Thursday, March 31, 2011

Faces Painted Red

Every 4-5 days we shoot a warthog or an impala to feed our cheetahs in the boma. We drag the carcass into the boma and watch the girls take over. They slap the ground and hiss at us until they feel comfortable enough to grab the carcass and drag it to a shady spot where they begin their feast!
 
Warthog shot for the cheetahs

Armand dragging an impala into the boma



Here are some photo's from this mornings feed - Askari, Thulile and Bukeka.

Cheetah boma gate

Bukeka making sure we don't steal their carcass


Thulile and Askari going for the same tasty bits

A warning hiss

Bukeka climbing into her breakfast
These lovely ladies have become incredibly brave - I can't wait to release them onto the reserve and watch them fend for themselves! :)

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Shocked, Shattered & Scared

One of the main topics of conversation today - Rhino Poaching.....

Working on a Game Reserve this topic is a little closer to home and a part of our everyday life! A helicopter or plane flies over and everyone runs outside to identify the airspace intruder. A gunshot goes off and all rangers grab a firearm and hop into the closest vehicle to inspect the reserve and pray that we find our rhino's alive. Never mind that at all times we are putting our own lives in danger to save these magnificent animals!

  • Last year 333 rhinos were poached. 323 White Rhino and 10 Black Rhino.
  • This year, so far 73 rhinos have been poached!!!! 67 White Rhino and 6 Black Rhino.

This is sick and sad! Heartbreaking to say the least! We need to stand together and put an end to this miserable behaviour! 

For ANYONE that is interested visit - http://www.stoprhinopoaching.com/ for the latest stats and information or even to make a small donation... every bit counts!

 

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Superhero's? We're working on it!

Some of you might be wondering what ever happened to our baby Waterbuck and Jackal?

Here are the full stories – unfortunately both sad ones….

Baby Jackal

This little munchkin was found on the reserve during a game drive, covered in mud from head to toe! He was brought in to the office where Armand gave him a thorough inspection and noticed his back leg was broken and he had internal bleeding. We took him back to Hunters (our staff house) and put him in the bath for a clean! 

Armand "bathing" the little Jackal


We then tried to make a cosy little corner for him to spend the night in the bathroom away from inquisitive Askari! (our teenager ridgeback)

Comfy on my bath mat!


The next day I took him to the Vet in Bela-Bela where he was put onto a drip and had some X-rays done. It was not looking good! He was still not eating and he could not hold himself up on his unbroken back leg. After 3 days of drips and monitoring the vet phoned to say that they would have to euthanize the little guy because he had severe nerve damage and he would never be able to use his back legs! 

On the road - the trip to the Vet


We tried our best but unfortunately this time to no avail! :(

Baby Waterbuck

One day at Hippo dam Armand heard crying, like a lamb bleating. He followed the noise and found a male baby Waterbuck lying on his tummy. He saw that the waterbuck could not walk properly so he picked it up – as he does with any animal he finds – put it on his lap and drove it back to Hunters. By the time I got there he was neatly placed in Askari’s hok. The poor little thing was covered in ticks and battling to walk.

Armand holding baby


We think that his front knees were double jointed because he managed to stand and take one or two steps but then his knees would wobble and give way and he would flop down.

Our neighbours have a tiny rehabilitation center so we decided we would take him there because we would not be able to look after a baby that was still suckling!

Look at his little horns starting to grow!


The 3 of us pile into Armand’s car – Armand driving, me in the passenger seat and baby on our laps…. Not a good idea…. After about 5 minutes of driving, baby decides he wants out! With that he leapt forward and into the windscreen of the car – smash – a huge crack in Armand’s windscreen and a dizzy waterbuck with wobbly knees – not a good combination! We decided it would be best if I drive and Armand holds the baby on the back of the bakkie! Eventually we get to where we going!

We fed him some milk, placed him in his new little hok, said our goodbyes.

Feeding time!


After about 2 weeks we got a call to say that he didn’t make it! :( We are still not too sure why but he would never have been able to be released with wobbly legs anyway so maybe it was better for him. Mother Nature has a strange way.

Hopefully we have better luck next time! Regardless, we will keep trying!!!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Heartsore

I am having one of those  'feel sorry for myself days' ! Looking at old pictures which brings up old memories.... my kitty's! 

