Search for a command to run...
Animal space use is influenced by their intrinsic characteristics (e.g. age, sex) and their extrinsic environment (e.g. social environment and resource accessibility). Understanding the links between social behaviour and movement ecology may be crucial in isolating the factors impacting a population’s space use. Black rhinoceroses, Diceros bicornis , are territorial animals and are now largely confined to fenced protected areas because of increased security concerns as a consequence of poaching. In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal interactions within an established black rhinoceros population and the intrinsic (age, sex, maternal state and dominance) and extrinsic factors (season, vegetation type, bush cover and intraspecific interactions) influencing these interactions. We used location data from 21 black rhinoceroses fitted with Global Positioning System collars to explore the spatial distribution and the spatiotemporal interactions between and within sexes. Our results revealed that males shared their seasonal ranges with four females, while the seasonal ranges of females overlapped with that of at least one male. Females showed strong spatial fidelity to males’ ranges; however, they remained at a mean distance of 3.1 km from the males with no influence of the age of males, females or calves on this proximity. The ranges of males overlapped in relation to both the overall and core ranges, with the older males having the largest ranges and the greatest access to females. Minta’s analysis revealed that only older males were attracted to the overlap zone with the ranges of the younger males. However, access to forage did not differ between younger and older males. Finally, we found that males regularly transgress the borders of their own and neighbouring males’ ranges. Our findings highlight the complex link between the spatiotemporal distribution and the social interactions among black rhinoceroses. • Females show strong spatial fidelity to males’ ranges. • Related females maintain close spatial fidelity. • Males have age-related rank hierarchy within their territorial structure. • Males regularly move beyond the borders of their own ranges.