Elephant and rhino dataset used in the research.

Artificial water provisioning is a common practice in southern African nature reserves, where different game species exhibit preferences for specific waterhole types. The movement patterns and behaviour of elephants and rhinos are closely linked to water availability, with these mega-herbivores noticeably influencing the environment and other species they interact with at waterholes. Since there is limited research on this topic, understanding preferences for different types of artificial waterholes is crucial, particularly during periods of water scarcity. This knowledge enables reserve managers to effectively manage the numbers and types of waterholes. In this study, we investigate artificial waterhole selection and preferences by elephants and rhinos in the Olifants West Nature Reserve, South Africa. The study area featured various waterhole types, including earth dams, concrete pans, reservoirs, and troughs. By employing camera traps, we analysed visitation frequency, timing of visits, and factors influencing visit frequency. Our findings revealed distinct preferences for specific waterhole types among different social groupings of the study species. Breeding herds of elephants predominantly utilized reservoirs and occasionally visited troughs, while bachelor herds favoured earth dams. Black rhinos showed a preference for earth dams, whereas white rhinos selected troughs and earth dams, with bachelor groups favouring troughs and female rhinos favouring earth dams. The outcomes of this study have significant implications for the development of comprehensive conservation plans in areas where these species reside, and for potential release sites.

人工补水是南非南部自然保护区的常见管理举措，不同野生动物物种对特定类型的饮水水坑（waterhole）存在偏好。大象与犀牛的活动模式及行为与水源可获得性紧密相关，这些巨型草食动物会显著改变其栖息环境，同时也会影响在饮水水坑处与其产生互动的其他物种。鉴于该主题相关研究较为匮乏，明确不同类型人工饮水水坑的动物偏好至关重要，在水源短缺时期尤为如此。掌握此类信息可帮助保护区管理者高效规划与调整饮水水坑的数量及类型。本研究针对南非奥利凡茨西部自然保护区（Olifants West Nature Reserve）内的大象与犀牛展开，探究其对人工饮水水坑的选择与偏好行为。该研究区域内设有多种类型的饮水水坑，包括土坝式、混凝土浅盘式、蓄水池式以及槽式饮水池。本研究利用红外相机陷阱（camera traps）采集数据，分析了动物的到访频次、到访时间以及影响到访频次的各类因素。研究结果显示，受试物种的不同社会群体对特定类型的饮水水坑存在显著偏好差异：大象繁殖群主要使用蓄水池式饮水池，偶尔会到访槽式饮水池；单身雄象群则更青睐土坝式饮水池。黑犀牛偏好土坝式饮水池，白犀牛则同时选择槽式与土坝式饮水池，其中单身雄白犀牛倾向槽式饮水池，雌性白犀牛则偏好土坝式饮水池。本研究成果对上述物种栖息地的综合保护规划制定，以及潜在的物种放归场地规划均具有重要的指导意义。