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News from Zululand Rhino Reserve
A First Hand Account of the treatment of an injured Elephant
by Ilze van Coller
After it was noticed that an elephant bull was limping badly it was decided to call in a vet's opinion. Dr Chap Masterson firstly wanted to view the elephant to access its condition. We drove to the area where a game ranger was waiting to show the way. After viewing the elephant Chap decided that it would be necessary to dart the elephant and called for assistance from helicopter pilot Gordon de Beer. Within a quarter of an hour all was set to go. Chap had prepared what he would need to treat the elephant's foot and we were briefed on what to do when it went down. Should it fall on it's trunk we would need to get the trunk out from under it otherwise it would suffocate or should it fall forward we would need to roll it on to its side... We would also need to put a smallish stick inside the trunk opening to keep it open for it to breathe.
Chap and Gordon took off in the helicopter and we followed in the vehicles with the equipment. We where kept updated by radio and once the elephant was darted we were instructed to move closer. Through the bush we could see it sway on all fours and then go down. Chap and Gordon were on the ground in a matter of seconds and we all jumped from the vehicles, everyone carrying equipment which might be essential. Fortunately for us the bull fell on its side, trunk clear. Its ear was flapped over its eyes as a type of blindfold and the examination of its foot began immediately. Chap determined that there was nothing stuck in the foot but that it was badly infected from an injury. Whilst he cleaned the wound, we were instructed to inject the bull with two bottles of penicillin. After cleaning the wound Chap injected a mixture of anti-inflammatory and pulped banana into the wound. Banana? Apparently, this helps as an anti-inflammatory and prevents decay. While we had the bull down it was thought wise to measure the tusks. It was amazing to touch the bull, to hear its peaceful breathing and to see it close up in all its majestic glory.
Everything done, it was time to wake him up. All the equipment was taken back to the vehicles and Chap injected the antidote. In a matter of minutes the bull stood up and crashed through the bush, apparently with a little bit of a hangover.
Bush Cuisine
This if for all the families that enjoy a good cup of tea or coffee with a delicious slice of cake to go with it. The good news for the ladies is that it is a one bowl mixing loaf.. so easy!!!
Baby Marrow Tea Loaf
3 eggs
250ml oil
250ml white sugar
5ml vanilla essence
300g baby marrows
500 ml flour (1/2 brown may be used)
5ml Bicarbonate of soda
5ml baking powder
2ml Salt
5ml Ground cinnamon
5ml ground mixed spice
200ml chopped pecans or walnuts
Method
Beat eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla together until light.
Trim, and coarsely grate raw baby marrows. Works out to +/- 500ml. Stir into creamed mixture.
Sift dry ingredients together and add to mixture.
Finally add the nuts.
Bake in a loaf tin at 180°C for 1 hour.
Optionl: On the stove bring to the boil 2tbl spoons butter, 2tbl spoons castor sugar, 1/3 cup Amarula & 1/3 cup cream â€" pour over the loaf directly after taking it out the oven.
Our Zulu Culture
King Shaka and his battle formation
Although King Shaka's worriers were up against much larger group forces, his newly developed close combat spear and group formations seemed to out class the opponents. This brought a lot of blood shed, though, it took King Shaka from being and out cast child to the King he is known to have been today.
His "Bull Horn" formations surrounded the enemy's army giving him the upper hand to win the battle. His 50 000 men were organized according to age into regiments of 2000 men each. The younger troops would follow behind the older veterans into battle, only once the reaching the enemy they would spread out left and right encircling the other party, therefore not allowing any one to escape for the formation.
Tips from our Tracker
Moths
White-ringed Atlas Moth -Epiphora mythimmia
A wingspan of 120mm. The huge clear eyespot on each wing is lined by yellow. The wings are reddish brown speckled with white. The wing margins with complex light brown markings. The abdomen is barred with white and black with a few yellow specks. The larvae are milk white with hairy blue spots, they feed on the Zizyphus mucranata (Buffalo Thorn Tree)
Birds
White Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus
This unmistakable species, travels around in flocks of between 4 - 10 birds, its bright yellow eye ring is surrounded by a grey cap. The belly is pure white with dark grey back.
The call is a series of loud clicks, given in flights as the bird swiftly flies from tree to tree in search of insects and grubs.
They prefer a mixture of woodland and thorn veld. (Leopard Mountain has a flock that is seen on a daily basic, in which there is an albino one.
Funny Bones
A young boy and his father were in a mall. As they were from out of town (Never been to the city before) they were amazed by almost everything they saw, but especially by two shiny, silver walls that could move apart and then slide back together again. In absolute amazement the boy asked, "What is this dad?"
The father (never having seen an elevator/lift) responded, "Son, I have never seen anything like this in my life, I don't know what it is."
While the boy and his dad were watching with amazement, a little, old lady in a wheel chair moved up to the moving walls and pressed a button. The walls opened and the lady rolled between them into a small room. The walls closed and the boy and his dad watched the small circular numbers above the walls light up sequentially. They continued to watch until it reached the last number and then the numbers began to light in the reverse order. Finally the walls opened up again and a gorgeous 24-year-old blonde stepped out.
The father said quietly.
"Quick - go fetch your mom!!!"
Brain teaser
Thank you to everyone who responded to our last brainteaser. Congratulations Marion Hentschel from Cape Town South Africa who sent in the correct answer to the riddle. You have won yourself and a partner one free night at our award winning lodge, dinner, bed and breakfast.
Last Month's brain teaser was
Which side of a chicken has the most feathers?
Answer
The Outside
........You too could be the lucky person to win yourself and a partner a free night including dinner, bed and breakfast at the lodge, so hurry and email us the answer to the riddle below to be entered in our lucky draw (competition closes 15th October 2006):
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
A man died, leaving R10 000 000 for his widow, 5 sons and 4 daughters. Each daughter received and equal amount, each son received twice as much as a daughter and the widow received three times as much as a son. How much did the widow receive?
News from the lodge
The past month brought us some very welcome rain so the grass is lush and the animals are full of life...
Ryan, the reserve manager did a controlled fire burn last month, which was much needed to rejuvenate the grass. This has also added to the excitement of the game drives, allowing guest to see further into the bush veld for better sightings.
Fluffy the Leopard Tortoise is still hanging about the Lodge, waiting for his daily tid-bits. He mainly enjoys the swimming pool area and I think he has come to realize that the guests are spending more time out there enjoying the sunshine, and that is where the lunch is served... All meals are served with a side salad you know!!
Family News
"Papa, Papa, lets go on a game drive?" is Mathew and Thomas' new line, much to my surprise while going on the drive with them I realized that they are the next up and coming rangers. "Look Pappa there is a Hoopoe and it goes hoop hoop hoop" said Mathew then Thomas would chip in and say "I see a Nyala, there drinking by the water" Soon they will be teaching me things about the bush!! |
