Savanna Private Game Reserve for safari accommdation in South Africa in Sabi Sands

Easter is early this year and there have been days when we feel that it is bringing with it an early change of season too. We have continued to have a small amount of rainfall, keeping the bush looking healthy and green but it is now necessary to take a light jacket on morning and evening game drives against the chill. We have not experienced many days of soaring temperatures in the 40’s as previous summers. The last of the strong smell of mashed potato fills the air around the potato bush (phyllanthus reticulates) as winter approaches. Most of the migrant birds have departed heading back to the European summer and central African conditions, leaving the diehards who in their turn should be gone by the middle of April.

The cruel reality of the bush is now in evidence and we are sad to report that 4 of the 10 lion cubs of the Ximungwe Pride have died and the remaining 6 are very weak. The rain has not helped their condition. They have been left in the care of 2 females and it is too much to expect that these two lionesses can kill enough to feed so many. What is interesting is that these females are keeping themselves in good condition. They have been eating to ensure their survival, enabling the breeding stock to stay intact. The other 4 slightly younger cubs have been kept separate and are still doing exceptionally well. We found the fifth female of the Ximungwe pride with 2 little balls of fluff. These cubs are approximately 6 weeks old now and providing amazing viewing. The Sand River Pride has also given us a new addition of another 2 or 3 cubs. The original seven are still doing well. However, last month one of our two male lions was found dead, we do not know the cause and now the remaining big male in this area has disappeared. This means that the chances of these cubs surviving to adulthood is very remote as any new male taking over this territory will immediately kill the cubs to bring the females back into season.

An elephant cow wandered on to our territory with a snare around her back leg. She was obviously in a lot of pain and as a result we called in the vet from Kruger. He made the decision to destroy her, as a secondary infection and gangrene had set in to her wound. We would only get involved and call a vet for a wounded animal if it was man induced. This elephant cow was the matriarch of the herd and unfortunately had an 8 months old calf. Another female in the herd will automatically take her place. The good news is that her calf seems to have been adopted by another adult female. It was initially feared that the calf might have to be destroyed also.

We have had very good viewing of the Wallingford male leopard. One of his latest exploits is to have killed a warthog that he then dragged up into a tree. He was also seen mating with the Hippo Dam female, the very shy female that we seldom see. We have still had no sign of the Dayone, possibly because of the major influx of lions into the area. We are very much hoping that she is still with her 2 cubs. Shangwa seems to have started to make her cubs independent. Her female cub was seen a last week with a fresh impala kill which she had hoisted into a tree.

It looks as if she is well on her way to being a successful leopard. Mkwela continues to look after her one male cub that is also of an age where he could become independent. However, this particular leopard tends to keep her cubs with her longer than others. She looked after her last litter for 23 months before they became independent. The Ottawa male has made a brief appearance again on the eastern side of the property. We know that the Wallingford male had pushed him further east and it has been a long time since we have seen him in our area.

The snakes seem to be making a final attempt to get as much food as they can, before winter starts, to set them up for their hibernation. We have seen several large pythons, cobras and puff adders. One python was found having choked to death on a duiker.

We have been very spoilt to have the herd of 400 strong buffalo coming and going in the last few weeks. They have been grazing around the back of the lodge and drinking from the waterhole.

This Newsletter seems to be full of doom and gloom but such is life in the bush as we experience the ups and downs almost on a daily basis. We are sure that next month we will have some more cheerful news for you all in this never ending saga of intrigue.

We look forward to seeing you back here soon.

Warm Wishes
Paddy and the Savanna Team


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	March 2005 Dear All Easter is early this year and there have been days when we feel that it is bringing with it an early change of season too. We have continued to have a small amount of rainfall, keeping the bush looking healthy and green but it is now necessary to take a light jacket on morning and evening game drives against the chill. We have not experienced many days of soaring temperatures in the 40’s as previous summers. The last of the strong smell of mashed potato fills the air around the potato bush (phyllanthus reticulates) as winter approaches. Most of the migrant birds have departed heading back to the European summer and central African conditions, leaving the diehards who in their turn should be gone by the middle of April.

	The cruel reality of the bush is now in evidence and we are sad to report that 4 of the 10 lion cubs of the Ximungwe Pride have died and the remaining 6 are very weak. The rain has not helped their condition. They have been left in the care of 2 females and it is too much to expect that these two lionesses can kill enough to feed so many. What is interesting is that these females are keeping themselves in good condition. They have been eating to ensure their survival, enabling the breeding stock to stay intact. The other 4 slightly younger cubs have been kept separate and are still doing exceptionally well. We found the fifth female of the Ximungwe pride with 2 little balls of fluff. These cubs are approximately 6 weeks old now and providing amazing viewing. The Sand River Pride has also given us a new addition of another 2 or 3 cubs. The original seven are still doing well. However, last month one of our two male lions was found dead, we do not know the cause and now the remaining big male in this area has disappeared. This means that the chances of these cubs surviving to adulthood is very remote as any new male taking over this territory will immediately kill the cubs to bring the females back into season.

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