Klaserie Chronicle 16

Klaserie December 2010 No 16

Kroniek/Chronicle

CET takes Kudu by it’s horns

The leopard who packed her spots and left inside|

KPNR annual aerial census... 5 * Left for dead ...7 * Plant Spekboom and reduce carbon dioxide levels... 8 Elephant charge slip up ... 20 photo: Lynette Srauss

2 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 16

Letters Dear Zani

Zani’s

Key board It started with a dream ... four years later we did it! CET won the SANParks National Kudu Award – a treasured token of recognition for all the hard work, the determination, tears and support of everyone involved.

As you will see this edition of the Chronicle is chock-a-block with contributions from Klaserie residents and owners. Please do send me all your interesting sightings and stories.

Baie dankie vir elkeen, van die kinders tot die donateurs, vir julle volgehoue bydrae en ondersteuning deur die jaar.

Kit-a-Kid managed to clothe about 300 children in brand new school uniforms.

The Holiday Workshops helped to educate a record breaking 250 children and our bursary pupils at Southern Cross Schools continue to out-do themselves.

All this would not be possible without our board of directors, staff, donors, partners and friends.

Thank you one and all. You were the wind beneath our wings and inspired us to diversify and reach out far beyond our means.

Thank you. We carry on with the good work next year.

We at GBE would like to congratulate you and the CET team on winning the 2010 Kudu Award for Environmental Education.

We are glad that your hard work has paid off and that you have received the recognition you deserve. GBE is proud to be associated with CET! This further proves that our contribution to CET is well worth it and that the excellent management of the organisation was recognisd at the highest level.

Well done!

Marius Ellis, managing director, Global Business Excellence Well done on your Kudu award!

Congratulations!

Brett Thomson, Marketing Director, Africa On Foot Well done on the Kudu Award, that’s fantastic news!!!

Jason Trollip, General Manager, Singita Sabi Sand

From the heart of the Klaserie we wish all of you: Geseende Kersfees en ‘n vreugdevolle Nuwe Jaar!

Ein frohes Weihnachtsfest und alles Gute sum neuen Jahr!

Sinifesela uKhisimusi oMuhle noN yako oMusha!

vacancies at CET

PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR Full day : Hoedspruit Minimum requirements: • Tertiary qualification • 5 years exposure to Admin. and Project Management environment

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek Team Editor: Zani Kunz Consulting Editor: Lynette Strauss Advertising: Zani Kunz Proofing: Littcor Layout and design: Lynette Strauss Contributors: Lynette Strauss, Katy Johnson, Sieglinde Rode, Colin Rowles, Cristiena Kruger, Engela van Staden, Anton Nel, Luci Crookes, Stefan Bruwer, Des Jacobs, Fred Ruest, Caryn Myers, Wendy Kingston, Christoff Feldtmann, Mike Myers, Ant de boer, Karen Randall, CJ McDonald, Chris Mayes, Zani Kunz.

We wish you all a peaceful Christmas en ‘n voorspoedige Nuwe Jaar

The Klaserie Chronicle is published quarterly and distributed to KPNR owners, as well as CET donors, partners and Chronicle advertisers.

If you would like tos end a contribution, please forward to zani@ecochildren.co.za or fax: 086 628 8733

• • • • • •

Fully bilingual Proficient in MS Office Understanding cultural diversity Passion for children Own transport Knowledge of Fauna and Flora

Please submit CV to: zani@ecochildren.co.za or fax: 086 628 8733 by 31 December 2010

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR Minimum requirements: • Grade 12 with a minimum of 5 – 7 years relevant experience in a Financial Administrative environment • Excellent computer

• • •

skills (Proficient in MS Word, Excel, Power Point) A grasp for cultural diversity Ability to work independently Good command of the English language

Kudu winner!

C

hildren Eco Training (CET) walked away with the Kudu for best environmental education organization at the annual SANParks awards function.

“The Kudu Awards is an initiative that aims to recognize external stakeholders for their contribution and efforts in making South African National Parks the custodian of choice for the national parks system of South Africa, and also plays a significant role in the conservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage, thus protecting South Africa’s most valuable national assets,”

says Reynold Thakuli, general manager, media at SANParks.

Individuals and organizations outside of SANParks are recognized in four categories – corporate, community and media contribution to conservation as well as organizations and individuals that further environmental education or capacity building.

Other Kudu winners: Corporate contribution: Dr Brian van Wilgen for his significant contributions to conservation and for their group contribution towards this initiative,

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 16 | 3

Jock Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park (KNP).

Media contribution: Elaenor Momberg of the Sunday Independent and a merit award to Sharon van Wyk. Community contribution: The Endangered Wildlife Trust (Group), KwaZulu Natal; Eugene Joubert (Region of the year) and Sunset Serenade in KNP’s Letaba; Margret Stafford (Project of the year).

Environmental Education: Individuals recognised: Bongani Mbatha and Dr Madelein J. Grundlingh. Group: Children’s Eco Training.

