Ranging behaviour and habitat preferences of the Martial Eagle: Implications for the conservation of a declining apex predator.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the ranging behaviours of species can be helpful in effective conservation planning. However, for many species that are rare, occur at low densities, or occupy challenging environments, this information is often lacking. The Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) is a low density apex predator declining in both non-protected and protected areas in southern Africa, and little is known about its ranging behaviour. We use GPS tags fitted to Martial Eagles (n = 8) in Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa to describe their ranging behaviour and habitat preference. This represents the first time that such movements have been quantified in adult Martial Eagles. Territorial eagles (n = 6) held home ranges averaging ca. 108 km2. Home range estimates were similar to expectations base

SUBMITTER: van Eeden R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5357022 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature