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Bush News and Happenings
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The Leopard's Tale - July 2011
Good Day to all our Leopards Tale Readers
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On the 1st of July 2011 we witnessed the arrival of our 3 male lions onto Zululand Rhino Reserve. We were really lucky to be part of the reserve going from Big 4 to Big 5 and can't wait for them to be released, in the mean time guests are enjoying visiting the boys in the Boma and some of our guests have already seen the BIG 5 on 1 drive, WOW what a treat!!
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Kim Steinberg Art & Photography
Bad Weather = Good Light for Opportunistic Photographers
"Hi fellow wildlife lovers. We all share a love for wildlife and the environment. Wouldn't it be wonderful to go home after a holiday and have captured professional looking photographs? Over the next few months I'll help you with easy to understand tips that will make this possible. We'll move on to camera settings, exposure etc in future editions but for now we'll chat about picture composition in bad weather. Use shadows to get the mood you want, as you don't always need blue skies for a fantastic picture. Many subjects, such as outdoor portraits or wildlife photography can work better in overcast conditions, enabling you to pick up finer details and add character to the picture. For example, for dark tones, harsh shadows portray a sad or empty mood and light and smooth textures convey open and free feelings. Open yourself up to new ideas and you will find that your photography will improve dramatically. Visit www.kimsteingber.com Or email me at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
with any specific photography questions or suggestions on what you would like to read about in my column.
Til next month keep shooting
Kim Steinberg |
OUR RESERVE
The Rangers Report, our Ranger, Werner, gives us some wonderful updates as to what everything is up to:- The winter is finally here and it has been a long wait for us here at the Lodge as the temperatures were not exactly that of winter until the last week. The mornings have become nice and fresh and sometimes very cold, but as soon as the sun comes over our beautiful African horizon the jackets come off and you well and truly reminded that you are on the Zululand Rhino Reserve in the Northern section of Kwazulu Natal. |
Rain as per usual have not been falling on the reserve, unlike in the rest of the country, so the veld and the animals will be feeling it this winter. This evident when looking at our bulk grazers as they seem to congregate in larger numbers as food is becoming scares, these bulk grazers will also start to expand there territories and home ranges to allow for the change in veld, which in return makes game viewing a little bit easier as the animals are on the move thus making it easier for us to spot them. Everything in nature small or big is connected and with the Herbivores expanding their areas of feeding so will the Carnivores, which is great news for us as I am sure the that Leopard, Cheetah and soon to be introduced Lions will make for more frequent and memorable sightings.
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Over the last couple of weeks our game drives have been full of excitement and some great sightings, the most memorable for me was when the 3 interactive Elephants, Rambo, Rachel and little Jabulani, made an unexpected visit to us while on drive. What made this such an amazing sighting was that the Elephants came up to the vehicle with little Jabulani leading the way. I was in the front tracker seat so needless to say I was extremely nervous. Jabulani was acting all tough by flapping his ears and lifting his little trunk but mom quickly put him back in his place, she then came up to the vehicle gave everyone a quick sniff and walked off with Jabulani in hot pursuit.
And then came the big boy, Rambo, and when I say big I really mean it, Rambo weights about 4 and half tons with a shoulder height of over 4 meters and is the second Largest bull in this area, he came walking up nice and casual, like he owns the place and then proceeded to put his trunk around me, just to make sure I wasn't hiding any food. And then like Rachel, he gave the rest a snuff and walked off, what an experience and for one of our guests, this was his first time in Africa which means his first time ever seeing an Elephant, I can only imagine the stories he will be telling his friends when he returns home.
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The two male cheetahs as always have been very prominent popping up all over the Reserve and we are starting to get an idea of where their territory is, but their territory should change drastically when the lions are released which should make for some interesting sightings. The nights seem to be a lot more quiet as the mating season for the Impala is coming to a close which amazingly means that most of the females that came into season over this period will be pregnant and they will be giving birth in about a 196 days.
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We have been very privileged with some of our bird sightings over the last few weeks and as it is easier to spot the animals it is the same for the birds as most of our trees have lost their leaves thus making birding some what easier. Here is a list of some of the birds we have been able to view: The Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Orange-breasted Bush Shrike, Green Pigeon, Brown-hooded Kingfisher.
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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 Marula Tree:-
The Marula Tree (Sclerocarya birrea)
The Marula is indigenous to the miombo woodlands of Southern Africa and the Sudano-Sahelian range of West Africa. The tree is a single stemmed tree with a wide spreading crown. It is characterized by a grey mottled bark.
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The tree grows up to 18m tall mostly in low altitudes and open woodlands. The fruits are used in the liqueur Amarula. The distribution of this species throughout Africa has followed the Bantu in their migrations, as it has been an important item in their diet since time immemorial. When ripe, the fruits have a light yellow skin, with white flesh, rich in vitamin C – about 8 times the amount found in an orange – are succulent, tart with a strong and distinctive flavor. Inside is a walnut-sized, thick-walled stone. These stones, when dry, expose the seeds by shedding 2 (sometimes 3) small circular plugs at one end. The seeds have a delicate nutty flavor and are much sought after, especially by small rodents who know to gnaw exactly where the plugs are located.
A traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known fruit has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, and foster rural development and support sustainable land care.
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Cooking - The seed kernels are high in protein and fat with a subtle nutty flavor and constitute an important emergency food. Fruits are commonly eaten fresh or used to prepare juice, jelly and alcoholic drink. Marula oil, made from the seed kernel, is a delicious additive to meals in Africa. It contains antioxidants and oleic acid.
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Medicinal - The bark is used both as treatment and a prophylaxis for malaria. An infusion of the inner bark of the Marula tree may be applied to scorpion stings and snake bites to alleviate pain. The leaves are chewed on to help indigestion and to treat heartburn. Marula oil, made from the seed kernel, can be used as a type of skin care oil.
Other - Products of the fruit and the tree are useful in crafts and agriculture. Gums exudates from the stem are mixed with water and soot to make ink by certain tribes in the region. The bark also yields a red-brown dye used in coloring traditional craft ware. The fruit infusion is used to bathe tick-infested livestock. The fruit is regarded as a potent insecticide.
Popular culture - The alcoholic distilled beverage (maroela mampoer) made from the fruit is referenced in the stories of the South African writer Herman Charles Bosman. The Marula fruit is also eaten by various animals in Southern Africa. In the movie "Animals Are Beautiful People" by Jamie Uys, released in 1974, some scenes portray elephants, warthogs and monkeys becoming intoxicated from eating fermented Marula fruit. Later research showed that these scenes, at least in large animals were improbable and, in all probability, staged. Elephants would need a huge amount of fermented Marulas to have any effect on them, and other animals prefer the ripe fruit. The amount of water drunk by elephants each day would also dilute the effect of the fruit to such an extent that they would not be affected by it. |
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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!
How many leopards are there in South Africa?
In Africa alone there is between 23 000-27 000 leopard that still live freely in or outside reserves. In the area of Kwazulu Natal there is estimated around 300-400 leopards that roam freely.
We also have to take into consideration the small amount of some of the rarer leopards in the world to:
Sri Lankan leopard: 700-950
Javan leopard: less than 200
Arabian leopard: 150-250
Armur leopard: 30-60
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Let's go into the main reasons of why these numbers are so low and why they keep dropping. Main reason: MAN! Poaching: This is probably the main reason at this time with the decline of leopard numbers especially in the Kwazulu Natal region of South Africa due to culture and traditional wear, mainly of the Zulu tribes and even politicians of South Africa. 4 million Shembe Church followers use these skins in the cultural ceremonies but not all of whom wear them. Never the less there are tailors that buy the poached leopards and design them into their cultural designs needed. How much would one pay for these skins? Well in contrary to the numbers and beauty of the animals you would be looking around R6 000 for a full skin and R3 000 for a designed one where as for a fake it would only cost you R400.00.
A particular Tailor that worked with leopard skins was caught with the possession of 64 leopard skulls and a numerous number of skins. This same tailor was also caught before with the possession of 58 Leopard skins in the year 2004. DNA tests were done with some of the Shembe church skins and this particular tailors skins and there was a match, some 92 leopard skins were found either in or had gone through the same tailor's hands along with Toxic pesticides found to kill wildlife, but the tailor was found unconstitutional. 150 leopards had been identified through the tailor.
Farming: has had an impact to on the leopard, mainly to protect livestock.
