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Kevan’s Cycle Highlights: September/October 2017

on Nov 06, 2017

To begin, what an interesting cycle. No two cycles are ever the same, always different based on the seasonal change in terms of characteristics such as rainfall mainly the availability of water, vegetation growth, palatability and concentrations of game. This cycle has definitely been one for the books.

01Kevan Dobbie Waterbuck 2409 Final

During the end of September and the beginning of October, the reserve received a very generous amount of rain, roughly 35 mm scattered throughout which was greatly appreciated by all. From this point on, the changes were almost seen immediately. Smaller species such as insects, amphibians and reptiles became prominent; the rains had introduced a great diversity of species we commonly forget about.

02Kevan Dobbie Leopard Tortoise 1309 Final

With all these changes happening, the Cape Buffalo population started to increase as large breeding herds took to the reserve to feed on the fresh new grass shoots developing on our many beautiful open area that the reserve possesses.

With a massive increase in Cape Buffalo meant there was an increase in predators that control their population, and no other predator than the lions of Sabi Sabi. Many different coalitions and prides were seen on the reserve following the activity of these breeding herds and luckily for them, they were relatively successful in succeeding with their hunts that they started.

With this entire male lion activity, one would think the Southern Pride would stay clear and protect their cubs, however they were getting stuck into the action and making use of every available opportunity of capturing and securing a meal with the movements of the breeding herds of Cape Buffalo.

Elephants, being mixed feeders and requiring roughly 5% of their body weight in vegetation each day, have also been enjoying the new growth after the small rains received and some interesting breeding herds and exquisite large bulls have been recorded on the reserve.

13Kevan Dobbie Elephant 0510 Final

With the increase of lions on the reserve and the increase in kills, especially on Cape Buffalo, there was a huge increase in Spotted Hyena as they fill an important role in the ecological niche as primary scavengers in cleaning up decaying carcass material and prevent the chance of any diseases that may build up over time.

14Kevan Dobbie Hyena 1509 Final

As usual, the leopard sightings have been extremely exciting. New individuals have made an appearance, old faces still keeping strong and the potential of offspring has been going around and hopefully in the next few months to follow, new leopard cubs will be seen at Sabi Sabi. Here are a few highlight photographs of a few of many leopard sightings recorded during my cycle.

From season to season the amount of bird life changes along with the other mentioned factors listed above. This cycle has been quite interesting, not in terms of new arrivals for the season, but the all year residents making themselves more prominent out in the field. Below is just a small selection of what caught my eye on a daily basis.

I hope you enjoyed my cycle highlights and if this one was anything to go by, the coming cycle is bound to be a cracker!

  • Blog by Kevan Dobbie (Bush Lodge Ranger)
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