Nice Lion Sighting caught on camera by Robbie

A great video taken at a lion sighting by Robbie this morning, great stuff chap. Wanting to join us on a Kruger Park Safari, please visit http://www.nhongosafaris.com . #satsa_sa #WeDoTourism #KrugerLowveld #SATravelPeople #Kruger_Park #SANParksKNP #Go2Africa #TBCZA

A great video taken at a lion sighting by Robbie this morning, great stuff chap. Wanting to join us on a Kruger Park Safari, please visit http://www.nhongosafaris.com . #satsa_sa #WeDoTourism #KrugerLowveld #SATravelPeople #Kruger_Park #SANParksKNP #Go2Africa #TBCZA

5 Day African Kruger Park Safari https://www.nhongosafaris.com/five-day-african-kruger-park-safarihttps://www.nhongosafaris.com/5-day-african-southern-kruger-safari

On Safari With Karen From 4 July 2014

4 July 2014

After a pick-up in Nelspruit we drove the scenic route to Numbi Gate. We would spend the night at Nkambeni Safari Camp, where we first of all went to check-in and have some lunch. On the dirt road into camp we already saw some impalas, our first animals.

Then we set off for our afternoon game drive. Camp road had gotten a bit busier with impalas, a warthog and some kudus that were very well in hiding.

They had started burning on the side of the tar road so we passed some warm flames and then a reedbuck was standing in the middle of the burned bit. It looked a bit lost, as if it lost more than just its cover in the fire.

We turned onto Fayi Loop where just around the corner two young elephants were just crossing the road. They showed us their butts as they kept walking in front of us before turning off the road. Within seconds those big grey animals had disappeared in the bush.

We saw waterbucks, more kudus and lots of birds before we hit a roadblock. A herd of buffalos had decided their siesta was on the road and no matter how close we were, it wasn't over yet. We waited for quite some time taking pictures of the buffalos getting up, one of them being grey which stood out. We heard the fire crackling in the background but nothing was speeding them up today. When we were finally cleared to pass, we continued on our way. We then came across a wonderful and pretty unique sighting of an African rock python. He was lying on the side of the road, probably warming up in the sun. His body length was about 5 meters and he was evenly fat so he didn't just eat something. He lingered for a bit before slithering away into his hiding place. Just a little dried grass cover and his entire body was very well hidden!

To escape the fire we crossed the tar. On the crossing we had a troop of baboons pass us. Around Shabeni we found kudus and more impalas. We drove down Albassini to have a look at Mestel Dam. We spotted a pied kingfisher hovering, a fish eagle in a tree and hippos that were bobbing their heads up and down.

Down the road however we spotted a white rhino. He was on the side of the road but got scared by our vehicle and jumped back into the bush. He did however come back out behind us to show us how rhinos mark their territory! He then continued in our opposite direction before disappearing into the bush.

On our last stretch of today before being back in camp we also came across some zebras and some dagga boys on camp road.

 

5 July 2014

This morning we got up early to watch the sunrise from the loop around Manung koppies. The area around it was still burning at some places. We did see two female giraffes each with a young one. One female crossed the road, but the other was quite hesitant. Especially since more and more cars showed up, it decided to go back into the bush and not cross. We then moved on and had, in addition to a beautiful sunrise, multiple sightings of buffalos around Manung and Pretoriuskop Koppies, before turning onto Napi.

We stopped at Shithave Dam to watch a hippo come up to breath multiple times. There also was a crocodile that put himself on a rock already waiting for the sun to warm him up.

Down Napi we drove, all the way to Transport Dam. In addition to the previous sightings we found a kudu bull with some massive horns and vervet monkeys that just woke up and started playing in the early morning.

Then it was time to turn around to go back to Nelspruit as Siri and Alex were due back in Johannesburg today. Here they would transfer to Botswana where they would volunteer on a conservation project. I wish them all the best, and maybe we will see them back one day. Thanks very much for joining us!

