Panozebras 3of5newmalesjan2010 Elephantscamp

April Newsletter

24 May 2010

Mating Lions
Mating Lions
Photo: Dion Bezuidenhout
April started off as a real wet one, with 130ml in the first five days of the month which is pretty bizarre having heavy rains this late in the season. The month ended off with 192ml which is more than February and March's rainfall combined!
This definitely put the Ranging Team on the back foot as the Concession was put to rest for a few weeks so as not to damage the roads more than what the rain had already done. In return, however, this will definitely give the bush a boost before heading into the dry winter season.
Nevertheless, the Ranging Team and our enthusiastic guests have had a great amount of quality sightings of both big and small. Wild Dogs creeping up behind us on an afternoon drive, gentle African Wild Cats making their way past the road while on full alert for anything to snatch for dinner. Dylan and Tracker Gideon managed to track down a lioness with two cubs aged 8 weeks old which we are eagerly going to monitor so we can be part of their bright future.
We have been fortunate to have seen the big and dark creatures frequently with about 97 White Rhino sightings and 140 Elephant sightings, both Bulls and Breeding Herds. It is really great to see the influx of Elephant moving on to the Lukimbi Concession for the tough winter season ahead. As for our elusive Leopards, we've spent some quality time with our resident female, Nulu, either taking her afternoon nap in the Marula Trees or following her while she's on a territory marking roll. Nkanyamba, our male resident leopard, has also made his presence well known by territorial marking on the thatch of room W9! On the northern side of the Concession we were lucky enough to come across two male Leopard cubs, and witnessed a fascinating yet unsuccessful attempt to catch a Scrub Hare by one cub..
The Lukimbi Team is definitely ready and geared up for the month ahead, seeing that our Walking Trail Safaris are starting on the 2nd of May! As for the 2010 Soccer World Cup lurking around the corner, things are going to be exciting!
To end things off, here is an interesting quote that I came across:
“Wildlife is not ours to dispose of as we will. We have it in trust and must account for it to those who come after” - King George VI.
Kind Regards,
Danie Vermeulen
Field Guide

Click to enlarge
Nulu
Photo: Dion Bezuidenhout
Click to enlarge
Pregnant Elephant
Photo: Dion Bezuidenhout

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