Updates From The Bush

Bounding about the bush during the past few weeks, you realise how desperate the veld is looking for the first rains to arrive, as for the wildlife life goes on as per usual…

The Impala females are looking nice and plump, ready to drop their young within the next month or so. The Cheetah have been floating in and out of the reserve, but mom and 4 cubs (who can hardly be considered cubs anymore) are still frequenting us with their amazingly close knit family presence.

The lion saga, is a full time drama still with the Zimbabwe males and the two young males who have broken off from the pride of 8 who used to frequent the reserve, exchanging territories and lionesses on almost a weekly basis. Who will win the battle for the territory is yet to be deciphered!

One thing is for sure and that is that the spotted hyena population of Mashatu is thriving and well, with the exception of a few disputes between one particular old female and the youngsters of the clan. Resident wildlife filmmaker Kim Wolhuter is keep close tabs on the clans dynamics, for daily updates on the clan see Kim’s Facebook posts here.

Change is upon us though as we edge closer and closer towards the rainy season, as the bush and its vegetation takes on change so does the wildlife which inhabits it!

 

Text By: Ruth Nussbaum

Photographs By: Kyle de Nobrega