Range use by the wild dog in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, South Africa

Range use by wild dogs in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park was studied between April 1993 and October 1994. Data were collected using radio telemetry assisted b y direct observation, triangulation of telemetry bearings and tourist-range r sightings. Data sets were analysed separately with the program Home Range ; and minimum convex polygons were drawn for the pack. Only two outliers we re identified in the targe data set; their removal effectively reduced the extent of the unused peripheral areas within the minimum convex polygon, an d the area of the home range from 242.35 km(2) to 218.37 km(2). No outliers were identified using telemetry or tourist-ranger data sets. Minimum conve x polygon plots of fix locations, and isometric contour plots created from the harmonic mean utilisation distribution, showed a reasonably symmetrical and extensive use of a relatively compact range. There were few if any exp loratory excursions outside the home range during the study period.