......................................................................................................................................... ii Opsomming ................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ ix List of Figures .................................................................................................................................x List of Appendices ....................................................................................................................... xii Chapter One: Introduction ...........................................................................................................1 1.1. Human-wildlife Conflict ....................................................................................................1 1.2. Study area ...........................................................................................................................3 1.3. Focal species ......................................................................................................................9 1.4. Problem statement, aim and objectives ............................................................................10 Chapter Two: Diet of caracal (Caracal caracal) and black-backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas) in the Gamkaberg ........................................................................................................................11 2.1. Abstract ............................................................................................................................11 2.2. Introduction ......................................................................................................................11 2.3. Materials and Methods .....................................................................................................14 2.4. Results ..............................................................................................................................18 2.5. Discussion and conclusion ...............................................................................................33 Chapter Three: Estimating mesopredator population density in the Little Karoo using camera traps .................................................................................................................................36 3.1. Abstract ............................................................................................................................36 3.2. Introduction ......................................................................................................................37 3.3. Materials and Methods .....................................................................................................39 3.4. Results ..............................................................................................................................42 3.5. Discussion and conclusion ...............................................................................................44 Chapter Four: Conclusion and recommendations....................................................................47 4.