Ranger’s Diary Of lions, baobabs and road kills

Overcast and cool. Deployed field rangers to go and do foot patrols of the more northern sectors of the Dzombo and Mahalati blocks. Self motored down to Letaba to take general workers to join Joe Nkuna’s team in the cleaning and preparation of the shooting range area as well as a camping terrain for the upcoming Ranger’s Day demonstration to the EXCO.

Encountered several solitary elephant bulls on the plains and a mixed herd of approx 30 zebra and 1 wildebeest at Middelvlei-wps. Afterwards patrolled back via Giriyondo Gate and the eastern boundary fence. My baobabs and garden at Giriyondo looking good although a few of the taller aloes will need replacing due to general failure to establish. Continued north along the boundary fence via Matafuleni and Shilowa poort and encountered a group of five sub-adult lions that proved to be very inquisitive despite the fact that they are probably not used to much motor traffic.

There are still several seeps in the Lebombo’s indicating the degree of “wetness” of the area. As a result the herbaceous between the eastern slopes of the mountain and the boundary fence remains very green and dense. No other game observed here though. The two Nshawu-spruit waterholes in Shilowa poort also still brimful of water and a beautiful saddlebilled stork was sighted here. Halfway between the Lebombo’s and Nshawu number five we came across a buffalo herd of approx 300 animals and marvelled at their condition. These animals are literally bursting out of their skins and not a fold can be seen in the bulging contours of their bodies. Good to see animals so well equipped for the lean times of the coming dry season. WEDNESDAY 24TH Overcast and cold during early morning, but soon cleared for a lovely sunny day.

Motored out early via Dzombo-east to go and deploy field rangers to do foot patrols between Kostini and Shibavantsengele as well as between Grootvlei dam and Nshawu number five at which two points they would be picked up the afternoon. Encountered a few small groups of zebra between Nwamba pan and Dzombo-east and between the latter and the old Voetpad borehole we observed two solitary elephant bulls and a very cheeky solitary buffalo bull. At the crossing of the lightly flowing Tshivani-spruit we disturbed a youngish elephant bull that had apparently just arrived to start drinking and this gave rise to a couple of almost comical little mock charges, trunk lashing out at the intruding vehicle.

At Grootvlei dam we encountered two hippos, a group of 27 impala and three small groups of waterbuck scattered along the perimeter of the dam. Not much by way of water birds other than a few egyptian geese and water-dikkops, but did spot a tiny crocodile sunning itself almost surrounded by a party of egyptian geese. Worked my way back towards quarters via Shibavantsengele hill and the Nshawu vlei and en route took several photographs of dead leadwood trees that fascinate me so. During the evening a road patrol was made south towards Middelvlei-wps and one delivery truck was found to attempt an after hours trip down to Letaba.

As it was not late yet, but was sure to run late before arriving at Letaba, I turned it back and escorted it to Mopani where driver and assistant had to sleep over. THURSDAY 25TH Clear skies and a sunny day that started with the beautiful “Mooiplaas mist blanket” over the vlaktes. Deployed field rangers. One team on a bicycle and foot patrol to the Frasersrus-wp area, and two teams by bakkie to the Lebombos to do foot patrols in the eastern boundary area between Matafuleni and Giriyondo gate. Self in office for the day. FRIDAY 26TH Clear skies and cold during early morning.

Deployed field ranger to patrol the north western sector of the Capricorn block. Self and corporal Januario Valoyi departed early for Phalaborwa and a 08h00 regional feedback meeting. After the meeting I was tasked by regional ranger Louis Olivier to tutor the rest of my section ranger colleagues in the finer points of preparation for our upcoming PAMA assessments during June. Saturday 27th Clear skies and a mite warmer this morning. Deployed field rangers on foot patrols around Pioneer dam and towards Shidlayengwenya water hole. Self in office with early month-end admin and monthly report that has to be in by Monday 29, this month. SUNDAY 28TH Partly cloudy and cool. Day at home. MONDAY 29TH Overcast and misty, but cleared after midday.

Deployed FR’s to do foot patrols in the Manyeleti dam area while self had to motor out to Phalaborwa for a visit to a dentist. Lions roared all night as they have not done during the past six years. TUESDAY 30TH Clear and cold during early morning. Deployed FR’s to do foot patrols in the Mahlati spring block and to set point ignitions as they go. Self motored up to the Lebombo’s and Shilowa poort from where I walked up to the “baobab archaeological site” that overlooks the plains to the west. Lingered here for a while and spotted two small breeding herds of elephant on the vlakte, the well known group of 30 odd animals that frequent this area, and a small group of 11 animals. Also observed several hyraxes sunning themselves in the lovely winter sun.

Continued south towards Matafuleni lookout point and underway, where the road passes between the two huge bouldered ridges, enjoyed a lovely sighting of three klipspringers that took off on a bewildered rush up the scattered boulders upon the sudden intrusion of my vehicle. Once they believed themselves out of harms’ way, they stopped to stare back at the intruder in that intense way of theirs. Spent a long time at Matafuleni and from this special “observation post”, I managed to spot a herd of approx 150 buffalo, three solitary elephant bulls and a small group of waterbuck some distance into Mozambique. The Lebombo’s remain wet and well watered. During the evening the lions started roaring again and Jocelyn and I motored down to go and look for them.

Found no less than two mating pairs some distance apart in the tarred road between the Mooiplaas Ranger and Mopani Camp T-junctions. The roaring into the early hours of the next morning was awesome. As mentioned earlier, we have not experienced anything like this in quite some time. WEDNESDAY 31ST Clear, calm and mild. Motored out to deploy FR’s to do foot patrols in the Bovlei and Manyeleti Dam blocks, while self continued on to Letaba where I worked at putting together a Power Point presentation under the helpful eye of Kirsty Redman. Last night’s lions still on the tarred road and I took a few photo’s .

One lioness was in a pretty poor state. Very emaciated and old, she was also recovering from a few older wounds. At 13h30 I collected the GW squad from the Letaba staff L.Q.’s after their stay here while helping to clear vegetation from the shooting range as well as with the preparation of a camping terrain for the upcoming Rangers Day skills demonstration during July. On the way back to Mooiplaas we came upon the remains of a Southeastern Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje annulifera) that had been killed by a vehicle since I passed there earlier today. Yet another creature that fell victim to a carelessly driven vehicle .

I also collected the FR teams at a prearranged 14h00 rendezvous between Malopanyana and Makhadzi. Johann Oelofse at Mooiplaas Section