07 August 2016

Imvula Trails Update

4 August 2016

by Dylan uBhejane

Good day walking trails today. It started with us finding tracks of an elephant herd, and whilst assessing how fresh the tracks were, we found the track of a white rhino bull on top of the elephant tracks. The Rhino tracks were fresh and he was clearly on a mission, leaving scraping and urine along his trail.

Warwick, took the trail as our tracker, with Quintin his lead rifle, watching ahead. I followed as second rifle, giving them space to work. We soon found the bull at a midden and could see that he was very excited. His head was down sniffing close to the ground and his tail was curled. We soon found more rhino tracks leading away from the midden, and this is why the bull was so excited. We decided to let him lead us to the other Rhino, so followed his tracks, but gave him enough distance in order not to disturb him.

Quintin leading the group.

Lisa took over the tracking, and walked head up, looking well ahead as she trailed the Rhino bull. It was great to see what the bull was doing by looking at the evidence left in his tracks. Good lessons were learnt and students for the first time saw the Rhino lips leaving scuff marks on the trail, as he followed the other rhino tracks.

He caught up to the two rhino's he was following, and we could see that it was a cow, and a sub-adult calf. The cow was not too happy and ran into the thick bush with the bull following. We decided not to follow them.

En route back to camp, Whitney and Brian took over as 1st and 2nd RIfle and we encountered a herd of buffalo. We all had a great day learning and doing what we love!

A report on the Bhejane Nsele's week  - Antelope, Birding and Frogging in winter!

By Schanita Schoeman (Bhejane Nsele)

This week Hluhluwe got exceptionally good rain, which allowed the Nsele students to see some awesome things coming to the water and being more active during this winter month.

On Ethlatini property some frogs were very happy after the rain that we even found Knocking Sand Frogs mating and Boetterger’s Caco’s singing every night. The birds were enjoying the early mornings more too. While walking with Richard Mckibben on Ethlatini we got sightings on the Klaas’s Cuckoo, Hamerkop, Purple-banded Sunbird and many more. We also had a quick glance on two Southern Reedbuck and some ostriches.

African Goshawk - Mkuze Game Reserve

We then also went on an afternoon walk at Amorello’s where we got sightings on the very small, but fast moving Grey Penduline Tit and the Cardinal Woodpecker with its call that can be confused with the White-eared Barbet. We did some tracking on Grey Duikers which through us all off our feet with the muddy substrate and the displaying of their hooves. We ourselves then went on a muddy exploration along the Kingfisher Alley River on the property, collecting mud and shells to our shoes. We also found a huge amount of Leopard scat on the mud close to the water which was astonishing.

During the week all students delivered well-prepared Antelope Presentations which we all enjoyed thoroughly and we learned quite a lot of new things. Well done Nseles!

Striped Kingfisher - Mkuze Game Reserve

On Thursday we went to Mkuze Game Reserve and got sightings on many Cape Glossy Starlings, a female Black-backed Puff Back, a Striped Kingfisher warming up in the morning sun which allowed us to get pretty close for some fantastic photos, the Marico Sunbird, Little Bee-eaters and a descent and clear sighting on the African Goshawk at one of the hides. The drive ended very shortly after due to many road works in the reserve, so we went on a quick walk through the forest just outside the gate of the reserve. Here we had sightings on the Black-throated Wattle-eye, Orange Breasted Bush-shrike, Paradise Flycatcher, Yellow-streaked Greenbul and terrestrial Brownbul. Arriving back at camp for a Boerewors Braai for lunch was an excellent way of ending the day while struggling on Elephant photos to ID and left us all mind-blowing.

Thanks to Richard and Candice Mckibben for the spectacular week. We are frothing to see you next time!

By Schanita Schoeman

GAME CENSUS SAFARI ON HORSEBACK

by Lara Snyman  (Bhejane Imvelo)

Lara is one of the Bhejane Imvelo students, currently completing her 3rd Year. She is a specialist horse guide and found employment for her practical year, at Ant's Hill in the Waterberg.  Below is her account of a recent game capture operation that took place on the reserve. Well done Lara. 

