Unfortuanetely I have to share some very sad news, which I found today on the Ulusaba Bush Telegraph. You all may remember the discussions around the Sand River Pride some month back and the fact that all but one sub adult male have been shot outside the reserve, having deserted the Sabi Sands reserve under the pressure of the Mapogo Males (by the way the fathers of the 5 sub adult males of the pride).
Today I have found this information:
Other great sightings included the Othawa pride and one Mapogo having killed an adult giraffe, which they fed on for more than a week. The young Sand River male also joined them at the kill, but as those of you who saw him would remember, he was in a really poor state, and could hardly muster the energy to feed, and unfortunately was found lying dead next to the carcass.
After all his struggles to survive on his own being still way to young to be indepented and to getting accepted by the Othawa Pride, he finally not made it. I pay my respect to this brave young lion, he tried really hard against all odds.
So the last chapter of the Sand River Pride Story has to be closed, this blood line will not be continued.
On the latest blog of leopard Hills is a story and a salute to this special young lion. So sad he passed away (:
(is it allowed to give the link inhere ?)
On the latest blog of leopard Hills is a story and a salute to this special young lion. So sad he passed away (: (is it allowed to give the link inhere ?)
Hi Paula, We will have to wait and see what they update about his death when they know more. The male was not in our viewing area but in Phinda. Many had been following him and his exploits thru facebook. Very sad for all that knew him. :( He had been pushed out by 3 young males. You can read a bit more about it here.
Permalink Reply by Lily on August 22, 2009 at 8:30pm
Hi All. I caught only partial information about the group of 6 male lions..?????...that Rexon was referring to on the evening drive today, and that he seemed to be searching for near the end of the drive. Do we know anything about them - I realize they are new to our drive area, but 6 males - must have caught someone's attention previously. There is nothing I could see on the MalaMala diary or sightings - Is there some other place I should be looking?
Would certainly appreciate any information on these guys....any insights - anything.....LOL
Could be exciting happenings if they were to settle in for a bit - my goodness.
Thanx
Hi Lily, don't really know much about them except they were seen last night on a buff kill by Djuma rangers. There have been numerous reports of several new coalitions of 3 young males each over the last few months and also of a couple of 2 and 3 male coalitions of older male lions. Speculation is that maybe two of the 3 young male coalitions have joined forces or they may be an entirely new group of young males. Most likely coming in from Kruger or possibly Manyeleti.
Also, some are thinking it may be the 3 Windmill young males that have joined up with some other young males. All speculation at the moment.
Hope we find out more about them and the other new coalitions entering into Sabi Sands. The bush may be heating up with all these males moving into the territory.
Lily said:
Hi All. I caught only partial information about the group of 6 male lions..?????...that Rexon was referring to on the evening drive today, and that he seemed to be searching for near the end of the drive. Do we know anything about them - I realize they are new to our drive area, but 6 males - must have caught someone's attention previously. There is nothing I could see on the MalaMala diary or sightings - Is there some other place I should be looking? Would certainly appreciate any information on these guys....any insights - anything.....LOL
Could be exciting happenings if they were to settle in for a bit - my goodness.
Thanx
Some great questions have been raised by University students during my recent lecture tour in the UK, which have focused our thoughts on the direction of the ILP for the next years. Sure, we’re growing rapidly but it’s important to ensure that we focus on our core aims first and foremost. The object of our research is to gather data on the density and behaviour of leopards (and other carnivores) outside of formally protected areas. And why? Well it is in these areas (the largest land mass of South Africa) that leopards are in conflict with humans and in these areas where they are the last of the big five remaining truly wild. So how can we conserve the dwindling leopard population. As said, first we need data, but also we need to develop wildlife management methods and techniques. Within this we need to become more than a pure research project and tackle some of the other issues. Education is undoubtedly a major factor. We need to get the message across in the right way. But we also need to develop and employ pragmatic management solutions. We will need a holding facility to temporarily detain problem animals, sufficient to give us time to ensure that any relocation does not compromise the genetic dynamics of an area and importantly that we do not create a problem in that area. Whether that be with local livestock, people, or other leopards. All of this will mean we need more staff. Dedicated people who have a passion for wildlife conservation. We’ll also need more funding. But here is where we can offer something a little different. We want to create an ILP membership scheme (say$8 annual fee). However rather then just ask for a membership fee, in return we want to offer something more than a badge or membership card. Membership will then entitle folks to a 10% discount off an African Conservation Safari. As with everything we do, we look to our friends to give us their input and feedback, so if you have any thoughts on this concept then I'd love to hear from you. Written by Will Fox
Finally we have some news on our Honey Badger project. As you may know we have been holding two troublesome honey badgers, that were killing Geese on a farm and removed before they could get into even deeper trouble. Of-course we have been waiting for permits but (in this case), that is no bad thing. It has provided time for the badgers to loose their homing instinct to that farm (otherwise they would just head home and into more trouble). It's also given us time to arrange for tracking equipment. In this regard, we took lots of advice from badger specialists before deciding on a two pronged approach to tracking these animals that roam in very large areas. Firstly, one of the badgers had a radio transceiver implant yesterday (unobtrusive low range device placed under the skin by a vet), and second they will each be given VHF collars before release. Of-course with such tenacious animals the collars won't last long before the badgers have destroyed and discarded them, but by that time we hope to have logged their new home range and have an idea of where to find them. Thereafter the implant (which has only a small range) will help us to monitor the badgers for the next year or so and gather much needed data on Honey Badgers living outside of formally protected area's. You've heard it before, but these are the area's where all carnivores at the biggest and imminent risk from human conflict. So we very much hope that these two will be only the first of many, so that our study results can hep formulate pragmatic conservation policies. For now, the badgers will be monitored at Moholoholo wildlife rehabilitation centre for another twelve days and then we'll release them into a wild area. Where we hope they'll stay out of trouble. Yea I know, fat chance of that. Badgers just seem to look for trouble. I have to be honest, it's why I love them.