 It really is not the same here without Puka and Mavuta! They have left a big hole in my heart! I know that I have to get used to this because it is part of the job but it doesn't make it any easier! 

They have now moved on to Nambiti in KZN near Ladysmith. This post is a dedication to the most lovable cats in the world! :)

The first time I saw the cheetahs feeding - Oct 2010
 
Mavuta licking me for the first time - Oct 2010
Wimpie and I with the cats - Oct 2010
Puka with a sandy nose
Puka Cat
Puka caught a baby impala
Mavuta Cat
Mavuta's Paw
Nunu nose!


Travelling Trio

Wow what a busy and exciting year 2011 has been so far!

February at Monate was romantic due to our Valentine’s month celebration with all our guests. There was even a little romance at Hippo dam – we will be looking out for a new little addition to our Hippo family soon! :) The crocs have also been spotted mating… I hope there is enough water to accommodate these creatures! We have had about 15mm of rain in the past 2 months… not good at all. We are frantically pumping our dams and praying for more rain! It seems to be raining everywhere but here!

My Bushveld Valentine's Day card from Armand :)


On the 16th Feb I went home for 3 days. It was so nice to see everyone and my doggies! Then Mom and I flew to India to see Dad and travel. Wow… they are not lying when they say incredible India! It was everything from disgusting and dirty to beautiful and tropical!

A very quick summary of our trip:

We started off in Delhi – gross! (People using the streets as toilets/dustbins) Not to mention the traffic – lines on the road mean absolutely nothing to these people! Then off to Bandhavgarh Wildlife sanctuary to see wild tigers – WOW! We were all speechless at times, what incredible beings they are – magnificent in fact! The accommodation was great and food even better (hence me sporting an extra 2 kg’s) :( you always know it was a good holiday if you come back a little heavier! :) The train trip back to Delhi was …. Interesting to say the least. Crammed in like sardines but laughing and loving the experience anyway! After a night in Delhi we were off again to the South of India to Kerela – another WOW! An Indian version of Mozambique! Tropical, humid and hot and so, so pretty! (A hundred times cleaner than Delhi) We went on a house boat ride, flying fox and bird watching, enjoyed some local dancing and music (and food)! Back to Delhi AGAIN for one night and then a road trip to Jaipur and Agra were we did some real touristy sightseeing! The best being the Taj Mahal, Dad was not lying when he said it is the most beautiful building in the world!!!!  You can see why it took 22 years to build! Back to…. You guessed it DELHI…. And then the long trip home. Very sad waving goodbye to dad but he had the SA vs India cricket match to look forward to! (AND WE WON! :))

Team India
Magnificent Tiger
On the train
Kerela
The Taj Mahal
Camel bonding
  
Unfortunately while I was away our two very special cheetah sisters (my babies), Puka and Mavuta left Monate. I cried for about 2 days but of course that changes nothing! :( Luckily Armand was at Monate to oversee the relocation and keep me informed every step of the way! Puka and Mavuta were tracked and darted to be checked before the long drive to their new home in Natal. We are going to miss them very much! :(

Me and Mavuta
Armand and Puka Cat
Puka in her crate
Mavuta still asleep in her crate

Our newer cheetah sisters – Askari, Bukeka and Thulile are still in the cheetah boma but they are doing so well that they will be released onto the reserve within the next month or so. I am soooo excited for this! My first release!! Armand and I have been holding the impala carcass horns when we feed them – tug of war – the cats on one side and us on the other, what an adrenaline rush! They are incredibly strong and its amazing being so close to a wild predator! I LOVE MY JOB !!!


Askari, Bukeka and Thulile - my new babies!


Never a dull moment - We have had a couple of interesting guests at Monate including a huge python that Armand caught, a baby waterbuck, a jackal and many more.

Armand and Roux tackling a python
Armand with baby male waterbuck
Baby Jackal
Small spotted owlet
Rock Monitor


As well as a seriously scary visitor…….. 2,5m black mamba was found at our cave - Roux managed to shoot it. They are extremely venomous and aggressive! They actually attack you so we had to kill it.

Nani playing with the dead Black Mamba


A BIG THANK YOU to everyone for the Birthday wishes! :) 25 now – eeeeek, scary!!!

Armand baked me a Birthday cake! Yummy! :)


And that’s about it from my side for now! I hope you are all well! :) Missing everyone like crazy…. Missing my social life too – a drink and a party every now and then would be nice!

Until next time…