All you can hear is gallopping horses, wild shouting on the radios and helicopter noises.

You immediately know this is not a normal Safari!

This year during the beginning of July Ant Africa Safaris had its annual Game Census and Capture week.

About 30 Guests stayed at Ants Hill and Ants Nest Lodge in the Waterberg, where they had an experience of a lifetime. Each morning the guests and guides swinged themselves into the saddle at about 6 am, after a energy-giving bacon and egg sandwich.

Each day of the week was unique and action-packed.

During the first two days we split up into smaller groups with about 3 guests per guide and seperated into different zones on the beautiful private game reserve.

In each zone we counted all animal species we could encounter. We also made notes of their sexes and condition.

This annual count is vital in order to know if the animals are in good health and striving. It also helps to establish if animals need to be taken off in order to sustain a healthy habitat.

All guests loved the count and we were quite lucky in our sightings: Roan antelope, Sable, Kudu, Eland, Rhino, Buffalo and even some of the nocturnal bushpigs came out!

The second day was a little more adventorous: It was time for some young Sable calves to leave the breeding camp and to be relocated.

A troop of about 25 riders went into the breeding camp, where Dr. John, the vet, Anthony Baber, the owner, and a group of strong staff members waited by a game truck.

All riding guests were positioned with a guide in various stragetic posts.

Once the dart went in, everyone kept dead quiet and luckily the sables only ran for a short distance before being out from the tranquilizing drug.

Dr. John did a quick dipping treatment before letting them wake up again in the truck.

 The third and fourth day were filled with buffalo capture.

Ant Baber owns about 40 disease free buffalo, which have great genetics.

Due to the drought and therefore grazing issues, he bought a neighbouring piece of land, which was fixed up to be a new buffalo and kudu breeding camp.

We set out early in the morning and cantered on long sandy roads towads the suspected buffalo herd. Dr. John and Ant were ready to dart- unfortunately a little to quick- as most riders werent quite in position just yet.

The dart went in, the cow ran, and- we lost sight of her.

Stress and panic started, but Ants calm instructions made everyone focused and organized once again. We all splitted up, riding through thick bush and lon grass, in hope of finding the sedated cow. This is a game against time, and as 15 minutes went by, we almost lost hope she would still be alive.

Luckily, the Ant collection has amazing guides which were able to track the cow down. She was laying behind a termite mount in a thicket- almost invisible.

The cow was loaded by 17 strong young men and brought into the new breeding camp.

Afterwards we darted another 2 buffalo, this time with everybody ready and organized.

On the last day of game capture it was time for a magnificent giraffe bull to be sold to a farm in the region.

All guests were really excited, as this is the most tricky of all game captures.

Long legs, and a sensetive blood circulation system makes it incredibly hard for giraffes to be safely tranquilized and transported.

The giraffe bull was quickly found and the dart went in. Unfortunately it didnt seem to be strong enough for the big animal.

The bull kept running, and all riders were trying their best to stay with him through a long wild run. Another dart went in, and this time the bull started behaving sedated.

Everyone went onto their allocated positions with ropes to bring the giraffe into a controlled fall.

Due tot he good explanation and demonstration beforehand it all went well.

On the last night of this amazing week, all staff and guests had an amazing „dress into your worst outfit“ party around the fire.

Bhejane Nature Training

Bhejane Nature Training

INDUSTRY NEWS

Feedback on Indaba 2016

by Sebastian van Breemen (Bhejane Nsele)

I came to South Africa in January 2015. A very special year for me, due to the fact that I left a big part of my life behind me, to start something totally new and unfamiliar on the other side of the world. I started studying at Bhejane Nature Training, Ehlathini Bush Camp, located at a quite secluded area of northern KwaZulu-Natal, three hours north of Durban. It as a totally new environment for me – the animals, the people, the nature… my world had been turned upside down. In a good way though. 
Now I had been studying to become a nature guide/conservationist/preservationist for over a year, and I still was not sure about what the incredibly vast industry could offer me. Last week, this changed.

