Modified netting technique for capturing gazelles in Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Loliondo, Tanzania

Mdetele, Daniel; Misinzo, Gerald; Komba, Erick; Shemanche, Justin; Eblate, Ernest; Mdaki, Maulid; Keyyu, Julius; Kock, Richard

Abstract

During serological surveillance of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) disease, it required
capture of randomly selected herds of gazelles as part of a study to determine
the epidemiological role of these species in the circulation of peste des petits ruminants
virus (PPRV). The study targeted capturing 135 Grant's gazelles (Gazella granti)
from the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania. A modified netting technique was used
aiming at providing safe, efficient and cost-effective method for capture of gazelles.
Locally available materials were used, and wildlife professionals guided the process
of manufacturing supporting frame for the nets. Twenty (20) black metal pipes, 20
metal bars, four nets and three vehicles were used in the procedure. A total of 136
Grant's gazelles and nine Thomson's gazelles were captured in three missions. The
Grant's gazelles were captured as per sample size calculated in all locations: Loliondo
(n = 25), Serengeti National Park (n = 44) and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA)
(n = 67) using less time and minimum cost than estimated. Injuries of three fawns
(2%) inadvertently captured with the groups of adults and sub-adult animals were recorded.
Comparing with 2014 and other studies, modified netting technique showed
high animal and operator safety levels with minimal injuries. With this technique, it
was possible to capture even flighty animals that behave nervously because of hunting
and other human activities, including Thomson's gazelles, a species previously
found to be difficult to capture by netting.Keywords
capture, disease surveillance, gazelles, netting, Tanzania

Citation

Mdetele, D., Misinzo, G., Komba, E., Shemanche, J., Eblate, E., Mdaki, M., …Kock, R. (2021). Modified netting technique for capturing gazelles in Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Loliondo, Tanzania. African Journal of Ecology, 59(1), 152-158. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12813

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 16, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Nov 20, 2020
• Publication Date: Mar 18, 2021
• Deposit Date: Apr 16, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 16, 2021
• Journal: African Journal of Ecology
• Print ISSN: 0141-6707
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2028
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 59
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 152-158
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12813
• Keywords: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1547764
• Additional Information: Received: 2020-06-09; Accepted: 2020-09-16; Published: 2020-11-20