Territoriality and spatial patterns of white rhinoceros in Matobo NationalPark, Zimbabwe

Boundaries associated with reserves or conservation areas may alter spatial patterns of individuals, and may affect the sexes differently in species t hat exhibit sex-specific patterns of space use. Because of poaching threats , most African rhinos today persist within sanctuaries or reserves with fen ced perimeters. We examined spatial patterns of adult white rhinos (Ceratot herium simum) in Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe. Matobo Park contains a hig h-density population of rhinos within a fenced reserve and a lower-density group outside of the fenced area. Adult females in the lower-density group used significantly larger home ranges than those in the high-density group. Overlap among female home ranges was extensive in both groups. Adult male white rhinos establish territories that are exclusive of other males perfor ming scent-marking behaviours, and in Matobo Park, male territories were mu ch larger than those observed in other populations of white rhinos. Additio nally, few adult males in the high-density reserve held territories that oc cupied most available space; two-thirds of adult males were excluded from e stablishing territories, and followed a non-territorial tactic. In the abse nce of dispersal opportunities, managers may need to regulate the number of males within smaller reserves. Monitoring of spatial patterns should be un dertaken to permit management decisions to be made with an understanding of male behaviour and territorial status.