On Safari With Curtis from 12 May 2014

12 May 2014

The first day of a new tour and after having lunch in Nelspruit we entered Kruger through Phabeni gate. Immediately we found a 'Dagga' boy lying in the river bed and plenty of impala, zebra and wildebeest near to Nyamundwa dam. We carried on and found a solitary male giraffe as well as a male elephant near the side of the road. We also found warthog before turning onto Watergat. That road was fairly quiet with impala and zebra seen but we did stop and have a look at the numerous cape glossy starlings and the Red-billed hornbill at the side of the road. When we turned onto Napi we found a small herd of elephant crossing the road ranging in size from the large matriarch to a tiny baby probably no more than a year old. As we stopped to look at some hamerkop by the road I spotted a male waterbuck standing in the bush staring straight at us. We also found plenty more impala before we arrived at Nkambeni safari camp, our lodge for the next couple of nights.

 

13 May 2014

After leaving the lodge, this morning, we immediately came upon the resident impalas on camp road. We then made our way down Napi which to start with was fairly quiet until just past Shithave dam we found a male sable standing in the middle of the road, we made our way to the spot he had crossed and found him, just in the bush getting the opportunity to have a good look before he disappeared into the bush. Further along we spotted plenty of impala and kudu before we came to a small traffic jam where there were four hyenas by the side of the road, two females and two youngsters. The youngsters disappeared into the bush quickly but the adults were happy to relax and soak up the early morning sun and as we moved closer we got some great photos. After a quick detour for a possible lion sighting, which we missed, we headed to Skukuza for coffee, before we got there we saw warthogs, cape buffalo and a troupe of baboons.

After coffee we headed around the river finding more impala, baboons as well as vervet monkeys and hippos. We made our way to a second lion sighting we had heard about stopping at a lovely elephant sighting as a large family herd crossed the road both in front and behind our car. I then got a whiff of the not so nice aromatic smell of an elephant in musth and sure enough a minute or so later a large male crossed the road in front of us following the ladies down to the river. When we got to the lions they were unfortunately hidden very well in the tall grass, the male did pop his head up occasionally but the sighting was not very good. We waited for around 30 minutes at the sighting but with no luck so I decided we would go for lunch and then try our luck afterwards.

After our lunch break we found a journey of giraffe close to the road as well as zebra and impala before we came to the lion sighting again. This time they had moved closer to the road and we were able to get a very nice look at the female who also obliged us by popping her head up and staring at us. The male, however, stayed hidden, in the grass with only the top of his mane showing. As we made our way back along the river we came across more elephants as well as a flock of vultures who had been busy bathing and then dust bathing before holding their wings out to dry in the midday sun. We also found Southern ground hornbills and Pied kingfishers. We came across 4 separate sightings of white rhino, all very close to the road with two crossing the road in front of us as well as elephant, impala, kudu, warthog and waterbuck sightings.

 

14 May 2014

Today was the final day of this tour but we still had time to go for a short drive before we had to head back to Nelspruit. We took a drive around circle road as well as shabeni loop, unfortunately the morning started off very quiet as all we saw to start with was kudu and impala. We then spotted tree squirrel up on the rocks before finding a family group of klipspringers all watching out from their advantage point up on the top of the rocks. As we drove along Albasini we found more impala and a family group of warthogs who made sure they kept their distance from us.

Unfortunately it was then time to leave the Kruger and head back to Nelspruit where I said farewell to my three guests who are heading back home to the USA.

 

Keep watching for more!!

Battle For SA Rhinos Intensifies And Takes To The Air At 310km/h

The South African National Parks (SANParks) unveiled the GAZELLE – a military spec helicopter – that will bolster their current fleet involved in Anti-Poaching. The event was held at the Letaba shooting range.

The GAZELLE was donated by ...the Ichikowitz Family Foundation in association with Paramount, a leading African aerospace and defence group, and is part of an on-going capacity building partnership announced almost one year ago. The Foundation has previously donated a Seeker MKII Surveillance aeroplane, which has been operating in the KNP since December last year.

