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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.
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6 April
PM
-Elephants were seen all over the reserve.
-Buffalo bulls were found at Torchwood dam.
7 April
AM
-A number of Elephant bulls were found close to 1st rock.
PM
-3 Rhinos were found close to the shooting ranger drinking from
a small pan.
-5 Buffalo bulls were found at Buffelshoek dam.
-Elephant bulls were found all over the reserve.
8 April
AM
-4 Elephant bulls were seen close to Cheetah Pan feeding.
-1 Female Leopard (White Cloth) was found at 2nd Rock. She was
hunting Duiker at first but it soon got too hot and she climbed
into a Marula tree to rest.
PM
-6 Lionesses (Styx Pride) were found north of Nkorho. They looked
hungry and after 6 attempts at hunting rutting Impala rams, their
patients was rewarded close to Green pan when they managed to
bring down an Impala.
-1 Young male Leopard (Son of the White Cloth female) was found
on the main road close to the Bush Lodge entrance road. He was
relaxing on a termite mound before crossing south over the boundary.
-1 Male Leopard (Ncila) was found on the Kruger boundary rd. moving
north. He had a full belly and was scent marking every so often.
-2 Big male Leopards (Jordaan's and Mafufanyane Males) were found
fighting in the Sandy Patch area. These two evenly matched Leopards
have been seen a number of times engaged in territorial stand-offs
recently and only time will tell who will be forced to give way.
9 April
AM
-1 young male Leopard (Son of the Beacon female) was found when
one of the vehicles came across 2 Hyena feeding on a freshly killed
Impala carcass. After searching the area, the Leopard was found
watching his meal being devoured from a safe distance. The Leopard
looked hungry and followed the Hyenas when they began dragging
the kill away. They dragged it some distance to Tamboti Dam and
stashed the kill in the water. The Leopard lost interest and moved
away from the dam.
-Elephant bulls were seen throughout the reserve.
-2 Lionesses and 2 cubs (Milkberry Pride) were found on the northern
boundary closely watching a large herd of Buffalo.
-A lone Buffalo Bull was found at Buffelshoek Dam.
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The
Ranger's diary is updated weekly
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