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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.
 

13 February
PM
- Two male wild dogs chasing impala south of Vuyatela Lodge - no luck in making a kill though
- One young male Leopard - Beacon; on top of Marula tree eating the carcass of an impala

14 February
AM
- One male lion from Nkuhuma pride lying down at Rhino cut line
- One female Cheetah with one cub walking on the road east of Chitwa cut line
- Two male rhinos at Gowrie cut line; the animals were grazing towards the south
- A breeding herd of buffalos lying down in the open area near Jacobin camp

PM
- A breeding herd of elephant south of second rock, animals grazing
- One male lion (Nkuhuma pride ) on top of 1st rock; animal lying down
- Breeding herd of buffalo north of Torchwood camp; animals grazing


15 February
AM
- One young female leopard - Beacon - south of Galago sign, animal lying down
- Two male rhino's drinking water Torchwood dam
- Breeding herd of elephant eating Marula fruits south of Bush Lodge Djuma camp

15 February
PM
- Two rhino bulls were found at Sussen's dam drinking water
- One male Cheetah (one of two brothers always seen at Cheetah Plain) drinking water at Sussen's dam
- A large herd of Buffalos were found at Cheetah Plain Pan; moving towards the south

16 February
AM
- A large breeding herd of elephants eating Marula fruits north of Torchwood
Camp
- Dagga boys (Male Buffalos) were found Guarrie Pan moving towards the west
- Three Rhinos were found at Buffelshoek dam drinking water

PM
- A large herd of Elephants were found at Cheetah Plain Pan grazing towards the east
- A large herd of Buffalos were found Kudu Corner drinking water

17 February
AM
- One female Leopard (Kurula) was found at Guarrie pan lying down
- One young male lion cub (Nkuhuma pride) was at found Jordaan's dam (approximately 4 months old) alone; none of the pride was around

PM
- One female Leopard (Kurula) were found on top of Tamboti dam wall moving south and crossing into Vuyatela

18 February
AM
- 5 Males Lions (Mapogo pride) were found crossing Triple M road; heading west into Arathusa reserve
- A large herd of Buffalos were found in the eastern corner at Cruse's Camp (approximately 250 animals); mostly lying down
- One female Leopard and the 2 cubs (Kurula) were found Gowrie cut line on top of a Marula tree feeding on carcass of a young Kudu

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

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1 February 2008
15 January 2008
8 January 2008
1 January 2008