From the 7th of May to the 9th of May, in Durban City, we entered the great halls of the Durban ICC (International Convention Centre). 
A week before this I had, together with my fellow students at Bhejane Nature Training, prepared for meetings with exhibitionists from all around Africa (even outside Africa). We had been going through questions to ask, how to react on questions being asked. We were practising sales pitches for ultimate selling points. We made lists over which organisations or companies we wanted to visit. It was a big deal. The game was on.

As we entered Indaba 2016, we rapidly realized what we had gotten ourselves into. People everywhere, queueing to get passes for the event. Just by experiencing the magnitude of everything, we understood that something considerable huge was waiting for us. 
We got our passes, and started racing towards the ticket controls, and made our way through.

We past the controls. We were in. Now it started to get, as they say, hectic. Small stands everywhere, next to each other, on top of each other. We were advised to first get a feel of the two grand halls that were on display, getting a feel and direction of the place. We took the advice and did so. Some of us got a snack or two to fuel for the occasion. 

An hour or two later, we started networking. I think this was the work of the weekend. Everyone seemed to love to use it. Personally, I had a little bit off a rough start, not really sure of how to open a presentation and how to execute my sales pitch. Rather quickly, I realized that I was not there for hosting presentations of myself, it was rather a question of conversing with people, getting a feel of the industry. If you created a chemistry with your target, then you added the interesting questions about possible working placements with them. 

Under the course of the weekend, I talked to numerous instances. After a while, I lost count with how many. I picked up numbers, gave out numbers, exchanged information and business cards, as well as sending emails to promising addresses. 
Below are a few exhibitionists that I visited:

o Kapama Private Game Reserve
o Kwande Private Game Reserve
o Mashatu Game Reserve (Botswana)
o Mopane Bush Lodge
o Muchenje Safari Lodge
o Nxamaseri Island Lodge
o Makakatana Bay Lodge
o Thornybush Luxury Game Lodge Collection
o Dulini Private Game Reserve
o Makalali Private Game Lodge

Well back at our bush camp at Ehlathini, I thought back on the event. It had been an amazing experience, not as I thought it initially was going to be. We got stressed that it is a serious convention, with people and entrepreneurs paying a lot of money to be able to market their businesses, which it totally was. 

However serious it was though, it was gracefully masked with humour, willingness to explore the industry, and in the end, meet and chat to as many people as possible. 
For me, the trip to the Durban ICC was more to see what I have put myself in to, where I am, and where I possibly might find myself in the next five years. As a bonus on the side, I got a number of possible future employers´ information, that seemed interesting to build a working relationship with me. 

In the end of the trip, I was, to say the least, knackered. But I walked away with something I didn’t comprehend as well before; the understanding of how intense this industry is, how diverse it is, and the endless opportunities that can be obtained through hard work.
I am utterly grateful for the people that made it possible to join this magnificent event!

The Trials of Makhasa

by  Joshua Parmer (Bhejane Nsele)

A short write up of observations during the Nsele practicals at Makhasa Game Reserve

If there is a silver lining to the dry conditions at Makhasa it would be that the harsh conditions allowed us to see animals in a state most tourists don’t get to see them in. The reality may seem harsh, but when you have all the nyala in a reserve congregate around the single water hole you will get to see into the animals’ behaviors and social interactions far more than you would be able to see them on an average game drive.

