|
News from Zululand
It seems no coincidence that the word 'gust' lies hidden in the month of August, over the past month the swirling winds have prevailed and with the increase in temperature the bushveld has dried considerably, we wait anxiously for the Spring rains. This once again reminds us of the seasonal balance that naturally exists, as this period is well known for veld fires, either intrinsic or controlled, an important occurrence for maintaining the biodiversity of the grasslands and the restoration of areas previously damaged by mismanagement or the over utilization of game. Karen and Dylan, the Zululand Rhino Reserve management couple, and their team have begun controlled burning in areas underutilized by game and sections damaged from previous overgrazing where the endemic Sickle-bush tends to move in, becoming too dense for animals to infiltrate. A burnt crimson glow across the night sky over the distant hills creates the illusion of a city lying just beyond – illuminating the sky – then once the fire stops and golden embers grow cold and grey, the skies clear and stars come out enveloping us once again in the surreal and soothing rapture that is the bushveld.
The EWT (Endangered Wildlife Trust) released 50 Oxpeckers last week. The numbers of this particular bird species dropped drastically due to previous environmentally unfriendly ectoparasite control chemicals which would enter the system of these birds that feed mostly on the ticks of cattle and game. The Oxpeckers came from Potgieters Rust and were quarantined for 5 days before the release, enjoying a diet of minced meat and blood as the sight of Karen and her team collecting ticks to feed 50 hungry birds was slightly unthinkable! The birds are ringed to assist with the monitoring so we shall keep you updated on their progress.
Bush Cuisine
Pampoen Koekies (Pumpkin Fritters)
250g Cooked Mashed Pumpkin
1 tsp Baking Powder
Pinch of Salt
½ cup Fresh Milk
80g Cake Flour
1 Egg
60g Brown Sugar
80ml Oil
Method
Mix dry ingredients together. Dissolve sugar with milk and add to dry ingredients. Add egg and pumpkin, mix well. Roll into balls and fry until golden.
Can be served with a sweet custard
Tales from Africa
The people of Africa are renowned the world over for there unusual tales explaining life and the creatures that inhabit this beautiful continent. As we have shared the Zulu customs with you, allow us now to share their imagery...
Why the Hippo lives in the water
A long time ago, when hippo still roamed the land, their lived a great hippo king called Isantim. The king's name was kept secret and was only known by his seven wives, who were all as large as he was. King Isantim would hold an annual feast for all the animals in his kingdom... each year they looked forward to the great spread of delicious food. One year the King stood up whilst all the animals eagerly awaited their meal and announced, "You have all come for my banquet but yet none of you know my name... you shall not eat unless there is one among you that can tell me my name." The guests mumbled amongst themselves until the tortoise spoke up, "My King, we do not know your name today, but at the next feast, if one of us should know what will you do?" The hippo laughed, "I shall be so embarrassed, that my family and I would leave the land and dwell in the water of lakes and rivers forever!" The tortoise knew that the hippos went down for a wash in the river at sunset every day and whilst they were walking down he crouched down in the path of the largest wife, lagging behind as usual. The wife stumbled over the tortoise shell and cried out, "Oh, Isantim, I have hurt my foot!" At the following banquet the tortoise announced the King's name to all the animals. The animals cheered and after the banquet the Hippo King and his wives moved into the water in shame where they remain to this day. (Tales & Tails - Art Publishers)
News from our Tracker
The rangers have had a very exciting and unusual month with the discovery of the carcass of a giraffe. The cause of death? A broken neck. Male giraffe take a 360 degree swing with their necks and hit each other when fighting for dominance, the sound of which can be heard from a kilometer away. This is why the male giraffe's necks are visibly thicker then the females. We spotted 28 White-backed Vultures on a game drive close to the hide and more evidence of the shy Leopard as evidence of its kill, a young wildebeest calf, was found on the side of Leopard Mountain. The tractor driver had seen a female Leopard running up the mountain whilst working in the river bed. Pangolin tracks were found in the Fever Tree area, this is a awesome discovery as it may lead to the first sighting of Pangolin on Leopard Mountain Game Reserve. The Elephant have also been spotted more regularly. As the days get hotter they tend towards the lush green areas alongside the river bed, often spotted sauntering down the river in front of the lodge.
The second batch of photo's from the stealth cameras were developed showing amongst other things a Bushpig which one rarely sees as they are nocturnal and spend their days sleeping under trees and in nests built from plant material. Other interesting photo's were of another porcupine drinking as well as the tail of a genet as he climbed into the tree where the camera was placed, proving that these smaller nocturnal animals are as rare and interesting as any members of the Big 5.
