MABULA GUIDES NEWS FOR JULY 2016

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1 MABULA GUIDES NEWS FOR JULY 2016 Compiled by: Isaiah Banda Head Guide Picture taken by Mr Jaishanker on Mabula Game Reserve

2 As a guide, it s pretty important to get an idea as to what it is exactly that your guests want to see when on safari. And the obvious thing to do is ask. Maybe on arrival when you meet them or over a cup of coffee at lunch time, but either way, before you head out on your first game drive you should know what animals you need to be looking for. The obvious ones you d imagine would be lions, leopards and possibly elephants; the former two being what Mabula is famous for in particular, and the latter a really iconic African species. But if you thought that these were the species at the top of most first-time visitor s bucket lists, you d be wrong. The animals that most bush virgins are desperate to see are in fact seemingly far less dramatic, but no less spectacular in their own way. I am referring to the two animals most children encounter when they learn the alphabet for the first time; often their first exposure to African wildlife. I am of course talking about zebras and giraffes. Zebra looking at us on Modjadji buffies house Zebras I think occupy a slightly different space in the human psyche. No less bizarre than giraffes in their own way, I think that apart from the alphabetic Z-for-Zebra reference, it is the fact that their contrasting coat colour is so at odds with their environment that makes them seem such an anomaly.

In a place where dullish hues and camouflage seem to be the order of the day, such a visible coat pattern on a creature so similar to the domestic horse makes the zebra an outlier on the map of

3 In a place where dullish hues and camouflage seem to be the order of the day, such a visible coat pattern on a creature so similar to the domestic horse makes the zebra an outlier on the map of things that fit in the bush. Although there is no really conclusive proof as to the proper function of a zebra s colouring, many theories exist, with the most widely accepted being the one about their coats blending into one pattern in the eyes of a predator, making it difficult to pick one out of a herd. As most predators have poor colour vision, the black and white stripes can in fact have a camouflage effect of their own if the zebras are moving through a bushy area. In 10 years of guiding at Mabula Private Game Reserve, far more of my guests wanted to see these two creatures than wanted to see the big cats. Thankfully, there is no shortage of either species on the reserve, and as far as I can remember I was always able to accommodate those requests. Zebras are relatively plentiful down in the south west, where the grassy open areas are perfect for these grazers. Giraffes prefer Acacia Robusta, and a great place to look for them is the Danie Joubert, Modjadji plains and Western Mokaikai acacia and sickle bush thicket, where the extensive Acacia Karoo thickets provide more than enough sustenance for the tallest animals in the world to browse on. Giraffe bull walking across whole owner s road close to Murray & Roberts corner

In truth, either species can be encountered anywhere on the property, but there are certainly specific areas in which they are more likely to be found.

4 In truth, either species can be encountered anywhere on the property, but there are certainly specific areas in which they are more likely to be found. So what is it about them that make them as desirable as animals to view? Well the link to one s childhood I m sure plays a big part. Seeing pictures in books of these two fantastic creatures, while still in infancy, I m sure has many kids filing them in the same mental drawer as mythical beast like dragons and unicorns. If a huge lizard can have wings and breathe fire, surely a horse can have black and white stripes and a creature can have a neck two metres long with funny horn-like things on its head? Seeing a giraffe or zebra in real life I m sure elicits some kind of reverential connection to that childhood innocence we all once had, even if it s only on a subconscious level. After having worked out here for almost eleven years now, I still find myself utterly spellbound by giraffe in particular; scarcely able to believe that such a creature exists. Mother and baby grazing on telegraph road, look at the stomach on the same height, that s how they protect themselves against predators, when standing together both stomach are on the same height thus makes it difficult for the predators to see young once.

The theory is that since zebra are grazers (grazers) and giraffe s browsers (browsers), both species does not compete for food as they eat different food as in grass and leaves.

5 The theory is that since zebra are grazers (grazers) and giraffe s browsers (browsers), both species does not compete for food as they eat different food as in grass and leaves. Giraffes, being tall, have a much greater field of vision in which to spot danger, and zebras being low to the ground are more than likely to detect the smell of an approaching predator as it stalks closer in the long grass. To witness animals mating in the wild is always an intriguing spectacle. It provides amusement and wonder for everyone watching and sometimes a few awkward giggles as well. As a guide you choose your words very carefully as you try and interpret what s going on in front of you, and if there are kids on the vehicle you sometimes gladly sit back and listen as either Mum or Dad is tasked with giving an impromptu Birds and the Bees talk. Madjuma male and female busy mating on Marula pan road

Either way, it s a special sighting because it s not the everyday animal behaviour one gets to experience and it also signifies the beginning of a new life that

6 Either way, it s a special sighting because it s not the everyday animal behaviour one gets to experience and it also signifies the beginning of a new life that in a few months time will be faced with the daunting task of trying to survive in the African bush. Madjuma sub dominant male sighted on bottom whole owners road

A Nile crocodile lying on the sun at main dam, they do this during winter months when water is cold Crocodiles are incredibly well adapted to their environment, and although they might look

7 A Nile crocodile lying on the sun at main dam, they do this during winter months when water is cold Crocodiles are incredibly well adapted to their environment, and although they might look prehistoric they are the most advanced reptile of our age. Unlike other reptiles they have a fourchambered heart, diaphragm and cerebral cortex (a structure within the vertebrate brain with distinct structural and functional properties). The evolution of crocodiles has been a long one, with the first members of the family being around over 200 million years ago. Modern crocodiles as we know them have remained largely unchanged since the extinction of the dinosaurs, approximately 65 million years ago. They are the apex predator of Africa.

8 As you can maybe tell, we re still incredibly excited at how well during the month s introduction of a new female cheetah into the Mabula Private Game Reserve. We re particularly thrilled at how readily she was accepted by our resident adult male

Mabula Cheetahs, they have all adapted nicely on the reserve, utilizing different parts of the reserve Whatever the reasons, let us be thankful that in the world today, we can still view these

9 Mabula Cheetahs, they have all adapted nicely on the reserve, utilizing different parts of the reserve Whatever the reasons, let us be thankful that in the world today, we can still view these magnificent animals in their natural environment, and in doing so feel the sense of awe and wonderment that we thought we had lost long ago. 31 July every year we celebrate World Ranger Day, 24 hours each year in which we pay tribute to the men and women across the globe who dedicate their lives to protecting the world s natural heritage. Mabula s field rangers spend a great deal of their time and energy protecting our game reserve, and we want to thank them for the effort they do for our game reserve. It must be said that there are also heroes out here who are not and cannot be seen, photographed or known on social media. Teams that spend their days and nights physically protecting this land and its precious creatures, at a time when Africa s wildlife is facing its greatest poaching threat in decades, thank you to those men and women who put their lives on the line daily, proving how valuable these tracts of game reserve and their inhabitants are. That s all I have for you this month From Isaiah & the Wildlife Team Bushveld Greetings

WILDLIFE REPORT SINGITA GRUMETI, TANZANIA For the month of November, Two Thousand and Eighteen

WILDLIFE REPORT SINGITA GRUMETI, TANZANIA For the month of November, Two Thousand and Eighteen Temperature Rainfall Recorded Sunrise & Sunset Average minimum: 17.5 C Faru Faru 0 mm Sunrise 06:18 Average