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In the Ranger's Diary we tend to concentrate on the "Big Five" or rather the "Big Seven" since these are the most popular animals. The "Big Seven" includes lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo, cheetah and wild dog. The term "Big Five" (the first five animals listed) was historically used to denote the five most dangerous animals to hunt in Africa. Fortunately the term is now used to describe the most popular animals.
 

6 November
PM
-1 Male Leopard (Jordaan's) was seen moving north on Cheetah Cutline.
-1 Lioness (Sandy Patch Pride) was seen in the Dolerite riverbed with her 2 very young cubs.
-3 Lions (Buffelshoek Pride) were found sleeping on the North Rock Clearing. They were still looking very beaten up and bruised from their fight with the 2 Robson Males.

7 November
AM
-2 Lions (Robson males) was seen at 3 in a Row Pan who were following a breeding herd of Buffalo in a Southerly direction.

PM
-1 Leopard (Karula female) She was at Giraffe crossing and chased up a tree by Spotted Hyenas. The Hyenas moved off and the Leopard resumed scent marking.
-1 Lion female with two cubs (Sandy Patch) was at Dolerite Road sleeping.
-2 Buffalo Bulls sleeping on Djuma Access

8 November
AM
-1 Leopard (Ncila) was found at Euphorbia Drive, hunting a Porcupine. He did not succeed and ended up full of quills.
-2 Lions (1 Male 1 Female) were seen at Leadwood Road heading east along the road.
-1 Rhino Male at Long Pole Road - grazing.

10 November
AM
- 2 Cheetah Males were found at the Kaalkol open area feeding on a pregnant Impala. They were being closely watched by a pair of Black Backed Jackal.
-1 Leopard (Son of Whitecloth) seen near Euphorbia Road.

PM
-1 Leopard (Whitecloth) at Mluwanini hunting a Scrub hare, Impala and Duiker but with no luck.
-Breeding herd of Buffalo in 3 in a Row Pan, drinking.

11 November
AM
-2 male Cheetahs were found at Cheetah Plain Pan - moving South, scent marking.
-2 Rhinos were seen north of Big Dam - feeding.

PM
-2 Lions (Robson) were seen at Rhino Walk Road - Lying down in the road grooming.
-2 Cheetah males at Cheetah Plains - Lying down resting.
-Breeding herd of Buffalo at 3 in a Row Pan - moving west - feeding.

12 November
AM
-1 Leopard (Son of Beacon) at Nyala Dam was stalked by one of the Sandy Patch female lionesses up a tree, The Lion later moved off and the Leopard moved east towards Sussen's dam.
-1 Rhino bull at Tree House Dam - drinking
-1 Elephant bull seen at Dolerite Road - Feeding.
-A breeding herd of Buffalo at 3 in a Row Pan - Drinking.

PM
-Female Lion with 2 cubs (Sandy Patch) seen at Galago Camp - Feeding on Wildebeest.
-3 Female Hyenas and 6 cubs of all ages seen at Natural Bridge east of first rock.

13 November
AM
-2 Male Lions (Robson) At 3 in a Row Pan - Sleeping west of Pan.
-Jackal Pups seen at Cheetah Plains - very relaxed, we are lucky enough to be seeing them everyday!

PM
-Breeding herd of Elephant plus-minus 45 at Twin Dams - followed by a big male in musth.
-2 Lions (Styx Pride) east of Mhuluwathi River - sleeping and then later moved south away from main road.
-Breeding Herd of Buffalo seen at Rhino Pan.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

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