The GAZELLE has been purposefully configured by Paramount’s Advanced Technology Division, and will vastly increase areas that can be traversed and has additional equipment to increase aerial support. It has a maximum airspeed of 310km/h, a range of 670km and service ceiling of 5000 meters. The GAZELLE will bring the advantages of a light attack helicopter to the aid of SANParks Anti-Poaching operations the minute it takes to the air.

The Chief Executive Officer of SANParks, Dr David Mabunda welcomed this superior addition to the arsenal that is being deployed in the KNP. “We are grateful to have patriotic partners like the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, who have unselfishly been behind SANParks, supporting us with resources regardless of cost.

“The Ichikowitz Family Foundation understand our needs, the GAZELLE and Seeker plane are just part of their greater involvement which has included provision of fuel, pilots, specialised training and operational capacity.”

Ivor Ichikowitz, Chairman of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation and founder of the Paramount Group responded, “During war time, the strategic advantage always belongs to the force that has superior airpower. Essentially, although this is a unique “warzone”, the GAZELLE will strengthen SANParks existing forces and bring this element to the Kruger National Park.”

“A critical part of this helicopter’s capabilities is its speed and the fact that the GAZELLE has a night vision capable cockpit - part of our contribution is to the training of the pilots to be able to fly at night thereby fundamentally taking the war directly to the poachers.”

Mabunda thanked other private sector partners that are raising money to help in the fight against rhino poaching. He mentioned the Bavaria initiative, the Honorary Rangers and Unitrans Volkswagen amongst others. Mabunda emphasised the importance of partnerships and the difference they have made since the escalation of rhino poaching in the KNP.

Speaking on the rhino population in the KNP, Mabunda outlined the results of a census taken a few months ago, saying despite the poaching onslaught, the 2013 rhino census in Kruger NP estimated that there are between 8400 and 9600 white rhino. These numbers were estimated by SANParks scientists using a 40% block count survey method.

The census took 3 weeks to complete in September, making use of 3 helicopters with a total of 220 flight hours. The bottom line is that escalating poaching, counteracted by increased anti-poaching operations, has resulted in relatively stable rhino numbers in Kruger since 2008.”We are certain that without intense anti-poaching operations, Kruger’s rhino population would have begun significantly declining by now” said Mabunda.

Ichikowitz commented on this by saying that the Foundation salutes the work that SANParks is doing, the results they are achieving and is committed to the partnership.

“With the GAZELLE now part of the SANParks Anti-Poaching operations we hope that the fight for the rhino will reach a tipping point in 2014. I want to reiterate what I said this time last year, we will not stand by and watch our rhino’s be slaughtered and are sick and tired of unscrupulous criminals taking advantage of our natural heritage.”

Ichikowitz went on to say that the Foundation will be making further investments and is working with SANParks to assist in further training of the current rangers on advanced bush tracking techniques, following the pilot project completed in Madikwe. 2014 will also see the rolling out a canine programme together with Paramount and SANParks to provide tracker dogs.

The Gazelle was part of a show of force by the conservation body as it took part in flyover demonstrations, showing of some of its unique hovering abilities. The helicopter will be based in Phalaborwa and will assist immensely with reaction time in the north of the KNP.

The event was held at Letaba Shooting Range and was attended by the Rangers Corp leadership led by Officer Commanding, Major General (RET) Johan Jooste and his colleagues.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Communications
Tel: 012 426 5170

Enquiries:
Ike Phaahla
Media Specialist SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5315; Cell: 083 673 6974
Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

Poachers Arrested

On Tuesday, 19th November 2013, rangers in the Lower Sabie section of the Kruger National Park with support from the South African National Defence Force managed to arrest two suspected rhino poachers.

The two suspects were wounded when they tried to evade arrest, the third suspect managed to escape.

An axe and other poaching equipment were recovered at the scene.

