Red List of South African Species

Alternatively, Explore species
| National Red List categories | Partners |
Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Low de Vries David Marneweck Fredrik Dalerum Gus Mills Richard Yarnell Alex Sliwa
Contributors: Samantha Page-Nicholson Matthew Child
Reviewers: Emmanuel Do Linh San

Rationale

This species is listed as Least Concern as it is widespread within the assessment region and present in numerous protected areas and habitats, as long as there are termites available. Aardwolves can occupy open and degraded grassland where there is high termite abundance. The expansion of wildlife ranching may be increasing suitable habitat across the assessment region, although this should be weighed against possible increases in direct or indirect persecution. Additionally, climate change is predicted to potentially decrease food availability for the Aardwolf and it is possible that it will become threatened in the near future. For now, there is no evidence to indicate a range-wide decline.

Regional population effects: There is a continuous range that extends outside of the assessment region into neighbouring countries, and the assessment region does not appear to be a sink. Aardwolves are believed to be good dispersers as they walk tirelessly and can easily cover 20 km in one night when advertising mating rights (Sliwa 1996).

Distribution

The Aardwolf has a disjunct distribution in Africa, occurring in two discrete areas (1,500 km apart), one in East and northeastern Africa and one in southern Africa (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). The southern African distribution includes South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and a narrow strip in the western region of Mozambique. Aardwolf distribution is largely determined by the distribution of Trinervitermes termites, which constitute their principle food (Anderson 2013).

Within the assessment region, Aardwolves occur throughout the nine provinces in areas with suitable habitats. This species favours drier areas, most notably in the Northern Cape game ranch and farming lands. Within the North West Province, Power (2014) estimated that its range has expanded by 8% since 1983, and that Aardwolves were common at Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve. There are no records from Lesotho (Lynch 1994).

Richmond-Coggan (2014) interviewed 190 landowners across South Africa and asked whether they had seen Aardwolf on their properties. Aardwolves were found on at least one property in all nine of South Africa’s provinces. Forty-five percent of respondents indicated that this species was present on their land. Eastern Cape (50%), Free State (71%), Gauteng (50%), and Northern Cape (50%) respondents indicated the highest proportion of properties with Aardwolf presence. Lowest Aardwolf presence was indicated in KwaZulu-Natal (25%).

Population trend

Trend

The Aardwolf is widely distributed within the assessment region and the population appears to be stable (Richmond-Coggan 2014). In prime habitat (open grassland and scrub regions), densities may reach 1 adult / km² on farms with good populations of termites and no persecution by farmers (Bashant 2008; Anderson 2013). Our understanding of the population sizes and trends of Aardwolves is uncertain and further research is required to quantify the population.

Threats

There are currently no major threats to Aardwolves. In South Africa, the Aardwolf was previously persecuted by some farmers for the mistaken belief that it was a predator of livestock, chickens and eggs (Richardson 1984; Anderson 1988). However, such reports are not substantiated by studies of gut or faecal contents and probably result from mistaken identity with hyaenas or jackals (Anderson 2013), and this perception has subsequently changed. They are, however, the occasional inadvertent victims of problem animal control operations, especially those using gin traps (M.D. Anderson pers. comm. 2015).

Loss of habitat, through urbanisation or expansion of industrial agriculture may have negative impacts. Additionally, some farmers in South Africa destroy termitaria, using a plough or poisons, which diminishes Aardwolves’ resource base, and poisons used for locust control may also have negative effects (Anderson 2013).

Although Aardwolves usually avoid roadways, motor vehicle collisions contribute to mortality as well. As they are wide-ranging and not often restricted by fencing, they often cross main roads and are killed. For example, between April 2013 and December 2016, 301 Aardwolves were found as roadkill across South Africa (EWT unpubl. data), which is likely a small fraction of the actual number killed.

As a highly specialised forager, Aardwolves may be vulnerable to future environmental changes, for example, shifts in grassland communities caused by global warming. However, as the ecological outcomes of future temperature fluctuations are uncertain, it is unclear to what extent they will impact Aardwolf populations.

