MANAGERS REPORT

Dear Friends

It is nearing the height of the dry season here in Madikwe. The bush is as dry as a bone and with the first rains another three months or so away, water supply to all the wildlife is crucial. Most of the reserve is deprived of any surface water and only a couple of large dams still contain suitable water supply for the thirsty masses. However the Marico River is still running strong and this is good news for the resident hippo population. Less water means that most of the animals are now concentrated around few watering points and the lack of foliage on most trees ensures for great game viewing.

The Molatdi crèche is coming on very well, now with the roof on and the electricity installed. Soon the children can enjoy their new class rooms!

We thank all the directors for their sponsorship towards the project.  With your help we will soon be opening the doors to a warm and comfortable learning centre for the little ones.

"Education is a companion which no future can depress, no crime can destroy, no enemy can alienate it and no nepotism can enslave."
Ropo Oguntimehin

Drienne Pieterse
Assistant Managers

RANGERS REPORT

Even though food is scarce and water concentrated, the animals seem no worse for wear. They are still in good condition and looking strong. This is all to do with their immaculate adaptation to their environment. Impala’s for example have a distinct advantage over most other herbivores. Instead of being either a browser or grazer they are what we call mixed feeders. That means that they both graze and browse to a degree. When one or the other is of poor quality or availability they can just switch over to the other. Normally Kudu’s and warthogs are the first ones that become thin and emaciated during lean times because of their limited diet. We call them “indicator species” for this reason. It is a sign to us that conditions are really starting to deteriorate in the bush.

When you see a skinny impala you know things are very bad already.  During these times of scarcity animals become weaker and don’t pay as good attention as they normally do. This is when predators take the advantage.

The other day we were driving towards the north of the reserve to a very popular watering hole of the area. We soon came across some lions not far from the water that managed to kill two wildebeests. The wildebeests probably came to drink some water after a long day and as clever an opportunist can be the lions were waiting. Driven by thirst and the uncontrollable urge to quench it caused them to lose concentration for a moment. The penalty for this is death.

After viewing the gorged lions for a while we decided to move on and stop for some sundowners. We were quietly enjoying some drinks while we watched the sun go down when I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. Something shot over the road like a bullet. I pondered what it could be when suddenly I saw it again. “Must be Impala” I told myself after thinking about the shapes in the ever failing light. My attention was drawn to one of the guests and we talked for a few seconds when I noticed another lightning fast movement across the road. This time the tail caught my attention and then another one crossed the road. It was wild dogs running across the road. Quickly we packed up our drinks and set off to find them. We drove round the area they were headed in and finally caught site of them near the fence-line. It was absolutely madness. They managed to kill a young kudu and a feeding frenzy erupted. Blood stained jaws snatched ruthlessly at chunks of warm meat, dead for only a few seconds. Large pieces of meat was ripped from the carcass and swallowed with the utmost of haste so that another can be taken with even greater desire. To add to the carnage a brown hyena also tried to steel some of the meat from the wild dogs with little success. They chased him away whenever he made an attempt. The sound was overwhelming and chaos reigned, as we watched a kudu disappear in front of our very eyes within 15 minutes between eight dogs. When the meat was finished calm started to return and shortly only a few wild dogs were still sniffing the bloodstained earth. What an incredible sight and memorable experience.

Special sightings also adorned our eyes this month, showing that the bush is ever the contradiction. Events range from murderous killings by predators to the wonder of a brand new little life. The water hole in front of the lodge has become quite the attraction for a large variety of animals since water is so scarce elsewhere.  It is visited every day by notably the endless herds of elephants. During breakfast one morning on the deck of the lodge we noticed a large herd of elephants lumbering from the distant tree line to come and drink water from our watering hole.

At first the numbers were so great that nobody really noticed. Following one of the females was the tiniest little version of the big behemoths I have ever seen. Struggling to keep up with his mother’s gentle pace he stumbled forth. He was clearly still working out how to put one foot in front of the other. Not to mention his confusion with this long floppy thing on his face that is always in his way. “What on earth is this cumbersome thing good for anyway” he must have thought. He stayed close to mom not wondering too far before scampering back to her protection while she drinks. He even tried to mimic her by sucking water up his trunk. After the third lot all fell out he settled for some milk instead. It is needles to say that we all had a good chuckle at his expense. Soon after the herd started leaving and he followed his mom back into the bush at full speed, sort of.

This month that illusive spotted cat, the leopard, was gracious enough to show his shy body to us quite a few times. Brief glimpses of a young male, and a female with her adolescent cub were captured at one of the major watering holes in the reserve. Not long ago the dominant male of the area around Madikwe Hills decided to give us a visit right here in the camp. Late that night I ran into this awesome cat in front of our reception area. We exchanged a couple of nervous words to each other and quickly parted companies before an argument started. I can tell you that this is one argument I do not want to get involved in, he is a very persuasive animal indeed.

Although the dry season is still in full swing at Madikwe it doesn’t mean that the wildlife is taking a break. Life exists at Madikwe in a multifaceted array of splendor and diversity, no matter what time of the year. Every possible little niche is filled and no yard is taken or given by any of the creatures that share this immaculate place. Ecological processes like competition, predation and “genetic warfare” are still governing the bush as it did for eons before and this ensures that the delicate “balance” of nature is maintained. In the end we are observers of this system and all its inner workings and it is our responsibility to protect and to educate about this delicate natural “balance” that exist between all living and non-living things. We at Madikwe accept this responsibility and will continue to protect and to teach about this utter paradise we call “home”.

Kind regards from the Madikwe Hills Ranger team.
Jaco Becker