Klaserie Chronicle Klaserie Kroniek Sandy Reaps the Reward
No: 07; September 2007
for her tenacity of purpose in establishing the KPNR’s, Children’s EcoTraining Programme. From the left in photograph on the right, MC of the event, Miss Earth 2007, recipient of the Kudu Award, Sandy Wilkes and CEO of SANParks, Dr David Mabunda. The Kudu Awards is an annual event launched in June 2005, and is one of the highlights of the social calendar in conservation circles.
Photos by kind courtesy of Lynette Strauss, Kruger Park Times
KPNR receives esteemed 2007 Kudu Award
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n Monday evening, 21 May, 2007, Sandy Wilkes, the founder of the KPNR’s Children’s Eco Training – CET - received a KUDU Award from SANParks in the environmental education category. Sandy was awarded a certificate of merit and was placed second in the entire country. The Kudu Awards Gala event, held in Pretoria, was attended by some 300 delegates and
Só lyk ‘n wenner! By die spogdinee in Pretoria waar die wenners van die KUDU-toekennings aangekondig is. Van links, Sandy Wilkes, Mark Wilkes, Zani Kunz en Deon Huysamer.
guests from around the country. Sandy, was one of three finalists in the country invited to this prestigious event. The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mr. Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Cheryl Carolus and Dr David Mabunda addressed guests. “We are terribly excited about this. It shows that the CET programme is recognized as one of the top programmes in the country. Ms Babalwa Puzi-Koko, the winner in the category, received an award for her contribution to Environmental Education. Her project focuses on sustainable gardening at a school in Butterworth, Eastern Cape,” explains Zani Kunz, CET Programme Coordinator. The Kudu Awards is an initiative that aims to reward stakeholders for their contributions and efforts in making South African National Parks – SANParks - the custodian of choice for protected areas. A select number of persons and organizations who have made significant contributions to conservation are to receive a Kudu Award in the form of a bronze sculpture of a Kudu head. The award is an object of pride, just as the Kudu itself is often fêted for having a proud and majestic
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“Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him,” Aldous Huxley.
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Readers’ Forum - Briewebus
Die redakteur van die Klaserie Kroniek doen ’n beroep op alle lesers vir paslike items wat op hierdie bladsy gepubliseer kan word. Dankie, Redakteur
From Zani’s desk Die verskil tussen 'jaag' en 'sluit af' op 'n leeu-ekspedisie Goeie Dag. Al het ons nou lente gemis met die versengende hitte van 38°C plus die afgelope weke stel die bos nooit teleur nie. Die bome bot, die sambokpeule is helder geel en die VanWykshout ’n vrolike pers. Hierdie erfenis is die moeite werd om voor te veg. Children’s Eco Training (CET) het die Minister van Bosbou en Waterwese se uitdaging aangegryp om ’n miljoen bome in ’n jaar te plant. Ons het alreeds honderd en vyftig Mango bome aan die skole geskenk. Ons gee en ons voed op met ’n begeleidende praatjie oor die belangrikheid en versorging van bome. CET’s first six-minute promotional DVD was produced by Warren Howson and will be used for marketing and fundraising purposes. The go-ahead was given to CET to build a Training Centre and we’ll have to start with major fundraising. Please give me a call should you want a copy of the DVD to assist us with the fundraising initiative. We would also welcome any involvement with and contribution of the tree project. Enjoy the Chronicle written for you by you!
2007 KUDU Award finds a ‘home’ in the KPNR ... Continued from Page 1 ...
The Kudu Awards are fundamental to the practice of recognizing, acknowledging and praising the people who have, over the years, given financial and other resources to SANParks and other conservation agencies, while also recognizing those people who have made it possible for conservation agencies to operate in a conducive and enabling environment. The Kudu Awards is an annual event launched in June 2005, and is one of the highlights of the social calendar in conservation circles [for more info go to www.sanparks.co.za]. “Isn’t it great to know we are supporting a top and phenomenal programme!” says Zani.
