26 February
PM
4 Lions (western pride) were found sleeping at Gowrie Dam.
A large herd of Buffalo were found at Buffelshoek Dam.
On Sour Plum Road the 2 Sandy Patch Lionesses and the Manyeleti Male were found stalking something in the riverbed to the east of the road. Because of the long grass we were unable to see what they were stalking until a loud noise came from the riverbed, and we found the 2 cubs of the Beacon Female Leopard, dash up a tree for safety from the Lions who prowled under the tree for a few minutes until leaving the area for the night. But there bullying was not finished. They moved straight towards Vuyatela where they located one of the young males of the Western Pride and proceeded to chase him to the South roaring all the way.

27 February
AM
A large herd of Buffalo were located on the airstrip where one of the cows was in labor. We watched for over 40 minutes as her contractions eased the calf out centimeters at a time. Her lengthy labor had the herd moving on without her, and 10 minutes after this incredible moment the calf was taking it's first steps, only to have a large male Lion(The Zambezi Male) come running out of nowhere and snatch the calf from under the mothers nose. Her calls did arouse the attention of the herd but it was too late, as the Lion had already killed it and dragged it into thick bush north of the airstrip.
4 Lions (Western Pride) were found lying on Weavers Nest road.

28 February
PM
9 Lions (Styx Pride) were found at Torchwood Camp where they killed a young Zebra Foal.

1 March
AM
3 Leopard(Beacon Female and her cubs) were found at Kobus se Dam, where they had killed an impala ram and were feeding on the carcass under a wattle tree.

PM
1 Male Buffalo was found at Big Dam,
2 Male Lions (Robson's Males) were found at Bush Lodge Roaring the night away. These two Lions have been pushing further and further north the past few weeks and the Styx pride have been following. Great news for the Lion sightings around Djuma.

2 March
AM
1 Male Lion (Zambezi Male) was found on Khaya Manzi Dam Wall.

PM
The Zambezi Male Lion was found on Khaya Manzi Dam Wall. After dark he started to move north towards Big Dam scent marking as he went.
Shortly after the Lion had Left Khaya Manzi 1 Female Leopard (Beacon Female) was found moving to the north of the dam wall. We followed her for a few minutes before she stopped and stared into the east where we found one other female Leopard staring back at her. It was difficult to see which Leopard it was as she was fairly nervous of the vehicles and made a quick retreat when she became aware of the Beacon female who is without doubt the dominant cat in the area.

3 March
AM
We woke to the sound of heavy rain which put a stop to our game drive plans, but the 120 millimeters helped to fill most of the dams to overflowing by the afternoon.

PM
A breeding herd of Buffalo were found at the airstrip with the Zambezi Male Lion following them, hoping for a stray calf or injured buffalo.

4 March
AM
2 Cheetah (Female and one year old cub) were found on Jacobin Open Area heading south towards Bush Lodge.
A large herd of Buffalo were found on Gowrie Main Road.

PM
4 Rhino were found on Impala Road moving east.
A breeding herd of Buffalo were found at Sidney's Dam.
A breeding herd of Elephants were found on the main road south of the gate.

5 March
AM
5 Rhino were found near Long Pole. They were sleeping in the woodland which was thankfully not too wet to access.
1 Male Lion was found at Cruse Camp on the dam wall. He later moved east towards Kruger Park Boundary.
A breeding herd of Buffalo were found at 2nd Rock lying down.

PM
The 2 Robson's male Lions were found north of Djuma Dam. They were patrolling their territory, roaring and scent marking as they went.
A large herd of Buffalo were found on Euphorbia Road grazing.

6 March
AM
Elephant Bulls were seen everywhere on drive this morning.
2 Hyenas were found on Gowrie Main Road.
A buffalo Herd were found at Rhino Pan.

PM
9 Rhino (one crash of 5, and one of 5) were found on the Manyeleti boundary near big dam.
1 Elephant bull was found on the Manyeleti Boundary.
A breeding herd of Buffalo were found on Sussen's Clearing, just north of the airstrip.

7 March
AM
1 Male Lion (Zambezi Male) was found following a large herd of Buffalo, yet again. This time he followed the herd from Green Pan to Cheetah Plain Pan, before losing interest and going to lay down in the shade of a Marula Tree.

7 March
PM
5 Rhino were found on the Manyeleti Boundary shortly before dark, grazing on an open clearing.
1 Elephant bull was seen at Sussen's dam grazing in the riverbed.
4 Rhino were found at Rhino Pan.
2 Lions (1 female and 1 young male) were found north of Galago on the fire-break. These Lions are not known to us and it looks as though they have come from the Manyeleti.

8 March
AM
1 Female Leopard (Beacon Female) and her 2 cubs were found on Dolerite Road. The cubs were playing on the road before the mother called to the cubs and began moving west. The ground was too wet to follow, but we all had a fantastic view before the Leopards disappeared.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

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