Dr Hector Magome, SANParks executive manager of conservation and people and conservation with Zani Kunz, CET CEO, and Dr David Mabuna, CEO SANParks

“helping to build lasting wealth” l Equity Portfolios l Balanced Portfolio l Absolute Return Portfolios l Treasury Management Contact: Danie Berrange (011) 375 4780 or Andre Combrinck (021) 882 9374

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Harvesting of Ground Hornbill chicks within the APNR

Sieglinde Rode

G

round Hornbills (Bucorvus leadbeateri) are an important flagship species that is in dangerous decline outside of protected areas in South Africa, with the loss of 66% of their habitat as a result of new plantations and enlarging rural communities. This has raised the IUCN status to ‘Endangered’ in South Africa and from ‘Least Concern’ to ‘Vulnerable’ globally. (BirdLife International Forums 2010) The Ground Hornbill Action Group has embarked on a recovery plan that requires chicks for hand-rearing at Johannesburg Zoo for the captive breeding program and by Delecia Gunn at the Loskopdam Municipal Reserve for

wild release for population augmentation and re-introductions of populations within the species’ historical range by the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project.

The APNR has therefore been selected as one of the sites that will provide second hatched chicks to these programs.

Approval was granted by the Joint Committee of the APNR to start the harvesting of second hatched chicks during the 2010/11 breeding season. It is aimed to harvest six second hatched chicks from the APNR, the chicks will be transported to Loskopdam and Johannesburg Zoo where they will be hand-reared until they are self sufficient. There after they will be taken to the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project where they will be put into groups for reintroduction.

Each breeding group of Ground Hornbills normally fledges only a single chick, although up to three eggs may be laid in a clutch and all may hatch. The second- and thirdhatched chicks normally die within one week (mostly within three days) following hatching, apparently from parental neglect. The first three days after hatching are the most critical for chick survival and the first chick hatches approximately 5 – 7 days before the second chick. Normally, by two days after hatching the viability of the second chick begins to decline drastically. Over the last 8 years, the APNR has had a 99% mortality rate of second hatched chicks. Since 2002, there have been 67 breeding attempts by the various groups and only in one breeding attempt did the first chick die and the second chick survived.

Second hatched chicks will only be harvested if the first chick is in good health and stable. Health of a chick can be determined by its strength in keeping its head up, begging for food and being able to sit up on its own. Also, the colour of the chick and the air bubbles on the shoulders of the chicks assist in determining good health. If there isn’t 100% certainty about the health of the first chick, then the second chick will not be harvested.

The Mazda Wildlife Fund vehicle (Humphrey le Grice) has been made available for harvesting and transportation of second hatched chicks from the 9th December until 9th January for the next three years. It is our hope that the harvesting project will serve as a positive benefit by increasing the numbers of wild birds in South Africa.

Photo: Katy Johnson

GBE is an international, high-impact management consulting, advisory and implementation firm that focuses on solving the toughest, highest value, and most critical business challenges facing client organizations. We are a fast growing, entrepreneurial practice, building a reputation in the international marketplace for highly credible individuals and teams who rapidly deliver superior results in their fields of strategy development and implementation, change management and business excellence. GBE is a management consultancy delivering tangible results that add lasting financial value to their client’s business.

Tel: (021) 882 9427/ Fax: (021) 882 9376/ E-mail: info@gbeconsult.com / www.gbeconsult.com

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 16 | 5

Klaserie annual aerial census 2010 Colin Rowles

T

he annual aerial census of the Klaserie Private Nature reserve was conducted from 13 to 15 September 2010.

As with the preceding twelve years, a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter was employed as the counting platform.

The helicopter was fitted with marker bars, which protruded from below the cabin on either side.

The marker bars defined the area in which the animals were to be counted, while flying, on either side of the aircraft.

The census team consisted of Mr Mike Pingo, pilot and observer, Mr Colin Rowles, data capturer and observer, Dr Mike Peel and Mr Sean Fairhead who served as the primary observers.

The entire reserve was covered in east/west and west/east strips at an altitude of approximately 150 feet. The census commenced in the south of the

reserve and progressed towards the north, ending at the Olifants River on the last day.

All animals observed in the observation strip were identified and counted.

The large buffalo herds were split into smaller countable herds by the pilot before they were counted.

The observers then communicated the information to the data collector, who entered the data into a laptop computer. The software programme allowed for the assignment of a GPS coordinate to every data entry made.

The computer screen also provided a flashing astrix which denoted the position of the helicopter in relation to a grid line along which it was flown. This ensured navigational accuracy.

The weather and the prevailing environmental conditions were optimal for the conducting of the census.

On all three days the skies were clear and devoid of clouds. The wind was predominantly light northerly, and the

The software programme allowed for the assignment of a GPS coordinate to every data entry made.

ambient temperatures reached the mid thirties.

As regards the environmental conditions, the below average rainfall season of 2009/10, had resulted in all deciduous trees being bare of foliage.

The flower canopy of the Acacia nigrescens that usually prevails at this time was insignificant and presented little cover for animals during the heat of the day. The distribution of water across the reserve resulted in a fairly even distribution of animals.

An added requirement for the census this year was to collect demographic data about the elephant population. The information was collected by means of photography and all elephants encountered during the census were photographed.

Additionally all white rhino were sexed and their age determined in order to compile a population profile for the species.

