THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Is the animal kingdom not incredible? From the most beautiful to the beauty of imperfection, the biggest to the unique smallest.

Sometimes we stand amazed, can the human population not look beyond the smaller picture and look at the greater and unique surroundings. Could it be that the busy and crowded lifestyle of humanity keeps them from listening to the sounds of nature that surrounds them!

The best therapy on earth is sure to get in touch with nature. The odors of fresh veld flowers, soil that becomes wet with the cleanest of waters. Springboks that pronk just to show off a little. The enjoyment that bird life can give while drinking and playing in the hand-dug soil dams. A warm sunny day, the silence of the field where big and small animals search for a little bit of shade to shut an eye for a while.

When the day begins to cool and the shade of the trees starts to turn, it’s then when the animals get a new life and everything just gets even prettier.  All that we as humans can do is to protect and appreciate what is so unique around us.

The animals that run on the plains of Karreekloof with their own personalities are better than the best entertainment in the world.

Protecting ecosystems and nature means protecting animals.

As the saying goes, nature is red in tooth and claw. Existence in the wild is harsh and unforgiving, far removed from human ethical concerns or modern standards of physical comfort. Humankind is just another animal out in the bush – not a very tough one, either!

The message is simple:  Love and conserve our wildlife

 

The Northern Cape’s vultures

Two species of vulture are relatively common in the Northern Cape. The African White-backed Vulture has colonies around Kimberley (c. 300 pairs) and in the Kalahari (see article on aerial survey of Kimberley colonies). The Lappet-faced Vulture only breeds in the Kalahari (the last pair nesting in the Kimberley area disappeared a few years ago). The White-headed Vulture is occasionally seen in the northern parts of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park where it probably nests in small numbers. The Cape Vulture is extinct as a breeding species in the Northern Cape, but is occasionally seen in the Province and especially in the south-eastern Karoo and the Kimberley area. The Palm-nut and Egyptian Vultures are vagrants to the Northern Cape.

 

Research on vultures Mark Anderson has been studying African White-backed Vultures since 1993. This work, done in collaboration with Angus Anthony, and a team of keen Kimberley biologists and bird-watchers, is conducted on De Beers’ Dronfield Game Farm. The main aim of this work is to mark a number of vulture nestlings annually, with metal rings and initially with colour-rings, but latterly with patagial tags. This project provides useful information on movements, mortality factors, nest site fidelity, etc. A study is also currently underway to investigate the effects of climate change on this population of vultures.

GPS transmitters fitted to vultures This year, with funding from the Hawk Conservancy, De Beers and Gauntlet, we attached GPS-units to four vulture nestlings. The movements of these birds are now monitored on a daily basis (and can be tracked on www.birdlife.org.za; thanks to Kevin Ravno of Natural World for his help with the maps).

 

Vulture restaurants South African raptor conservationists pioneered the idea of vulture restaurants (places where safe food can be supplied to vultures). More information about vulture restaurants and a booklet on this exciting conservation initiative can be obtained from the Birds of Prey Working Group (contact Erika Belz at erikab@ewt.org.za)

There is a vulture restaurant and hide at De Beers’ Dronfield Game Farm, located just north of Kimberley. More information can be obtained from Mark Anderson.

Asian vulture crisis Mark Anderson was involved in the Asian vulture crisis and attended meetings in the USA, Hungary and Kenya. There were initial concerns that if a disease was killing Asia’s vultures it may spread to Africa. It was recently found however that a veterinary drug, diclofenac, has been responsible for the catastrophic decline in the number of vultures in South Asia.

Sources:

 

ttp://www.andersonafrica.co.za/vultures.html

http://www.andersonafrica.co.za/articles/kimberleysvultures.pdf

http://www.andersonafrica.co.za/articles/VultureresearchatDronfieldGameFarmduring2007.pdf

Scotty Smith is our Robin Hood of the Kalahari

The Northern Cape is known of its authentic beauty, rich culture and wide variety of wildlife. As part of this rich culture, one can find the colourful personality of Scotty Smith.

Robin Hood of the Kalahari – Scotty Smith

“WI L D E S T of all the reckless men who rode the Kalahari frontier was Scotty Smith. Every country has its Robin Hood, Dick Turpin or Captain Starlight – highwaymen of varying degrees of courtesy and crime. Scotty Smith was South Africa’s most notorious outlaw for many years, a legendary figure whose exploits live after him.” (Lawrence G. Green).

Scotty was born in 1845 as the illegitimate son of a nobleman. His real name was George St Leger Gordon Lennox, but this was however shortened to Scotty Smith. In all probability the compression of Scotty’s name happened between the taverns and gambling dens of the small towns in the Kalahari. His Scottish heritage might have had something to do with it too.

It seemed as if Scotty was a man of many talents, but not to be tamed. Educated as a veterinary surgeon, he went to Australia in search of gold, before he shipped to India to fight for the Brittish Government. He arrived in South Africa in 1877 as part of the Brittish army. He was however dismissed shortly thereafter, following a court martial.