Issued by:
South African National Parks

Seven Poachers Arrested

In three successful joint anti-poaching operations between the South African Police Service and SANParks personnel into adjacent areas outside the Kruger National Park, a total of seven suspected rhino poachers were arrested.

A fresh rhino horn, two firearms and ammunition were recovered during the operation.

Issued by:
 South African National Parks

Cara Cara Mountain Biking Event Supports Anti-Poaching In Kruger National Park

The annual Cara Cara MTB (mountain biking) race was presented on 7 September 2013 at Ruby River Resort in the Groblersdal area near Loskop Dam.

The 7th anniversary of this race attracted 323 mountain bike cyclists who participated in respective categories of 10 km, 35 km, 70 km as well as a trail run over 10 km.

The Cara Cara MTB event refers to the red-fleshed navel oranges which are common to the area and can be distinguished by their rosy pinkish to deep red flesh, locally known as blood oranges. These medium sized navels have an exceptionally sweet flavour, are low in acid and were discovered at the Hacienda de Cara Cara in Venezuela in 1976 as a cross between varieties.

The organizers of the event are two Groblersdal residents who are passionate about their community; Andrew Collett and Ruperd Venter. Each year, the proceeds of the event are contributed to a meritorious case or individual who are in need.

The plight of our rhinos is currently a highly controversial matter and it was decided to contribute the proceeds of this event to SANParks Honorary Rangers of the Highveld Region in their support to the anti-poaching project in Kruger National Park.

The route of the race had a fair mix of long rolling hills through the picturesque Loskop Valley and the beautiful Ruby River Resort was an ideal venue for this family event. The cyclists were thrilled to contribute some of their energy and sweat in support of the war against rhino poaching and thereby contributing to our precious natural heritage.

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

By:
 SANParks Honorary Rangers

African Hotels Take Stand Against Poaching

Nairobi - Whilst nobody will say so publicly, for fear of repercussions, the suspicion is that ground rhino horn is leaving Africa in diplomatic bags, delegates heard at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) in Nairobi on Wednesday.

Poaching was declared at the forum to be the greatest threat to Africa's tourism industry and branded poachers as Africa's Public Enemy number one.

"Poaching is a global problem needing a global solution, Lazaro Nyalandu, Tanzania's deputy minister for natural resources and tourism said in an address at conference.

It is estimated that Tanzania has an elephant population of 100 000 today, but this is cut by 30 a day by poachers.

"They are so sophisticated that we need a military response," said Nyalandu.

"If their activities are not stamped out, we will have lost all our elephants in 10-15 years."

Nyalandu wants to see Tanzania's neighbours taking a stand too, pressurising the countries where the poachers' clients live to stamp out the trade.

The value of ivory and rhino horn continues to rise rapidly, as does the demand for "wildlife products".

Across Africa, one elephant is being killed every 15 minutes for its tusks. This continued illegal trade will lead to the species' extinction by 2025.

The hotel and tourism industry's concern goes well beyond statements.

Five percent of all AHIF revenues are being given to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, (DSWT), which looks after orphaned baby elephants and rhinos.

"Wildlife is the reason why tourists come to Africa," said Nyalandu.

As each herd is decimated, so too is the potential employment of thousands of people, most of whom are on low incomes. Poaching is not just about killing animals; it's about destroying livelihoods."

Poaching in Africa is happening on an industrial scale according to Nick van Marken, head of Deloitte's international travel, hospitality and leisure practice.

"Poachers are using automatic weapons to slaughter entire herds. They then hack off the tusks and horns. Rhino horn is ground down in Africa and then smuggled out," he said.

"Wildlife is part of Africa's natural infrastructure - remove it, and one of the primary reasons for visiting the continent will disappear."

He said it is time for the tourism industry to step up and speak out.

"Africa is so huge and the borders are so long that it's incredibly difficult to police," said Andrew McLachlan, VP Africa & Indian Ocean Islands, Carlson Rezidor

On Safari With Dean From 16 September 2013

16 September 2013

Dean picked up two guests at the Emerald guest house as well as another two guests at OR Tambo International Airport after which we made our way to Nelspruit.