Photo: Cristiena Kruger

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Hlokomela hosts golf day

By Engela van Staden Five Klaserie staff members received certificates from Klaserie Chairman Mike t was the Myers time of at thethe yearAGM again for ABET, Hlokomela and the when farm workers, Nompilos, domestic workers, farmers and managers’ wives, together with Hlokomela personnel, gather at Drakensig Golf Club for an enjoyable day of golf and ladies teambuilding.

There were approximately 65 women and three men participating in the golf challenge on Saturday 30 October 2010. The aim of the day: to encourage the women of the farming community, promote healthy living and use the opportunity to discuss health issues affecting them in their daily lives.

This year CANSA from Polokwane talked about breast examinations and woman had the opportunity to go for breast examination. AIDS issues were put under the magnifying glass as always.

staff snippets •

I

The women really went out to enjoy themselves. They were jumping, singing and dancing, making jokes and just having a lot of fun! Each participant received a gift pack as a token of gratitude for their contribution towards the success for the day.

“I want to thank you for the golf day you arranged this past Saturday. For me, it was one of the most rewarding I have ever attended on a personal level.

To play with people that have never played before, their positive, enthusiastic and appreciative nature for the smallest achievement was contagious and heart warming.

I made four new friends, friends I wouldn’t have known if it wasn’t for Saturday. Thank you for bridging the gap and allowing us a peep into each others world, it was a wonderful experience, one I will treasure for a life time!

Thank you for all the arr ang em ents , laughter, fun, At this for all, prizes yearsfood and lovely AGM six not a dry throat Klaon the day! Well done! See you next year!

•

A successful Aids Awareness Day in conjunction with Hlokomela was again held on 10 September 2010 and the day was well attended by KPNR Head Quarters staff as well as Camp staff. In addition to guest speakers on relevant subjects, participants also had lively discussion and debates in smaller workgroups facilitated by senior staff and knowledgeable team facilitators.

Zenta, Anton Nel’s wife, works with Healing Hearts, a Counselling Centre in Hoedspruit, to debrief nompilos at Hlokomela in small group sessions. The nompilos have the opportunity to listen to each other and to share problems, issues and experiences. The sessions assist the nompilos to prepare and develop for the challenging work they do in the community.

Mrs Catherine Letsoalo (above) from Tilodi Camp, Mike Anderson is welcomed at her workshop as a trainer. She is 45 years old and loves putting a smile on children’s faces. She is here to learn more about the bush and teach it to the children. Welcome Catherine!

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 16 | 7

Left for dead Sieglinde Rode

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n 23 July at 00:30, on my way back from town, I saw a honey badger lying on the road at the Klaserie Bridge. I immediately stopped to check if it was still alive. It was still breathing. The little legs were jerking and she was clearly in pain. She had been hit in the face and there was lots of blood around the mouth and nose. It was a big female. I phoned Brian Jones and he said that I could bring her to Moholoholo. She was in bad shape when I got to Moholoholo at about 01:45.

The next day I wrote on facebook that I could not believe people just hit an animal and leave it to die. Someone working in the Timbavati said that they had gone past there earlier and saw the honey badger on the road, but they thought it was dead.

They asked the gate guards if they had seen anything.

They said that it was someone going from Josmac’s to Hoedspruit who had apparently been drinking.

However, it appeared that

the honey badger had been crossing the road from left to right (from Hoedspruit side) and was hit on the right hand side of her face. She was lying on the bridge in the lane that goes towards the reserve not away from it. One would have been able to see her from a long way away. It’s also not possible to go so fast that one couldn’t stop there.

Living in this area everyone is aware that there are constantly animals on the road. We all know there is a rehabilitation centre that can help injured animals and it doesn’t take much just to stop and check if the ani-

mal is still alive. Even if an animal is dead, one can just drag the carcass off the road to stop any scavengers from getting hit as well.

However, the honey badger’s story has a happy ending (many others are not so fortunate). The vets were able to fix her jaw, by putting it back together with wires. Only two weeks later the female had a cub!

This is the first cub recorded in captivity and for more information on the badger and her cub, contact Brian Jones at Moholoholo.

Photo: special permission Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre

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Plant spekboom and reduce carbon dioxide levels Support-a-school under the spotlight

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ET staff and teachers touched base on the support-a-school project over lunch at Wildebees Lapa in Hoedspruit on 18 August.

The teachers’ strike prevented all those invited from coming, but participating schools, Seganyane, Matikinya and Mawuvana were well presented, as well as newcomer N’wamacingele Primary School.

Zani Kunz, CET’s chief executive officer opened the meeting with a synopsis of the schools project activities since inception. These include a borehole, revamped school floors, refurbished desks and vegetable gardens.

The vegetable gardens, in particular, are well looked after and an integral part of feeding projects at the schools.

With varying degrees of success, the schools harvested tomatoes, brinjal, cauliflower and cabbage.

Around 80 percent of the harvest was used to feed the children and the rest was sold. It was agreed at the meeting that these funds should be paid into the school account, but jointly managed by the school governing board and finance committee.

The role of general workers and their contribution to the upkeep of the gardens is a thorny issue in need of circuit management intervention.

The meeting again committed to greening projects, recycling, competitions and neatness at the schools for the year ahead. It was also agreed to draft a policy document and focus on healthier attitude development amongst the children at school.

