Flight Behavioural Responses for African Ungulates across Species and Vegetation Covers in a Trophy Hunting Ecosystem: A Case Study from Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania

Trophy hunting significantly alters the flight behavior of African ungulates, with variations observed across species, vegetation cover, and group size. A study in Tanzania's Selous Game Reserve found that zebras, elands, wildebeests, and sable antelopes exhibited higher vigilance, while group dynamics influenced flight responses differently: wildebeests showed decreased flight initiation distance (FID) with larger groups, whereas buffaloes, elands, hartebeests, and zebras displayed increased FID. Vegetation cover also played a critical role in shaping these responses. The findings underscore the need for regulatory adjustments to minimize biological disturbances during hunting, such as setting minimum approach distances tailored to vegetation types.

Mremi, E. P., Mombo, F. M., Muganda, M., Brehony, P., & Kimaro, M. H. (2023). Flight Behavioural Responses for African Ungulates across Species and Vegetation Covers in a Trophy Hunting Ecosystem: A Case Study from Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania. Open Journal of Ecology, 13(08), 525–535. https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2023.138032