MARCH 2017 GAME REPORT

Transcription

1 MARCH 2017 GAME REPORT

2 MALAMALA GAME RESERVE GAME REPORT MARCH 2017 AREAS COVERED: MARTHLY / EYREFIELD / MALAMALA / FLOCKFIELD / CHARLESTON WEATHER SUMMARY MARCH MARCH WEATHER SUMMARY TEMPERATURE Celsius ( C) Fahrenheit ( F) Actual Average Actual Average Maximum Maximum Minimum Minimum RAINFALL Millimeters Inches Days of rain *AGES ARE APPROXIMATIONS AS AT END OF MARCH 2017 LIONS STYX PRIDE = 5 1 ADULT FEMALE 14 YEARS 2 MONTHS 1 ADULT FEMALE 9 YEARS 2 MONTHS 1 ADULT FEMALES 6 YEARS 2 MONTHS 2 ADULT MALES* 5 YEARS 2 MONTHS 2 CUBS ±6 MONTHS NORTHERN EYREFIELD (5 sightings) *Males last seen with core pride: May Members of the Styx pride were viewed on five occasions in February. The pride was seen around the northern parts of the Mlowati River. The two cubs of the Styx pride, now reaching the six month mark, are looking strong and healthy and were seen with their mother on all five occasions that the pride were encountered. The sightings of the Styx pride occurred over a relatively short period between the 9 th and the 16 th of the month. In that time they regularly moved back and forth over the northern boundary. And of the five occasions that the Styx pride was encountered, three of them were with the lighter-maned Gowrie male 1

3 lion. There were also reports from the north of one of the females denning in the Mlowati River north of the boundary. Hopefully we will receive an introduction to the new members of the pride soon. EYREFIELD PRIDE = 10 2 ADULT FEMALES 9 YEARS 8 MONTHS 1 SUB-ADULT FEMALE 5 YEARS 1 FEMALE CUB 1 YEAR 3 MONTHS 1 MALE CUB 1 YEAR 3 MONTHS 1 FEMALE CUB 1 YEAR 2 MONTHS 1 MALE CUB 1 YEAR 2 MONTHS MALAMALA, FLOCKFIELD (11 sightings) The Eyrefield Pride was seen on 11 occasions in March. They were first encountered north of Buffalo pans on the third were they brought down a buffalo cow and remained with the kill for the following two days. They then proceeded to move south out of their normal territory. The presence of the Marthly breakaway pride has proved to be too much for the lionesses to contend with and Charleston proved to be a relatively safe area for the lioness and their sub adult offspring. The Eyrefield pride remained in the central parts of Charleston for a number of days before continuing south to the Charleston Toulon boundary. Were they were seen around Calabash crossing on the 26 th. They then moved back to central Flockfield on the 28 th. The next few months will be critical for the longterm survival of this pride. Luckily there is very little competition for them in northern Charleston and they may just be able to raise this litter of cubs successfully so that they can continue the legendary bloodline to the next generation. FOURWAYS PRIDE = 6 1 ADULT FEMALE UNKNOWN AGE 1 SUB ADULT FEMALE 6 YEARS 8 MONTHS 2 MALE CUBS 1 YEAR 3 MONTHS 2 FEMALE CUBS 1 YEAR 3 MONTHS EASTERN FLOCKFIELD (0 sightings) There were no confirmed sightings during the reported period. 2