Deciding that he needed a new personality, Scotty then took a fallen comrade’s papers to become “Smith”. It seems, as Scotty left his real name behind, he also left his will to be a lawful citizen behind. He got involved in gun-running, horse- and general theft, legal and illegal diamond buying and highway robberies. He even crossed borders and became involved in elephant hunting in the old Bechuanaland, now Botswana. What made Scotty famous was not the crimes in itself, but the fact that he was caught and sentenced several times, but always managed to escape at some point or another.

Acting also seemed to be part of his talent pool. After a particularly dodgy deal with diamonds, a search party was formed in Kimberley for his arrest. Scotty then decided to join the search party himself – effectively fooling everyone around him.

In true Robbin Hood fashion, Scotty also did some good deeds. From paying a poor farm wife an extreme amount of money for one night’s accommodation to sharing his spoils with the poor (on some occasions).

Scotty was finally captured and sentenced after a diamond theft went wrong. History has it that he was sentenced with 25 lashes and four years in prison, of which he only received one year imprisonment.

Scotty Smith spent his last years in Upington, farming on the banks of the Orange River. Whether all is rumour or truth, it contributed to the legend of Scotty Smith – the Robbin Hood of the Kalahari.

References:
https://ia902606.us.archive.org/4/items/ScottySmith/ScottySmith.pdf

Visit to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park with its red dunes, blue skies, and a variety of African wildlife is ideal for game viewing and photographic safaris. The park lies in the west of the southern African continent, also known as the Kalahari Desert.

The average rainfall in this semi-dessert is about 200 mm per year and the fauna and flora are therefore adapted to this low rainfall.  The park is furthermore a fusion of the former Kalahari Gemsbok National Park of South Africa and the neighbouring Gemsbok National Park in Botswana. This creates an enormous conservation area of over 3,6 million hectares and one of the very few of this magnitude in the world.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a semi-desert wilderness of blonde grass, red dunes, and vast open spaces.  It is further characterized by sparse vegetation and camel thorn trees. Animals also tend to gather in the dry riverbeds and waterholes. One can enjoy the sight of herds of gemsbok, springbok, eland and blue wildebeest.  The black-mane lions watch the variety of animals closely.  Lions in the Kgalagadi have incredibly large home ranges. Other predators include Leopard, Cheetah, Brown and Spotted Hyena and birds of prey.

Accommodation and activities

Luxury game lodges, tented camps, and self-catering chalets are available. Twee Rivieren is the largest rest camp and administrative base. It has a swimming pool, information center and shop, public telephone and cell phone reception. The a la carte Restaurant serves breakfast and dinners. Further north, Nossob Rest camp is fairly basic, with seven types of self-catering chalets. In Kgalagadi’s southwest, Mata Mata Rest Camp is quite simple, but a great place for adventurous small families.

Activities in the park include game drives, hiking, 4×4 trails, eco trail, and swimming. A further highlight includes fantastic bird watching. This is an excellent area to view birds of prey, especially tawny and snake eagles.

The astounding beauty of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park will steal your heart.

Sources
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/kgalagadi/tourism/history.php
http://www.nature-reserve.co.za/kgalagadi-transfrontier-nature-preserve.html
http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/overview/northern-cape
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/kgalagadi/conservation/ff/lion_article.php
https://www.expertafrica.com/south-africa/kgalagadi-transfrontier-park

Experience the Augrabies Falls in the Northern Cape

The Augrabies Waterfalls are situated 120 km west of Upington, in the province of the Northern Cape, South Africa.  The Khoi call the Augrabies Falls Aukoerebis, which means ‘the place of the Great Noise’.  Consequently, the ‘Great Noise’ refers to the Orange River thundering its way downwards for 60 meters in a spectacular waterfall.  You have to experience it for yourself in order to fully understand this meaning.  The contrast of the waterfall within the desert setting provides a moving and absorbing experience. This is particularly true when there has been plenty of rain and the Orange River is overflowing.  As a result, the waterfalls seems to increase in its splendour.

The waterfalls also form part of the Augrabies Falls National Park.  The Augrabies Falls National Park is one of six South African national parks in the Northern Cape.  In addition, it follows the course of the Orange River from just outside Kakamas to the Namibian border, spanning more than 800km² (http://www.southafrica.net).

Activities at the Augrabies Falls

The national park is home to a couple of rock formations, including the Moon Rock.  This is a large, but weathered granite dome that towers about 30m above the park.  It provides a fantastic all around view for those that are prepared to tackle the summit.  Other viewpoints include Oranjekom, Ararat, and Echo Corner.