The reason for writing this is to encourage all of us to love and respect nature, there is only one chance to keep it. |
BUSH CUISINE
Braised Lamb Shank
Ingredients
| Lamb Shank |
2 |
| Onion, sliced |
1 |
| Carrots, chopped) |
4 |
| Garlic cloves |
8 |
| Thyme |
3 sprigs |
| Rosemary |
3 sprigs |
| Red wine |
½ bottle |
| Beef stock |
1 cup |
| Wholegrain mustard |
3 Teaspoons |
Method
- Mix wine, stock & mustard, then pour into a deep roasting pan
- Add the chopped vegetables and the whole cloves of garlic
- Season the shanks and put them into the pan.
- Cover with tin foil and bake at 160 degrees for 4-6 hours checking every hour that there is still liquid in the pan
- If the liquid does start to dry up add more stock
- Serve with mash potatoes and vegetables
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As all of you might know by now that the Allesverloren Winery are be known for the great number of Award winning wines they have produced over the years. The Alleseverloren Shiraz 2008 is no exception, and this is proven by the fact that it was the most favorite red wine in the Leopard Mountain wine cellar for the whole winter season so far, leaving all the other red wines available in our wine cellar deserted and untouched!
The Allesverloren Shiraz 2008 is intense with ruby and black currant on the nose with ripe berries and oak spices in the back. From burnt, smoky edges to berries and lilies of elegance. Restrained forceful and modest. Balanced with a smooth, firm and graceful finish.
It is rich and full with a good tannic structure and a delicate complexity of ripe plums & prunes.
Let the four Platter's stars speak for themselves!!!
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Funny Bones
Vampire Bat
A vampire bat came flapping in from the night covered in fresh blood and parked himself on the roof of the cave to get some sleep.
Pretty soon all the other bats smelled the blood and began hassling him about where he got it.
He told them to go away and let him get some sleep but they persisted until finally he gave in.
"OK, follow me" he said and flew out of the cave with hundreds of bats behind him.
Down through the valley they went, across a river and into a forest full of trees.
Finally he slowed down and all the other bats excitedly milled around him.
"Now, do you see that tree over there?" he asked.
"Yes, Yes, Yes!" the bats all screamed in a frenzy.
"Good" said the bat, "Because I sure as hell didn't!"
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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 31st August 2011 terms & conditions apply):
Solve this Riddle:
Weight on my belly,
Trees on my back,
Nails in my ribs,
Feet do i lack,
What am I?
Last Months Winner Was:
Thank you to everyone who responded to our competition! The winner of our LEOPARD MOUNTAIN competition for last month is Julie van Rooyen. Congratulations - you have won yourself and a partner a free night .
Alive withouth breath,
As cold as death,
Clag in mail never clinking,
Never thirsty, ever drinking,
What am I?
A Fish
BEST GUEST COMMENTS
Thank you from all of us for a most memorable experience!
From the moment we were met on arrival by friendly faces, to the moment we sadly had to leave, we felt welcome, special and indulged. The staff were all fantastic, the food fabulous and the experience one we will remember for many years to come. The fact that our overseas guests saw the Big 5 in 2 days, was the cherry on the top and it was certainly a privilege to have shared a bit of the Leopard Mountain paradise.
Not only will I highly recommend Leopard Mountain as a honeymoon and wedding destination, but to our friends and colleagues as well. We will be back!
Looking forward to promoting your wonderful lodge, from firsthand experience.
Warm Regards
Nikki Sinclair
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!
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THIS MONTHS TIP
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Wonderbag! We came across these wonderful items a few weeks ago and after seeing what they can do and having tried them out ourselves, we have thought we have to share this with you.
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What is a wonderbag? Well... just the simplest truly South African cost effective energy saving way of cooking we have found. I must admit I was not too sure about these wonderbag's so I thought let me give it a try and see how they work. I made one of the best oxtails and all with just 40 minutes of cooking on my stove top and then 6 hours in the bag...WOW TO THE WONDERBAG!!
An ideal Green Gift for Christmas! Have a look at their WONDERBAG
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THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
'If you can't feed a hundred people, just feed one' – Mother Teresa
…till we chat again next month...
Editor
Melissa van Rooyen
Pictures courtesy of Ivor van Rooyen
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