After changing over to our open safari vehicle we made our way to the Numbi. Gate. After checking in, it was off to the camp of Pretoriuskop for a lunch stop.

After a good lunch we made our way down Napi road, getting good sightings of impala, kudu, zebra and wildebeest.

We turned onto the H3 and made our way down to Quagga Pan and back again to Napi Road. Things were quiet on the drive back with some good sightings of elephant and kudu.

We then made our way to Inkambeni Tented Camp where guests enjoyed a great dinner,
before retiring to bed.

17 September 2013

Today we left camp at 06h00 and made our way down the Numbi gate tar getting good sightings of kudu, impala and stenbuck.

We turned onto Napi road travelling in the direction of Skukuza. It was not long before we had good sightings of giraffe, elephant and three good sightings of buffalo of which one sighting was just outside Inkambeni Tented Camp.

It was not long before a message came in on the radio of a lioness down the H3 together with her two cubs who had pulled down a large warthog.

We started making our way in that direction. As we made our way down Napi Road, we got good sightings of more impala, kudu, wildebeest, zebra and giraffe.

We got to the lion sighting, but the lioness together with her cubs were lying a bit back from the kill. It became apparent that there was quite a bit of hyena activity in the area and we were lucky to experience some great interaction between the two species.

We carried on towards Skukuza also getting a good sighting of a female leopard at Deleport bridge.

We made our way onto Skukuza were guests were given a break before carrying on with more game viewing.

We made our way back to Inkambeni Tented Camp for lunch, and a break from the heat before leaving again in the late afternoon for another game drive.

The afternoon session was going down to Shithave dam, getting good sightings of hippo, waterbuck, kudu and baboon before returning to the camp, getting in just before 18h00.

After a good dinner, guests left for a good night’s rest.

18 September 2013

Quite a day was experienced by all today,

We left camp at 06H00 and made our way down the camp road, getting good sightings of buffalo, and elephant.

We made our way down the Numbi gate tar and got more elephant. We made a turn at Shithave dam getting a great sighting of lion lying on the dam wall.

After a call on the radio, it was off to Napi Boulders were another sighting of mating lions was enjoyed. After watching the lions mating and making loads of comments that people should try this sometime, we made our way on towards Skukuza.

About three kilometers from Napi Boulders loop we ran into more elphant.

Also great sightings of impala, kudu, wildebeest and zebra were experienced. About three kilometers before Transport Dam, we got a call of a leopard sighting about one kilometer before the dam turn off, so it was off on action stations to get there.

It was only about four minutes before we arrived on the sighting and managed to get some great photos, before pulling out of the sighting in order to give some other open safari vehicles a chance to get some good photos.

We made our way onwards to Skukuza, when we came upon a great sighting of rhino that was feeding in the open area.

We made our way on and got more great sightings of elephant, baboon, stenbuck, impala and common duiker.

After a stop off at the camp of Skukuza, we made our way up the Tshokwane tar, getting more great sightings of elephant and buffalo at Mutlamuvi Dam.

We made our way over the high water bridge and down Elloff Street getting more good sightings of elephant, Ground Hornbills, buffalo and hippo.

We then made our way back to the camp of Skukuza for lunch as the temperatures were reaching 36'C,

We left Skukuza at about one thirty and made our way back down Napi Road as guests needed to have a rest, before going out on the Sunset safari, but as fate would have it, sightings were good on the road and this took president of the situation.

We got more lions at Klipspringer Kopies, as well as more elephant on Napi Road and a lovely sighting of a hyena pup of about three weeks old lying outside of the culvert next to the road.

More elephant and rhino were enjoyed on the way back.

We got back to camp at about three thirty, giving guests at least an hour’s rest, before they left on their afternoon / evening safari.

19 September 2013

Today we say goodbye to all guests as their safari comes to an end and they return back to Johannesburg.