Uses and trade

There are documented accounts of Aardwolves being consumed as food or used in medicinal practices by indigenous tribes in Africa (Richardson 1984; Koehler & Richardson 1990; Hofer & Mills 1998). It is likely that such uses and practices are limited in the assessment region.

Wildlife ranching is generally thought to preserve and potentially expand suitable habitat for this species, since Aardwolves thrive on open and moderately degraded grassland with high termite abundance (for example, Power 2014). Landowner attitudes are also generally positive towards this species, although it is sometimes mistakenly persecuted as a damage-causing animal.

Conservation

Aardwolves are found in numerous well-managed protected areas across their distribution range, including Kruger National Park (Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces), Pilanesberg National Park (North West Province), Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Tswalu Kalahari Reserve (Northern Cape Province), Mountain Zebra National Park, Addo Elephant National Park and Great Fish River Nature Reserve (Eastern Cape Province). Grassland burning and livestock grazing may increase populations of Trinervitermes, which would therefore benefit Aardwolves (Anderson 2013).

Educational campaigns could be put in place to dispel the myth that Aardwolves prey on livestock. In addition, landowners must be able to identify Aardwolves, the areas which they favour and know the general biology of the species, particularly what they eat. Game and nature reserves also need to be incorporated into such campaigns, as some managers know very little about Aardwolves.

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
  • Burn grasslands to maintain termite density.
  • Maintain termite density by not destroying termitaria, using a plough or poisons.
  • Maintain grazing regimes in open grassland.
  • Design and maintain a specific Aardwolf education webpage – so far there is too little information centrally available.
Research priorities:
  • Conduct genetic studies to evaluate large-scale population structure and movement across the species’ range.
  • Conduct genetic research into subspecies validity or even presence of distinct, but so far unrecognised, subspecies or populations.
  • Quantify population trends and sizes.
  • Evaluate the ecological impacts of Aardwolves in grassland communities, both as predators and prey.
  • Determine suitable burning regimes which enhance termite abundance.
  • Conduct a detailed and extensive survey specifically designed for Aardwolves in order to get a better representation of the species’ finer-scale distribution.
Encouraged citizen actions:
  • Report sightings on virtual museum platforms (for example, iSpot and MammalMAP), especially outside protected areas.
  • Encourage landowners and ranchers to sustain termites on their farms by maintaining open grassland communities.
  • Educate farmers on Aardwolf feeding ecology.

