Serengeti Wildlife Population Mystery

What was the initial mystery that Tony Sinclair faced in the Serengeti?

• The unexpected rise in rainfall

• The sudden decrease in predator numbers

• The rapid increase in buffalo and wildebeest populations

• The decline in grass growth

What did Tony Sinclair initially rule out as a cause for the population increase?

• Increase in food supply

• Decrease in predator numbers

• Introduction of a new species

• Change in climate

Which disease had a catastrophic impact on African wildlife populations?

• Malaria

• Rinderpest

• Ebola

• Foot-and-mouth disease

What was the estimated percentage of hooved mammals that disappeared due to rinderpest?

• 100%

• 50% to 60%

• 70% to 80%

• 90% to 95%

What was the purpose of the vaccination program launched in the early 1960s?

• To increase predator numbers

• To vaccinate cattle against rinderpest

• To boost grass growth

• To introduce new wildlife species

How did Tony Sinclair determine the age of the buffalo?

• By observing their behavior

• By analyzing their fur

• By examining their teeth

• By measuring their horns

What did the presence of antibodies in the blood samples indicate?

• The animal was immune to all diseases

• The animal had been exposed to rinderpest

• The animal was a predator

• The animal was malnourished

What pattern did Tony Sinclair find regarding antibodies in animals born before and after 1964?

• No animals had antibodies

• Animals born before 1964 had antibodies, those after did not

• Animals born after 1964 had antibodies, those before did not

• All animals had antibodies regardless of birth year

What was the ultimate conclusion about the population boom of buffalo and wildebeest?

• It was due to increased rainfall

• It was due to a decrease in predators

• It was due to the elimination of rinderpest

• It was due to a new food source

What technique did Tony Sinclair use to study wildebeest populations?

• Tracking migration patterns

• Applying the same antibody analysis as with buffalo

• Measuring grass consumption

• Observing predator-prey interactions