The Leopard's Tale - December 2010

News From Zululand

Good day to all our Leopards Tale Readers

Wow, another month has whizzed past us, this is definitely a whirl wind of a year.

We also have the most wonderful news to end the year off. Soon, very soon, we will be able to call ourselves a BIG 5 reserve. It has recently been announced by Zululand Rhino Reserve that we will be introducing Lion into the reserve as soon as a suitable pride of lion can be found. HOW FABULOUS, I hope you are all as excited as we are!

The Team at Leopard Mountain wish you and your families a safe and festive season. We look forward to sharing more of our small peace of paradise with you in the 2011.

NEWS FROM OUR ARTIST

Hi Leopard Mountain fans. I took this photograph of a black rhino in Namibia June this year. The photograph has received many positive comments from the photographic and art community. I have been moved by the upsurge in rhino poaching over the past 5 years and felt I would like to contribute something towards


I approached World Wildlife Fund and they are now supporting this effort. Public support worldwide has been phenomenal with funds coming in from Canada, Australia, Zambia, New Zealand, Namibia and South Africa. In the space of one month I managed to raise R30 000. All proceeds after costs will be donated to the Imfolozi Anti-Poaching Unit. I have decided to continue to donate funds from sale of all the artwork and photographs on my website www.kimsteinberg.com. I can be reached on email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

I personally challenge everyone to purchase one print or piece of art. It is a small price to pay for funds that will go a long way to supplying anti-poaching units with even the simplest things like radios, batteries for torches, rain coats, binoculars etc. which they are desperately short of at the moment. Lets put and end to Rhino poaching by empowering the heroes on the ground with the equipment they need.

 

Don't Forget... Coming up this month

Do your bit for conservation, check out these websites to see how you can help!

4th December – Global Day of Action against Climate Change

Website: www.globalclimatecampaign.org

Info: this event is set up so that demonstrations on climate change, will coincide with the annual United Nations Climate Talks which are taking place this year (COP16/MOP6) in Cancun, Mexico on November 29th to December 10th 2010.

Synchronized demonstrations around the world on Saturday December 4th 2010 - in as many places as possible - to call on world leaders to take urgent action on climate change.

The Global Day of Action on Climate Change in Johannesburg ( Saturday , 4th Of December 2010 ), we will join millions of people around the globe, demonstrating that our planet must be protected against the disastrous impacts of climate change, calling for the immediate reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the urgent implementation of adaptation measures for the already worst affected developing (poor) countries.

5th December – International Forest day

Website: www.carbonpositive.net/viewarticle.aspx?articleID=2178

11th December - International Mountain Day

Website: www.greenworks.co.za/2010/2010calender.pdf

 

OUR RESERVE

 

The transformation from the grey-brown hues of winter to the lush green of Zululand summer is complete. Despite the ever-thickening vegetation and dispersal of animals due to abundance of water, we continue to be impressed by the amount of interesting sightings that we are having.

 

Each season holds its own allure and each will provide you with different "game viewing" opportunities. As seasons drastically affect the behavior of all life, you are more likely to spot certain things at certain times of the year. Here are just some of the more amazing things you can expect to see in this beautiful part of the world.

 

Cheetah
Our favorite coalition of two males has once again been very active in the area. They were seen numerous times, sometimes patrolling the area not far from the lodge. The female which was resident on LM for a short period seems to have moved much further north but the female with two cubs still resides in the southern areas not too far from LM. She remains very reluctant to showcase her young too much, but there have been several good sightings reported.

Buffalo
Arguably the most underrated of the "Big 5", these large and impressive beasts surely deserve to be included in any game drive report. This past month has also seen a huge influx of buffalo numbers to Leopard Mountain. At times there have been up to three sizeable buffalo herds on LM at a given time. Large herds of up to sixty are attracted to new succulent shoots, high rolling hills and plentiful water that LM provides. Previously unseen herds have moved into the hide and fever tree areas.

Other Sightings of Note

Notably, there has been a lot of Spotted hyena activity. Large tracks are found on a daily basis in

the uMsunduze riverbed and their vocalizations are heard now almost every night. One was seen foraging together with a black-backed jackal in the LM area several nights ago.

 

Elephants have dispersed a bit more but there have been good sightings of the solitary bulls which are also a bit more confiding than the breeding herd. The nocturnal animals have also been showing themselves quite a bit. One sighting of the very elusive Aardvark, large-spotted genet, porcupine, thick-tailed bush-baby and many African rock pythons are now active in the dark hours. It is also great to see the high activity of Leopard tortoise as well as the smaller and threatened Bell's and natal hinged tortoises.

OUR ENVIRONMENT

Each month we take a look at something that we find in our environment, whether it be a Tree, Bird or Animal, this month we look at the:-

Common Wild Fig/Strangler Fig
FICUS THONNINGII

Description: This tree is light grey to brown with a evergreen foliage. The fruit grows in the fork of the tree and isn`t really eaten by anything although some birds may attempt this. Depending on the area the tree is found it can range anywhere from 5m to an impressive 15m. This tree has very sticky white latex and can be used to catch birds. Birds as big as guinea fowls and even hares have been known to be stuck on this sticky latex. The tree is well known for its large areal roots which can use another tree for support and to later strangle the tree to a point where it will cut off the trees nutrients later killing it leaving the fig with an interesting but yet beautiful hollow centre.