4 MARTHLY PRIDE = 11 2 ADULT FEMALES 14 YEARS 6 MONTHS 1 ADULT FEMALE 5 YEARS 7 MONTHS 3 SUB-ADULT MALES 3 YEARS 8 MONTHS 1 SUB-ADULT FEMALE 3 YEARS 8 MONTHS 2 CUBS ±9 MONTHS 3 CUBS ±8 MONTHS MARTHLY, MALAMALA (1 sighting) There was only one sighting of the members of the Marthly pride in March. They have also undergone a dramatic power shift since the Matshipiri males displaced the two Clarendon males who were dominant over the Marthly pride. However the females have been able to avoid the attentions of the two Matshipiri males and continue to make regular kills to keep their five cubs well fed. CHARLESTON MALES = 5 2 ADULT MALES 5 YEARS 9 MONTHS CHARLESTON, TOULON (0 sightings of the two adult males; 0 of the two male cubs; 0 of the adult female) There were no confirmed sightings during the reported period. MATSHAPIRI MALES = 2 2 ADULT MALES ±6 YEARS 9 MONTHS FLOCKFIELD, SOUTHERN MALAMALA DOMINANT OVER THE EYREFIELD AND FOURWAYS PRIDES First encounter: April 2015 (17 sightings) The two Matshipiri male lions continued their trend from the previous month of spending all of their time with the six lionesses from the Marthly Breakaway pride. They were only seen on one occasion without the six females present. The majority of the sightings were concentrated in the vicinity of the airstrip and the immediate areas around it. On the morning of the 18 th the two males were seen making a push north along the Mlowathi River where they had a brief encounter with one of the Gowrie males. The two Matshipiri gave chase as the Gowrie male fled across the boundary with the two Matshapiri males in hot pursuit. Fortunately for the two Matshapiri males there was no sight of the other three Gowrie males. They soon gave up the chase and returned back to the females at Mlowathi Dam. The bold nature of the two males combined with the 3

5 nomadic females they spend their time with is a recipe for another chaotic chapter in the lion dynamics on MalaMala. With time and the impending birth of cubs with the breakaway females, the two males will hopefully settle down. CLARENDON MALES = 2 2 ADULT MALES ±12 YEARS 2 MONTHS MARTHLY, NORTHERN MALAMALA (0 sightings) There were no confirmed sightings during the reported period. GOWRIE MALES = 4 1 ADULT MALE ± 6 YEARS 4 MONTHS 3 ADULT MALES ± 5 YEARS 4 MONTHS EYREFIELD, MALAMALA - DOMINANT OVER THE STYX PRIDE First encounter: September (5 sightings) The Gowrie male coalition was represented by just a single male in the month of March. He was seen on five occasions, three of which were in the company of the Styx pride. There was an interesting encounter with the two Matshipiri males on the 19 th, whereby the Gowrie male was chased over the northern boundary by the two marauding males. Unfortunately the other three males were nowhere to be seen but fortunately the single Gowrie male managed to escape. There has since been a fierce vocal battle between the two coalitions with tracks indicating that the Matshipiri males have been making a push northwards. Other Lions Encountered; Marthly break-away pride: 17 sightings The six lionesses of the Marthly Breakaway pride continued to utilize the vast majority of the property. They were seen as far north as Mlowati dam and as far south as the lower reaches of the Kapen River. The majority of the sightings of these female were however concentrated on the Western Bank around the airstrip. They regularly encountered with the Matshipiri males in close proximity, with the males mating with the females on regular occasions. Some of the females have been showing early signs of pregnancy and the next month and weeks will be interesting to see where they may den. NUMBER OF DIFFERENT LIONS ENCOUNTERED (approximate) MARCH 28 4

6 LEOPARDS: BICYCLE CROSSING MALE WESTERN MALAMALA, FLOCKFIELD (1 sighting) 15YEARS 1 MONTH The ever-aging Bicycle Crossing male leopard was only seen on one occasion in March. He was seen not too far south of his regular haunt around the confluence of the Rock Drift Donga and the Sand River. The old male still seems strong but the constant pressure from the other younger leopards in the area should see him moving from the area sooner rather than later. WEST STREET MALE CHARLESTON (1 sighting) 8 YEARS There was one encounter with the West Street male in March. He was found deep in the bush-line on the banks of the Tjellahanga River, near Pumphouse Pans. He had impala kill in a Jackalberry tree with six hyenas at the base of the tree. The West Street male seemed to pay little attention to the hyenas as he slept off the effects of a hearty meal. TREEHOUSE MALE ± 7 YEARS 3 MONTHS WESTERN MALAMALA, WESTERN FLOCKFIELD, MARTHLY (5 sightings) The Treehouse male leopard was seen on five days in March. He was first located in central MalaMala on the 8 th. He was only located again eight days later heading south from where he was first located this month. Three days later he was found in a particular fowl mood while on an impala kill near Maurice s Pan. It was clear he was perturbed by the presence of several hyenas in the area, which seemed very keen on the poorly treed impala carcass. He soon calmed down and moved off northwards. He was located again on the 31 st with an impala carcass in Marthly. ACCIPITER MALE MALAMALA (3 sightings) ± 6 YEARS 7 MONTHS There were three sightings of the Accipiter male leopard in March. Once again daytime sightings were little more than a fleeting glimpse. He seems to keep his cool in the evenings and this was the case on the 16 th when we viewed him on Terminalia Road. He was encountered on two consecutive days on the 19 th & 20 th when was seen stealing an impala carcass from the Lookout female at the confluence of the Hogvaal Donga and the Matshipiri river. 5

