Featured Research: Sustainability

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UP study finds that lions hunt particular cattle types

When wild lions sneak up on a herd of cattle to grab an easy meal, the dice seem to be loaded more heavily against certain herd members, which are more likely than the others to be killed and eaten, according to a new study conducted by scientists from the University of Pretoria (UP).

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Domesticated cattle are fast food for lions

Lions show specific preferences for particular cattle types. They exploit cattle when available and repeatedly kill cattle in areas where they are left unguarded or unprotected, also targeting animals that are easiest to catch. Lion populations across Africa have dropped precipitously over the past century, putting them at risk of local extinction in some areas, especially when they move out of...

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SA is breaking more high-temperature records than expected

A study by a PhD student at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology reveals that South Africa is experiencing more maximum temperature records than expected and that this trend seems to be accelerating.

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The history and genetics of our famous Nguni cattle can help conserve them

Southern Africa’s Nguni, Afrikaner, Drakensberger and Bonsmara cattle are unique and well suited to the climate of southern Africa. University of Pretoria researchers are using the history and favourable genetics of these breeds to increase productivity and food security.

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Novel immobilising drug combinations

A team from UP’s Faculty of Veterinary Science, in collaboration with the Brain Function Research Group at Wits University and the SANParks Veterinary Wildlife Services team, conducted research in the Kruger National Park to find new combinations of drugs for immobilizing animals.

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A brief history of bees

Once upon a time there was a world without bees, but we would not have liked this world. It was a dark world without flowering plants competing to attract buzzing bees for pollination—a world without colourful fruits and berries. Even after solitary bees emerged, it took many millennia before bees became social and a colourful and sweet world, a place with nectar, emerged.