Next Safari starts on Saturday 21 September with mark so keep watching!!!!

Five Days Old Baby Elephant Rescued from Muddy Pond

The SANParks Research Report 2012

The South African National Parks (SANParks) recently published its Research Report for 2012.

The report was inspired by an earlier assessment of selected research achievements in SANParks for the period 2008 to 2011. The objective was to reflect on our achievements as well as to showcase the (scope of) research conducted within the organisation, with particular emphasis on 2012; this is actually the first time such an annual research report has been produced within SANParks.

Contributions were solicited from throughout Scientific Services, with far many more received than were able to be accommodated (which is in itself a reflection of the scope and diversity of our research).

The report does not intend to be an all-encompassing break-down of the research carried out, but rather attempts to highlight the scope and function of the research undertaken, how this research underpins the management of the SANParks estate, the burgeoning focus on social-ecological research, and the people involved (including external collaborators and research partners), their objectives and the challenges facing them.

View the SANParks Research Report 2012: http://bit.ly/1f1sOwA

Issued by:
South African National Parks

On Safari From 18 June 2013

18 June 2013

After lunch at Pretoriuskop camp, we took a drive down Napi Road going down about six kilometres past the Napi boulders entrance and coming upon a nice herd of buffalo. After watching them for a while, one of the guests said they needed a bathroom stop so we returned to Pretoriuskop Camp. After this, we made our way to Nkambeni tented camp.

19 June 2013

A bit of a frustrating day experienced today as none of the cat species were found.

Route: Nkambeni safari camp - Numbi gate tar - Napi road - H3 - Quagga pan, before turning around after hearing nothing on the radio as to feline activity in the area, we made our way to Skukuza for a break. After a welcome break we made our way down to the Sabie river, getting some good visuals of crocodile and hippo. We made our way back to camp for a break, before leaving again this afternoon for an afternoon drive.

Other animals seen were:

Elephant, rhino, buffalo, kudu, impala, baboon, common duiker, common reedbuck and waterbuck.

The afternoon drive took us to Shithave dam, and then onto Faye loop getting more visuals of giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck, baboon and impala.

20 June 2013

Route: Nkambeni Tented camp -  Numbi gate tar - Napi road - H3 - Quagga pan -  S112 - Ngwatimiri road - S114 - Skukuza for a break.

Animals seen were:

Buffalo, elephant, rhino as well as a female leopard, one hundred meters past the experimental tar towards Napi road.

After our break at skukuza we returned on the Napi road, stopping of at Napi boulders and Shithave dam, before going onto Numbi gate to meet new guests.

Animals seen were:

Kudu, impala, zebra, buffalo and elephant.

After lunch at Pretpriuskop camp it was out on Napi road to show guests the buffalo's that we had got earlier. Also got to see impala, kudu, giraffe and warthog.

21 June 2013

Route: Nkambeni safari camp - Albasini road – Doispane - Paul Kruger road - Skukuza for a break.

Animals seen were:

Impala, hippo, giraffe, rhino.

After our break at skukuza, we made our way down Napi road in the direction of Numbi gate in order to transfer some clients to Johannesburg.

Animals seen were:

Lions close to the H3 with a kudu kill as well as impala, wildebeest and kudu.

This afternoon we drove around Napi boulders, Shithave dam as well as Pretoriuskop camp.

Animals seen were:

Waterbuck, impala, giraffe, warthog and buffalo.

Keep watching for more updates!

On Safari With Mark Starting 11 June 2013

11 June 2013

Route: Napi - H3 - S112 - Gwatamiri - S112 - H3 - Napi

General game viewing was quiet this morning, due to a drastic drop in temperature, however after lunch things picked up and general game was on the move again.

Animals seen:

Rhino, Kudu, zebra, giraffe, impala, bushbuck, common diukers, baboons and monkeys. 2 elephant bulls next to the road at the flat rocks.A herd of 20 elephants at the natural water pan just past S65 on napi. We got a pair of mating lions 6km down gwatamiri. Brilliant photos taken by the guests as these lions were literally on the edge of the road.

