Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

This paper updates a 1964 review of vertebrate pest problems and control techniques used in the Republic of South Africa. Appreciable progress has occurred within the past few years, with assistance provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Methods for controlling damage caused by the major predators, the black-backed jackal and the Cape baboon, are described. For jackals, useful techniques include hunting with packs of hounds, use of traps, and use of toxicants, including the coyote getter. Successful lures to attract jackals to coyote getters are described. Baboons, which are gregarious and form troops numbering from a dozen to over 100 individuals, cause extensive damage to vineyards, orchards, and vegetable crops, and at times kill lambs and young goats. Destruction of the baboon’s major predator, the leopard, is blamed for recent rapid increases in baboon populations. Successful use of the toxicants thallium sulphate, Compound 1080, and Telodrin against baboons are described. Damage and control practices associated with the dassie (hyrax) and dune mole are discussed. Introduced American gray squirrels, while limited in distribution, are known to have become firmly established and are a major predator of the nests of songbirds, as well as damaging pine plantations and orchards. Feeding habits of the cape vulture, which normally eats carrion, have changed and these birds are now periodically killing lamb and ewes, especially those in poor condition, perhaps due to food scarcity.