Kruger National Park

Four species of bass, all native to North America, have been introduced to South Africa since the 1920s. Now these species are reducing native biodiversity.

This week, Ryan meets with Barbara van Asch, a senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University, to discuss the mopane worm, whose genetic diversity has been recently uncovered.

The southern ground hornbill is a large charismatic bird that really stands out in the savanna. Though their population within Kruger is stable, the same cannot be said for most of their range.

Kruger boasts remarkable high bird diversity, with more than 500 bird species listed. But the relative parasite count within those birds was unknown until a new study revealed that their diversity is also quite high.

The elephant population in Kruger has drastically risen in the last century. Park managers must now contend with an over-abundance of intelligent, endangered, ecosystem engineers.

Outside of comfortable camps, researchers looking to work in Kruger National Park are required to do so with a certified game guard to protect them from possible danger.

Fire can be a destructive force, but an essential and natural driver of ecosystem functioning in the African savanna. It turns out the savanna both shapes and is shaped by fire. But such a process is difficult to untangle.

Utah hosts just 18 species of bats, however, Kruger National Park in South Africa boasts many more. It is unclear whether these bat-rich communities are somewhat randomly assembled or if they are dependent upon natural drivers. A recent study sheds some light on the topic.

In episode five, we take a look at some of the 34 species of frogs that make the Kruger their home and a park researcher who wants to know more about them.

We follow Utah State University scientist and UPR reporter Ryan Helcoski and UMP student Mirandah Mnisi as they scope out a fresh kill.