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Kevan’s Cycle Highlights – November/December 2017

on Jan 04, 2018

As we enter further and further into the rainfall season, the reserve will receive on average 300 – 700mm of rain just in the next few months being November through until the beginning/end of February. Now in the lowveld area, this is the only rainfall received for the entire year, the rest of the months to follow thereafter are extremely dry. This time of the year is gladly welcomed by all, rejuvenation of vegetation, blossoming of flowers, and new life for all.

To start off my cycle, a male cheetah was making his way through the property scent marking and scanning from vantage points such as fallen over trees for a potential meal. This is when I noticed summer was here as he was carefully watching a herd of impala very closely due to the presence of their recently dropped lambs.

With all the new lambs, calves and foals being born during this time due to the first rains, an increase in predation was on the cards and not only an increase in predators but scavengers as well. I was lucky to have a sighting of Spotted Hyena cubs playing over a few scraps near a waterhole until a fully-grown female lost the last portion of the carcass into the waterhole.

Also during this time, a variety of all sized elephant bulls appear on to the property as they are coming into musth or already in musth and follow around breeding herds of elephant especially with females that are in oestrus.

08Kevan Dobbie Elephant Bull 1712.1 Final

With an increase in babies on the reserve as previously mentioned, an African Wild Dog pack that we regularly see were more actively viewed on the reserve, treating us to some amazing sightings as they always do.

Two mature male lions known as the Matimba males were regular sightings on the reserve for the entire duration of my six-week cycle. They remained pretty much permanent until the presence of large younger coalitions of male lions came into the area pushing these two male lions further north.

The Southern Pride have been doing quite well, securing meals for their remaining six cubs and are seeming to gain their condition back that they use to have. They have even built up the courage to attempt and successfully bring down Cape Buffalo, a meal that was once well recognised by the pride that rules the South of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

Next on to my favourite cats that are seen at Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. Here is a selection of one image of the many individuals that I was lucky enough to witness on the reserve within their territories in my latest cycle. A property that is very well defined for the occurrence of this wonderful cat, the leopard.

Video is not recommended for sensitive viewers!

As I always say each and every cycle is so different, seeing different sightings, different species, and different individuals as there is always a change in dynamics as this is a reserve that is as natural as possible. Here I leave all of you with my two top sightings of my six-week cycle, and yes can you believe it they not big cats or high-profile sightings. Enjoy.

26Kevan Dobbie Aardvark 2011.1 Final
  • Blog by Kevan Dobbie (Bush Lodge Ranger)
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