7 SPLIT ROCK MALE 2 YEARS 9 MONTHS EYREFIELD, MALAMALA, FLOCKFIELD Son of the Ostrich Koppies female, independent latter half of 2015 (3 sightings) There were three sightings of this young male leopard in March; he was seen on three consecutive days moving along the banks of the Matshipiri River. He was first seen at Buffalo Bush Dam on the 24 th. He moved south to Matshipiri Open Area the following day. He was located again in the Hogvaal Donga where he walked all the way to Confluence Crossing. KIKILEZI FEMALE 15 YEARS 5 MONTHS 1 MALE CUB 11 MONTHS 1 FEMALE CUB 11 MONTHS WESTERN MALAMALA, WESTERN EYREFIELD, MARTHLY (0 sighting of female, 0 sightings of the cubs, 0 sightings of female and cubs) There were no confirmed sightings during the reported period PICADILLY FEMALE 3 YEARS 3 MONTHS WESTERN EYREFIELD, MARTHLY Daughter of the Kikilezi female, independent first quarter of 2016 (11 sightings) The Piccadilly female leopard was seen a total of eleven times in March. She was regularly encountered in her usual spots around Piccadilly Pans and Campbell Koppies. The abundance of prey species at Piccadilly Pans makes it an oasis for any predator, and the Piccadilly female was regularly encountered stalking prey in these areas. She was found in a Jackalberry tree, just to the east of Campbell Koppies, with an impala kill on the 12 th. The Senegal Bush male leopard unceremoniously stole the kill, while six hyenas looked on with envy as the male leopard ate his fill. The young female waited patiently in the bush line and appeared as soon as the Senegal Bush male moved off for a drink. She had another kill stolen by hyenas on the 21 st. The Piccadilly female has earned her strips as a huntress but still needs to work on securing her kills. With time however this young female will grow into the proud leopardess she is destined to be. 6

8 SIBUYE FEMALE 3 YEARS 3 MONTHS WESTERN EYREFIELD, MARTHLY Daughter of the Kikilezi female, independent first quarter of 2016 (3 sightings) There were three sightings of the Sibuye female leopard in March. She was first seen in a rather precarious position on the Gowrie Boundary on the 14 th. She had been forced up a small Leadwood tree by a pack of three Cape hunting dogs who were keen on the kill she had cached in a Knob-thorn tree nearby. Luckily the packs persistence in these situations is a mere echo to the endurance of the dogs in hunting situations and they soon moved off and left her alone. She was encountered on another two occasions patrolling along the banks of the Mlowathi River. Much like her sister she has proved herself as an independent leopardess but there will always be competition from predators. And she knows how to pick her battles. TAMBOTI FEMALE WESTERN FLOCKFIELD, WESTERN MALAMALA (0 sightings) 9 YEARS 6 MONTHS There were no confirmed sightings during the reported period ISLAND FEMALE 3 YEARS 11 MONTHS WESTERN FLOCKFIELD, WESTERN MALAMALA Daughter of the Tamboti female, independent first quarter of 2015 (5 sightings) There were five sightings of the Island female in March. She was seen within her normal territory along the Western Bank, near camp and the airstrip. She did however make an uncharacteristic move into eastern MalaMala where she was found near Emsagwen waterhole on the 26 th. This area was formally under the control of the Emsagweni female and the Matshipiri female leopards. The area is ideal territory for the leopardess as there is an abundance of prey and drainage lines to potentially utilize as a den site. EMSAGWENI FEMALE MALAMALA (3 sightings) 7 YEARS 3 MONTHS There were three sightings of the Emsagweni female leopard in March. She was seen in the latter parts of the month around Buffalo Bush Dam and she went as far south as the MalaMala Flockfield Boundary. Her eye has healed well and has not limited her hunting capabilities much. She was looking healthy and strong on all three occasions. 7

