Update On The Rhino Poaching Statistics

South Africa National Parks

 

Update on the rhino poaching statistics:

 

The total number of alleged poachers arrested in the Kruger National Park has risen to 23 from 14 last week.

 

To read the full story visit http://www.sanparks.org/about/news/default.php?id=55438

Jock Of The Bushveld by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick (Chapter 19)( Page 5 ) Jocks Mistake

I have the impression--as one sees oneself in a nightmare--of a person throwing up his arms and calling the name of his child as a train passed over it. Jock lay limp and motionless, with the blood oozing from mouth, nose, and eyes.  I recollect feeling for his heart-beat and breath, and shaking him roughly and calling him by name; then, remembering the pool near by, I left him in the shade of a tree, filled my hat with water, ran back again and poured it over him and into his mouth, shaking him again to rouse him, and several times pressing his sides--bellows fashion--in a ridiculous effort to restore breathing. The old hat was leaky and I had to grip the rough-cut ventilations to make it hold any water at all, and I was returning with a second supply when with a great big heart-jump, I saw Jock heel over from his side and with his fore legs flat on the ground raise himself to a resting position, his head wagging groggily and his eyes blinking in a very dazed way. He took no notice when I called his name, but at the touch of my hand his ears moved up and the stumpy tail scraped feebly in the dead leaves. He was stone deaf; but I did not know it then.  He lapped a little of the water, sneezed the blood away and licked his chops; and then, with evident effort, stood up. But this is the picture which it is impossible to forget.  The dog was still so dazed and shaken that he reeled slightly, steadying himself by spreading his legs well apart, and there followed a few seconds' pause in which he stood thus; and then he began to walk forward with the uncertain staggery walk of a toddling child.  His jaws were set close; his eyes were beady black, and he looked `fight' all over.  He took no notice of me; and I, never dreaming that he was after the koodoo, watched the walk quicken to a laboured trot before I moved or called; but he paid no heed to the call.  For the first time in his life there was rank open defiance of orders, and he trotted slowly along with his nose to the ground.  Then I understood; and, thinking he was maddened by the kick and not quite responsible for himself, and--more than that-- admiring his pluck far too much to be angry, I ran to bring him back; but at a turn in his course he saw me coming, and this time he obeyed the call and signal instantly, and with a limp air of disappointment followed quietly back to the tree.

Kruger Park Safari with Sabine Korte 21 - 24 October 2009

Sabine conducted a 4 Day Budget Kruger Park Safari with us leaving from johannesburg. Upon arriving at the Kruger National Park we started our first game drive at 15h30 on the afternoon of the 21st, the game drive delivered sightings of general game and large herds of elephant. On the second morning we left camp at 06h00 and made our way deeper into the park enjoying sightings of general game, elephant and a black rhino. After breakfast we carried on with our game drive finding our first sightings of lion and cape buffalo. We made our way to skukuza for lunch and a deserved break. After lunch we took a drive down the S1 (Doispane Road) and at about 14h30 at a distance of 7,1 Km's from the intersection of the S4 we came upon a sighting of a female lion and her 2 cubs, only to find a male lion also present with a snare around the neck. Dean informed the ranger from the area and the veterinary services who proceeded to come to the scene and look for the male in order to dart him to remove the snare. The task at hand proved to be harder than anticipated and we had to leave the scene in order to get back to camp in time before the gates closed. We were informed later that the authorities had successfully darted the lion and removed the snare.

The morning of the 23rd we left camp a little earlier and after good sightings of white rhino. After a short distance we came across a sighting of lions, one male lion with two lionesses at the Deleport water hole. The lions were quite relaxed showing little interest in the tourist presence around them. we continued conducting game drives for the duration of the day getting good sightings of elephant, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, zebra and wildebeest. Upon our return journey to camp, we came upon a sighting of Sable antelope, these sable are seldom seeing in the park due to there low numbers in the region.

Our last morning game drive was spent around the camp of Pretoriuskop seen large herds of Zebra, Rhino and also seen our first impala lambs of the summer season that had just been born.
All in all this was a memorable safari for Sabine who wants to return to go and do some volunteer work at the Moholoholo wildlife centre in the near future.

For more info on our safaris to the Kruger national Park, please visit our Kruger Park Safaris website 
For more info on our 4 Day Budget Kruger Park Safari, please visit our 4 Day Budget Kruger Park Safari Itinerary

Photos taken by Kyle Olsen while on safari in the Kruger National Park

Two Photos from a Lion sighting with Nhongo Safaris at klipspringer Kopies

For more info on our Kruger Park safaris, please visit our Nhongo Safaris website

Photos taken by Kyle Olsen while on safari in the Kruger National Park

Two photos of a leopard taken while on safari with Nhongo Safaris.

For more info on our Kruger Park safaris, please visit our Nhongo Safaris website