22 April
AM
The morning started with the 2 Zambezi Male Lions being found on Bushbuck Dam wall. They were both looking well fed and with no intentions of moving. It was the perfect opportunity to put a plan into action. The plan has been for the past few weeks to remove the Radio Collar from the younger of the Zambezi Males, who is no longer in the study area in which he was collared. He is becoming a large Lion and the collar was getting increasingly tighter. A vet was called out from Skukuza in the Kruger Park and within an hour the Lion was darted and the collar removed. He was however still very drowsy from the drugs used to sedate him and a vehicle remained with him till the drug wore off and he was able to rejoin his coalition partner. The vet gave him an examination at the same time and gave him a 5 out of 5 bill of health.
As if this was not enough excitement for one morning. A call came in over the radio that has not been heard for the past 8 months. Madachi!!!! Wild dogs were found at 2nd rock and not just a few. A pack of 14 were found lazing in the shade of a Marula tree. It was a great surprise for all.
2 male Cheetahs were found at 3 pan moving slowly west.
White Cloth and her 2 cubs were still feeding on the Impala Kill near Torchwood, but had hoisted the carcass up a tree to safety. There was a Hyena present in the area, making a clean sweep of Africa's largest carnivores seen on Djuma Game Reserve on just one drive.

PM
The wild Dogs were relocated at Marula Pan where they were preparing to move. They were followed to Cheetah Pan where they moved North in the woodland and were left by the vehicles as it was getting dark.

23 April
AM
A large herd of Buffalo were found at 1st rock grazing.

PM
1 Male Lion (Manyeleti Male) was seen at Galago Camp. He was roaring every now and then.
2 Lionesses (Sandy Patch) were found hunting on the Galago Clearing. They were unsuccessful in their attempts.

24 April
AM
A large herd of Buffalo were found at Sussen's dam. We were very lucky to watch a female Buffalo give birth right in front of our vehicle and take its first steps at just 7 minutes of age.
2 Male Lions (Zambezi Males) were found on Piet Dannhauser's entrance road laying down.

PM
A Breeding herd of Elephant were seen on Galago Short Cut moving South.
1 Female Leopard (Beacon) was found at Galago Camp hunting Impalas. After a few unsuccessful attempts she was left moving into thick bush.
1 Lioness (Sandy Patch) was found hunting at Sidney's Dam.
2 Male Lions (Zambezi Males) were found on Vrystaat Clearing roaring.

25 April
AM
Just a single male Elephant was seen on Quarantine Clearing feeding.

PM
2 Elephant Bulls were found at Sally's tree fighting.
2 Large breeding herds of Buffalo were found on the reserve; the first at 1st Rock and the 2nd on the Manyeleti Boundary.

27 April
PM
1 Female Leopard (Beacon) and her 2 cubs were found on Mvubu road where Beacon female killed a juvenile Nyala. The cubs immediately began to feed and later hoisted it into a Marula to feed in safety.
A herd of Buffalo were seen at Torchwood Dam drinking.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

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