A New Year A New Safari With Mark

14 January 2014

Dean picks up guests at OR Tambo International Airport and transfers them to Mark ho was waiting for them. After loading onto the open safari vehicles it was out to see what we could find.

Route: Numbi tar – Pretoriuskop - Napi - Napi boulders exit - Napi - Nkambeni

General animals seen were Kudu, zebra, impala, vervet monkeys, warthog, waterbuck and giraffe

On the afternoon drive we had great  rhino sighting with them grazing quiet close to the road. 2 elephant bulls on the road as we entered the Kruger park, approx 50m from Numbi gate. A herd of buffalo crossed over the road just before shithave dam entrance. Great photos could be taken by the guests.

On our way back to camp we saw a male leopard walking on the road. As we approached, it crossed over and walked into the bushes.

Guests are happy and now they would love to see some lions. Let's see what tomorrow holds.

15 January 2014

Route: Numbi tar - Napi - skukuza - doispan - albaseni - Nkambeni

General animals seen: giraffe, kudu, warthog, blue wildebeest, impala and rhino

Great elephant sightings throughout the day. With herds crossing the road on doispan just past riverlink

2 lioness's lying on klipspringer koppies

In the late afternoon, we found a male leopard lying on the rocks opposite shebeni koppies and stayed with it for approximately 30min. As we were about to leave, it got down from the rocks and walked in front of our open vehicle heading towards the shebeni link road. At the junction it then moved off into tall grass. As we lost sight of him, a female leopard walked out onto the road approximately 300m from our last sighting of the male. She walked towards the Numbi tar and disappeared into the tall grass. All the guests got great photos and videos.

That's all for the day, hopefully we can find great buffalo and lions tomorrow.

16 January 2014

Route: Numbi tar - Napi - H3 - Napi - Albaseni - Doispan - Albaseni
 

General game spotted: kudu, giraffe, impala, waterbuck, rhino, warthog and blue wildebeest

We got a call on the radio regarding lions on Doispan lying sleeping 20m from the tar. We decided to go have a look, as all the other sightings of lions so far have been distant sightings. Found them and while sitting watching them a male and female got up walked closer to us and lay back down. This allowed the guests to get great photos before our return to camp.

Keep watching for more!!

South African National Parks Responds To Elephant Public Outrage

The South African National Parks (SANParks) has responded to a public outcry on its decision to euthanize an elephant that flipped over a vehicle belonging to a visiting British couple injuring the occupants on 30 December 2013.

Speaking from the Kruger National Park, the Managing Executive of this iconic park, Mr. Abe Sibiya said... the incident is a consequence of parks allowing people to enjoy the natural environment; unfortunately some do so in an irresponsible manner. “While it is expected in an environment such as the Kruger National Park that human and animal conflict will always occur, it is also vitally important that members of the public visiting various national parks should always adhere to the rules.”

Sibiya said while the park can understand the public outcry and anger towards the management, it is critical for the public to have confidence on the park management. “The park is managed by adequately qualified officials who are able to make informed and appropriate decisions at any given time.”

According to Sibiya the decision to euthanize the animal was not taken lightly but based on the information from our well experienced Rangers assessment the animal was likely to attack tourist vehicles in the future. “It is for this reason that we appeal to our patrons to act in a responsible manner and give such information as quick as possible rather than share it on social media platforms.”

He said to bring closure to the matter; SANParks would need co-operation from the visitors that took the video. “The law stipulates that evidence such as this should be accompanied by a written statement from eyewitnesses as the footage cannot be the only permissible evidence in order to sanction any fine against the alleged perpetrators.”

“Tourists need to change their behavior when on self-game drives… “we drive this message in our communication at check in points, on our brochures and on the permits. It is highly impossible to have constant policing on holiday makers as the parks resources are already stretched with many operations going on at the same time,” concludes Sibiya.

Issued by:
South African National Parks

Adopt So Our Rhino Dont Die

A ray of hope has been cast on the crusade to save the rhino in the form of a historical joint collaboration between South African National Parks (SANParks), Bavaria 0.0% and South Africa’s Big 5 Retailers – Woolworths, Spar, Massmart, Pick... ‘n Pay and divisions of the Shoprite Checkers Group.
ACT NOW!
3 Ways to ADOPT SO OUR RHINO DON'T DIE!
Info online @ http://www.sanparksadopt.org/
0.0% TOLERANCE TO RHINO POACHING
All money raised goes exclusively into the South African National Parks dedicated Rhino Account for Anti-Poaching and is not used for any other purpose.

Dont Give Up On Our Rhino

Support Lasher Tools In The Fight Against Rhino Poaching

Now gardening, farming and construction can make a difference in conserving our environment and stopping poaching.

For each unit of their Big 5 tools sold, Lasher Tools will donate... funds to support the counter poaching activities of the SANParks Honorary Rangers in our National Parks.

Help protect our endangered species so that our children and their children can enjoy their natural heritage.

Buy any of these Lasher products at any hardware store, garden centre or shop.

Lasher Tools, a proud South African company supporting our National Parks.

For more information: http://sanparksvolunteers.org/

Seven Year Old Helps To Save The Rhino In Kruger National Park

SANParks Rhino Champion, Alyssa Carter is a normal seven year old and she is also last year’s winner of the Corporate Contribution to Conservation Award (Individual), SANParks Kudu awards. What sets Alyssa apart is she is doing what not many other seven year olds have the inclination to do – try and save a rhino.

Her idea came abo...ut after her school class learnt about endangered animals and her teacher explained how rhinos were being killed. Her emotional response was so strong that she immediately wanted to do something to help save the rhinos, her favourite animal.

With the help of her parents Alyssa started making and selling chocolates in May 2013. The chocolates, selling for R10 each, have a hand-drawn picture of a rhino created by Alyssa. The money she collects goes to support the SANParks Honorary Rangers in their fight to save the rhino.

To date Alyssa has raised over R17, 000 and her dream is to raise enough money to help buy a trained sniffer dog for the Kruger National Park, as well as the necessary supplies the dog will need. Although this generally costs R100 000 Alyssa is determined to raise the money as soon as possible so she can help the Kruger National Park buy a dog. She already has the name picked out.

“Her award is in recognition of her entrepreneurial spirit and acknowledging that the fight against rhino poaching requires funding. She has also been named a SANParks Rhino Champion, a first for someone so young,” says Janssen Davies, National Chairperson of the SANParks Honorary Rangers. “What she is doing is a triumph for her generation and we are proud to have her as a supporter.”

The SANParks Honorary Rangers are the South African National Parks preferred channel for counter poaching support in our National Parks. They work directly with the counter poaching teams in the parks to provide crucial training and equipment.

The battle to save the rhino can also be supported outside the reserves when the kingpins are brought to book. Those with information can make use of the Tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or 32211; contact Crime Line where they will remain anonymous or their nearest police station with information.

To help Alyssa in her cause, visit – www.sanparksvolunteers.org

Issued by:
SANParks Honorary Rangers