Except for the spectacular sight of the Augrabies Waterfall, one can enjoy a variety of activities and adventures in the surrounding area:

  • Waterfall viewpoints that are walking distance the restaurants.
  • Game viewing at leisure using own vehicle.
  • Nights drives can be booked directly from the park.
  • Mountain bikes are also allowed inside the park provided cyclists remain on the official roads.
  • The Wilderness Road is 94km long and will take approximately 6 hours to complete in a 4×4 vehicle. There is a scenic picnic spot halfway along the road with ablution and braai facilities.
  • There are several panoramic viewpoints inside the park.  They all provide great views of the park, the gorge, and the Orange River. These points also provide great opportunities to spot the local birdlife.
  • Rafting and canoeing
  • Flyfishing

The best time to visit Augrabies is from March to May when the temperatures are slightly cooler and the river is at its maximum flow after summer rainfall up in the Lesotho catchment areas. The falls is a easy day-trip from Upington.

 

Sources:

http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/entry/article-southafrica.net-augrabies-falls-northern-cape

https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/africa/south-africa/the-northern-cape/the-kalahari/augrabies-falls-national-park/

The Lesser Kestrel of the Karoo

Each year thousands of Lesser Kestrels (Falco naumanni) migrate to Southern Africa, and the Karoo, during the summer months.  This article gives a brief overview of the description, behaviour and conservation status of these small falcons.  Lesser Kestrels come from the North (Russia, Siberia and Kazakhstan) and seek the warmth of Southern Africa when their breeding season is over.

Description and behaviour

The lesser kestrel can be described as small, with long pointed wings and a long tail marked with a black band at the end. They are inconspicuous raptors, not much larger than rock pigeons.   Males and females are distinguishable by colouring.  The females have buff, spotted markings, whilst their belly is pale.  The males have blue-grey feathers on the crown, rump, neck and tail and chestnut-coloured body feathers. Both males and females have white undersides to their wings, with black tips. The eye ring is bright yellow and the feet are yellow to orange.

Travelling in loose flocks of hundreds of birds, this sociable species will also roost together in trees, but migrate singly or in flocks of less than 50, at altitudes of around 2,000 metres. Once they arrive safely in South Africa, the kestrels moult all their feathers in symmetry, set by set. You’ll find them under the trees where they roost, worn to a nub after the long flight from the north.  These kestrels are quite apt at hunting and dives almost silently from a perch or from mid-air and pounces on prey with their claws, before swiftly killing its prey with a bite to the back of the head.

Conservation of the Lesser Kestrel

The decline of Lesser Kestrel was first brought to the attention of the raptor world in the early 1990s. Information available showed a decline of around 46% since the 1950s in their breeding grounds and of around 25% in their wintering areas.  The main cause of the decline of seemed to be habitat loss and degradation as a result of agricultural intensification, afforestation and urbanisation.  The breeding sites of the lesser kestrels are unfortunately not protected by law.  Research and management of the species and its habitat have been carried out in several countries.  Interventions mostly focussed on the construction of artificial nests, and research into factors limiting the kestrel’s survival and habitat management.

References

https://www.ewt.org.za/BOP/migratingkestrel.html

http://www.arkive.org/lesser-kestrel/falco-naumanni/

Lesser Kestrels of the Karoo

 

The Black Wildebeest and its Lesson to Conservation

The black wildebeest has been classified as vulnerable in the past. Its increased numbers have taught us a valuable lesson in conservation.

The black wildebeest

The black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) is also called the white-tailed gnu, because of its distinctive white tail and dark chocolate brown body.  The blue wildebeest does not have this distinctive white tail.

“The gnu (pronounced “g-new” or simply “new”) is a member of the antelope family, although its heavy build and disproportionately large forequarters make it look more bovine. Gnus can reach 8 feet (2.4 meters) in length, stand 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) tall at the shoulders and weigh up to 600 pounds (272 kilogrammes). Both males and females grow horns.” (http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/)

Black wildebeest can live for up to 20 years, with only one calf a year.  They occur in South Africa and one usually sees a herd of between 11 and 50 animals in a group.  These groups consist out of two separate groups of females and young in one group. And another group consisting out of bachelors.  “The antics of the territorial bulls during breeding season have earned them the name clowns of the savanna. (www.outofafrica).

Although wildebeest are herbivores, it is quite a favourite on other predators menu, including crocodiles, lions, hyenas, leopards and cheetahs.  While the black wildebeest is quite a common sight, it hasn’t always been like this.

Lesson to Conservation

The black wildebeest was once seen as a pest and almost became extinct.  One could almost reason that this would not have been the case if people were aware of their declining numbers sooner.  This illustrates the importance of collecting information on all types of wildlife on a consistent basis.  More species could become vulnerable due to environmental changes that may threaten natural habitats.  Conservation is therefore not only about focussing on species that are nearly extinct or vulnerable but collecting information on all species in a consistent way.  This could, in turn, lead to people and organisations noticing declining numbers sooner and as a result, put the necessary steps in place to keep species from extinction.

Appreciating wildlife

The cheetah can reach a top speed of up to 100km/h and is, therefore, the fastest animal on earth.  Its conservation status is currently classified as vulnerable due to the loss of its habitat.  Interestingly enough, a cheetah uses their tails to steer them where they want to go.  If a cheetah is content, it tends to make the same purring sound as a house cat.