20 July
PM
Three Lionesses (Skuthane Pride) were found still lying down at Guarri pan. After dark they moved west and killed a Duiker at Buffelshoek. They finished the kill very quickly and moved North.
Three Elephant were found at Buffelshoek dam as well as 12 Buffalo bulls.

21 July
AM
1 male Lion (unidentified) was found on Vlakvark road. He was a little nervous of the vehicles and is thought to come from the Kruger where he won't be used to the open Vehicles.
4 Rhino were found lying down at Buffelshoek sign. They lay there for some time before moving south.
4 Elephant were found on Gowrie Cutline browsing towards the South.
A large herd of Buffalo was found near Torchwood dam. The herd later moved to the dam to have their routine morning drink.

PM
1 male Lion was found on the Buffelshoek Boundary moving east. It looked as though it was the same male from the morning drive.
A group of Vultures settling in trees near Vuyatela was a sure sign that something had been killed and after some investigation a Warthog carcass was found. There was still plenty of meat left on the carcass and a closer inspection showed that it was a Leopard that had made the kill. We decided to come back after dark to see if the Leopard would return, but when we returned a Hyena had begun to feed and there was still no sign of the Leopard.
4 Rhino were found at Tamboti Dam slowly grazing to the North.
1 Cheetah was found after dark, and was left alone shortly after so as not to disturb it. We would return in the morning to have a look to see if we could find it.

22 July
AM
A large herd of Buffalo was found at Terminalia road clearing and was slowly moving in an Easterly direction.
Groups of male elephants were seen throughout the Reserve. With the smaller water-holes starting to dry up the Elephants are starting to gather at the larger water points for their daily supply of water.
Hyena den was active as usual, and we watched the youngsters playing around the mouth of the den.

PM
1 Elephant bull was found at Tamboti dam and another 4 at Vuyatela.
1 Rhino bull was seen at Jordaan's dam and it was grazing slowly towards the dam. Another Rhino (the short horn male) was seen at Sidney's dam moving slowly towards the North.
1 male Lion was north of Vuyatela roaring and heading towards the west.

23 July
AM
4 Rhino were sighted in the Sour Plum area slowly grazing to the North.
A large Herd of Buffalo was found moving towards 1st Rock enjoying the long grass in the ravine to the north.
There were 7 large Elephant bulls to the South of Vuyatela.
The Hyena den was very active, with a few females and cubs socializing around the den.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

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