No buffalo or leopard, but will try to get them tomorrow.

12 June 2013

Route: Napi - Doispan - Albaseni - Napi - Nkambeni tented camp

Animal sightings:

Although most of the day was rather quiet with general game viewing, we managed to see: Giraffe, zebra, kudu, impala, warthog, common diukers and rhino. Just at shitlhave entrance on the napi, we got visuals of a herd (8)of Sable. Fantastic to see.

Throughout the day we either saw herds of elephant or bulls on their own.

Afternoon drive we went down to shitlhave dam and on the access road found a female cheetah that had caught a young kudu. While watching her out popped a female leopard and chased her (cheetah)off her prey. The leopard then continued with the carcass and dragged it approx 100m up the access road and hid it under thicket, as the antelope was to big to carry up a tree. At this stage we lost visual of her but will return in the morning to see if a she has eaten on her own or will she go and fetch her two cubs.

Will see what tomorrow brings us, just looking for wild dog now.

13 June 2013

Route: Napi - Doispan - Albaseni - Napi - Nkambeni camp

Animals seen

General game viewing was great with many different sightings of Zebra, kudu, impala, steenbok, rheedbok, diukers, warthog, rhino and giraffe. Napi boulders exit we got a male leopard walking in the road sent marking. Very relaxed. Then out popped a honey badger in the middle of the road. Leopard moved off into the thicket and so did the honey badger. Guests got good photos. Large herd (200) of buffalo on the afternoon drive at the flat rocks on napi. Great herd of elephant just before shitlhave.

Need to get a lion for the new guests that arrived today.

Keep watching for more!!

Rhino Poaching Update

Rhino Poaching Update - The number of rhinos poached in South Africa since the beginning of the year now stands at 350. The Gauteng province lost its first rhino to poaching this year during the past week. http://bit.ly/18kFkWF

Rhino News 9/5/2013

Nwanetsi Rangers with the support of SANParks Helicopter, SANDF troops and tracker dogs arrested 2 suspected rhino poachers. A 30-06 rifle, ammo and a axe were recovered. 1 suspect managed to escape arrest back to Mozambique.

SANParks Sad To Lose A Long Serving Volunteer

SANParks sad to lose a long serving volunteer: Follow the link for the full story http://www.sanparks.org/about/news/default.php?id=55507

All About The African Fish Eagle

 

 

Length: 63-73cm

Wingspan:  Male – 191cm, Female – 237cm

Weight:  Male – 1.99-2.5kg, Female – 3.17-3.63kg

 

Field Recognition – In flight the conspicuous white head, short white tail, broad wings with dark feathers and chestnut underwing coverts are characteristic. The sexes are alike, but females are 10-15% larger than males.

 

Behaviour – Pairs are highly territorial. They are mostly found in groups of either parents and their young or immature and sub-adults. The loud ringing call, that of the male is higher pitched than the female.

 

Feeding – They glide down towards a surface-feeding fish, grabbing and lifting it from the water. They also are known to feed on various small animals.

 

Breeding season – March to September, peaking June to August.

 

Nest – Large platform of sticks lined with grass, papyrus heads and some green leaves. Usally up in trees or sometimes on cliffs.

 

Eggs – 1-3 eggs, usually 2.

 

Incubation – 42-44 days 45 by both sexes.

 

Nesting – 70-75 days, fed by the female on prey brought by the male.

 

Habitat – Large bodies of fresh water.

 

Rhino Poaching Update

#RhinoPoaching update and #MoU signed between SA and China... View the link for the full story http://www.sanparks.org/about/news/default.php?id=55488

A Did You Known For The Day

#DidYouKnow - The curved black lines on the rump of the impala, together with the tail stripe, make a large letter 'M' = Fast food for lions (MacDonalds of the bush) ;)