T

he current level of atmospheric carbon dioxide exceeds levels not yet reached for the past four hundred and twenty thousand years.

The impact of global change on South Africa could have dire consequences for biodiversity, most likely in the form of range contractions and compositional changes of species, including extinctions.

Spekboom grows remarkably quickly for the meager rainfall that it receives in the areas where it occurs. It is found mostly in the Eastern Cape, Kwazulu Natal, and as far as Mpumalanga and Limpopo. There are two proposed reasons why spekboom is able to grow under harsh conditions.

Firstly, it is exceptionally succulent and stores water after rainfall to use during dry periods. The amount of water stored above ground in a pristine spekboom-rich thicket is in the order of 200 cubic meters per hectare: equivalent to a shallow dam concealed and protected by greenery.

Secondly, spekboom has an unusual ability to “switch gears”; during dry periods it stores water like a cactus and grows slowly, but during wet periods it grows rapidly and behaves like a conventional tree. Spekboom is special because it is a dominant plant in many intact thicket types, as it propagates from cuttings.

A spekboom-rich thicket is home to a wide variety of large mammals, including black rhino, buffalo and elephant.

Like most succulents, it can take root from broken stems, which appear to work strongly in its favour in areas where these large mammals occur.

Carbon sequestration is the extraction of carbon dioxide from the atmo-

sphere. This can be achieved by growing plants (which use carbon dioxide to produce biomass) in degraded ecosystems or through chemical means such as carbon dioxide scrubbers that control emissions from some modern coal-fired power stations.

The only largescale sequestration project in South Africa today is the Working for Woodlands Thicket Restoration Project, which has restored a total of approximately 1000 hectares in Addo Elephant National Park, Fish River Reserve and the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve in the Eastern Cape. This project entails the planting of spekboom (Portulacaria afra) cuttings in highly degraded thickets.

Portulacaria afra has an unusual ability to rapidly fix carbon in semi-arid environments: up to 0.42 kg carbon per m² per year.

Carbon storage within an intact subtropical thicket can exceed 200 tons carbon per ha and is possibly linked to the dominance of P. afra in some areas.

An interesting aspect of carbon storage in subtropical thickets is its distribution in the landscape. In a study near Kirkwood, the bulk of carbon was stored in the soil (an average value of 168 ton carbon per ha), with root carbon contributing a further 25 tons carbon per ha, and above-ground carbon a further 52 tons carbon per ha, totalling 245 tons carbon per ha.

By planting Spekboom you can make a significant difference in reducing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere – so why wait? Start now, cuttings will be available at Klaserie Headquarters.

Contact: Ziggy Rode, 079 888 8871

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 15 | 9

Don’t mess with this bug!

Luci Crookes

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n a recent visit to our camp, Matamani, we found the Impala Lilies full of velvet pods about to burst, releasing their fascinating seeds to the breeze. Masses of bright red ‘beetles’ were in attendance as each pod opened in the heat of the day.

We asked a friend, Dr Allan Connell of Durban, for an ID. “These are not beetles, but bugs,” he re-

plied “and if you mess with them they can exude a foul-smelling fluid and become stink bugs.

They have, like all bugs, piercing, sucking mouthparts.

This species is known as the milkweed bug, Spilostethus pandurus, and is partial to feeding on a variety of seeds.

They obviously laid eggs on these pods, and these nymphs and adults are the result. It is common on various types of veld throughout the wetter parts of SA.

What you assume to be different species are just the various developmental instars of a single species.

The ones with the figure eight on the back are fairly advanced, and those with the silvery diamond and spade shape at the back are adults with folded wings.

Some insects go from worm to pupa and adult, but bugs are like cockroaches; they moult (shed skin) and get bigger in stages that look much like the previous one until the final moult to an adult with wings.”

The Reincarnation of the General

Anton Nel

I

felt his eyes on me long before I saw him. It was a quiet and cool evening next to the Klaserie River. I scanned the vegetation between the fence and the river, where the bush buck, njalas, kudus and buffalo bachelors regularly come to visit. But there was nothing. Shrugging

my shoulders, I turned towards the door to put on the kettle for a sundowner coffee and there he was. Right next to the door!

Looking at me through half-shuttered eyelids and with a sardonic smile around his mouth. He was sitting on the wooden frame of the brass plaque fixed against the stone wall of the old Guest Cottage.

With his cool, wet-look body shining softly in the setting sunlight, the foam nest frog was at peace with the world. Totally undisturbed by me, he sat listening while I told him the story of his famous hiding place.

In the 1970’s and 80’s the South African Defence Force asked permission to hold training, especially survival training exercises, in the Reserve. Access was granted and for a number of years, men in army browns and camouflage uniforms shared the bush with the wildlife. In acknowledge-

ment of the opportunity to utilise Klaserie, and of course as a hide-away for the officers while the foot soldiers suffer (!), the army offered to build a guest house for the Reserve.

In 1988 General Magnus Malan, then Chief of the Defence Force, officially opened the Guest Cottage. It is therefore only appropriate that Magnus again occupy a part of the Guest Cottage and so our own Magnus, the frog, has been living safely and comfortably behind the plaque bearing his name. In the evenings we sometimes see him against the insect screen, mastering his own survival skills against all the insects trying to get to the lights inside the house. But most of the time we just see a friendly blink when we look behind the plaque, uttering a “Hi Magnus!” greeting.

