{"id":4973,"date":"2022-08-15T12:30:26","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T10:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/cib\/?p=4973"},"modified":"2022-09-02T12:37:45","modified_gmt":"2022-09-02T10:37:45","slug":"rapid-increase-in-common-myna-invasion-in-an-iconic-protected-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/cib\/rapid-increase-in-common-myna-invasion-in-an-iconic-protected-area\/","title":{"rendered":"Rapid increase in common myna invasion in an iconic protected area"},"content":{"rendered":"

Common mynas (Acridotheres tristis<\/em>) are generally synanthropic birds, however, over the last 20 years they have rapidly invaded Kruger National Park (KNP).<\/p>\n

This led Kl\u00e1ra Py\u0161kov\u00e1 (PhD student, Charles University in Prague), Prof. Petr Py\u0161ek (Czech Academy of Sciences and C\u00b7I\u00b7B Research Associate) and Prof. Llewellyn Foxcroft (Kruger National Park and C\u00b7I\u00b7B Core Team Member), to examine the rates of invasion, and whether the birds were becoming permanent residents. These results might provide insight into possible future scenarios of this species\u2019 invasion.<\/p>\n

Common mynas, passerine birds native to south-east Asia, are a familiar sight in South Africa and many places around the world, where they generally prefer urban areas. In KNP, a protected area covering 2 million ha and with a human footprint of less than 1% of its area, the likelihood of invasion from the populations surrounding the park was long considered negligible, and even then, restricted to staff or tourist infrastructure. This initially appeared to be the case as only eight sightings, totalling 14 birds, had been recorded by 2010. However, by 2020 more than 60 unique observations, i.e. those that were made in a given location within KNP for the first time, had been reported, and the number has reached nearly 300 common mynas in total. Of concern though is the fact that a quarter of the birds were nesting or feeding in natural areas. For example, some observations showed the common mynas\u2019 ability to utilize a variety of food sources, such as feeding on insects disturbed alongside grazing buffalo and impala, and also foraging together with cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis<\/em>) in-between grazing zebra.<\/p>\n

“With the lag phase of only a decade and significant increase thereafter, the question is whether there is still enough time to prevent a large-scale invasion across the park. Moreover, the apparent ease with which common mynas appear to adapt to the KNP\u2019s habitat, suggests that these trends will continue if not managed,\u201d<\/em> says Kl\u00e1ra Py\u0161kov\u00e1. However, with the large number of populations on the KNPs >400 km western and southern boundary any response is likely to be complex.<\/p>\n

“The invasion of common myna into KNP appears to be quite unique, and to me personally somewhat unexpected”, <\/em>adds Llewellyn Foxcroft,” and their ability to survive in natural areas suggests active management is needed.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Read the paper in Biological Invasions<\/em><\/h4>\n

Py\u0161kov\u00e1, K., Py\u0161ek, P. and Foxcroft, L.C. 2022. Introduction and invasion of common myna (Acridotheres tristis<\/em>) in Kruger National Park, South Africa: still time for action? Biological Invasions<\/em>. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10530-022-02790-x<\/a><\/p>\n

For more information, contact Llewellyn Foxcroft at llewellyn.foxcroft@sanparks.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Further media<\/h4>\n

Interview with Llewellyn Foxcroft on CapeTalk: https:\/\/omny.fm\/shows\/the-john-maytham-show\/encroaching-indian-mynahs-ruffle-feathers-in-kruge<\/a><\/p>\n

Online article in Daily Maverick: https:\/\/www.dailymaverick.co.za\/article\/2022-07-26-encroaching-indian-mynahs-ruffle-feathers-in-kruger-park\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Online article in The Times: https:\/\/www.thetimes.co.uk\/article\/kruger-national-park-has-a-major-myna-problem-trqgsg268<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
Figure: Current distribution map with years of first sightings. Only first records for a given location are shown. Most of the earliest records (before 2001) come from urban areas outside the park, except for the very first record at Talamati and Lower Sabie camps (white dots). The majority of the records come from the most recent time interval (2016\u20132020), with mynas appearing to establish more frequently in the northern part of KNP.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A study by C\u2219I\u2219B Core Team Member, Llewellyn Foxcroft and colleagues examined the rates of invasion of common mynas into the Kruger National Park, and whether the birds were becoming permanent residents. 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