SANParks.org Forums

@GregM-W:

SANParks has a policy of reintroducing the wildlife species which would have occurred historically and naturally in an area. There is very little evidence of elephants in this area in historic references. Elephants would probably have moved through the area, inhabiting mainly the riverine thicket areas as they moved, but would probably not have been permanently resident in the area. Hence, we will not introduce elephants. I trust this provides the clarity you were seeking.

Regards,
Fayroush Ludick - Regional Communications Manager

Greetings All

I hope everyone had a great Easter Weekend. The park recieved over 50mm of rain and has greened up remarkably quickly.

With the school holidays all the activities have been busy. On most nights we got to see Aardwolf and a record of 6 in one evening. We have also had 5 sightings of Small Spotted Cat/Black Footed Cat. It is supprising how few people know such a thing exists, just shows what a good sighting it is. I also had 3 quick sightings of Brown Hyena.

The cheetah tracking is good as normal. Juba (female cheetah) caught a kudu calf next to the main road, causing a very rare occurrence in MZNP, Traffic jam. The cheetah have been catching mainly kudu calves over the last month. Juba spent alot of time above the camp watching the guests walk past on the Black Eagle Trail.

I have been doing many morning walks and i must say it is the way to explore the park. The sightings are good, but you get to see the small things which are just as fasinating as the big stuff.

Two pics of Locusts supplied by a guest.



Brown Hooded Kingfisher


Cheers for now

WoW Michael!!! Really exciting about the blackfooted cat sightings I would love to see one of those -- and an aardwolf as well. Both very high on my wish list.

Thanks Fayroush. Will the two mountain cabins be fenced with the introduction of lion?

No, the mountain cottages have not been fenced, neither will the guest house be.

I fully agree with Arks' excitement! 5 sightings of black footed cat!!!! Be honest people, if you look for the award "sighting of the year", look no further. Those ARE the sightings of the year. No competition!

Man, on my next visit to MZNP there is no way a night will pass without me doing a nightdrive.

Stunning news!!!

Knowing Brummie's luck they will have gone on holiday when we arrive in August.

AND no brandy pudding to cheer me up

Greetings All

Once again the activities are providing some good sightings. The Night drives are good on dark still nights. The less moon light there is the more active the nocturnal animals seem to be. Bat-eared foxes, spring hare, porcupine, jackal, aardwolf, small spotted genet have been seen regularly. One night got to see two Aardvark within a hundred meters of each other. Also started to see Black Footed Cats up on Rooiplaat. Brown Hyena have been seen along the main road close to where the lions caught the eland.

Cheetah tracking is great as normal, but for the first time we got to see a cheetah hunting. We were tracking Juba, one of the females, she was activily looking for food so we decided not to disturb her and go back to the vehicle. We anticipated where she would come out and where rewarded with her bolting after a springbok.
Springbok left cheetah right about 80m away, she got to about 40m and then BANG







To see a animal moving at such speed in real time/life is amazing, oh and the springbok just got away.

Kudu Hiding


A lizard put on a thorn by a Fiscal Shrike. The Butcher Bird.

Cheers

Very WOW

WoW Michael! Thanks for the pix of Juba hunting, must have been most exciting!

Really want to to visit MZ again (must make a plan, tho it won't be until 2014 I fear), especially exciting that you're again seeing the blackfooted cat!!!

Thanks SO much for your updates

Amazing!!

Thank you so much for sharing.

I can imagine the excitement.