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Dis reeds ‘n dertigjaarlange tradisie, skryf Marthie van Wyk. Om 16h00 ry ons familie veld toe, gepantser met koelhouers, ‘n braaiworsie, regte moerkoffie, baken toe. Dit was ‘n redelike vrugtelose rit, en ons besluit om ‘n digbegroeide paadjie te volg, al is dit al sterk skemer. Skielik draf twee tiener-leeus voor in die tweespoor-paadjie. Ons is dadelik op ons hoede want die wyfies en/of mannetjies kan nie ver wees nie. Groot opwinding toe ons ‘n wyfie skerp links gewaar, dadelik hierna twee of meer, regs. Ons hou hulle rustig dop terwyl die twee jonges aandrentel. Wat ons egter nie besef nie, ons sluit die wyfies van hul kroos af! Die besluit om agter die twee aan te ry, was dus die verkeerde besluit. Pandemonium heers Skielik maak een kleintjie ‘n kkkrrrrrr-geluid. Die volgende oomblik ontplof die bos in ‘n 'fanfare' van brullende leeus. Langs ons. Voor ons, agter ons, dit voel of die aarde beef! Die instruksie aan die bestuurder is, “Jaag!” want ons sit op ‘n oop voertuig. Hy verstaan egter, “Sluit af!” Pandemonium heers totdat die voertuig weer aan die beweging is. Die enigste getuie wat ons het, is ‘n video-opname, nie beeldmateriaal nie, net ‘n klankopname van die geplof van stormende leeu-pote en die aanhoudende gebrul van leeus wat jou bloed in jou are laat vries. Die kamera-eienaar het opgehou afneem, met die klank aan!
Frogs, chameleons and woodpeckers use their tongues to catch their food. Woodpeckers have a very sticky long tongue of up to 10 centimetres in length to enable it to pull insects from trees.
Colin shares classic Klaserie moments some serious blisters that he’d earned while drinking flaming Sambucas in a pub somewhere, had burst when the rifle recoiled in his hands. The leopard was hunted from a blind which was The following story relates to my earlier years in Klaserie, the accepted practice and he’d used early nineteen nineties when I was a rookie working under the then a conventional 375 Winchester Warden of the KPNR and warden of the reserve Mr Erwin Leibnitz. One of my responsibili- magnum hunting rifle. writer of the accompanyA few days later the search for ties was to accompany the hunting outfitters and their internaing article, Colin Rowles. tional clients while they were on hunting safaris in the reserve. his buffalo proved to be a real On this particular hunt the client, an extremely wealthy American challenge. I forgot to mention that the client had recently undergone hip replacement surgery and was very had purchased a Big Four unsteady on his feet. Safari that the reserve had The 700 nitro had been removed from its made available that year. “When I saw the rifle and felt its case and wiped down and a small wooden box He had landed in his perweight I remarked that I was containing five torch battery size bullets had sonal DC 9 jet aircraft at its seal broken, two large rounds were chamthe Hoedspruit Air Force surprised that it had not been bered and the breech was closed and locked. Base a few days earlier equipped with wheels.” We’d seen numerous suitable buffalo duraccompanied by a friend ing the day and had approached many of and some Las Vegas lathem on foot. It was really important for us to dies. The reason for landing in Hoedspruit was that the landing fees at the then Jan Smuts get the client really close to the target for the 700 to be effective, Airport were too high. He’d brought with him a 700 nitro express the force of gravity on this very heavy slow moving bullet would double rifle. At that stage Holland and Holland had manufactured result in poor trajectory and the bullet falling short of the mark. It was late afternoon and after a day of failed attempts we only six. When I saw the rifle and felt its weight I remarked that I headed home. We’d only travelled for a short while when we was surprised that it hadn’t been equipped with wheels. The client wished to hunt the Big Four comprising an elephant, suddenly found ourselves in the middle of a small herd of buffalo. I estimated there to be about 50. On the extreme right, about 10 a buffalo, a lion and a leopard. His leopard was hunted within a few days of his arrival and was to 15 metres from the closest other animal stood a bull looking concluded without serious incident, the only incident being that down his nose at us as if we owed him money. It was quickly