Morning walk with Jaco Buys

[DinkyBird]

This report caught my eye on facebook, and thank you to Jaco for permission to share it here. And looking forward to walking in Kruger through Jaco's 'pen' many more times!

One has not experienced or seen Kruger National Park if you have not walked in it's pristine wilderness! And this morning Kruger turned on the magic. It started with low clouds rolling in over the Granite and Gneiss Monolithic domes in the West, creating a great atmosphere and cooling us down.

Fellow guide and friend, Peter Zitha arranged and joined our activity. We did not do 200 meters before seeing a Black *** Bull sleeping in a Sodic Site. Positively charged Calcium Ions are washed from the sandier, higher lying Granite crests through colluvial, underground flow and forced up on the lower lying clay, where they bind together to form an unique ecozone indicated by the numerous Magic Gwarrie trees on it's edges. We carefully skirted the Bull, not wanting to disturb him.

Next on the menu was the infamous Baberton Daisy and with the sun hiding away, they were a bit droopy, not unlike the Bull's Rugby team this season, he he he! The Swazi Lilly was in beautiful bloom and this is found in only three locations in Kruger National Park. Herds of Impala graced us with their presence and their vitality proof of the good rains we recently received. Nervous Giraffes attracted our attention and we tried to approach them. A battle ship grey figure moved stealthily through the Common Raisin bushes and we were privileged with a Black *** Cow and Calf. She did unfortunately not take to kindly to the intruders and voiced her disapproval with a couple of steam train puffs. We moved back and gave her and her youngster the opportunity to move off safely.

The excitement levels peaked when we viewed a huge White *** Bull. He unfortunately just stayed ahead of us and we decided to have a body break. We started slowly detouring back to our vehicle when we noticed the beautiful Gnidia Robuscence, another protected and rare Kruger flower. The flowers are yellow in the center and turn orange once they have been pollinated as the move to the outer circle. The brighter yellow obviously attracting insects and other pollinators! We were still in the process of singing nature's praises when Peter spotted a big Lion Male. He bolted as we saw him and only graced us with a glimpse of his magnificence. One has to see a higher hand here, if we did not stop to admire the flower, we would have walked straight into a sleeping Lion Male!

Too soon we saw our vehicle, but nature had one last experience up her sleeve. A Black *** Bull was steam rolling towards us at a rate of knots and some very loud (and frightened) shouts veered him off his course. There is not many other sights in the bush as awe inspiring as a Black *** at full throttle. Our aim is to never disturb animals, but Black Rhinos determine what the threat is by going full tilt towards it until they are satisfied that they will not be harmed. This can cause adrenaline levels to go sky high and very interesting human behavior can be witnessed at a time like this. What a way to start off the New Year!

Looking forward to another great season in the Park, let us keep it positive, let us report problems immediately to the relevant staff and be part of the solution. And above all, let's enjoy the Park for what it was designed for, to recharge your batteries for life!

Pics by Jaco Buys

Beautiful Mafic Dyke cutting through the Granite on the Sand River.

[Stampajane]

Those Barberton daisies are stunning. I wish the ones in my garden would flower like that.

What an adrenalin filled walk. Thanks for sharing DB and Jaco Buys.

[hilda]

The adrenaline levels must have been sky high Jaco Buys! What an exciting morning walk!

Thanks for posting DinkyBird!

[barryels]

Awesome morning walk Jaco .

Thanks for posting it on the forums D .

Hope we see some follow up walks in future here .

[Leanawel]

Thanks Jaco

On board

[Grantmissy]

Jaco Buys

[Elsa]

Lovely description of a fantastic walk with a bit of excitement added in!
Thanks for posting DB.

[Hippotragus]

Thanks DB. Thanks Jaco Buys for the report.

I especially love the photos of the flowers - you only really get close to flowers when you are walking in the bush.

[bridgeman]

Great walk indeed high five to my legend Jaco Buys.

[DinkyBird]

Jaco Buys :

It is time for positive news and time to remind people of what a great country with great people South Africa is. Had the privilege of recently being part of the guiding group that hosted a Media Group at the Honorary Ranger's Mokohlohlo fund raising and awareness camps.

The aim was to introduce the latest product in the fight against *** poaching called *** Tears White and Red Wine. With the previous group an injured White *** Bull was witnessed and the Section Ranger and Wildlife Vets decided that to find this animal would be ideal for the group.

The mood was pretty somber early out as looking for a *** in an area the size of Kruger is like looking for a needle in a haystack and if it was found, it's injuries would determine the treatment necessary. Luck was on our side. It is still amazing to see how a harnessed Vet hangs out the side of the Helicopter, hovering meters above the tree tops, as the animal is successfully darted. The skills of our SANParks Helicopter Pilots incredible, as the animal was coerced for 800 meters to the management track where the ground team was waiting. The animal collapsed on the road and the well drilled team moved in. The utmost care and sensitivity is taken. the animal's eyes are covered, a rope is gently tied around it's head to subdue it in case it gets up to early and a oxygen tube is inserted into it's nostrils. Blood samples are taken, tick species collected and an array of test done. A clear, rubber tube was inserted into what was clearly a bullet wound form a poacher's rifle. The shot went through the left ear, into it's shoulder blade and exited above it's rib cage. The tube would indicate the projectile trajectory and indicate if any major organs or bones were damaged. An emotional group held their breath until we received the good news that the animal only sustained tissue damage and that it would be treated on the ground and then revived on site. The wound was quickly cleaned flushed out with anti septic and antibiotics. We moved back so that the animal could be revived and seconds later it stumbled to it's feet. A couple of minutes later and with steadied feet the animal moved off into the surrounding bush. The group was overjoyed and we felt like we all in some small way helped saved the ***.

We need to salute the ladies and men that fight on a daily basis for the continued survival of SA's *** population. Before you decide to make a negative or derogatory comment, I would like to challenge you to rather use the monies spent on your internet and your time and channel your energy positively to contribute to the war against poaching. the Honorary Rangers have no admin fees and are volunteers and therefor all the funds donated are given to SANParks in the form of training or equipment. Let us remember what a great nation we are, where we are fortunate to live and what we can achieve as a nation if we work together!

[manicwalker]

What wonderful reports,
and a BIG thank you to ALL who put their lives at risk to help our animals,
we appreciate all you do,
stay safe and Thanks again

[Meandering Mouse]

What gems we have fighting the poaching. I was also holding my breath.

Jaco Buys has a gift with words. I am so pleased that he was prepared to let us share his experience.

[hilda]

Thank you DinkyBird for posting this!

Great report Jaco Buys! Thank you for sharing! We can't thank our rangers and all involved in the anti-poaching of our Rhinos enough for the work they do! They put their lives on the line on a daily basis, therefore they are always in our thoughts and prayers to stay safe and win this war!

[naomi c]

Reading this just made my day so much better! Thanks for sharing this amazing experience that thankfully ended so well! To each and everyone involved in the fight against *** poaching - we salute you and pray for your safety and success!

[Elsa]

Heartwarming report!
Thanks to all those involved in this wonderful exercise.