In the African night, the beat of a drum means news...

September 2002

Read about events at Djuma Game Reserve

Vuyatela

Bush Lodge

for more information visit www.djuma.com

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This newsletter is archived in the Drumbeat section of our web site

Last week Iphraim of Galago called us on the radio and let us know that: "an elephant was crying and had fallen down". When we got to Galago Camp we found a large elephant bull lying on his side. He was in obvious pain, as he lay there in the sun unable to get up. In fact he seemed to have given up by the time we got there, making no more noise other the slow, heaving rasp of his belaboured breathing. It is not appropriate to become sentimental about Nature, but it was impossible not to feel sad watching such a great beast dying.

By an hour later is was very clear that not only would this elephant never stand up, but that he was suffering in the blistering sun - slowly dehydrating; his right eye, being exposed to the sun, had entirely dried out.

We had to make a difficult decision, shoot the elephant. We have a policy in the Reserve of letting Nature go its course and not interfering unless is clear that humans are at fault. In this case it was clear that humans had nothing to do with this, a large hole behind his ear was terribly infected and attested to a fight with another elephant bull. But, it was clear he was dying, albeit of natural causes, and to wait for Nature to take its course meant a certain callous disregard for another animal's suffering, whatever the causes. So three men lined up and simultaneously shot three bullets into his brain - he died immediately. As per the CITES arrangements in terms of the ban on the sale of ivory, the tusks had to be removed and sent to the Parks Board Head Office in Nelspruit.

Obviously such a large, dead beast represents many easy meals for many meat eaters and it was not long before the lion pride staked its share of the feast. Hundreds of vultures were also partaking and hyenas were skulking in the background. Some buffalo and giraffe grazing not far away made for a slightly bizarre scene - obviously the satiated predators did not alarm them. Most interestingly, a constant procession of elephants were milling about, not interfering with the feeding lions, but nonetheless watching, waiting. It was almost eerie and difficult not to conclude that they were paying homage to their fallen comrade. Anthropomorphising animal behaviour is unhelpful most of the time, but there is common thread amongst animals - including us - and we must share some feelings, including mourning the loss of a known one.

Jurie Moolman

We have had an exiting September at Vuyatela. After a slight restructuring we have some new faces in our mists and some not-so-new faces taking on new roles. We start off with Jimmy Mhlanga who has joined the management team. He will be looking after our wonderful guests in the role of Front of House Manager. Steve is in the driving seat of the safari department while he recovers from his back injury and it is great to have him on the management team in his new role. Nicole, aside from doing therapies has taken on another cap, that of Guest Liaison. Solly Sithole has been appointed as a full time guide and is thriving in his new role too. Difference Marimane has taken permanent residence on the front of the Landover showing of his tracking skills, passed down from his father and brother. Difference is teamed up with another of our stars, Chris, the absolutely fabulous guide of all time, according to one of our lovely guests. Rodney, who has been with us in various capacities, has been made Head Waiter, replacing Jimmy. Mark is in the overall driving seat, cracking the preverbal whip and keeping everyone and everything together and well oiled. We have made a couple of new appointments, but that will be announced next month.
We bid a fond farewell to Rob and Landi a couple of weeks ago. They have moved on to greener pastures in KwaZulu Natal.
As for the most important part of being in the bush we have had awesome sightings once again. There have been Leopards literally around every corner. We have had all the cats in abundance to everyone's delight. We have seen large herds of Zebra, Giraffe, Impala, Kudu and Wildebeest to name but a few around Gowrie dam. It would appear that our resident camp Nyala and Waterbuck do not seem to mind all the extra guests. As for the Elephants, we have had them down at the water every day in growing numbers. We are keeping them out of the lodge gardens though, with the electrified stand, that has by the way has claimed a few victims of the human kind! Kim had "first hand" experience of this shocking experience, as have Pendrae and Mark to name a few. Our gardens are looking great with the planting of our Fever Tree "forest". Pippa has been hard at work with her green fingers and it has to be said that she works wonders. It is amazing how far a few new plants some kraal manure and TLC goes. As soon as the summer rains start falling the hard work may start to look as if it has paid off.
We have had a couple of regular guest back again this mouth Jean Paul Chenivier and his family, Pierre Oger and his family. We also had two lovely AfriCammers with us, Miriam and Stephan, from Belgium who spent 5 days with us after a previous 5 at Bush Lodge.
Until then Avoir from the Vuyatela Team