10 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 16

memorable.moments@kpnr Stefan Bruwer. Makumu Camp

Stefan Bruwer. Makumu Camp

Fred Ruest

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 16 |11

Colin Rowles

Des Jacobs

Des Jacobs

Des Jacobs

memorable.moments@kpnr

Fred Ruest

12 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 16

Grade sevens say goodbye

L

eaving primary school is a gigantic step and is usually celebrated in style. At Matikinya and Seganyane Primary Schools, this milestone was marked with song, dance, poetry, talk shows and speeches.

With their parents, teachers, principals and even dignitaries that included an induna, business leaders, CET staff, police officers and education department officials watching, the children, mostly the grade six pupils, bid their se-

nior classmates farewell.

Poetry won the day as favourite herald, with topics ranging from child neglect, greening projects and water safety. A talk show on animal abuse, and a gumboot and sarafina dance completed a joyous occasion.

The principals had a last word for both parents and children, highlighting the need to eradicate neglect and wishing the Grade sevens a fruitful stay in high school.

Any monetary donations, however big or small, assist us in making a difference to people’s lives. Please donate now.

Children’s Eco Training, Acc nr: 013 253 611, STANDARD BANK, Hatfield Branch, Branch nr: 01-15-45, Swift code: SBZAZAJJ, Cheque account, ref: your surname and send proof of payment to zani@ecochildren.co.za or fax 086 628 8733

Bedding donated

W

hen the Crabbia family decided to renovate Nyeleti Camp, manager Lee-Anne Detert had little effort in convincing them to donate some of the bedding, mosquito nets and pillows to CET. After speaking to Hloklomela Home Based Care’s Christine du Preez, Zani Kunz, CET CEO, realised the donation would be of more use at the various Hlokomela clinics on the farms in the Hoedspruit area.

The Phedisang Project, in particular, was grateful for some of the goods. Phedisang means ‘help them to live’ in Northern Sotho.

It supports drop-in centers for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in seven villages which are all located in the Greater Sekororo Area of Maruleng Municipality: Enable, Worcester, Butswana, Turkey 1, Turkey 2, Moshate, and Molalane.

OVCs from ages 6 to 18 years are eligible to participate. Currently, nearly 550 children are registered at the seven centers.

By definition an OVC has lost either one or both parents, or is in an unstable family situation. These children have very little means for food, or enrichment outside of school.

“Many of these blankets and linens went to the children at the Molalane center which was recently impacted by a theft,” says Christine.

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 16 | 13

The Python Yo-Yo Anton Nel In the Lowveld, some days are tougher than others. It was just after 06:00 and I was eating my muesli and yoghurt breakfast on the porch of the old Guest Cottage looking over the quiet Klaserie River, when the early morning calmness was shattered by a yell from Zenta, my wife. Moments before she had walked over to where the long grass starts behind the car port to see what our two cats were up to playing with each other. Her scream got me on my feet much quicker than I usually get up! I quickly walked over to her, but before I could reach her she grabbed her shoe and started hitting away at something on the ground.

When I reached her I saw that it was not the two cats playing but that a python had already won a wrestling match with the one year old grey cat, Gatito. Gatito was still struggling but with two coils of the python already around its body it was losing further with each breath.

The python’s head was still buried inside the cat’s groin where it had a firm grip with a deep bite into the soft tissue.

Zenta’s brave attempt with her shoe bounced off the muscled body like from a hard inflated inner tube. Without really thinking, I grabbed the snake by its tail lifting it to shoulder height in an effort to get the cat’s weight and gravity to uncoil its body. It kept its position for a second or two and only when I started to play it like a yo-yo did it uncoil but it still kept its teeth firmly hooked into the cat’s stomach. I shook it some more and eventually it let go.

There I was, standing with a “dedonner-in” python in my right hand

and only then realising what I had done! I decided to carry it 15 meters or so to the fence and then to throw it over the fence. Luckily it was a relatively small python - approximately 1.8-2m long and about as thick as my forearm. I carried it at arm’s length as it tried to nibble me on my leg, as reward for having stolen a juicy breakfast from it. Close to the fence, I launched it rather unceremoniously with a swing-action over the fence wires and it disappeared into the dry grass on the river bank.

It is really an amazing animal, optimally put together for what it has to do to survive. Its strength is difficult to describe. From head to tail it is one solid piece of muscle.

By then, Gatito had disappeared.

Zenta (my dear wife!) worried about me and first checked to see if I was managing with the snake and in that time the traumatised cat fled without looking at a map or compass!.

After a frantic search, we eventually found it some 30 meters beyond the house in the veldt but at least still inside the fence. Being assured by our snake book that pythons are not known for their dentistry care, we decided to make an emergency visit to Provet Wildlife Services in Hoedspruit.

Dr. Hamilton did excellent work in opening and cleaning the bite wounds. Gatito is still on a strong course of anti-biotic, Zenta is on Calmettes and I am on Johnny Walker! Gatito is displaying severe trauma disorders in his behaviour and we expect a long road of psychological recovery. But at least he is alive to tell his brother about his ordeal. And I suppose the python also had a story to tell that evening at the Snakeskin Bar next to the Klaserie River, about the one that got away.

