Habitat suitability for tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus lunatus

The distribution and numbers of tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus lunatus) have declined considerably in South Africa, partly due to deteriorating habitat conditions. Identifying important habitat variables will assist in managing the species. The objective of this study was to identify habitat variables important for tsessebe and to develop a predictive model of habitat selection for this species in a savanna biome. The study was conducted in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve over a 2‐year period. A total of eighteen habitat variables were measured in ten plant communities at 200 sites. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictor variables and to construct a habitat model. Tsessebe were found