PostNet Suite 035, Private Bag X7005, Hillcrest, 3650, South Africa
Telephone:
+ 27 31 761 3440
Facsimile: + 27 31 765 2880
Reservations: reservations@mashatu.com
Accounts: accounts@mashatu.com
Marketing: marketing@mashatu.com
PostNet Suite 035, Private Bag X7005, Hillcrest, 3650, South Africa
Telephone:
+ 27 31 761 3440
Facsimile: + 27 31 765 2880
Reservations: reservations@mashatu.com
Accounts: accounts@mashatu.com
Marketing: marketing@mashatu.com
Weather
Although November started off hot and dry, the latter half of the month made up for this by saturating the earth with an impressive 37mm of rain. What made this even better was that the week following was overcast and cooler, which gave the soil time to soak up the water. This was definitely the kick-start the bush needed in order to stimulate the vegetation into growth. A green flush is now evident right across the landscape.
Kills
We found a total of 8 impala kills during the month. The leopards were responsible for six of these, while the cheetahs took care of the remaining two. We also came across two eland kills and one kudu kill, all made by lions.
Game Sightings
Although leopard sightings have stayed on a par with October (90%), lion sightings have dropped. The reason for this is that a coalition of younger males moved into the central parts of Mashatu for a while.
Preoccupied by another lioness(s) in the north, Matswane, our resident male lion, has been roaming far and wide within the reserve. His absence subsequently left the Central region’s resident lionesses and cubs at the mercy of the new coalition. To protect their little ones, the older females moved out of their normal range and onto a neighboring property. However the lionesses that don’t have any cubs yet opted to stay behind.
Young male from the southwest with one of the Central lionesses by Andrei Snyman
It didn’t take long for the new boys to win these females over either. As soon as Matswane got wind that his ‘turf’ had been invaded, he quickly made his way back one afternoon to ‘discipline’ (as the rangers here called it) the younger males. After some spectacular chasing and running, the dominant lion then returned to his lady friend(s) up north. Having learnt their lesson, the youngsters made their way back to their old ‘hood in the southwest region of the reserve.
Cheetah sightings have increased dramatically, which is mainly due to the female and her five cubs. As is the case with any female that has dependents, this cheetah mother is fairly restricted in terms of her movements. While not great for her hunting endeavours, it does mean the family of six is seen together fairly frequently, affording guests some fantastic photographic opportunities in the process.
Elephant sightings have also increased now that water and vegetation is more readily available throughout the reserve.
Visit our Facebook and Flikr albums to see more photos.
Predator regards,
Andrei Snyman
PLEASE NOTE: This blog is still in it’s infancy stages so the Sightings maps, Predator maps and CyberDiary Archives aren’t up and running just yet. The Pete’s Pond is live however, so make sure to wander over there and see what the animals are up to.
Why don’t the big cats visit the pond?
From Andrei: Occasional leopards do arrive at the pond, but there are numerous waterholes and water pockets scattered across the landscape. So unless a cat is in the immediate vicinity, there is little chance of it walking specifically to that waterhole to drink. Not impossible, but highly unlikely, especially now in summer. You also need to take into account that the Limpopo River is not far from the pond either.