Event Title
The Replacement of Cattle with Eland Antelope in Namibia
Presentation Type
Oral and/or Visual Presentation
Presenter Major(s)
Natural Resource Management
Mentor Information
C. "Griff" Griffin
Department
Biology
Location
Kirkhof Center 1142
Start Date
11-4-2012 9:00 AM
Keywords
Environment, Sustainability
Abstract
The developing country of Namibia has an arid climate; and its ecosystems are better adapted to use by native ungulates than by introduced cattle. The eland antelope is biologically and physically similar to the main cattle breeds currently being farmed in Namibia. Foraging behaviors and diets of eland are better adapted to the desert-like vegetation of Namibia, resulting in less land degradation. I will compare the eland with the heavily used africander cattle breed with respect to growth and weight, behavior, lifespan, foraging, diet, fertility, health, husbandry, and financial costs of care. The economic prospects of farming eland may show great promise in Namibia. The findings will show whether or not the eland will be viable for farming at various farm sizes.
The Replacement of Cattle with Eland Antelope in Namibia
Kirkhof Center 1142
The developing country of Namibia has an arid climate; and its ecosystems are better adapted to use by native ungulates than by introduced cattle. The eland antelope is biologically and physically similar to the main cattle breeds currently being farmed in Namibia. Foraging behaviors and diets of eland are better adapted to the desert-like vegetation of Namibia, resulting in less land degradation. I will compare the eland with the heavily used africander cattle breed with respect to growth and weight, behavior, lifespan, foraging, diet, fertility, health, husbandry, and financial costs of care. The economic prospects of farming eland may show great promise in Namibia. The findings will show whether or not the eland will be viable for farming at various farm sizes.