14 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 16

Dappled Death Colin Rowles

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ravelling between HQ and Incheni gate early one morning, lost in thought, something caught my eye on the left, something spotted. I jumped on the brake.

The land cruiser sided to a halt in a cloud of dust and flying stones. As the dust settled the view cleared. There he stood frozen, out in the open, only 20 yards from my vehicle, a magnificent leopard tom.

Oblivious of my presence and staring straight ahead, without so much as a twitch of an ear, he crouched low, his head, shoulders and back on a level plane, his thick white-tipped tail hung in a gentle arc. Motionless he stood, muscles rippling and twitching in anticipation under his dappled coat as he remained fixated on the warthog boar that grazed contentedly in the clearing ahead.

The warthog turned away, on his knees, as he ploughed the ground with his snout for roots. Dappled death seized the opportunity and quickly moved forward in a straight line, his belly slung

just above the ground, eyes on meal ahead. As the pig turned back towards him, he froze again. The only movement displayed was the gentle heaving of his flanks as he breathed through flared nostrils, his whiskers long and erect.

Again the pig turned away. He crouched low and quickly moved forward and slipped into a drainage ditch which provided some cover. With ears flattened against his massive head, he peered intently ahead, considering his options.

With no cover to camouflage his advance, he doubled back at the first opportunity, and again, painstakingly approached the pig in zig zag fashion from another angle.

I was late for a meeting, so had to leave. As I travelled I wondered whether dappled death would be successful.

Later in the afternoon, upon my return, I passed the spot and half expected to see some vultures hanging in the surrounding trees, but nothing.

The next day my travels took me there again, and lo and behold, there he was without a scratch, the big knobbly-faced warthog boar! Photo: Colin Rowles

Kit-a-Kid You can make it happen

For just R250 we can kit-a-kid in a school uniform for the year! A uniform makes an enormous difference to a child’s school life... ...they gain self confidence, work harder and achieve more!

A complete uniform consists of a shirt, shorts/dress, jersey, shoes and socks. Thanks to the generous support we received for this project last year 220 children received a complete uniform plus an extra school shirt. To receive a uniform the children have to work hard and attend the CET trainings during the holidays, and at our adopted Acornhoek schools the committed and enthusiastic learners who participate in the various CET projects also have a chance to qualify for a uniform.

The children need YOU to make a difference .... Children’s Eco Training, Acc nr: 013 253 611, STANDARD BANK, Hatfield Branch, Branch nr: 01-15-45, Swift code: SBZAZAJJ, Cheque account, ref: your surname and send proof of payment to zani@ecochildren.co.za or fax 086 628 8733. See our website for more. www.ecochildren.co.za

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 15 | 16

You can for conservation T o promote a better understanding of indigenous trees and the role they play in people’s surroundings, the Skukuza Nursery in the Kruger National Park (KNP) started an initiative called “A Can for Conservation” during this year’s Arbour Week (1 – 7 September 2010).

The product involves a joint effort by KNP’s scientific services and conservation management staff members who package cans with necessary contents to grow and plant indigenous trees. These recyclable cans are mainly supplied to schools and nurseries in the Lowveld region who are interested in growing indigenous trees at a discounted price.

Inside a ‘Can for Conservation” are the soil - which is a mixture of organic compost and river sand, gravel - for drainage at the bottom of the can, instructions - on how to get started, information - on how to grow tree seeds and an information brochure about the Skukuza Nursery. The seeds for the Fever tree, Acacia Xanthophloea and Nkelenga in Tsonga, which is the 2010 Tree of the Year and is easy to grow are also included.

“We mainly target school children and the idea is to cultivate their attitude so that they can grow and become citizens who are aware of the need to plant and

maintain trees that are indigenous to South Africa,” said the manager at Skukuza Indigenous Nursery, Michele Hofmeyr.

“The production process for a can for conservation is a thorough exercise however the team from the Nursery and GPP (led by Januario Fernandez) have made it easier with their dedication and team effort since the beginning of the project.”

There has been a demand for the “Can for Conservation” product recently with organizations that are into greening initiatives ordering these in bulk. Anyone can purchase the product directly from the Skukuza Nursery at a retail price of R10.00 and the contact person is Michele on 013 735 4312 or

email michelehofmeyr@sanparks.org The Skukuza Indigenous Nursery has a wide selection of indigenous trees, shrubs and ground-covers suitable for gardens and is situated in the Staff Village 4km from Skukuza Camp.

The nursery operates seven days a week between 7:00 and 16:00 weekdays and between 08:00 and 16:00 over the weekend (also on public holidays except Christmas Day).

Deur Christoff Feldtmann. Gebasseer op ‘n ware verhaal deur Anton Nel.

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16 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 16

BOOK REVIEW Title: Man-eaters, Mambas and Marula Madness Author: Mario Cesare Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers Publication Date: 2010 ISBN: 978-1-86842-379-8 Pages: 401 This book contains a collection of essays and true stories of a field ranger’s life in the bush, particularly the South African Lowveld. Mario Cesare is a field ranger in the Olifants River Game Reserve that forms part of the bigger Balule Private Nature Reserve. He writes with passion and insight about his experiences in the bush. Mixed into the stories is also some background to Mario himself, which is quite helpful as it assists to a great extent to understand some of the viewpoints and behaviour that are described in the chapters.

