Trophy Size Measurements, Is It A Useful Index for Determining Population Status of the Endemic Kafue Lechwe (Kobus Leche Kafuensis) On the Kafue Flats, Zambia?

Chansa Chomba, Tokura Wataru

Abstract

A study to determine body and horn length as an index for Kafue lechwe population status was carried out during the 2011/2012 hunting season shortly before government imposed a non time bound hunting moratorium at the end of 2012. Body and horn measurements were taken based on Safari Clun International, Method I for animals with simple horns. Specimens were obtained from non resident and resident hunters. From a total of 183 specimens, horn length showed decreasing trend from June to September, and the measurement was low until November, and then increased in December. Boss circumference did not show any clear pattern between months. It was concluded that horn length was a useful index for determining population status and availability of trophy animals. Detailed information is required to identify and isolate key factors responsible for the bimodal peak in horn length at the beginning and end of hunting season.