Ranger Report December 2010 and January 2011 : Sightings

Buffalo Sightings:

Generally speaking buffalo sightings are rather boring, with the animals milling around feeding. However, in December I had the fortune to watch two very rewarding sightings.

On a warm morning our Northern Lion Pride had managed to corner an individual male Buffalo in a thicket near a small pan. For close on 15 minutes, the two enemies played cat and mouse; hoping one would make an error. It was obviously the Buffalo's lucky day as he saw a gap, seized his opportunity and ran, in the process, almost cleaning up one of the lionesses. The lionesses chased for a short distance before admitting defeat.

One of the favourite sightings of Buffalo is when they move in toward water. On a blisteringly hot afternoon, with storm clouds building high into the afternoon sky, A large herd of Buffalo were making a bee-line for a large dam. The animals arrived at the dam, the whole herd taking a plunge into the cooling waters and swimming.

It was a young calf that took our interest, though. Arriving at the edge of the dam, he tentatively put a hoof in the water before scampering away in fear with his tail upturned and spinning around like a "bucking bronco." It took him some time to eventually enter the water, coaxed by his mother till he finally took a neck deep plunge and enjoyed what seemed to be his first swim.

Rhino Sightings:

Rhino have been all over with the rain returning much needed water and greenery to the reserve. We found a female on one afternoon quite close to the road with a young calf.

Initially they were weary of our presence, yet soon the youngster lost all inhibitions, running up the road to our vehicle before turning back at mom and then returning to us.

Even at a young age it was amazing to see this young rhino moving with such speed and freedom under their weight.

The other sighting was a little intense and we were rather nervous after the encounter. Having settled into a sun downer, we heard what can only be described as explosions coming from a nearby thicket. It didn't take long before two adult male Black Rhino came hurtling out of the bush, chasing each other and fighting. In ultra quick time, all the guests were on the vehicle watching these two hammering each other before running further off, allowing us a moment to clear up our drinks stop and leave a few individuals with nervous giggles.

Elephant Sightings:
When male Elephant become sexually mature, they pass through a period where testosterone is increased, known as Musth. It is in times like these where these Massive animals can be rather intimidating. In this instance, one male got the pulses racing. We had been watching a breeding herd, having passed this male earlier.

Suddenly, he erupted from the trees just behind me, trumpeting to inform us of his presence. We entered a delicate dance with this male, His massive weight and outrageous ego versus the guiding team's knowledge and wits. On several occasions he approached us at a run, ears wide spread showing his intimidating size. We responded with sharp shouts and clapping, backing him down. Finally we watched him stand behind a small shrub before ripping it out of the ground. I took my opportunity and began to leave the sighting, not before the Elephant had come chasing behind with a trumpet.

The one amazing elephant sighting, on another swelteringly hot evening, was a herd of elephant who decided that taking a swim would be best to cool down. Forty elephant bomb dived, ducking under the water, rolling over and trumpeting in sheer joy. Some would leave to head for dry land but the allure of the cool water bought them running back and diving headlong into the water. A simply amazing sighting.