R a n g e r s R e p o r t
There just seems to be no end to the constant rain this year. March has been a month yet again characterized by frequent and extended downpours. This has lead, on more than two occasions, to the rangers having to race home to avoid being cut off from the lodges, by flooding rivers. Last month’s report I wrote while it was raining, today is exactly the same. Since ten o’ clock last night we have had about 60mm of constant rain. The positive aspect of all this rain is that our ground water level is very high, the dams and pans are full, there is food in abundance for the animals and we should be set with enough water to last through our dry season till the next rainy season. That is, of course, if we experience a dry season at all.

The pictures above should give a good idea of the challenges we have faced in tackling some of the terrain. However challenging and difficult it has been to get around, the bush is looking great and the rain much needed.

Cheetahs
We have had a little slump in the cheetah sighting department. This is due mainly to the fact that the female and her 3 youngsters have moved temporarily further east in the Sabi Sands. This though should not be permanent as the cheetahs utilize very large home ranges, through which they constantly roam. It should only be a matter of time till we have these cheetahs returning to our area. Being in contact with rangers further east helps us keep tabs on most of the animals. This form of bush communication let me come up with a very interesting news snippet regarding the above mentioned animals. In a reserve further east of Leopard Hills the female attempted to lead her cubs across the swollen Sand River. Tentatively she approached the water’s edge, hissing and spitting. Slowly she entered the water with her cubs behind her. There was an explosion of water beneath the female as a large crocodile tried to grab her. Cheetahs are the fastest land mammal and these quick reflexes led to her being able to jump clear of the approaching teeth and jaws, and retreat to the safety of the river bank. The cheetah now has a scar on her face where the crocodile’s teeth grazed her next to her left eye. Thankfully she survived as her death would certainly have led to the untimely death of her 3 youngsters as well.

Our sightings this month have been mostly of solitary males roaming their respective home ranges. Only one sighting was recorded of any females or females with cubs. The game of patience starts again while we await their return.

Buffalo
Buffalo sighting have also dropped a little this month mainly due to us not being able to access their preferred habitats. The groups of bulls are usually found in abundance along the river courses. These areas have been difficult to access because of the very high water levels. There has also been a dispersal of buffalo from the permanent rivers to the, now flowing, usually dry, river beds. The normal concentration of buffalo in specific areas has diffused to this population being found spread out throughout the entire reserve.

The buffalo herd sightings have also not been as permanent a feature as in the previous months. The herd has been encountered on a few occasion s but their length of stay has been brief every time before they again leave the reserve.

This all said, it must be mentioned that most guests visiting Leopard Hills still have a great probability of encountering these bovids on at least one of their drives.

Elephants.
There seems to be a trend developing here: consistently good elephant viewing. Rain or shine the elephants always seem to be around to pose and parade their large bodies for people eager to take their photographs.

We have had great viewing this month of some very large elephant bulls, and equally great times have been spent with breeding herds with multitudes of babies on display.

The marula fruit have all dropped from the marula trees now and the elephant feeding behaviour has returned to normal now after the annual marula fest. Presently the elephant spend most of their time feeding on grass, grass seeds and a creeping plant that covers most of the bushes and shrubs in the reserve. Trees will again become the targeted species as soon as the grass starts drying out and dying.

Rhinos
I am lost for words when it comes to rhino sightings. I must sound like a stuck record every time I mention the great rhino sightings. This month has been no different to the months preceding it. Rhinos remain present in abundant numbers and sightings just as magical. Our reserve must surely rate as one of the best rhino viewing areas in Africa. Hardly a day goes by without us having a choice of various different sightings to choose from. A memorable sighting this month must be Marius’s second sighting of mating rhinos in as many months. To witness rhinos mating is something rangers usually only dream about, to have seen it a second time in two months is enough to make the other rangers green with envy.
PART 3 TO FOLLOW...

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