The book consists of 61 chapters varying in length from 3 to 15 pages. It covers experiences and insights from habitat to man-eater lions and with lots of other interesting stories in between.

Mario’s Italian blood shows in the passion with which he writes about life in the bush, the only career he ever seriously considered. He does not hesitate to offer his own insights and convictions about matters and problems related to nature management and with some 35 year experience he can do that!

The book will be of particular interest to people who knows Klaserie Private Nature Reserve as it is largely about the Olifants River Reserve neighbouring Klaserie and thus close to home. Many of the stories could just as well have taken place on Klaserie (and similar events probably did take place!). It is therefore easy to relate to his stories.

Mario is not a writer by profession but the stories lend themselves to his writing style and the book was well edited by the publisher.

There are lovely drawings in the book as well as 16 pages of colour photographs (including one of our own KPNR Warden in a serious looking camouflage suit attending to a black rhino!). There is also a handy bibliography for further reading. This reviewer recommends the book strongly to KPNR interested people, but also to anyone interested in nature.

Anton Nel, November 2010

Hyena encounter Mike Myers

E

arly in August we found the hyena den on Fife, not too far from the solar panels at the crossroads. Initially, only three pups were visible – all three had just begun to get their spots – and they kept away from the vehicle. Before our next visit in September they had moved to an anthill much closer to our camp.

The adults were regularly spotted near the camp, obviously looking for food scraps.

The pups had now become extremely inquisitive and cautiously approached the vehicle whenever we stopped. The number of pups had increased to seven; six just getting their spots and the smallest still very black. Over the next few months they became very habituated and would come over to the vehicle to see what was going on. Most of the time only one adult was left to look after the

pups and on no occasion did she seem concerned that the pups were in any danger.

During one visit we met four of the pups and three adults on the road about 300m from the den.

We stopped and again the pups showed a great interest in the vehicle. The adults stood nearby and watched. After about 20 minutes the adults began to show some irritation that the pups were not following them and had become so distracted. We slowly moved on to leave them alone.

During this period, we had friends from France visit us.

They spent nearly three weeks in South Africa, travelling the Garden Route, visiting KNP and Klaserie and regarded the sighting of the hyena pups as the highlight of their holiday. It has really been a privilege to be able to spend so much time with the clan and watch the pups grow up over the past four months.

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Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 16| 17

Winners visit KPNR

T

hree schools in three days is what the CET staff did to announce the top 10 Grade 6 pupils at Seganyane, Matikinya and Mawuvana Primary Schools. The winners received a R250 Express voucher to buy school clothing.

A surprise Inspection/adjudication was done by Zani Kunz and Estie Burger, a firm friend and supporter of CET to select/establish the winner of the three schools. The winning school: Seganyane Primary School.

No one was left empty handed as each child received a mug, cake, sweets, drinks and food. The winners also qualified for a trip to the Klaseie Private Nature Reserve

(KPNR). The trip took place on November 30. Great North Transport donated a bus which collected the children form Acornhoek Plaza for the day trip.

Zani Kunz, chief executive officer of CET welcomed the group and, over a cup of juice, explained the programme which included talks on poaching and trees. Each child received a tree booklet, Spar pencil case and snack pack. The highlight of the day was the open vehicle drive where many of the children had first time sightings of game.

Teachers received certificates, caps and prizes to recognize their commitment to the greening of their schools and communities.

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Bursary beneficiaries excell at Southern Cross Schools

F

ive children are enrolled at Southern Cross Schools on a bursary programme jointly initiated by CET, Make a Difference (MAD) and the school. The children do not live in Hoedspruit and therefore board at the school.

The programme comprises more than funding and includes mentoring, weekly monitoring, support and motivation.

“We would like to extend the programme to include more children, but will need more funds,” says Zani Kunz, CET’s CEO. Zani keeps a constant eye out for potential candidates in need of

an opportunity for better education.

It’s been a good year for Sam Mahlalela, Zandi Mathebula, Caroline Nziyane, Dk Mametja and Mashudu Mutshaeni.

Sam is in grade five and excelled at sports and cultural activities at school.

He was part of the drumming squad that won the diamond award (highest award) at the eistedfodd. He also did hip hop and a singing performance.

This was Zandi’s first year on the programme and she blossomed. Her perseverance pulled her through a shaky start to grade six and she was recognised with the awards for best netball

player, most improved tennis player and the Lion award for overcomming struggle.

Caroline is in grade four and took part in all sports and cultural activities. She does very well at languages in her studies.

DK is the 2010 netball player of the year. This grade nine pupil took part in the school’s Mama Mia production and is a top 10 academic achiever. She achieved a second place at the regional science expo.

Mashudu is also in grade nine and a top 10 academic pupil as well as in the school’s first netball team. She did very well with her extra French lessons and was the most improved dancer in the contemporary dance category.