Trees
Burn Jelly Plant (Bulbine Frutescens)
Wounds, cuts, skin irritations, rash or sunburn...this green succulent grass-like plant is well known amongst traditional South African people as a wound healing salve, in some opinions, better then anything one can buy in a pharmacy. With pretty yellow flowers in summer, this robust plant thrives in drought stricken areas and in direct sunlight. The rich gel has properties much like that of the Aloe plant, creating a film over abrasions, burns and cuts and causing rapid healing. A must have collection to your garden, we agree, and the beauty of this is that this plant grows from a slip planted in well-drained soil and can be grown in any area where there is sunlight... or conveniently in a tin on your kitchen windowsill. If you struggle to find it in nurseries you will just have to make a return visit to Leopard Mountain... for medicinal research of course!
The Small 5
So you've heard about the Big 5? But what about the Small 5? We've met the Rhino Beetle, the Elephant Shrew, the Antlion and the Leopard Tortoise. We provide a bird-eye overview of the 5th and final member...INCOMING...
The Buffalo Weaver
Buffalo Weavers are known as the least accomplished nest makers of the African species, using an assortment of twigs and coarse grasses they assemble an untidy structure in a fork of branches high up in the trees. They are a larger variant of Weaver, approximately 23 cm in length, the males are black with a spot of white on their necks and red bills. The females and juveniles are more of a brownish colour with the same redish bill. They stay in smaller groups then most weavers and in arid and dry bushveld regions.
Funny Bones
This is a test for Highly Intelligent People... the following short quiz consists of 4 questions and will tell you whether you are qualified to be a professional.
1) How do you put a giraffe in the refrigerator?
Answer: Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe, and close the door. This question tests whether you tend to do simple things in an overly complicated way.
2) How do you put an elephant in the refrigerator?
Did you say: open the refrigerator, put the elephant in and close the door? Wrong answer.
Answer: Open the refrigerator, take out the giraffe, put in the elephant and close the door. This tests your ability to think through the repercussions of your previous actions.
3) The Lion King is hosting an animal conference. All the animals attend except one. Which animal does not attend?
Answer: The elephant! The elephant is in the refrigerator... you just put him in there! This test your memory.
4) There is a river you must cross but it is used by crocodiles, and you do not have a boat. How do you manage it?
Answer: You jump into the river and swim across. Have you not been listening? All the crocodiles are attending the animal conference. This tests whether you can learn quickly from your mistakes.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Feel free to drop us an email with your favorite jokes to add into future newsletters. You can send them to The Lodge - Leopard Mountain - do not simply reply to this newsletter.
Brain Teaser
Thank you to everyone who responded to our homemade July brain teaser! The winner of our Leopard Mountain competition for July is Gary Roper from Durban. Congratulations - you have one yourself and a partner a free night at the lodge including dinner, bed & breakfast as well as game drives!
Last Month's brain teaser was...
I'm a pretty big guy, but I'm awfully shy
I dig in the night and live out of sight
In Oxford I'm top, I make the game drive stop
You'll know me by my snout when you see me about
You would rave and you'd rant...if you got my food in your "jean pant".
What am I?
And the answer was...
I am an Antbear
........You too could be the lucky person to win yourself and a partner a free night including dinner, bed and breakfast at the lodge. Simply solve the riddle below to be entered in our lucky draw and email us the answer to our competition mail address (click here) - do not simply reply to this newsletter (competition closes 20th September 2007, terms and conditions apply)
This months riddle:
A mother is four times as old as her daughter. In 20 years time she will be twice as old as her daughter.
How old are the mother AND daughter now?
News from the Lodge
Standing on the veranda today, gazing out at the breathtaking view with that familiar August breeze blowing, it is hard to imagine we are but days away from Spring. The veldt is dry... but just as beautiful... there is little variation in colour between the trees, the grass and the ground. Yet upon closer inspection you might find the beginnings of a bud at the end of dry Marula Tree branches, hope building again that in a few weeks the rain will be upon us and the smell of wet earth will once again permeate the early morning air. We have missed the drone of insects, chirp of crickets and the local croaking choir of the frogs and welcome back the early butterflies. A cheerful welcome to Jaison and Liana as well, an early Spring gift! They have joined us to assist with the game drives and the general running of the lodge, bringing a delightful blend of enthusiasm and cheer. We are sure they will come to love Leopard Mountain as much as we do. That's it for this month... the next time you hear from us the 'grass will be greener' on our side... a Happy Spring to you all!
Best guests comments of the month
Our time in S.A was fabulous and you all played a large part in making our holiday so very special.
I think you will now have two of the best roaming sales and marketing people around.
We will miss this place.
What a spectacular place this is. Thank you so much for everything. |
