Activity periods and diurnal behaviour of southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) were studied in Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe, from August 2016 to July 2017 using camera trapping and focal group sampling, respectively. Camera trap data showed that diurnal and nocturnal movements of white rhino varied significantly with moon phase, with more frequent nocturnal photographic captures during full‐ and third‐quarter moon phases than during new and crescent moon phases. Permutational MANOVA and canonical correspondence analysis of focal group observation data were used to test the effects of season, time of day, habitat type, distance to roads, moon phase, presence/absence of other mammals, age/sex category, individual identity and herd composition on daytime behaviour. Weather conditions accounted for the majority of variation in rhino behaviour, with more time spent feeding during cloudy and rainy weather than sunny weather. Time of day and moon phase also accounted for high variation in behaviour, followed by habitat attributes and age/sex category. Variance partitioning by sets of explanatory variables showed that weather conditions had the greatest explanatory power in the variation of rhino behaviour, followed by temporal attributes, habitat attributes and age/sex category. Our findings provide insights for white rhino population management strategies aimed at increasing the effectiveness of security patrols, minimising disturbance and improving sightings for tourists.

中文翻译：

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津巴布韦马托博国家公园白犀牛（Ceratotherium simum）日行为的影响因素

活动期间，南部白犀牛的昼夜行为（Ceratotherium simum simum分别于2016年8月至2017年7月在津巴布韦的马托波国家公园进行了摄影）研究和焦点人群抽样研究。相机陷阱数据显示，白犀牛的昼夜活动随月相变化显着，与新月相和新月相相比，全月和第三季度月相的夜间摄影捕获频率更高。排列MANOVA和焦点小组观察数据的典型对应分析用于检验季节，一天中的时间，栖息地类型，距道路的距离，月相，其他哺乳动物的有/无，年龄/性别类别，个体身份和牧群的影响白天行为的组成。天气条件是造成犀牛行为变化的主要因素，在阴天和阴雨天气里喂养的时间要比晴天多。白天和月相的时间也说明了行为的高度差异，其次是栖息地属性和年龄/性别类别。通过解释变量集的方差划分显示，天气条件在犀牛行为的变化中具有最大的解释力，其次是时间属性，栖息地属性和年龄/性别类别。我们的发现为白犀牛种群管理策略提供了见识，这些策略旨在提高安全巡逻的效率，最大程度地减少干扰并改善游客的视线。其次是时间属性，栖息地属性和年龄/性别类别。我们的发现为旨在提高安全巡逻效率，最大程度减少干扰并改善游客视线的白犀牛种群管理策略提供了见识。其次是时间属性，栖息地属性和年龄/性别类别。我们的发现为旨在提高安全巡逻效率，最大程度减少干扰并改善游客视线的白犀牛种群管理策略提供了见识。