Southern Cross Schools is an independent day and boarding school from Grade 000 through to Grade 12. We are located on an 1100ha nature reserve in Hoedspruit. The school is a member of ISASA and is registered with the IEB. It follows the National Curriculum but the nature-based philosophy sees the learners being taught using the environment as a medium for instruction.

Southern Cross offers support through a bursary fund for previously disadvantage learners who wish to attend the school but do not have the financial means. Parents who apply for support will be required to supply full financial disclosure and learners’ academic abilities will be tested.

Photo: Karen Randall

Kidz4Kidz Kit-a-Kid T he learners of Southern Cross College make a point of collecting their left over pocket money every Friday during their Mentor Period.

This collection of coins is called “Other People’s Day” (OPD) and the learners get to decide, at the end of the year, which charity should receive what

they have collected. This year they decided that a part of what was collected, a healthy R4000.00, would be donated to the Kit-a-Kid programme of Children’s Eco Training.

It was felt that in this way they would be helping local youngsters to have a marginally better life.

For account and delivery queries, please call us on (015) 793-0482 or email us on fhoedspruit@pnp.co.za.

Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 16 | 19

The leopard who packed her spots and left Anton Nel

A

nxious looks down the road from Incheni Gate towards the Timbavati Control Gate were rewarded when a bakkie appeared with a crate on the back surrounded by a group of young people with Moholoholo T-shirts on. Following closely behind in its dust cloud was a Moholoholo safari vehicle, with more good-looking visitors in designer clothes and sunglasses. At the gate, the vehicles were met by the KPNR Field Rangers and a rather nervous accountant.

A few days prior, Brian Jones, the manager of the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, called Colin Rowles, our Warden, and asked if they could release a leopard on Klaserie.

Apparently a farmer in the Lydenburg/ Ohrigstad district caught it after stock losses and instead of killing it, decided to call in the help of Moholoholo. Colin had to go to Nelspruit on the day of the release, so the accountant fearlessly grabbed the Hilux’s keys, ordered the Field Rangers to mount their Cruiser and charged for the gate.

At Incheni Gate, everyone calmed down a bit and next steps were dis-

cussed with George and the other Rangers. We agreed that the Rangers will be extra vigilant as the number of people surrounding a boxed-in leopard exponentially increased the risk of being slapped or bitten by an angry cat.

The Rangers led the way in the Cruiser, followed by the guest of honour in her crate and the other Moholoholo vehicles, with the accountant, boldly going where no accountant has gone before, covering the rear of the convoy.

We took the leopard to a spot near a dam on Charloscar Farm. We turned the vehicles around, ready for a quick getaway.

Before the crate was offloaded, Brian allowed some photographs to be taken. The good lookers posed around the crate, biceps, hair, breasts and legs competing with the sleepy cat in the box! Then it was our trusty Rangers turn. We got them onto the bakkie, rifles and smiles on display. Zenta, my beautiful wife, has a high regard for the KPNR Rangers and joined them for a historic photograph.

At long last the crate was offloaded.

Everyone got out of sight (sort of) behind a vehicle. Then Brian pulled open the crate’s door and out popped a high-

ly frustrated but spectacularly beautiful spotted cat. She was still uncharacteristically stumbling and tripping as a result of the drug, but she was in a foul mood! She explored a few metres around the cage and then went into a drainage ditch lying down every now and then, but never really at rest. We decided to let her be and arranged with the Rangers to stay there and keep an eye on her as she was highly vulnerable to lions and even hyenas while in a drugged state. The Rangers reported later in the morning that the drug had worn off and that she had moved on.

The leopard was equipped with a satellite transmitter, colour coordinated befitting the lady she was. Colin called me to his office a few days later – the leopard had made a beeline out of the Reserve!! She went straight south and was close to a densely human populated area near Acornhoek. She then somehow found her way through it and moved on to Bushbuckridge where there is a small nature reserve and where she seems to have settled down.

Independent and proud, she decided to do her own thing, but at least Moholoholo and KPNR could facilitate her freedom of choice.

Lastword

20 | Klaserie Chronicle Kroniek no 16

Here I come! ... oeps Chris Mayes

I

t was late afternoon in October, the bush still very dry, when we came across a breeding herd of elephant of approximately 20 individuals in the vicinity of the Melambeni dam at Makumu.

Initially the elephant were a fair distance away and quite relaxed. Once we approached with the vehicle to get a better look, we received the unwanted attention of two particular cows in the group.

What transpired next was not some-

thing I had witnessed nor heard of before about mature elephant and certainly took me by surprise.

The two cows took it upon themselves to move us away from the herd.

After we moved a distance away, the two cows commenced with a joint charge shoulder to shoulder. We were moving away fairly quickly at this stage, as you do when two tons are trying to trample you!

The cows were charging from behind us along the road when suddenly one elephant dropped from sight, the only evidence being a cloud of dust. Once

the dust cleared we saw an elephant rocking and trying to get back on it’s feet.

We went back to investigate the following morning and found that the elephant’s front foot had caught in a small eroded section on the left side of the road. She had in effect done a half cartwheel taking into account the speed she was moving when her foot caught.

This definitely took the wind out of her charge and she moved away to join the herd. The second cow continued with her charge for about 300m, then she too ran out of steam.

If you have story, sighting or event you would like to share please send to Zani Kunz - zani@ecochildren.co.za.

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