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Bush News and Happenings
The Leopard's Tale - April 2011
Good Day to all our Leopards Tale Readers
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We have had such an exciting month this March and are so looking forward to April... hopefully it's a bit cooler! It has to be one of the hottest March's I have ever experienced in my 5 years of living on Zululand Rhino Reserve, we even recorded a temperature of 49 degrees in our storeroom.... shoo, so glad it has cooled down! Also on the 28th of March our guests joined the Zululand Rhino Reserve management team in a Rhino Dart, this is truly a once in a life time experience and it is so wonderful to be up-close and personal with one of these magnificent creatures.
We bid farewell to Letisha who leaves us to further her guiding career, we wish her all the best.
We also welcome Werner Harmse to our guiding team and look forward to reading about his adventures as a new guide on our Leopard Mountain Blog.
Don't FORGET, coming up this month
"Do your bit for conservation, check out this website to see how you can help!"
22 April Earth Day |
Earth Day is a global movement held annually on 22 April to promote awareness of and appreciation for Earth's environmental issues. It is an opportunity to celebrate Planet Earth. Earth Day is celebrated around the world by people of all backgrounds regardless of race, gender, nationality or faith. It is an occasion for the world's citizens to commit to building a safer, healthier, cleaner, sustainable world.
These are just some of the major environmental issues our Planet faces:
- the greenhouse effect, global warming and climate change
- destructive energy sources versus sustainable alternate energy sources
- toxic waste and ways of effective, efficient responsible waste management
- groundwater contamination, abuse of water resources, wetland destruction, and pollution of waterways and the oceans
- the impact of litter on our water resources and on ecosystems
- overfishing and unsustainable fishing of our seas and oceans
- destruction of rainforests
- expanding deserts.
Because we humans caused the problems Earth now faces, it is our responsibility to find solutions. Earth Day is a platform to conscientise citizens on what we can do individually and collectively to make a difference and to encourage people to get involved. If we each do something the collective effort will make a big difference not only to South Africa but worldwide. The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. It is believed that this was the start of the modern environmental movement. More on Earth Day. Follow the link and take their quiz to measure your carbon foot print! |
OUR RESERVE
The Rangers Report, our head Ranger, Johann, gives us some wonderful updates as to what everything is up to:-
It is once again that time when we get the opportunity to share some of the amazing things we have been able to see here in this beautiful part of Africa over the last few weeks. As the drier seasons steadily approach, beasts large and small start occurring in higher concentrations in more predictable areas. This means that locating the animals becomes slightly easier. Game drives have been packed with amazing encounters and the hide, one of our premier attractions, is again hosting huge numbers of animals all the time. Unfortunately time and space is limited, but here is an overview of what's happening on the Zululand Rhino reserve and Leopard Mountain.
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Some of the previously burnt areas are still attracting all the bulk grazers you could possibly wish for. Watching herds of 80 buffalo cavorting in the mud and milling around the car are commonplace lately, but no less exciting. The elephants continue to move mainly in the south of the reserve, giving us the opportunity to really have some awesome encounters with these beasts. We watched them bathe themselves in the uMsunduze river around our car and were also escorted away by a herd of females with several juveniles on one morning drive. Giraffes are fairly nomadic and are at this time also loving the south.
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This is evidenced by the fact that we regularly see 30-40 on a single drive! This also generally includes a lot of really cute youngsters as it seems that there has been a big peak in giraffe births over the last month. As we eagerly await the arrival of the lions to be released here, there have been great sightings of many of our other resident predators. Leopards were seen at various points on the two district roads bisecting the reserve and their tracks are all over the riverine areas. Very good sightings of cheetah were also regulars. On our last morning drive we found one male atop a termite mound being very closely guarded by a local black-backed jackal and his partner. The giraffe in attendance didn't seem too keen either.
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We have seen the most black-backed jackal this month of any other previous month and it is encouraging to see this species which is not so common in our area.
Reserve staff reported some good hyena sightings and their whooping calls are an awesome addition to all the other amazing night sounds of the bush.
Birding, as always, has been excellent. This is just a short overview of the more regularly seen and heard species as well as some of the more elusive and localised species that we've seen: Pink-throated twinspot; African firefinch; African green-pigeon(of which we fond various nests during the month) terrestrial brownbul; yellow-throated longclaw; African pygmy, striped and grey-headed kingfishers; little-, white-fronted and European bee-eaters; European-, lilac-breasted and broad-billed rollers. African harrier-hawk, tawny eagle, marabou stork, secretarybird, brown snake-eagle, eastern nicator; purple-banded sunbird; Rudd's and yellow-breasted apalis; crested guineafowl; little sparrowhawk; wattled starling; green-winged pytillia; long-tailed paradise-whydah; dusky indigobird; golden-breasted bunting; common scimitarbill. Just from the deck you can watch white-backed and lappet-faced vultures, tawny eagle and African crowned eagle soar at eye level and the rocky, wooded slopes are very good for mocking cliff-chat, lazy cisticola, black-headed oriole, southern black tit and white-crested helmet-shrike. Bird-baths around the rooms will yield species such as Jameson's firefinch, purple-crested turaco, yellow-fronted canary and red-winged starlings. The nesting lesser striped swallows are also hard at work rearing their newly-hatched chicks.
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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 Sickle Bush:-
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The Sickle Bush:
Description
A spiny deciduous shrub, up to 5m high, the branches are spreading with acacia-like leaves. The drooping pendulous flowers, characteristic pink and yellow catkins (BALARINAS), appear in spring and summer followed by sickle shaped pods in a cluster form.
