Apex predators occupy the highest trophic level within an ecosystem, and can influence the behaviour of smaller mesopredators in several ways. Spatial behaviour describes the ways in which a species interacts with the physical environment around it. The presence of an apex predator can influence the spatial behaviour of a mesopredator; for example, by altering the habitat use of the mesopredator. This change in spatial behaviour can have wide-reaching and cascading effects, and may influence overall ecosystem biodiversity. It is hypothesized that when a track is present in a habitat, an apex predator will move along the track, whereas mesopredators will alter their spatial behaviour to avoid tracks, and minimize the likelihood of interacting with an apex predator. This research collected data from camera traps deployed in Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe. Occupancy analysis was used to identify how the occupancy of apex predators along a track differed to the occupancy of mesopredators. Across 240 camera traps effort days, a total of 804 photographs of 21 species were captured. There were eleven target species in this research; eight of which were recorded during data collection. The data showed that species abundance was greatest along the track being sampled, compared to the adjacent off-track habitat. Occupancy analysis showed that species occupancy for most species was greatest along the track; indicating that the track is the preferred movement route for all species, regardless if they are an apex predator or mesopredator. The data did not provide clear and substantial evidence to support the hypothesis that mesopredators alter their spatial behaviour to avoid apex predators. Apex predators can be introduced into an ecosystem to be used as a conservation tool. This can be reliant on mesopredators altering their spatial behaviour in the presence of an apex predator. Further data collection and analysis is required to substantiate these claims. A manipulative experimental design, rather than observational, may also be useful for further research into this hypothesis.

In addition to data collection, this research has also provided photographic evidence of elusive species, which are not frequently witnessed within the Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe. These images are crucial to highlight the importance of continued conservation efforts within the national park, and have educational value for conservation bodies and the local community.