THE WILD FAUNA OP THE EMPIRE 



29 



being par excellence the home of the impala, so far as 

 South Africa is concerned. Some few years ago they were 

 greatly reduced by excessive shooting, and they still form 

 almost the exclusive food of the lions, leopards, cheetahs, 

 and wild dogs, while no inconsiderable number annually 

 fall victims to the larger crocodiles. Hyaenas also kill a 

 good many of the young buck. In spite of these draw- 

 backs they breed with such rapidity that even in the last 

 twelve months there is a considerable increase, nor is there 

 any manner of doubt but that, provided the carnivora do 

 not receive any assistance from man, in some five years 

 they will exist in very large numbers, especially if the 

 carnivora are kept within bounds by the staff of the 

 Eeserve. It is difficult to form anything but the very 

 roughest estimate of their present number, but there cannot 

 be less than nine thousand, of which perhaps three thousand 

 annually fall victims to the above-mentioned carnivora. 

 This still leaves a margin for a very considerable annual 

 increase, and. it will.be borne in mind that the latter will 

 not increase in proportion, but will rather tend the other 

 way. 



' Beedbuck are numerous in the East and West of the Reserve,, 

 and are found in isolated localities elsewhere. I should 

 roughly guess at their numbers as two thousand and allow 

 six hundred per annum as the prey of carnivora. They 

 were being rapidly killed out by man previous to the 

 establishment of the Eeserve, but there is now no fear for 

 their future, though they are not so extremely prolific as 

 impala. 



' Mountain Beedbuck (Booi Bhebok) are found in small numbers 

 in the south-west corner of the Reserve and along the 

 Sigazi Eiver. There are perhaps forty in all ; now that 

 shooting is stopped they will increase, as they are out of the 

 beat of the carnivora. 



' Vaal Bhebok does not exist in the Eeserve, which is unsuited 

 to its habits. 



' Klip springer are found in two or three places in suitable 

 localities, probably at least fifty in all. They are well able 

 to take care of themselves in the absence of sportsmen. 

 Leopards kill a few. 



' Oribi are occasionally met with in the extreme West, but cannot 

 be considered indigenous. 



' Steinbuck are numerous in certain localities, principally in East 

 and West. 



' Duikers abound everywhere ; wild dogs, leopards, and pythons 

 take a considerable toll, but make no real impression on 

 their numbers; hyuonas occasionally find and kill the young 

 ones. 



' I have not seen any erysbuck, but there may bo a few 

 in the western part. 



D 