The wood is hard, strong and termite and bored proof.
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Distribution
Widespread in tropical Africa, from Sudan south to natal, Angola, Gambia, Cape Verde and much more.
Medicinal uses:
Headaches- A lotion made from the leaves and bark. Eyes- The dried seedpods make soothing eyewash for red tired eyes. Stomach pains - Leafs can be chewed to ease colic and hart burn, It can also be used in a tea form.
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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!
The Longest Flight by a Bird? - an Arctic Tern
Arctic terns are the most common water bird off all coastal waters and are found on almost every continent and large supply of water in the word. They grow in sizes of 28-58cm in length; they are fairly slim with a forked tail and always carry their bill downwards. In most cases they will not rest or swim in water so most of the movement is flight. These birds are well known scavenges that usually feed on dead or live fish but will also eat any fresh or rotting food that may be found around water.
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They are sociable birds that nest in large colonies of thousands and can be a very special sight. Many fly across the Atlantic, others from Northern to Southern continents. Arctic Terns travel the fartherest out of any of the terns and any other known animal.
Summer is the upper parts of North Atlantic and Arctic where the winter home is the Antarctic.
Each leg of the flight is approximately, 11000 Miles, One Way! |
BUSH CUISINE
MALVA PUDDING
Ingredients
1 Egg
250ml Castor Sugar
1 Tbsp Apricot Jam
1 Cup Cake Flour
1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
Pinch of salt
1 Tbsp Butter
1 Tsp Vinegar
125ml Milk
125ml Cream
SAUCE
125ml Milk
125ml Cream
180g Butter
1 Cup Sugar
125ml Water
- Pre-heat oven to 180
- Beat together the egg, sugar and jam until well mixed
- Sift together the dry ingredients
- Melt the butter and stir in the vinegar
- Add the milk and cream to the egg mixture alternately with the flour
- Stir in the butter and vinegar
- Pour batter into baking dish and bake for 45 – 60 minutes
- For the sauce, place all the ingredients into a saucepan and heat until the butter has melted
- Pour the sauce over the pudding as soon as it comes out of the oven
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The Pepper Pot 2009 This wine is created to show the fresh, fruity and spice driven flavour of these Rhone verticals. The colour is youthful ad purple/red. The nose is one of crushed black pepper, dark mulberry and mixed berry coulis.Pur, clean dark red berry flavours flow onto a smooth palate with sufficient structure to warrant enjoyment with a good cosine. This red blend is made of 65% Syrah, 28% Mourvedre & 7% Tannat The Berry Box 2009     This red blend contains a medley of small berry and fruit flavours, including blackcurrant, raspberry, strawberry, mulberry and blackberry combined with a hint of anise and vanilla to produce a wine that is instantly gratifying in flavor whilst showing good structure and tannin concentration to allow for some maturation. Blend information : 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Shiraz, 3%Malbec, 20% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 17% Merlot. Food Suggestions: Enjoy these lovely sugar & spice blends with food such as gourmet pizza with Carpaccio and Rocket Salad Or Try Leopard Mountain's: Springbok Carpaccio on Rocket Salad
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Funny Bones
Think Outside the Box
Job Interview Question
You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night. You pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for the bus:
- An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
- An old friend who once saved your life.
- The perfect man (or) woman you have been dreaming about.
Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your car?
Think before you continue reading. This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application.
You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first; or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect dream lover again.
The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer.
He simply answered: "I would give the car keys to my old friend, and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the woman of my dreams." Never forget to "Think Outside of the Box
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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 30th April 2011 terms & conditions apply):
Solve this Riddle:
One likes to jump, when another can fish.
A kind is a triangle, and the next can make a dish.
What I am talking about, give some a fright,
But when others see them, they fill with delight.
What am I?
Last Month's Winner was:
Thank you to everyone who responded to our competition! The winner of our LEOPARD MOUNTAIN competition for Max & Isabella du Plessis. Congratulations - you have won yourself and a partner a free night .
Last Month's competition was:
Born motherless and fatherless,
Into this world without a sin.
Made a loud roar as I entered
And never spoke again.
What am I? - Thunder
BEST GUEST COMMENTS
A wonderful experience in amazing place, beautiful view and chalet. We felt like home hospitality kindness we learnt many so many things About marine and animals!
Hope we will be back soon the staff anticipate all we needed and spend a fantastic stay.
Le Bolloch family,
We had a wonderful time here, it was great to see the hippos in the water! A nice view from the pool and the balcony, and the room had a nice big bed. We also saw the black Rhinos two of them! but the 1 Rhino we couldn't see if it was a black or white.
Thank you so much for lovely time, bye bye!
Antony & Roelien, Medelief & Bream
Thanks to the ranger for seeing the elephants, kind service.
Good place, good people and good food
Dolly & Billy
Best value for everything retreat! Staff brilliant, rooms out of the world, food fit for a King and the Queen was exceptionally happy and contented!! What a stunning place to spend my belated birthday & our upcoming wedding Anniversary. Thanks to the exceptional staff for the private dinner, and especially My husband for arranging all of this!!! You deserve all the awards you've got!
Graham & Brenda (JHB & DBN)
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
REUSE YOUR SHOE BOXES
Use your shoes boxes as storage containers for photos or other items. Paint them with leftover paint or decorate them with leftover wrapping paper.
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
'We love it, we live for it and we look after it…'
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Happy Easter everyone, hope you have a wonderful safe chocolate-filled holiday!
…till we chat again next month...
Editor
Melissa van Rooyen
All pictures courtesy of Ivor van Rooyen, Karen Odendaal & Letishia Kleinshmidt |
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