References 

[@book{275,
 address = {Cambridge},
 author = {Skinner, J.D. and Chimimba, C.T.},
 publisher = {Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom},
 title = {The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion},
 year = {2005}
}
,@article{5228,
 author = {Lynch, C.D.},
 journal = {Navorsing van die Nasionale Museum Bloemfontein},
 pages = {177--241},
 title = {The mammals of Lesotho},
 volume = {10},
 year = {1994}
}
,@techreport{5228,
 author = {Power, R.J.},
 institution = {Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism, North West Provincial Government, Mahikeng},
 title = {The distribution and status of mammals in the North West Province},
 year = {2014}
}
,@book{3755,
 address = {London, UK},
 author = {Kingdon, J.},
 publisher = {Academic Press},
 title = {East African Mammals: An Atlas of Evolution in Africa. Volume IIIA (Carnivores)},
 year = {1977}
}
,@inbook{5674,
 address = {Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK},
 author = {},
 booktitle = {Worldwide distribution of Hyaenas},
 editor = {Hofer, H. and Mills, M.G.L.},
 pages = {39--63},
 publisher = {IUCN/SSC Hyaena Specialist Group. IUCN},
 title = {Hyaenas. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan},
 year = {1998}
}
,@book{9092,
 address = {Baltimore, USA and London, UK},
 author = {Nowak, R.M.},
 publisher = {The Johns Hopkins University Press},
 title = {Walker's Mammals of the World},
 year = {1999}
}
,@phdthesis{10276,
 author = {Richmond-Coggan L.},
 school = {Nottingham Trent University},
 title = {Comparative abundance and ranging behaviour of brown hyaena (Parahyaena brunnea) inside and outside protected areas in South Africa. Ph.D},
 year = {2014}
}
,@article{11035,
 author = {Yalden, D.W., Largen, M.J., Kock, D. and Hillman, J.C.},
 journal = {Tropical Zoology},
 pages = {73--164},
 title = {Catalogue of the mammals of Ethiopia and Eritrea. 7. Revised checklist, zoogeography and conservation},
 volume = {9},
 year = {1996}
}
,@article{18372,
 author = {Koehler, C.E. and Richardson, P.R.K.},
 journal = {Mammalian Species},
 pages = {1--6},
 title = {<i>Proteles cristatus</i>},
 volume = {363},
 year = {1990}
}
,@article{18372,
 author = {Richardson, P.R.K.},
 journal = {Hyaena Specialist Group Newsletter},
 pages = {32--36},
 title = {Socio-ecology of the aardwolf in relation to its conservation},
 volume = {1},
 year = {1984}
}
,@inbook{18372,
 address = {London},
 author = {},
 booktitle = {<i>Proteles cristatus</i>},
 editor = {Anderson, M.D.},
 pages = {560},
 publisher = {Bloomsbury Publishing},
 title = {The Mammals of Africa. Volume V: Carnivores, Pangolins, Equids, Rhinoceroses},
 year = {2013}
}
,@book{18372,
 address = {Berkely, CA},
 author = {Estes, R.},
 publisher = {University of California Press},
 title = {The Behavior Guide to African Mammals},
 year = {1991}
}
,@phdthesis{18372,
 author = {Bashant J.},
 school = {University of Pretoria},
 title = {An assessment of spotlight distance sampling for estimating density of nocturnal carnivores. B.Sc. Honours Thesis},
 year = {2008}
}
,@article{18372,
 author = {Bothma J du P, Nel JAJ.},
 journal = {Madoqua },
 pages = {141–145},
 title = {Winter food and foraging behaviour of the aardwolf Proteles cristatus in the Namib–Naukluft Park},
 volume = {12},
 year = {1980}
}
,@article{18372,
 author = {Cooper RL, Skinner JD.},
 journal = {South African Journal of Zoology},
 pages = {5–8},
 title = {Importance of termites in the diet of the aardwolf Proteles cristatus in South Africa.},
 volume = {14},
 year = {1979}
}
,@article{18372,
 author = {de Vries JL, Pirk CWW, Bateman PW, Dalerum F.},
 journal = {African Zoology },
 pages = {194–196},
 title = {Extension of the diet of an extreme foraging specialist, the aardwolf (Proteles cristata)},
 volume = {46},
 year = {2011}
}
,@article{18372,
 author = {Marneweck DG, Cameron EZ, Ganswindt A, Dalerum F.},
 journal = {Mammalian Biology},
 pages = {31–38},
 title = {Behavioural and endocrine correlates to the aardwolf mating system},
 volume = {80},
 year = {2015}
}
,@article{18372,
 author = {Matsebula SN, Monadjem A, Roques KG, Garcelon DK.},
 journal = {African Journal of Ecology},
 pages = {448–451},
 title = {The diet of the aardwolf, Proteles cristatus at Malolotja Nature Reserve, western Swaziland.},
 volume = {47},
 year = {2009}
}
,@article{18372,
 author = {Richardson PRK.},
 journal = {Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde},
 pages = {307–325},
 title = {Food consumption and seasonal variation in the diet of the aardwolf Proteles cristatus in southern Africa.},
 volume = {52},
 year = {1987}
}
,@phdthesis{18372,
 author = {Sliwa A.},
 school = {University of Pretoria},
 title = {A functional analysis of scent marking and mating behaviour in the aardwolf, Proteles cristatus (Sparrman, 1783).},
 year = {1996}
}
,@article{18372,
 author = {Yarnell RW, MacTavish L.},
 journal = {Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa},
 pages = {81–82},
 title = {A novel record of aardwolf Proteles cristata feeding behaviour.},
 volume = {68},
 year = {2013}
}
,]
Send feedback about this assessment to SANBI

Lead agencies, Partners and Funders

See the partners page