agreed that this was to be the last attempt for the day. I remained on the vehicle as the outfitter and the client commenced the stalk. I watched closely The client stumbled closer, due both to his crooked leg and the ridiculous weight of his rifle. The buffalo remained motionless staring at the approaching humans; I put my head in my hands and prayed that he’d take the shot even if it meant wounding it and that I’d have to go after it. He took another wobbly step closer and still the buffalo watched intently. Eventually, after what seemed an age, the client leant back as he countered the weight of the heavy rifle and lifted it into his shoulder. I was amazed and couldn’t believe that it might actually happen. I Frans Kruger and Hamman Shayi (pictured here watched closely my own rifle at the ready. There was a thunderous roar as the together with church service-goers) of the Hoedspruit Plaassending nitro powder exploded in the cartridge, a hold weekly non-denominational church services for the staff at the cloud of blue smoke erupted from the Klaserie Headquarters on Tuesdays at 18:30. All interested Camp barrel and the client stumbled backwards guards and Klaserie staff are welcome. The staff watch videos and struggling to regain his footing. The bufparticipate in group discussions. There is also counselling for falo herd charged off, the target bull did those in need. Recently some of the staff received bibles ordered a tight turn and followed suit. When the orange dust and blue smoke cleared all through Frans. Continued on Page 5 ... Dear Reader ... When Zani first offered me a page in the Chronicle I was very apprehensive as I’m a fair story teller but a very poor writer. Having given it some thought I’ve agreed to share some of my Klaserie experiences with you.
• Non-denominational services for KPNR staff •
“Now the Unknown has become a steed that I can mount in order to reach the Unknown; and the plain has turned into a ladder on whose steps I climb to the summit.” My Soul Preached to Me, Kahlil Gibran.
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Articles and photographs on this page by Janice Rowles
KPNR focuses on HIV -AIDSAwareness On 15 June 2007 the Camp Guard staff and Klaserie Head Quarters staff met at Charloscar camp for an HIV AIDS Awareness day. Approximately two hundred staff members attended. The day began with Mr Frans Kruger and Mr Hamman Shai, Ministers from Hoedspruit Plaassending/Ministry opening the proceedings with a prayer and a short sermon. The theme of the day was HIV and AIDS treatment. Busi Mthibane from Rixile Wellness Clinic at Tintswalo Hospital gave the staff important information on the treatment of HIV AIDS with Anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) She also explained how the ARVs work, the side effects of ARVs and ARV resistance. A presentation was made on positive living, “healthy mind healthy body” followed by candles which were lit by all in attendance to remember not only those infected by HIV AIDS, but also those who are affected by HIV AIDS, especially children who have been orphaned by AIDS.
Mpho Lewele who is HIV positive and has been on anti-retroviral treatment since 2005 urged all the staff to get themselves tested and know their status. Following group counselling twenty one staff voluntarily had themselves tested. The day was then concluded with a lunch which was greatly appreciated by all the attendants. We would like to thank Mr. Mike Myers and his partners for the use of their Charloscar camp which was the venue for the awareness day. Contact telephone number & detail of next Awareness Day During the Aids awareness day held in February 2006 approximately thirty six staff went for voluntary counselling testing (VCT). During the Aids awareness day In November 2006 eleven people went for VCT testing. At the recent Aids awareness day twenty one people went for VCT testing. The total number of personnel tested to date now stands at sixty eight. This excludes the staff that has been for voluntary VCT testing at the clinic held at the Headquarters on a monthly basis. The next HIV AIDS Awareness day will be held on 19 October, a drama group has been invited to entertain the staff on HIV Aids at this awareness day. Please contact Janice or Eric at 015 793 3051 if you would like more information or would like to attend the next awareness day.
