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Developing a resilient transport system while making the world a better place
(2023) Kingham, Simon
Aspects of the social behaviour and management of African antelope at Orana Park, Christchurch
(1991) Cameron, Elissa Z.
Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei), Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), Scimitar horned Oryx (Oryx dammah), Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) and Addra Gazelle (Gazella dama) were studied in captivity from November, 1989 to December, 1990 at Orana Park, Christchurch. All species are of different taxonomic groups, and come from a wide range of habitats. Three of these species (Sitatunga, Scimitar-horned Oryx and Addra Gazelle) are little studied in their wild habitats. Captivity provides many opportunities for studying animals from inaccessible habitats without the logistic problems of research in the wild, for testing theoretical hypotheses, and for studying species management for conservation. The principle objectives of the study were to examine aspects of social behaviour, daily activity, and grouping patterns and to devise optimal management strategies.
The social and expressive behaviours of the species were recorded. I present some behaviours that have never before been described in these species. Behaviours described include general behaviours, threat and dominance displays, fighting, submission, courtship, mother-young interactions, play and alarm behaviours.
Daily activity patterns were similar to wild patterns of daily activity and were related to the feeding ecology of the species. Predator disturbance on Scimitar-horned Oryx caused an increase in vigilance behaviour at the expense of feeding, lying and maintenance behaviours. Daily activity patterns of Scimitar horned Oryx were also affected by temperature and weather conditions. Although behaviour patterns were different for each species, the patterns were influenced by a number of proximal factors.
Species from open habitats tended to associate closely, whereas species from closed habitats associated loosely, and females associated more closely than males and calves. I hypothesised that the differences were because of different anti-predator strategies and, in the case of males compared to females, relative aggression. In Scimitar-horned Oryx I found that predator disturbance caused an increase in association, whereas increased aggression caused a decrease in association, supporting the hypotheses that association patterns are largely affected by anti-predator strategies and relative aggression.
Near linear dominance hierarchies existed in Sitatunga, Scimitar-horned Oryx, and Waterbuck. Social rank value was correlated with aggression in all species. In Scimitar-horned Oryx the presence or absence of horns affected social rank value due to the impaired fighting ability caused by loss of horns, but horn size did not effect social rank.
Management was studied in all species by relating previous work to the ideals of management. Recommendations were made suggesting how animals may be better exhibited to enhance their welfare and suitability for reintroduction to the wild. Sitatunga were chosen as a case study as problems of enclosure design were evident. The presence of water and cover increased the amount of time Sitatunga spent in view. It was suggested that a swamp-like enclosure, with viewer observation from above, would enhance both the animals' comfort and the education potential of the enclosure.
Cycling in Christchurch: we are building it, are they coming?
(2024) Kingham, Simon; Frater J; Koorey G; Conrow L
COVID-19 Pandemic and Political Change in New Zealand: Leadership, Public Opinion, and Party Politics
(2021) Tan, Alex; Vanvari N
The COVID-19 pandemic that began in early 2020 continues to wreak havoc on the world.
At the height of the pandemic in 2020, New Zealand is one of the few states that was able to
keep the pandemic at bay with relatively low infection and death rates. The exemplary nature
of New Zealand’s pandemic management propelled its young Prime Minister – Jacinda
Ardern – to global political fame and led to a convincing electoral victory in the October
2020 general election. Indeed, since the NZ’s adoption of the MMP in 1996, no political
party has ever won over 50% of the legislative seats in an election and coalition governments
have become the norm. Yet, the Ardern-led Labour Party managed to be the first party to
win an outright majority. In this paper, we examine the convergence of adept handling of the
COVID-19 pandemic, the role of public opinion, and the political leadership of Ardern and
her cabinet members in political change in New Zealand during these uncertain times.
Extended ozone depletion and reduced snow and ice cover—Consequences for Antarctic biota
(Wiley, 2024) Robinson , Sharon A.; Revell, Laura; Mackenzie , Roy; Ossola , Rachele
AbstractStratospheric ozone, which has been depleted in recent decades by the release of anthropogenic gases, is critical for shielding the biosphere against ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B) radiation. Although the ozone layer is expected to recover before the end of the 21st century, a hole over Antarctica continues to appear each year. Ozone depletion usually peaks between September and October, when fortunately, most Antarctic terrestrial vegetation and soil biota is frozen, dormant and protected under snow cover. Similarly, much marine life is protected by sea ice cover. The ozone hole used to close before the onset of Antarctic summer, meaning that most biota were not exposed to severe springtime UV‐B fluxes. However, in recent years, ozone depletion has persisted into December, which marks the beginning of austral summer. Early summertime ozone depletion is concerning: high incident UV‐B radiation coincident with snowmelt and emergence of vegetation will mean biota is more exposed. The start of summer is also peak breeding season for many animals, thus extreme UV‐B exposure (UV index up to 14) may come at a vulnerable time in their life cycle. Climate change, including changing wind patterns and strength, and particularly declining sea ice, are likely to compound UV‐B exposure of Antarctic organisms, through earlier ice and snowmelt, heatwaves and droughts. Antarctic field research conducted decades ago tended to study UV impacts in isolation and more research that considers multiple climate impacts, and the true magnitude and timing of current UV increases is needed.