Page 31 - State of Biodiversity 2023-2024

Red Duiker Survey at Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve Update
Sambulo Mhlongo
Email: Sambulo.Mhlongo@durban.gov.za
The Red Duiker (Cephalophus natalensis) is a small antelope found in scrub and evergreen forests in eastern KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces. They are rare due to the rapid degradation of their habitat and are confined to dense forest types, including mountainous, riverine, wooded ravines, and coastal forests with water.
Red Duiker are secretive browsers found near surface water. They are often found in small groups or as solitary individuals. They are shy and secretive, rarely holding still and rarely moving during the night. They are valuable seed dispersers because, they are extreme concentrate selectors, primarily browsing on fallen leaves, wild fruits, flowers, and shrub stems. Red Duiker are a key species in forest habitats. However, due to property development, subsistence farming, and agriculture has led to habitat loss. Dog hunting, like with the Blue Duiker, also puts pressure on the Red Duiker.
Red Duiker are present in several of KZN’s protected areas, including Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve. Continued monitoring of Red Duiker populations within existing conservation areas is crucial to ensure that their numbers do not decline to concerning levels, as globally the population trend of this species is believed to be declining. Reliable and precise population counting methods are crucial, and annual population surveys help in the management of this small antelope. This can assist in determining whether the carrying capacity has been reached and whether management interventions are necessary.
Figure 1: Red Duiker sighted in Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve during 2023/2024 survey. Photo: Sambulo Mhlongo
Figure 2: Red Duiker found in Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve. Photo: Sambulo Mhlongo
For the 2022/2023 financial year a direct survey was conducted in Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve to estimate the number of Red Duiker and the survey estimated about 19 individuals were counted, slightly exceeding the reserves carrying capacity of 18 Red Duiker. The same survey was conducted for the 2023/2024 financial year
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