Monthly clinics at HQ a real boon Christine Du Preez (in photograph with assistant - right - and patient) has been operating a Clinic based at the Reserve HQ for three years. After receiving a generous donation of clinic equipment and items from Dr Botha in Pretoria and Kanymba
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Safaris, the Clinic opened in October 2004 for the first time and has been opened each month from this day forth. Christine Du Preez is a registered primary health care sister, who has a dispensing license which allows her to purchase and dispense prescription medication to the staff. Christine and her assistant are able to diagnose illnesses or deficiency, supply and administer prescription medication, promote family planning, conduct physical examinations and provide malaria and HIV testing. Staff diagnosed with extreme hypertension, diabetes or other health problems that require hospital treatment are given a referral letter to a Doctor at Tintswalo hospital. HIV/AIDS counselling The clinic also provides HIV AIDS counselling and testing and provides a platform for regular health checks and treatment for those who are HIV positive. Please help your camp staff to attend the clinic on a monthly basis, as some staff find it difficult to acquire transport to the clinic. The clinic dates for the remainder of this year are: Thursday, 27 September and Thursday, 1 November.
The Rhino Beatle is the strongest creature in the world. It can carry 850 X its own weight and is called a ‘Rhino Beatle’ as it has horns like a rhino.
Colin shares classic Klaserie moments Continued from Page 3 ...
was quiet and we listened for the tell tale sign of the bullet finding its mark, a few minutes later the death bellow came and we quickly approached eager to see the trophy, as we cleared the watershed and a small rocky outcrop the sight that lay before us stunned us in disbelief. He’d shot a cow. She had a large gaping hole that you could almost see through perfectly situated behind the shoulder. It’s believed that, in anticipation of the recoil, the client had closed his eyes and pulled the rifle off target when he pulled the trigger. I wonder how he explained his US$12 000 trophy to his friends and Las Vegas gals. A few days later a suitable elephant had been located, a lone bull dozing in the shade of a large Acacia tree during the heat of the day. The client now wished to redeem himself and again use his 700 nitro on the elephant. A kilometre of uneven ground With huge reservation I accompanied the hunting party on the stalk. The party consisted of the client, the outfitter, a tracker and one of the client’s lady friends. When the client loaded his rifle at the vehicle he removed two rounds from a box of five and chambered them, I noticed that he had left the three remaining rounds in the box, I slipped them into my pocket and off we went. We approached the sleeping elephant with a view to providing the client, who’d hunted many elephants previously, with a side brain shot. It’s the easiest and using his cannon of a rifle I thought it the best. I instructed the lady friend who insisted on walking next to me to please walk behind me so that we didn’t approach the Elephant in a wide front which would make our presence easily detectable. All went
well and we were nice and close. The el- alized his mistake. I noticed the concern ephant continued to and then appreciation on his face as I sleep. The client was passed him the rounds that I’d carried. about to line up for a With shaking hands he managed to drop shot and I could hear one cartridge in the sand and chamber his erratic breathing two. It wasn’t necessary as it was all over. when unexpectedly the The first shot had missed lady stepped out from Curious to know what had happened behind me to get a better view and stepped this time, we moved closer and inspected on a dry stick which the elephant’s head to discover that the snapped under her client’s first shot had completely missed weight. In an instant the animal and punctured the extended the elephant was ear, the second had cut the skin on the awake and turned to- forehead stimulating the charge. Well wards us, the target below the eye line between two large wrinhad now changed and kles on the trunk were two thin trickles of the client was pre- blood indicating the entry points of the sented with a frontal two 458 shots which had been fired by the brain shot which pro- outfitter and myself and which had saved vides very little margin the day. After this incident and extremely close for error. The outfitter instructed the client to take call the client promised that his new 700 the shot as the elephant slowly walked nitro express would now occupy a space towards us. At a distance of now about 20 on the wall above the mantelpiece as its metres the characteristic thunderous roar, hunting days were over. It goes without blue smoke and stumbling client signified saying that bigger is not always better. Colin Rowles the shot. The elephant did not falter and remained on his path towards us, at fifteen metres a second almighty roar signified a second discharged barrel, the elephant bull lowered his head and charged, at 10 me- This is that time of the year when we are often thrilled by our tres two simultaneous first sighting of a returning migratory bird species. 