January, a busy start to 2005, was a productive month. Rob Slotow, my supervisor, advised me to focus on collecting dung data - as my samples are due to go for analysis at the end of February. So I went focussing mainly on collecting dung from impala, kudu, nyala, zebra, wildebeest and giraffe. I have sufficient elephant dung samples, but couldn't resist collecting if the opportunity arose. I definitely came home a whole lot smellier! Rob also advised me to collect spatial data whenever I came across an animal to boost my sighting numbers.
Thulani has been in musth and spend the majority of his time with the breeding herd. In the begging of the month Mphata was located along the Mduna River, however moved north and was often seen on the P450 fenceline near Emzukhulu Pan. The elephant have spent the majority of the month around the north-east area of the reserve, drinking mainly from Emzukhulu pan. They have even ventured to the staff houses to feed on the trees there. I followed the elephant from the off-loading ramp to Manzindlovu Pan, and the journey took two hours, with plenty of stops for 'padkos'.
One morning I was alone, and decided to drive into Manzindlovu to check for fresh dung. I parked in the shade of Acacia robusta near the water pipe. I saw Thulani drinking in the far corner of the pan. Shortly the breeding herd joined him and they turned the relatively calm pan into a hive of activity. The younger elephants were playing in the water and the older cows were mud bathing. Thulani moved towards where I was parked and came to drink near my vehicle. He also started mud bathing, however, due to his close proximity both Shen and myself were left covered in mud! He then proceeded to have a rub on one of the A. robusta near my vehicle. He must have been about 5 m away from the vehicle. It was an awesome experience, as he never changed his relaxed mood throughout the sighting. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me, a mistake I will not make again!
The guides have once again commented on the great elephant viewing. I was greatly surprised to notice that Thulani, even in musth, was still a gentleman, causing no threat to anyone. I was able to spend time with Mphata alone, to built up my confidence, and collect valuable data.
I have not had much luck with my Suzuki this month. Thanda has a full-time mechanic on the reserve, which is extremely convenient for my troublesome vehicle. Initially the vehicle broke down as a result of a bolt breaking in the carburettor. Greg, the mechanic, noticed many other problems with the vehicle. Parts take a while to get to the remote areas, like Thanda, and Alan was using his Hilux, so I was without a vehicle for a while. Unfortunately there is an electrical problem with the starter motor, so we are waiting for the electrician from Hluhluwe to come out to repair the problem.
I met with my supervisor on the 31st January. We discussed my review that I wrote in December. I need to focus on collecting data, which is relevant, and will answer my objectives. I need to move away from simply collecting data, rather focus on collecting specific data. I need to focus on which specific areas which need extra data. For example I have very few kudu feeding and dung records. It would be valuable to spend more time with kudu. There are trade-offs when collecting data. One could sit for half hour with a herd of impala waiting for one to feed or defecate, all the while I will be minimising the numbers of animals seen on that route or day. I need to find a balance. I look forward to February to try new methods and a different routine when collecting data.
I have helped Alan by tracking animals for game drives. I have updated Alan's backup CD's, Thanda rainfall, and Wildlife Department Time Off and Overtime sheets. I have updated the spatial data, feeding, and dung sheets and samples. I still need to enter the behaviour sheets.
Two volunteers, Sarah Hoggetts and Julie Barr, are due to arrive on the 3rd February. They will be staying with me for one month, before moving to another reserve. Wildlands has decided to shorten their stay with the reserves, allowing the volunteers more diverse experiences between the different reserves. I look forward to sharing my experiences with them.
Thulani has been in musth and spend the majority of his time with the breeding herd. In the begging of the month Mphata was located along the Mduna River, however moved north and was often seen on the P450 fenceline near Emzukhulu Pan. The elephant have spent the majority of the month around the north-east area of the reserve, drinking mainly from Emzukhulu pan. They have even ventured to the staff houses to feed on the trees there. I followed the elephant from the off-loading ramp to Manzindlovu Pan, and the journey took two hours, with plenty of stops for 'padkos'.
One morning I was alone, and decided to drive into Manzindlovu to check for fresh dung. I parked in the shade of Acacia robusta near the water pipe. I saw Thulani drinking in the far corner of the pan. Shortly the breeding herd joined him and they turned the relatively calm pan into a hive of activity. The younger elephants were playing in the water and the older cows were mud bathing. Thulani moved towards where I was parked and came to drink near my vehicle. He also started mud bathing, however, due to his close proximity both Shen and myself were left covered in mud! He then proceeded to have a rub on one of the A. robusta near my vehicle. He must have been about 5 m away from the vehicle. It was an awesome experience, as he never changed his relaxed mood throughout the sighting. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me, a mistake I will not make again!
The guides have once again commented on the great elephant viewing. I was greatly surprised to notice that Thulani, even in musth, was still a gentleman, causing no threat to anyone. I was able to spend time with Mphata alone, to built up my confidence, and collect valuable data.
I have not had much luck with my Suzuki this month. Thanda has a full-time mechanic on the reserve, which is extremely convenient for my troublesome vehicle. Initially the vehicle broke down as a result of a bolt breaking in the carburettor. Greg, the mechanic, noticed many other problems with the vehicle. Parts take a while to get to the remote areas, like Thanda, and Alan was using his Hilux, so I was without a vehicle for a while. Unfortunately there is an electrical problem with the starter motor, so we are waiting for the electrician from Hluhluwe to come out to repair the problem.
I met with my supervisor on the 31st January. We discussed my review that I wrote in December. I need to focus on collecting data, which is relevant, and will answer my objectives. I need to move away from simply collecting data, rather focus on collecting specific data. I need to focus on which specific areas which need extra data. For example I have very few kudu feeding and dung records. It would be valuable to spend more time with kudu. There are trade-offs when collecting data. One could sit for half hour with a herd of impala waiting for one to feed or defecate, all the while I will be minimising the numbers of animals seen on that route or day. I need to find a balance. I look forward to February to try new methods and a different routine when collecting data.
I have helped Alan by tracking animals for game drives. I have updated Alan's backup CD's, Thanda rainfall, and Wildlife Department Time Off and Overtime sheets. I have updated the spatial data, feeding, and dung sheets and samples. I still need to enter the behaviour sheets.
Two volunteers, Sarah Hoggetts and Julie Barr, are due to arrive on the 3rd February. They will be staying with me for one month, before moving to another reserve. Wildlands has decided to shorten their stay with the reserves, allowing the volunteers more diverse experiences between the different reserves. I look forward to sharing my experiences with them.
Kirsten Canter