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News from the Elephant Coast
New Zululand Rhino Reserve
WWF came up with a proposal of helping to expand the black rhino range as a means of helping to solve the extinction of one of the most endangered species on earth. Black rhino populations have declined from 65,000 in 1972 to approximately 3,000 in the year 2000 – a 95% extinction. What was of great concern is that the black rhino being placed in small numbers in private reserves had not been growing at the rate that they should of, which has meant that it has almost been a waste of these members of the species. WWF in consultation with the conservation authorities Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife decided that they needed to look for areas of ideal habitat of approximately 20,000ha and then to place a population of 20 black rhino - which it is anticipated will grow at a fairly rapid rate.
An area of some 25,000ha around Leopard Mountain was identified as the best black rhino habitat in South Africa and would have the necessary carrying capacity and security required to maximize the black rhino’s safety and growth rate. The initial estimates are that the block could hold in excess of 60 black rhino. This required the co-operation of all land owners in the block in an effort where they had to agree to a common constitution which gave black rhino priority rights through the land. And obviously all of the land owners had to commit to pulling down fences and commit their property to conservation forever.
Putting this together has been quite difficult but we now sit with 14,000ha committed, and are negotiating the commitment of a further 7,000ha. We hope to finalise this in the next 30 days, at which stage we will then enter into a contract with WWF for the releasing of 20 black rhino during the capture season of 2005. This would be an incredible achievement for conservation given the threat to the land suitable for conservation by crops such as pineapples, sugar cane and land claims. It is encouraging to observe the level of commitment of the members of the Zululand Rhino Reserve.
We will shortly be appointing a Conservator to handle the environmental and game management. A company has been formed and all the game within the Zululand Rhino Reserve has been put into this company. There is already at present some R30 million worth of game within the reserve. The 14,000ha is already adequate for us to go Big Five, and elephant and lion will be introduced during the game capture season of 2005, starting April.
Already the Zululand Rhino Reserve is being recognised as a conservation initiative worth supporting. The KZN Wildlife has approached us for the relocation of tortoises into the reserve, which are being threatened due to habitat destruction in other areas; and this week we were approached for the relocation of two leopard into the reserve.
A conservation orientated black empowered security company has been engaged to handle security within the reserve, in conjunction with reserve members.
People wishing to become involved in this incredible investment can contact Clive Vivier on 082.5747808 as there are a few land opportunities still available.
Bush Cuisine
Christmas Minted Lamb with Carrot Spaghetti, roasted potatoes and a red wine juice
Baby Marrow Tea Loaf
12 medium lamb chops
½ cup finely diced mint
1 cup olive oil
salt and pepper
4 medium sized potatoes, peeled and quartered and dusted with mixed herbs, salt and pepper
4 medium sized carrots, diced to resemble spaghetti and mixed with freshly chopped coriander
Rosemary and thyme
1 table spoon of flour
Method
Coat and soak the lamb chops in a marinade made of the diced mint, olive oil and seasoning. Roast the chops in a 180-degree oven, together with the potatoes, pouring over the juices occasionally.
When the chops and potatoes are done (approx. 45 minutes), remove from the oven and strain the juice into a cooking pot.
Add red wine and whisk in a tablespoon of flour. Add a sprig of rosemary and thyme and strain. Then simply sauté the diced carrot spaghetti and serve
Our Zulu Culture
Here we portray a glimpse into the history and customs of this wonderful colourful nation.
Family Part 3 of 4
The Men
The man of the house deals with visitors, attends public meetings, makes all the decisions, owns the hut and its contents in their entirety and is solely charged with entering into any agreement. As the boys get older, they are also introduced to the adult responsibilities. The husband may also carve wooden spoons and other utensils. If a family stretches over several kraals, an umnumzana (headman) is appointed whose job it is to arbitrate over small matters. Several of these will serve under an induna who sits in the lower house of the Royal Parliament.
The Wives
The wives are in all respects inferior to the husbands. They are expected to look after all the children, tend the fields, carry the water, make pots and brew the beer. Often, the husband will pay greater attention to his herd than to his wives.
Tips from our Tracker
Mid November saw the Impala giving birth to their babies. The Impala hide their young for the first week and then form nurseries for them within the herd.
Birding News
We have had a large number of crowned hornbills flying around and perching in trees up at the lodge. They roost at a few different sites using one for a few weeks before moving on. They mate for life. Breeding is between October and November. The female sits in a hole in a tree which she ‘cements’ up using a mixture of soil, dung and bark from the bottom of the nest. She sticks it all together with her saliva. The female breaks out after about 70 days, she then cements the hole up again for another 24 days with the young inside. Initially the male feeds the young, but once the female has broken out they both feed them as they require more food. Hornbills eat caterpillars, grasshoppers, termites, wasps, beetles, seeds, fruit, small birds and small reptiles.
Trees
White Milkwood – Sideroxylon Inerme
The fruit is eaten by bushpigs, bats, birds and monkeys. The flowers are eaten by speckled mouse birds. Traditionally the root was ground up into a powder and taken for fevers and coughs. The wood is used for building boats, bridges, hut poles, ploughs and spoons
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Funny Bones
Two Brunettes are talking. The one says, “I see Christmas is falling on a Friday this year.” “Oh,” says the other “I hope it is not a Friday the 13th”!!
Brain Teaser
Thank you to everyone who responded to our October brainteaser. Congratulations to Vicky Hughes 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
What is greater than God is, More evil than the devil, The poor have it, The rich need it, and if you eat it, you'll die?
Answer
NOTHING
........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):
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Q: How can you get rid of "one"?
News from the Lodge
The competition to name our ‘little’ female rhino is still open, so if you have any good names please email them to us on
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and if we like your name you could well be the lucky winner of one night for two at our award winning lodge.
Harold (our new ranger) found two new caves on the cliff face. The only things we found living inside them were bats. The one cave is on top of the other one and both have small rock walls in from of them, which could indicate that they were inhabited at one stage. The one cave leads up into the other one, they are both about three by two metres in size.
The twins Mathew and Thomas are now 17months old and we are all looking forward to enjoying the excitement of Christmas morning with them. As family time together is so important to all of us at the Lodge we have always closed for Christmas day to allow all our staff to be with families for Christmas.
Mathew and Thomas are both running around now and keeping us all very busy. This is the easiest way for us to lose any extra weight put on after tasting the delicious meals served at the Lodge. The babies respond equally whether they are being spoken to in English or Zulu and even understand long words like "nyamazane" which means "buck".
We welcome our new chef to the Lodge - Christo is from Pietermaritzburg and is producing wonderfully interesting dishes eg. cold watermelon soup for hot summer evenings and the most delicious desserts.
The Elephant Coast Tourism Authority is organising a huge VALENTINE’s 2005 campaign into the area. Be sure to buy the January edition of Country Life magazine, to find out more.
Leopard Mountain will be running a great Valentines special, book two nights for two persons during the month of February and pay just R1390 pp. Wine and dine under a canopy of stars, enjoy complimentary champagne and chocolates whilst relaxing in a hammock on your own private balcony. (Rate is inclusive of dinner, bed, breakfast, daily guided game drive and walk on our reserve.)
Best guest comment of the month
Unreal beauty my kind of utopia.
Australia has nothing!
We could not have imagined a better spot for our honeymoon, will have to come back, thank you.
Thanks to our hostess and host, Nicky and Wayne, to the great game drive, Harold, Valdy and all the staff.
Our ten year anniversary well spent – magnificent.
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