Wood: The wood is well used for its bark, making a very useful rope. The roots mixed with the grass, sporobolus indicus, is known to be an affective against snake bite cure.
Cultivation:You can soak the fruit over night and then turn the fruit inside out and plant the fruit in the ground, otherwise a more effective method would be to plant the entire truncheon in the ground. Fast growing tree but sensitive to frost.
Other: The larva of the beautiful Fig Tree Blue Myrina silensus ficedula feed on the fresh new leaves in the beginning of summer.

 

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED?

Is there something that you have always wondered and never been able to answer, let us help, send us your questions and we'll send the answers!

Why Do Wildebeest Migrate?

The annual migration of wildebeest in eastern Africa is said to be one of the greatest sights in the natural world. Every year at the start of the dry season, vast herds gather on the Serengeti Plain and travel north. Their progress is slow – usually less than 10 kilometers a day, but ultimately they are unstoppable. The migration start with one individual who starts running and the rest just follow. They eat and drink and even mate in the move. Even the threat of crocodiles lurking at river crossing does not stop them. Wildebeest are vital to the grassland ecosystem. Their grazing and trampling prevents scrub developing, and they are the main pray for many large predators, including lions, cheetahs and wild dogs. The wildebeest know that the grassland in the south of their range will soon dry up and turn to dust, hence the fact that they travel to the Masai Mara, where fresh grass is still growing. They will make their journey back to the Serengeti when the rains return and the great grassland flourish again.

BUSH CUISINE

ROOIBOS CRÈME BRULEE WITH FIGS AND HONEY

Serves 6

Ingredients
4 Rooibos teabags
500ml Cream
10ml Vanilla essence
45g Caster Sugar

Method
- Put the cream, teabags and vanilla in a saucepan and heat gently (DO NOT BOIL)
- In a separate bowl whisk together the egg yolks and sugar
- Once the cream is hot temper with the eggs and mix together (careful not to curdle the eggs)
- Cook over a low heat until the custard thickens
- Strain the custard and pour into ramekins
- Bake in a water bath approximately 25 min or until set
- For serving, sprinkle the top of the brulee with brown sugar and caramelize with a hand torch
- Serve with fresh or preserved figs and a drizzle of honey

 

Funny Bones

Old Men

Two old snow monkeys are enjoying their time eating some succulent plants in the snow. The one snow monkey has a hair lip, whilst the other has water on the brain.

It starts to get a little too cold so the snow monkey with the hair lip invites the other snow monkey with water on the brain to his local hot spring. They finally get to the much awaited spring and get in without delay.

The two monkeys have been in the hot spring for over an hour now and its starting to get a little too hot, so the monkey with the hair lip turns to the other monkey with water on the brain and says, "its only but blady hot in here hey." at the same time the monkey with water on the brain replies with a high pitched whistle "ssssssstttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!."

 

THIS MONTH'S COMPETITION

You could be the lucky person to win yourself and a partner a free night including dinner, bed & breakfast and game drives at the lodge. You may email us your answer to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (competition closes 20th December 2010 terms & conditions apply):

Solve this Riddle:

Soft and fragile is my skin
I get my growth in mud
I'm dangerous as much as pretty
For if not careful, I draw blood.

LAST MONTH'S WINNER

Thank you to everyone who responded to our competition! The winner of our LEOPARD MOUNTAIN competition is Claire Oertle. Congratulations - you have won yourself and a partner a free night.

Last Month's competition was:
When young, I am sweet in the sun.
When middle-aged, I make you gay.
When old, I am valued more than ever

What am I? - WINE

 

BEST GUEST COMMENTS FOR THE MONTH

07/11: Etienne, Alice, Kayla & Ruben.
Dear Leopard Mountain Staff. Thank you so much for all you have done, we would like to come here again, for another relaxing weekend or week! We shall nerver forget the fun here at Leopard Mountain Lodge.

14/11: Chris Wells
A wonderful venue for Amanda's wedding. Truly kind and thoughtful staff, great food & wine. Lovely views and comfort. A memory to treasure forever!

14/11: Emmelia Wells
We had a lovely time at Amanda's wedding. Such a beautiful place. I loved seeing all the animals, even getting a bit too close to the Rhino! The Staff are lovely and so helpful. It was nice to meet all of you!
Thank you very much.
Emmie.

 

GOING GREEN

In the world today we all need to make an effort to help our environment recover from the damage we have caused. Some of us look at this and head for the hills as we think that only a huge project will make an impact, this of course is not the case any effort, no matter how small is a start!

 

THIS MONTHS TIP

Buy yourself a pair of laying hens! They are an organic pest control, they keep the weeds at bay & best of all you receive freshly laid eggs almost everyday thereby cutting down on the carbon foot print that is required to get the eggs from the farm to your kitchen. Contact your local pet shop and ask them for 20week old / hens at the point of lay. Feed them Laying Mash and any kitchen scraps (chopped up veggies/fruit are a great treat, just no citrus or onions!)

 

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

Home is where life is found in all its fullness!