capping effect on Nyala numbers, as indicated by the current, high density of these antelopes. There are reintroduced lions and cheetahs, with the numbers of the former growing rapidly. It is not known if either lions or cheetahs will prefer Nyalas as prey; one or both might take Bushbucks more often. Even if both predators like eating Nyalas more than Bushbucks, their control of the exploding Nyala numbers may come too late for the Coutada 11 Bushbucks, with the latter dropping below a sustainable population size from competition with their prolific cousin.

The probable outcome of the battle between Coutada 11’s Bushbucks and Nyalas is clear. Given the seriousness of the battle’s resolution, culling of Nyalas, plus encouraging an increase of leopards through continued habitat conservation and anti-poaching, seems a logical management scheme for Zambeze Delta Safaris. Without intervention, from humans and leopards, an iconic spiral-horned antelope, the Bushbuck, could disappear from the wonderful Coutada 11 landscape.