Short duration overnight cattle kraaling in natural rangelands leads to increased tree damage by elephants

• DOI: 10.1017/s0266467421000353
• Publication Date: 2021-10-27T10:17:30Z
• Authors: Rangarirai Huruba; Caroline Ndlovu; Peter J. Mundy; Allan Sebata; Duncan N. MacFadyen
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; 0106 biological sciences; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences

Abstract Elephants are attracted to nutrient hotspots created through short duration overnight cattle corralling (hereafter kraaling) in natural rangelands at Debshan, a mixed cattle-wildlife private ranch central Zimbabwe, causing severe tree damage. We determined the effect of age hotspot (i.e., time after kraal use) on elephant use and extent Elephant damage were assessed varying ages (6, 12, 24, 36 48 months surrounding landscape. also compared Acacia karroo bark soil concentration between (24 was highest 12 24 kraaling. The most severely damaged trees 12-, 24- 36-month-old hotspots. concentrations (nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium iron) higher than vegetation, while nutrients phosphorus, calcium potassium) concluded that elephants mostly used kraaling, occurred use.