habitat_narrative
Terrestrial
The historic distribution range of Bontebok is very closely associated with the East Coast Renosterveld bioregion, which comprises four different vegetation types: Western Rȗens Shale Renosterveld (14% remaining), Central Rȗens Shale Renosterveld (13% remaining), Eastern Rȗens Shale Renosterveld (19% remaining) and Mossel Bay Shale Renosterveld (Mucina and Rutherford 2006).Bontebok are almost exclusively grazers (Beukes 1984), with a preference for short grass and recently burnt veld (Beukes 1987, Novellie 1987, Kraaij and Novellie 2010). Water is an essential habitat requirement and they stay within 1.5 km from surface water during the dry season (Van Zyl 1978, Luyt 2005, David and Lloyd 2013). Within their natural range on the coastal lowlands, grassy areas are predominantly found in the renosterveld areas but Bontebok also make use of small grassy microhabitats or recently burnt fynbos and strandveld habitats (Scott 1993, Radloff 2008). Suitable habitat for Bontebok is thus predominantly limited to the remaining renosterveld patches in the Overberg region. Fragmented subpopulations are currently found primarily in suboptimal habitat and old cultivated lands where they appear to do relatively well. Bontebok avoid tall woody vegetation with low visibility and areas with steep slopes, preferring open areas with low shrubs (Novellie 1987). Watson et al. (2011) showed that Bontebok are more closely associated with burnt veld than Mountain Zebra in Bontebok National Park. Four to five years post fire they no longer show interest in the burnt vegetation type and revert to grazing lawns of Cynodon dactylon.
A detailed 15-month study of Bontebok behaviour in Bontebok National Park during 1969 and 1970 revealed that the social structure comprises bachelor herds, nursery herds and territorial males (David 1973). Territories were found to be small in size and limited in number, leaving large areas where bachelor herds can roam with little or no harassment. Males defended their territories throughout the year through ritualised chasing and physical fighting was not observed. The average nursery herd size was three adult females with 1.5 lambs. De Graaff et al. (1976) found a similar figure of 3 ± 2.2 (N = 18 herds) females in a breeding herd. Bachelor herds consist of males of all ages older than one year, as well as yearling females (David 1973). Bachelor herd size was 8.5 ± 6.3 (N = 12 herds) in the study of De Graaff et al. (1976) and David (1973) reported as many as 75 animals together. Young males and females leave the nursery herd on their own accord and can remain solitary but usually join bachelor groups (David 1973). Males do not seem to establish territories before the age of five to six years of age and return to bachelor herds once displaced from their territories (David 1973). Bontebok were found to be strong seasonal breeders with the main calving season being September–October and the rutting season from January to mid-March (David 1973).
Ecosystem and cultural services: Bontebok are a flagship subspecies of the Cape Floristic Region, particularly renosterveld, and can be used in ecotourism ventures. Rarity may increase its trophy hunting value, especially that of pure Bontebok.