9 FLOCKFIELD FEMALE 12 YEARS 11 MONTHS CENTRAL & EASTERN FLOCKFIELD, NORTHERN CHARLESTON (1 sighting) This scarcely seen leopard was seen in Charleston at Jakkalsdraai Open Area on the 26 th LOOKOUT FEMALE 6 YEARS 4 MONTHS MALE CUB 1 YEAR 4 MONTHS WESTERN FLOCKFIELD, NORTHERN CHARLESTON (2 sightings of the female, 0 sightings of the female and cub, 0 sighting of the cub) There were no confirmed sightings during the reported period. Other leopards encountered: Males: (13 sightings, 10 individuals) o There were thirteen sightings of nine different unidentified male leopards during March: An unidentified male leopard was seen on the 6th at the shortcut between Eastern and Western Side Mlowathi. Two No ID males were seen fighting at Clarendon Dam on the 11 th. The encounter lasted most of the morning. The two males took the brawl into some thick bush and were not seen again. The male leopard known as the Maxabeni male was seen in Charleston on the 13 th near Trollies Camp. There was an unidentified male leopard seen on the northern bank of the Ngoboswaan donga hunting impala. The male leopard known as the Quarantine Male was seen just south of Clarendon Dam on the 22 nd. Another unidentified male was seen near Clarendon later that day. A No ID male leopard was viewed in the southern parts of Flockfield Lookout on the 31st The Mambiri male leopard was in the southern parts of the Tamboti Thicket on the 31 st The River Rocks male was seen at Donald s Crossing on the 13 th and again walking north on Gowrie Trust road on the 15th. The Senegal Bush male was seen with an impala kill in a tree near Campbell Koppies on the 10 th. He was then seen two days later with an impala kill suspected to be stolen from the Piccadilly Female just north of his previous 8

10 position. Females: (7 sightings, 9 individuals) o There were three sightings of three separate unidentified female leopards in February: There was an unidentified female seen on the Charleston Flockfield boundary near the Sand River on the 15 th. A unidentified female was seen in the Matshipiri River, near Drum Crossing on the 18 th. On the same day a female leopard was seen at Clarendon Dam. The Teardrop female was viewed on one occasion with her cubs at a den site near Calabash Crossing on the 27 th. The Nontshemeni female was seen on the Gowrie Boundary on the 31 st. An unidentified female was seen in southwest Charleston on the 31 st. NUMBER OF DIFFERENT LEOPARDS ENCOUNTERED (approximate) MARCH 29 CHEETAH There were three sightings of the two cheetah brothers in March. The two brothers reunited after several weeks of being separated. They were viewed around Clarendon Dam on all three occasions. Both brothers are looking strong and healthy. NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CHEETAH ENCOUNTERED MARCH 2 CAPE HUNTING DOGS There were seven Cape Hunting Dog sightings in March, comprising of a total of seventeen individuals that were seen in MalaMala. They comprised of one pack of 11, which was viewed in the south on the 2nd and two packs of three that were seen on MalaMala and Eyrefield. One of the packs managed to chase the Sibuye female up a Knob thorn on the 14th. They waited in the area for the leopard to dislodge her kill from the tree to no avail and later moved off. NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CAPE HUNTING DOGS ENCOUNTERED (approximate) 9

11 MARCH 17 CAPE BUFFALO AND ELEPHANTS There was another reduction in large herbivore sightings in February. There were 97 elephant sightings, of which; 9 were large herds, 56 were medium to small herds and 32 were individual bulls. Of the 39 buffalo sightings; 3 consisted of large herds (larger than 200 individuals), 12 consisted of small herds and 24 were individual bulls or bachelor herds of 'dagga boys'. OTHER INTERESTING SIGHTINGS There were numerous sightings of hyena, as the den site in Charleston remains very active with nine cubs. There were also numerous honey badger, African wildcat and porcupine sightings. TOTAL SIGHTINGS: FEBRUARY 2017 LION 45 LEOPARD 41 ELEPHANT 97 BUFFALO 39 CHEETAH 4 CAPE HUNTING DOG 6 10

12 BIG 5 ANALYSIS: MARCH 2017 LION LEOPARD ELEPHANT BUFFALO DATE ANIMALS SIGHTINGS ANIMALS SIGHTINGS ANIMALS LH H INDIV. SIGHTINGS ANIMALS LH H INDIV. SIGHTINGS TOTAL MalaMala Game Report:March 2017