My volunteer, Catherine Pieters arrived on the 5th July. She has been involved in elephant monitoring, PCQ and visibility data collection. Visibility data collection involves recording the distance from the vehicle, along a road, where an animal may be seen. This is important as it will give an indication of the vegetation used along the roadside, as well as the density of vegetation.
The Suzuki was in better running order this month. I have had access to both the green and red Suzuki this month so was not without a vehicle for long. I have completed most of my PCQ's, with the help of Alain Smith. There are a few left which are too far off the road to be an accurate feeding sighting. I think that when taking the information off the GPS and recording it into the computer there must have been some human error.
The elephant sightings continue to impress me. The breeding herd seem to have accepted me and it is more often than not that they will walk around my vehicle showing no threatening behaviour. They are spending most of their time near the Mduna and riverine areas. The bulls have spent the majority of their time near the breeding herd, but it is not uncommon for Mphata to be alone, away from the herd.
I have been privileged to watch the young elephants play fighting, and the youngest suckle from the tuskless cow. Alan has also commented on their relaxed manner. When he was at Manzindlovu pan he took photos to show how close they were to the vehicle. I was once waiting for them to cross a road, which they did, but hung around then came back towards the vehicle for a second smell. Usually they cross and continue moving.
Catherine leaves on the 5th August, she is going to spend a month at Phinda working on the elephant project there. Elleanor Garrod will join me at Thanda for August. I also plan to assist Barry James in a game count at Mkuze Falls in August.
Kirsten Canter
The Suzuki was in better running order this month. I have had access to both the green and red Suzuki this month so was not without a vehicle for long. I have completed most of my PCQ's, with the help of Alain Smith. There are a few left which are too far off the road to be an accurate feeding sighting. I think that when taking the information off the GPS and recording it into the computer there must have been some human error.
The elephant sightings continue to impress me. The breeding herd seem to have accepted me and it is more often than not that they will walk around my vehicle showing no threatening behaviour. They are spending most of their time near the Mduna and riverine areas. The bulls have spent the majority of their time near the breeding herd, but it is not uncommon for Mphata to be alone, away from the herd.
I have been privileged to watch the young elephants play fighting, and the youngest suckle from the tuskless cow. Alan has also commented on their relaxed manner. When he was at Manzindlovu pan he took photos to show how close they were to the vehicle. I was once waiting for them to cross a road, which they did, but hung around then came back towards the vehicle for a second smell. Usually they cross and continue moving.
Catherine leaves on the 5th August, she is going to spend a month at Phinda working on the elephant project there. Elleanor Garrod will join me at Thanda for August. I also plan to assist Barry James in a game count at Mkuze Falls in August.
Kirsten Canter