Risks and causes of mortalities in wild Ungulates of Tanzania
Mbassa, G.K|Pereka, A.E|Matovelo, J.A|Mgasa, M.N|Katia, M|Mwangalimi, M.O / 2000

Risks and causes of mortalities in wild ungulates in Mkomazi, Saadani and Selous game reserves and Longido, Gonabis and Doma-Mkata protected areas were studied for effective intervention to conserve wildlife. Factors threatening survival of wildlife, animal strategies for survival and responses to risks were examined and causes of deaths were determined by forensic diagnosis of remaining carcasses, bones, horns, heads and skins thus developing parameters for prediction of survival rates. Ungulate population trends in areas studied could be predicted and intervention and re-population approaches suggested. Species studied were plains zebra Equus burchelli, African buffalo Syncerus caffer, blue wildebeest, Connochaeta taurinus, eland, Taurotragus oryx, hartebeest, Alcelaphus buselaphus, impala, Aepyceros melampus, Thomson’s gazelle, Gazella thomsonii, and Grant’s gazelle, Gazella granti. The giraffe, Giraffa camelopadalis, waterbuck, Kobus defasa and warthogs were studied for comparative risk responses. Risk factors threatening wild ungulates included lack of feeds due to habitat deterioration, lack of water in dry season, fire, predators, poachers and hunters. Retrospective forensic diagnosis of remains indicated that trauma caused most deaths. Wildebeests and buffaloes were most hunted, poached and the former killed by predators. Hartebeests, elands, zebras and giraffes came second. Most animals found dead, unconsumed and decomposing had strangling wires and traps or bullets. In all wildlife reserves studied feeds were not major risk to cause death but water appeared to be. The prevalence of diseases over the three years study period was extremely low. Ethological studies indicated that animals develop strategies for survival. There was evidence of knowledge of being the target among a group of species. In mixed group of ungulates, elands, hartebeests and buffaloes quit first, living behind zebras, waterbucks, reedbucks and giraffes. Acquired intelligence in animals was indicated by being aware of their protectors, man and predator preferences, habitat range for safety, borders of their reserve, tools held by man. They maintained minimum of 1 –2 Km distance away from strangers, performed sudden, fast irregular movements and vertical jumps to avoid being targeted. Females separate from males. Saadani, Doma-Mkata and Mkomazi areas were of high risks and zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, elands, warthogs and giraffes appeared stressed, scared, constantly running far away and migrated to other places. Migrations result from increase of risks of death in certain place. Ethology, human and livestock activity, predator population, forensic studies on remains, animal migrations, habitat evaluation, disease incidence rates are useful tools for measurement of causes of death in wild ungulates. This information offers prediction of future trends and development of effective wild life conservation strategies