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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.
 

24 March
AM
Early that morning the Nkuhuma pride were in the buffalo kill but there was nothing left, only the pieces of bones but they were still trying to finish it.
The breeding herd of Elephants (15-20) were at Bushbuck Dam drinking some water. Some were having the mud bath.
One male rhino was grazing at MMM Boundary.

PM
Kurhula was found hunting at Mamba Road and she was successful because she managed to kill a francolin.
Two male rhinos and one female were found at Gowrie cut line grazing.

25 March
AM
Styx pride was found at Chela Pan lying down ready to hunt.
The same three rhinos, two males and one female, were found grazing at Nyala road south.

PM
Styx pride was still laying at Chela Pan, no sign of hunting.
Breeding herd of Elephant approximately 20-30 were found at Rhino Pan grazing.

26 March
AM
Female leopard (Beacon) was found hunting some Impala at Aubrey's Road.
20-25 breeding herd of Elephant was found at Pipeline road browsing.

PM
Female leopard (beacon) was found at Long Pole east, hunting.

27 March
AM
The following morning female leopard (Beacon) was found at vrystaat clearing still hunting.
70-100 breeding herd of Buffalo were at Euphorbia Road lying down.

PM
Male leopard (Mafufunyane) was found drinking water at twin dam.
Rhino bull drinking water at tree house dam.
Nkuhuma pride was found at Kobus se Dam but it was only four lionesses and one male.

28 March
AM
Two of Kurhula's cups were found at Xibamu road lying down waiting for the mother to bring the meat back.
Breeding herd of Elephant about 15-20 at Long Pole west browsing
Male leopard (Ncila) was found at second rock hunting some impalas.
In our way back after our morning tea, we decided to go back into the area where that male Leopard made a kill to see if he still there, we find him still with a piece of aardvark meat in his mouth.

PM
Rhino bull at Kobus se Dam wallowing in the mud.
Breeding herd of Elephant about 25-30 of them at Nyala dam cut line grazing to the north towards Nyala Dam.
Leopard (White cloth) the old lady, was found at Paradise Beach in front of Torchwood Camp drinking some water.


29 March
AM
Buffalo bull was found at Galago dam drinking water.

PM
Leopard (Beacon) the mother of the two cubs was found at Khaya Manzi Old Airstrip hunting some Impala.
Rhino bull was found at mamba pan grazing.


30 March
AM
Leopard, Kurhula was found at Tree House Dam lying down.
Another Leopard, Beacon young male called Rupert, was found at first rock also lying down.
Buffalo Breeding herd approximately 250 was found at Cheetah Cutline lying down.
Rhino bull was also found at Twin Dam drinking water.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

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