WILDLIFE REPORT

The month started off slow as the hot and dry conditions are having an impact on the herbivores quality of life. One can tell that certain herbivores are at a weak state as they venture into the camp to feed on the green vegetation, which is always present throughout the year due to the camps irrigation.

It is not uncommon at this time of the year for the camp to be suddenly flooded with animals like Kudu antelope, Warthog, Steenbuck, Bushbuck, Mongoose, Monkeys, Baboons and the ever-present elephant herds. At times we had to get up during the early hours of the morning to chase the occasional bull elephant out of the camp. 

 

Then there is the Ntombi leopardess that was seen causally jumping over the electrified fence, walking casually past the pool for all to view in front of a full camp whilst we are having dinner.

Lions were seen during several times at the waterhole both during late afternoon and at night much to the delight of the staff and guests.

Now lets start with the action sightings of the month.

Firstly the lions were rather busy around the camp. The notorious Shobele pride took down their very first adult male giraffe.

The colossal kill lasted several days before the pride decided to move north. With such an abundance of food for the pride it meant that no hunting was done for more than a week.

The pride unexpectedly abandoned the carcass after 5 days feeding. I suspect the Timbavati male lions might have had something to do with it, as they were roaring and very vocal in the area.

 

At the moment, Kings Camp serves as the most southern boundary for the Shobele pride and it is also the northern border of the Timbavati males. Therefore, they are direct neighbours.

Our legendary Shobele male responded positively one night and vocally threatened the Timbavati boys as he headed south of the camp in to the Timbavati males territory.

No fiscal contact was made during the stand off and I suspect that Shobele male just wanted to inform the Timbavati males of his presences and that contact with him would be met with fury and rage.

Our Shobele male just can’t be crushed. He is so powerful and looks so impressive with his large dark mane that sends most of the potential competition running. He is King and has been for more that 8 years now and I just don’t see an end of his ruler ship.

One of the Timbavati males was seen soliciting with one of the Machattan lionesses during the month. I suspect that she is nearing her oestrus cycle. We have to monitor this carefully as I see a potential cub sighting in the future.

The Timbavati males also managed to kill an adult male buffalo during the month. A few guides viewed this intense fight, which lasted an hour. The young males had a hard time bringing down the muscular beast. Finally a suffocating grip on the animal’s throat ended its life.

Ntombi leopardess successfully hunted a steenbok close to camp. She must have caught her prize kill during the early hours of the morning and she hoisted the kill high up into an ancient old Leadwood tree. This provided us with a wonderful sighting. Unfortunately her kill was stolen a day later by one of the Machattan lions.

Rockfig and her cub are doing very well. Both mom and daughter were seen on several occasions. This leopard has no difficulty in finding a meal for jnr and she was seen hunting numerous times whilst out on our game drives. She is a powerful and dedicated hunter, a reason for her maternal success of raising so many litters of cubs over the years.

It is interesting to note that Rockfig has chosen the same area to raise he new cub as her last two cubs she had. If she manages to get this cub to independence then it will be her 5th cub that she has raised during her lifetime.

 

A very interesting sighting took place during a very hot afternoon drive. We found Mtenge-Mtenge, our resident male rhino at one of the big dams resting under an Acacia tree. Whilst resting and minding his own business, a large heard of elephants made an appearance from the south. I had no doubt that it could lead to a potentially inhospitable greeting. I made sure I was out of the way. By the time the elephants were close to the pan they suddenly stumbled upon the sleeping rhino, which got spooked by the sudden rush of the elephants. The rhino got up in a flash and both parties stood motionless looking at each other. Mtenge-Mtenge stood his ground not sure what to do next. Then the herd opted for a non-aggressive approach and suddenly ran away. That is strange I thought at the time as they are much bigger and stronger than a rhino.

A short while later the herd re-appeared from the opposite side of the dam and this time a thirst queching drink was enjoyed.

 

That is all for this month friends. I hope you enjoyed reading the report.

Please feel free to inquire about certain animal if you wish. I will gladly fill you in on the details.

Regards the ranger team

Report by Patrick O’Brien head guide
Photography: Patrick O’Brien.