February, the shortest month, really did fly past! Two volunteers, Sarah Hodgetts and Julie Barr, were thoroughly spoilt with game viewing - having seen four of the Big Five (including the wild dogs) within a week. They have really had good luck with sightings. We witnessed the lion mating, had wonderful elephant sightings. They were very privileged to visit our neighbour's 18-month-old rhino, who had returned from a rehabilitation centre. The rhino was used to people so we scratched her head - definitely not an every-day experience!
I have focussed on collecting dung samples. The table below will show my progress. I am collecting samples of each species from different habitats, to monitor the stress levels in the herbivores via the hormone cortisol. Kudu and Zebra were most difficult to collect from - as especially kudu were seen occasionally. My samples are transferred into a small scintillation vial, treated with acetic acid, to remove microbial activity, and then frozen.
Table 1: Dung Samples Collected
My feeding data collection is still continuing slowly. It has helped to sit with the animals for a longer period of time. With the rain, the bush has become thick, so observations when the animals are more than 20 m away are sometimes difficult.
The breeding herd has spent the majority of their time on the hills between the lodge and the villa. Thulani is no longer in musth, but has spent time with the breeding herd. Thulani is always relaxed during a sighting, and has once again amazed my by his calm attitude towards vehicles and people. Mphata has been a lonely bachelor, spending his time apart from the breeding herd and Thulani. He has been relaxed during sightings. They have been drinking mainly at Emzukhulu pan, and the bulls have drunk a few times at Manzindlovu.
Thulani has broken his collar - which is lying near the bush breakfast site. I now have to work to get sightings from him. He once again came right up to the vehicle while I was parked at Manzindlovu pan. This time I was armed with a camera - see below!
Thulani at Manzindlovu pan - the view from the front seat!
One evening I approached the North Gate, only to find Mphata standing tall, trumpeting. The guard and another person were standing on the district road, and were quite nervous to open the gate for me. I drove in and Mphata moved off. I drove for about 100 m and stopped, he came out of the bush towards me, but changed his mind, and walked next to the vehicle towards the office. He crossed over the road and walked towards Vula Zulu. The guard explained that Mphata charged the person who was walking along the district road. The person got a fright and ran away, thus making Mphata more upset!
Russell was working on the electrics on the fence near the grids and knew that Mphata was in the area, feeding calmly. Russell asked for some pliers from the staff nearby. When they walked up to him, they were on the outside of the fence, along the road Mphata noticed and charged! He stopped at the fence, trumpeted and shook his head! Russell made it clearly over the fence in one stride! It is obvious that he can distinguish between someone inside and outside the boundary.
I have not had much luck with my Suzuki this month. Greg has worked on it for most of the month - sorting out problems only to find more! My carburettor was refurbished, the vehicle underwent a full service, and the electrical problem in the starter motor was repaired. I have used the vehicle for only a week this month. Luckily Alan's Hilux was available so I wasn't stranded for transport. I have updated the spatial data, feeding, and dung sheets and samples.
Sarah and Julie will be leaving on the 1st March to Thembe for a month. I am sure that their experience was a inspiring and wish them luck for the rest of their time in our beautiful country. One volunteer, Elspeth Nicholson will replace them from the 5th - 12th March. She has spent one month in Kenya so I look forward to sharing stories. Elspeth will go to Phinda after her short stay here.
I have focussed on collecting dung samples. The table below will show my progress. I am collecting samples of each species from different habitats, to monitor the stress levels in the herbivores via the hormone cortisol. Kudu and Zebra were most difficult to collect from - as especially kudu were seen occasionally. My samples are transferred into a small scintillation vial, treated with acetic acid, to remove microbial activity, and then frozen.
Table 1: Dung Samples Collected
My feeding data collection is still continuing slowly. It has helped to sit with the animals for a longer period of time. With the rain, the bush has become thick, so observations when the animals are more than 20 m away are sometimes difficult.
The breeding herd has spent the majority of their time on the hills between the lodge and the villa. Thulani is no longer in musth, but has spent time with the breeding herd. Thulani is always relaxed during a sighting, and has once again amazed my by his calm attitude towards vehicles and people. Mphata has been a lonely bachelor, spending his time apart from the breeding herd and Thulani. He has been relaxed during sightings. They have been drinking mainly at Emzukhulu pan, and the bulls have drunk a few times at Manzindlovu.
Thulani has broken his collar - which is lying near the bush breakfast site. I now have to work to get sightings from him. He once again came right up to the vehicle while I was parked at Manzindlovu pan. This time I was armed with a camera - see below!
Thulani at Manzindlovu pan - the view from the front seat!
One evening I approached the North Gate, only to find Mphata standing tall, trumpeting. The guard and another person were standing on the district road, and were quite nervous to open the gate for me. I drove in and Mphata moved off. I drove for about 100 m and stopped, he came out of the bush towards me, but changed his mind, and walked next to the vehicle towards the office. He crossed over the road and walked towards Vula Zulu. The guard explained that Mphata charged the person who was walking along the district road. The person got a fright and ran away, thus making Mphata more upset!
Russell was working on the electrics on the fence near the grids and knew that Mphata was in the area, feeding calmly. Russell asked for some pliers from the staff nearby. When they walked up to him, they were on the outside of the fence, along the road Mphata noticed and charged! He stopped at the fence, trumpeted and shook his head! Russell made it clearly over the fence in one stride! It is obvious that he can distinguish between someone inside and outside the boundary.
I have not had much luck with my Suzuki this month. Greg has worked on it for most of the month - sorting out problems only to find more! My carburettor was refurbished, the vehicle underwent a full service, and the electrical problem in the starter motor was repaired. I have used the vehicle for only a week this month. Luckily Alan's Hilux was available so I wasn't stranded for transport. I have updated the spatial data, feeding, and dung sheets and samples.
Sarah and Julie will be leaving on the 1st March to Thembe for a month. I am sure that their experience was a inspiring and wish them luck for the rest of their time in our beautiful country. One volunteer, Elspeth Nicholson will replace them from the 5th - 12th March. She has spent one month in Kenya so I look forward to sharing stories. Elspeth will go to Phinda after her short stay here.
Kirsten Canter