The beginning of the month saw a hive of activity behind the scenes with the staff-village getting extended. Ivy, Ester, Eunice and Maurice have new rooms. There have also been some serious attempts to "make-over" the lodge gardens and minimize the dreary effects of winter.
One of the saddest events to take place here is that Piet Marimane is moving on, he has been part of Bush Lodge for eight years and he will be sorely missed by all. Piet has been so very much part of creating the Djuma that we have today out of very humble beginnings. He is going to continue his Game Ranch Management studies and has promised to visit us often. Peter Pretorius has re-joined us as a guide, while poor Jimmy has been in and out of hospital awaiting surgery. We hear that he is kicking his heels and desperate to get back to the Bush. Liane has slipped off overseas again to spend some much-earned rest in Hungary. (What's in Hungry we ask ourselves?). The thatchers have been here for two weeks making good all the rooms in readiness for the rains. We have had a few showers but nothing that has made a big impact on the extremely dry conditions out in the bush. A Hippo has decided to frequent the lawn outside chalet No.1 in the early hours, giving quite a shock to some guests who were innocently letting in the dawn light, only to see in blocked by a very large herbivore! Wishing you well for October, till then bye.

DESTINATION: NORTHERN CAMEROON, WEST AFRICA

THE ULTIMATE HUNTING AND TRACKING EXPERIENCE

Join a scientific expedition to hunt down and track the last remaining West African black rhino and so save the last west African Black Rhino from extinction.Rated as the most endangered subspecies in the world, they were once wide spread over the West African savannah belt, squeezed between the equatorial region in Central Africa and the Sahara. After many decades of war, poverty, and poaching, the population has been reduced to what most people think are ghosts. In fact, many African field guides claim they are extinct. There are only two foreigners in the last decade to have seen these animals, but, then again, not to many foreigners have ventured into this part of the world, a huge expanse of wilderness that is still home to large herds of elephants, buffalo, lions, giraffe and other large African mammals, truly one of the last wild places on earth.Conventional conservation funding has all but dried up and through this initiative we are creating a unique opportunity for a small group of individuals to participate in this expedition and through this partly fund the last conservation effort to save these animals.

MISSION

LOCATE AND FIT RADIO TRANSMITTERS TO THE LAST REMAINING INDIVIDUALS

EXPEDITION DATES: APRIL TO JULY 2003

Last year 2001 a field operation confirmed at least 8 rhino still survive in the two areas they based their search. Other areas in ideal rhino habitat exist that could still hold-fragmented groups. Over the last decade both the IUCN and the WWF have documented the decline in this last remaining populationSURVIVAL PLAN With the support of the International Rhino Foundation and the IUCN's African Rhino Specialist Group along with many other non-profit organizations the project intends setting up a long-term protection and breeding program that will ensure the long-term conservation of this genetically unique population

THE ULTIMATE AFRICAN ADVENTURE

Never before, has a scientific expedition been opened up to the elite huntsman. The selection process for this hunt will be exclusive. The buy in: expensive. The prize: phenomenal. The action: non-stop. The level: extreme. Never, in the history of hunting, have the stakes been so high that to win would save a population and to fail would be unforgivable. As the densely forested central plateau of Cameroon heads north it gives way to the more arid savanna woodland. This plateau forms the source of many great rivers that cut through the arid savanna on there way north. The West African savanna offers a unique perspective of the African Savanna. Separate from the East and Southern African savanna it harbors a menagerie of endemic animals. Not only was it home to a once wide spread population of the western black rhino, but is still home to large numbers of roan antelope, buffon's kob, Lord Darby's eland, hartebeest and scores of others. Three National parks and 27 hunting zones make up a 30 000 sq km wilderness in the savanna which forms the last stronghold of the western black rhino.

EXPLORE LIVINGSTON'S AFRICA

The expedition will set up a central base camp in the search area. This base camp will feed daily up to three full time tracking teams systematically searching and following up tracks and signs in these areas. This will give each participant the opportunity to decide how much and how far they are prepared to go in their search for the elusive western black rhino. These rhino are known to move in excess of 30 km in a day through changing terrain from open savanna to densely grassed woodland with tall trees. It will take commitment, stamina and will power to overcome the odds, truly one of the last great hunts. Some of the best local trackers will be employed who know and who work in these areas, some of them ex-poachers. The scientific part of the expedition will be handled by Dr Hubert Planton a veteran of Northern Cameroon and considered the world authority on these animals. Coenraad Vermaak, a well-respected hunting operator needs no introduction and together with other ground support will ensure the expedition is an adventure not worth missing.

DART HUNT

Help save the western black rhino from extinction. Through your participation all the funds raised will go towards saving these endangered animals. As this is an official conservation project most of the money donated by the participants will be tax deductible. (USA) We are offering a limited number of 14 day safari's at 30 000 $.Come and make a difference

ADVENTURE STARTS 1 APRIL 2003

For more information please contact:

Coenraad Vermaak

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P. O. Box 338, Hluvukani, 1363, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Tel: (+ 27 13) 735 5118
Fax: (+ 27 13) 735 5070
 

 
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