The most apparent social interaction was a distinct hierarchy while the animals were drinking. The largest male would drink first and chase off any competitors for the limited water. Chivalry is also dead amongst the nyala; every female had to wait to drink until every adult male had his fill. When subordinate nyalas would challenge the system, the male that was drinking, unlike the Care bears, would not tolerate sharing.
The nyala ewes also displayed an eerily human like quality as well. They would approach the male nyalas while they were drinking and pretend to nuzzle them while slowly moving towards the water.  Where have I seen this before?
The drinking hierarchy was also not species limited. As soon as a larger species moved in they would lay claim to the water hole. In this instance it was the giraffes. Being the tallest animal on earth, it is no wonder how they were allowed to drink whenever they wanted. Although it is interesting to note that giraffes are some of the most hesitant drinkers on the planet because, with the exception of when they are born, they are only really ever vulnerable while they drink.

It is hard to stay positive in such situations where it is clear the animals are going beyond their normal behavior due to wildlife management issues, but it is our duty as naturalist to take these times to study the animals and their behavior under such circumstances as to increase our knowledge of the natural world and to, hopefully, one day help fix the problems that plague these ecosystems during times of hardship.

The Trials of Makhasa

by  Joshua Parmer (Bhejane Nsele)

A short write up of observations during the Nsele practicals at Makhasa Game Reserve

If there is a silver lining to the dry conditions at Makhasa it would be that the harsh conditions allowed us to see animals in a state most tourists don’t get to see them in. The reality may seem harsh, but when you have all the nyala in a reserve congregate around the single water hole you will get to see into the animals’ behaviors and social interactions far more than you would be able to see them on an average game drive.

The most apparent social interaction was a distinct hierarchy while the animals were drinking. The largest male would drink first and chase off any competitors for the limited water. Chivalry is also dead amongst the nyala; every female had to wait to drink until every adult male had his fill. When subordinate nyalas would challenge the system, the male that was drinking, unlike the Care bears, would not tolerate sharing.
The nyala ewes also displayed an eerily human like quality as well. They would approach the male nyalas while they were drinking and pretend to nuzzle them while slowly moving towards the water.  Where have I seen this before?
The drinking hierarchy was also not species limited. As soon as a larger species moved in they would lay claim to the water hole. In this instance it was the giraffes. Being the tallest animal on earth, it is no wonder how they were allowed to drink whenever they wanted. Although it is interesting to note that giraffes are some of the most hesitant drinkers on the planet because, with the exception of when they are born, they are only really ever vulnerable while they drink.
It is hard to stay positive in such situations where it is clear the animals are going beyond their normal behavior due to wildlife management issues, but it is our duty as naturalist to take these times to study the animals and their behavior under such circumstances as to increase our knowledge of the natural world and to, hopefully, one day help fix the problems that plague these ecosystems during times of hardship.

Industry newsIndaba 2016

by Amy Upton (Bhejane Nsele)

INDABA kicked off with an early morning start at 8 am where all embodiment's of the industry game together under a few roofs; with exhibitors from 18 countries all over Southern Africa.

It is the place to be for those who want to make a difference. 

 Why is Inaba worthwhile and relevant?

It is worth while because it creates a warm and welcoming environment in which business relations can begin to grow its roots with meaningful interactions with people from all over Africa.

Derek Hanekom said “INDABA gives us a sense of belonging. It is where we can come together to share knowledge and create partnerships” which is extremely true. INDABA shows you what is out there in the big bad world; it also shows you the reality of the industry as well as the endless possibilities to work in making it all worthwhile.

Although INDABA was busy and there was talk of meetings left, right and centre. The people of INDABA always had a smile on their face and a welcoming hand shake ready to hear what you had to say. This is one memory I will take away from INDABA is that these are ‘my people’ and they want to hear about who I am and what I do because there is always the opportunity for me to make their company better; and the thought of that makes myself and I am positive makes many other people feel significant in such a huge industry.

INDABA was incredible and eye opening and definitely a good way to be introduced into the industry and is definitely an event that must be attended. Thank you Bhejane Nature Training for the opportunity.

“Look deep into Nature, and then you will understand everything better”- Albert Einstein