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At least it seems that help with the Ellies arrived soon, although not soon enough Ecojunkie!

Wow EJ, well done on confronting the elephant. So glad you won! Makes great reading for us though!!

Wow! EJ, you certainly have your excitement at Malelane camp don't you. By the way I hope the post surgery appointment went off well and both eyes functioning OK now.

My eyes are fine......the niggle with the left eye we are going to try and overcome by using a low power contact lens to 'smooth out' the scarring on the cornea from the shingles last year. I have a new padlock and keys for the gate.....and staff are busy raking up marulas at the moment....unfortunately within an hour or so there will be more on the ground!!!!

Hi EJ. So happy to hear that your eyes are OK. Hope the niggles are sorted soon. Unfortunately the ellies have long memories and will be back each year (with friends it seems) to see what marulas there are on the ground. Hope the padlock holds this time - and the fence. Or they may have to chop that particular marula tree down and that would be a pity!

There are a lot of the marula trees in camp so chopping them down is not really an option......we would be left with little shade in some areas.

Went to bed earlier than I have managed the past few days, and slept well, so not sure yet what happened overnight. It did rain a bit though....

I agree with you Ecojunkie! To chop down the trees wouldn't be an option! That will ruin the camp!

I suggest SANParks appoint a full-time person during day time, as well as one during night time, for the Marula period to pick it up and throw it over the fence.

Glad to hear that you had an early night for a change!

Maybe we need a volunteer to sort out the marula fruit in camp......!

Seems the ellies left us alone last night. Suspect they will be back in a day or two though.....

Volunteering ....How ....wonder how many we will be volunteering for this very difficult job. ..

Come and stay with me in marula season and spend the night making sure there are no marulas around so the ellies do not want to come into camp.......!!!!!! And be prepared to chase them out if they do........

Oh EJ. I could spend the whole year in Kruger chasing ellies and picking up fruit for them if I were a brave person. I have a healthy respect for them and keep my distance. So as a volunteer I am no good.

...Got it in black and white I have been successful as volunteer..
Job description
Need to stay 1 month before "marula season" as I will need pointers from the Pro...hope this does not jeopardize my appointment. ....

We missing you!!!!!

No more trips to report - sorry! Did go to Skukuza for admin yesterday and came across quite a few ellies along the road, but no problems with them.

We have had more ellie problems in camp though......big guy was in camp yesterday morning early....was eventually chased away by section ranger.

Should have more to report next week, but only after Wednesday when I get back from Sand River Bush Camp......will be doing my first camp as second guide. Looking forward to it so much! Going to Skukuza tomorrow morning to invigilate for FGASA exams and then through to the bush camp - think I will be alone there tomorrow evening - wonderful way to get into the right mind-set!!!!

good luck, I will thinking of you on Wednesday
a first is a first