BODY CONDITION INDEXES OF IMPALA AEPYCEROS-MELAMPUS - EFFECT OF AGE CLASS, SEX, SEASON AND MANAGEMENT

Four indices of body condition: visual body condition (VBC), packed ce ll volume (PCV), marrow dry weight (MDW), and kidney fat index (KFI) w ere examined in impala over a 12-month period in a managed area and an unmanaged, overpopulated area in the Mlawula-Mbuluzi-Simunye Nature R eserve and Protected Area complex in north-eastern Swaziland. All of t he body condition indices were significantly (p < 0,05) higher in adul ts (> 24 months of age) than in lambs (less than or equal to 12 months ) and yearlings (13 to 24 months), There was a significant seasonal va riation in PCV and MDW in lambs, but not in the yearlings and adults. KFI varied with the reproductive status of adults, but there was only a slight seasonal variation in lambs and yearlings (p approximate to 0 ,1). VBC was poor in lambs, yearlings and adult males in the winter an d spring, and good in the summer. In adult females VBC was fair/good i n the winter and poor in the summer when they were nursing. VBC and PC V were lower in lambs in the unmanaged area than the managed area, and VBC, PCV, MDW and KFI were lower in yearlings in the unmanaged area. Only a combined index, MDW < 85% and KFI < 20%, differed significantly between areas in the adults. Despite significant differences between areas, the body condition indices were not sensitive indicators of hab itat condition. The indices may provide information on the relative co ndition of individuals, but habitat effects may be restricted to small segments of the population, and can only be assessed when there is a proper control group.