18 February
PM
-3 Lionesses and 2 cubs were found feeding on a young giraffe west of the Buffelshoek airstrip. It is the same pride that has been seen in the east of the reserve lately and is slowly becoming more relaxed around the vehicles.
-5 Buffalo bulls were found close to Buffelshoek dam, lying down.
-1 unidentified male Leopard was found drinking at Nyala dam. he was only seen briefly and moved off before he could be identified.

19 February
AM
-The 3 female and 2 Lion cubs were still feeding on the Giraffe carcass. They had managed to keep more than 12 Hyenas at bay and were guarding their meat closely.
-4 Lionesses from the Nkuhuma pride were found at Khaya Manzi waterhole resting.

PM
-3 Rhinos were found near Khaya Manzi waterhole grazing northwards. At the same waterhole there was a breeding herd of Elephants.
-The 2 year old daughter of the Beacon female Leopard was found on Dolerite road, sleeping in a Marula tree.
-3 Lionesses and 2 cubs were still feeing on the Giraffe carcass near the airstrip.

20 February
AM
-2 Male Cheetahs (eastern males) were found on the Kruger boundary road moving southwards. They were scent marking on trees as they went.
-1 large male Lion was found near Milkberry Camp moving southwards, following the scent of the 3 lionesses and 2 cubs which had moved off their giraffe kill and headed east.
-A bull Elephant was found drinking at 3 in a row Pan.

PM
-The young cub of the Beacon female (approx. 8 months old) was seen west of Jordaan's dam resting on a termite mound.
-2 Bull Elephants were seen drinking at Big Dam.
-6 Buffalo Bulls were found at Nyala Dam.

21 February
AM
-5 Lionesses and 1 large Male Lion (Nkuhuma Pride) were found on the Manyeleti boundary resting in the shade of some guarrie bushes.
-3 Buffalo bulls were found at Buffelshoek dam.
-2 Elephant were seen close to Jordaan's dam.

PM
-The Beacon female Leopard and her cub were found west of Jordaan's Dam resting.
-A breeding herd of Buffalo were found drinking at Big Dam.
- 4 Elephant bulls were found at Rhino Pan.

22 February
AM
-A Breeding herd of Buffalo were found drinking at Sussen's Dam.

PM
-A Special sighting of a young female Leopard (Karula) was had by a few lucky guests this afternoon. This special Leopard, who is the daughter of the Safari Female, and almost 4 years old, was found showing interest in a termite mound. Thinking that she might be hunting a warthog the rangers approached closer, only for the Leopard to reveal to us that she has had cubs. Only one cub was seen but perhaps there could be another one hidden in the termite mound. This confirms our suspicions as we thought after mating with a large male recently that she might be pregnant.
-1 large male Lion (Nkuhuma Pride) was found near Sandy Patch.

23 February
AM
-The Sandy Patch Lioness and her 2 cubs were seen near Torchwood Camp heading west.
-4 Buffalo Bulls were seen at Hyena Dam.
-3 Rhino bulls were found near Sandy Patch.

PM
-3 Adult and 1 Rhino Calf was found walking west from Big Dam.
-2 Bull Elephant were found at Khaya Manzi waterhole drinking.

24 February
AM
-4 Leopards were found feeding on an Impala Kill. This amazing sighting included the Beacon Female and her 8 month old cub, and her 2 cubs from a previous litter now over 2 years of age. The 2 older cubs were keeping their distance and being closely watched by their mother. Scenes such as this are rarely witnessed in the wild.
-4 Elephant bulls were found on Cheetah Cutline feeding on Marulas.

PM
-7 Lionesses and 1 large Male (Nkuhuma Pride) was found near Vrystaat clearing resting.
-The Beacon female Leopard was found feeding at the kill sight from the morning drive and there was no sign of the cubs.
-A breeding herd of Buffalo were found on the western side of the Airstrip.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

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