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Too end off the topic if you want then....

These guys say "Please dont keep us out!"



I say 'what a pleasure to admire you beauty from 1 metre away'...once youve had ur big 5 and kills or not (more than likely from the confines of a vehicle)...its moments like these that get you to appreciate what the park is really about!! ...

Lovely pictures o-dog

Many of us who go frequently get very blaise about the variety of birds there. One year I arrived and there was a man from France in a state of such excitement over the beautiful Glossy Starlings. He spent ages trying to get as much as he could on video. It was great for me to experience the birds through his eyes.

One year when I was there in October with my daughter, she had her meal interrupted by a Crested Barbet that did not want to wait for her to finish her meal first. It kept jumping from the back of her chair onto the table, as if to say, "hurry up, hurry up".

Tshokwane has a special place in my heart.

o-dog
I agree with most of what you say...even the monkeys and the birds would not bother me if the monkeys did not attack ppl while seated.(only 3 times in past year fortunately)
The birds eating all the crumbs and lefteovers I can also handle.(although they leave the table in a state) They are beautiful after all and part and parcel of Tshokwane.
There is a difference between feeding them and them being around to profit from our activities though.
Now if you argue that it is harmless to feed the birds I suppose then it is also harmless to feed other animals
I do not wish the last word like sum ppl on the forum , as your heart is obviously in the right place about issues
To your question: The monkeys is not a "problem", they raid the bar area now and then when our guard is down and they operate mostly on the perimeter of the site as we are constantly chasing them with catapults.
To be honest humans are my problem here! Some are very quick to complain and arrive here with their day already sour and you have to handle them with care.
Since my tact is legendary as my SO always reminds me , I prefer handling the monkey problem.

Catapults for monkeys

Not quite as bad as it sounds Micetta - they usually see the catapult and flee. If not a well aimed shot to the ground near them usually does the trick. If they are allowed to get too aggressive and start to attack people, then they have to be shot for real. A catapult is a better option all round.

I dropped my guard at a picnic site once and a monkey tried to grab my brown bag with rusks in it. I got a real fright, it wasn't pleasant. They do become a real nuisance.

Maybe you should also use the catapult on some ppl, guepard.

Oops, sorry I was aiming for the monkey

I somehow wonder if saraf is softening the blow by writing that a well aimed shot to the ground is sufficient to scare them off ...

We did that at Richtersveld ndloti, a shot into the bushes near them got them going.

Also old Eric used to do it at Nkuhlu a few years ago.
Anyone know what happened to him? I think he retired.

Excellent idea!

Thank you Saraf!

He actually got bit by a moz cobra. He is still alive, but He is not the same anymore. The poor fellows' brain got affected by it and he had to retire early

Frank at Pafuri also aims for the ground near them.

And yes Ndloti if the catapult stops being effective then they have to be shot for real by the field rangers.

Perhaps by publicising the truth irrespective of the outcry it will help the cause ....the truth is a bit harder to swallow , perhaps the message will be spread as a result of this .....

I have seen the staff (not at Tshokwane - I seldom go there , I can't tolerate the littering and crowds etc at picnic sites) having to shoot monkeys with the intention of killing them (quite possible with a heavy duty catapult) , which regularly takes place out of sight of the public , or with a firearm once visitors return to the restcamps in the late afternoon .
It is quite pitifull to see adead or injured monkey or baboon , but the truth is if they are left for people to see it will produce the required results and stop people feeding them .

Ndloti my dear friend....it is obvious you stay away from Tshokwane for the wrong reasons. Tshokwane is prob the cleanest site in the whole of KNP!
I notice the smallest sigaret end BECAUSE it is so clean. It is also one of the most peaceful sites early in the morning because of the size of the terrain.
I would hate people to think that Tshokwane is full of litter after reading your post.

Guepard --- Have to agree with you.
I pass by Tshokwane on a regular basis and it is one of the cleanest and tidiest places around, despite the amount of people visiting.
The restrooms are also kept in immaculate condition.

Hats off to all at Tshokwane !!