458 shots dropped the charging el- Already the Wahlberg Eagles are back in early August. As ephant at our feet. I an Intra African migrant they don’t have to travel far and are not clearly remember the away for long. But many species are not so fortunate and rush of wind and dust undertake epic journeys across the world every year. What as it crashed to the strong urge can provoke such an undertaking? Mostly, it is not ground; I ran back- one factor alone but a combination of a few. wards working my ri- Migration is the seasonal movement from a breeding area fle bolt at the same to a non breeding area.Migration is a survival strategy not only time, the elephant lay for the individual but also for the species. The angle of the rigid with quivering sun’s rays, extreme weather conditions, day- length, seashortages of specific resources and of course compeextended legs the sonal tition will all stimulate the instinct to move. symptom of a classic However, most birds, especially those that attempt nonbrain shot. A second stop or very long flights, have to build up fat reserves before shot was not neces- hand. These fat deposits are a response to hormonal changes sary. that in turn, are a response to environmental changes. Some The client in the birds may even double their body weight such is the demand meantime stood back of this hazardous journey. and broke his rifle Journeys of 10 000km are not unusual while the longest ejecting the two round trip is undertaken every year when the Arctic Tern flies spent cartridge cases a staggering 50 000 km. The larger birds like raptors and and more smoke; he storks migrate short distances between stop off points and thrust his hand into do not need to fatten up before leaving. his pockets for more The Steppe Eagles that come all the way from the Russian rounds and soon reContinued on Page 7
Summer Visitors by Judy Meeser
A Dung Beatle can roll a ball of dung 40 X’s its own weight; you may find as many as 700 beatles on one elephant dung and they are able to clear this dung in one day’s work.
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Great enthusiasm for Animal Olympics 1
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Eachevent in the Animal Olympics held in June was related to an animal/insect we know. 1. High jumpers were the
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kudu, springbuck and flea. 2. Rolling the tyre - a dung beatle rolling its ball. 3. The three-legged race relates to a hurt impala that must escape a predator by using its remaining three legs. 4. The obstacle course - animals must negotiate the obstacles to get away or to chase. 5. Ronald Moropane discusses activities with the group. 6. The jumping race being facilitated by Leeann Khoza and belongs to the frog, flea and grasshopper.
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“... Although my words may be the bleatings of an old goat lost upon the rocky mountainside, let God and the gods hear me as I plead once more: Let not my Country die!� Credo Mutwa.
• • • Animal Olympics
Summer Visitors
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Steppes (Palaearctic-African Migrants) arrive here in November/December. These
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8 7. The ‘kettie’ related to the tongue of the chameleon, frogs and the wood
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pecker 8. Elias Mathebula helps Chesley Moropane with shooting with a ‘kettie’. 9. Confide Khosa having fun in the running race. 10. The tug-o’-war to establish who is the stronger animal, rhino or beatle? 11. Nico Monareng warming up for the big jump.
birds tend to fly over land; they need the warm air of the thermals to fuel their flight as well as the food available only from land. Many of these birds including the Lesser Spotted Eagles, Booted Eagles, Storksand Pelicans fly in huge concentrations over Israel and Gibraltar between their nesting grounds in Eurasia and their non breeding sites in Africa twice a year. Their flight plan is longer than a sea route and man-made factors add extra risk. While most birds fly at altitudes less than 3 000 feet, pilots have reported bird sightings as high as 26 000 feet. As we move into the summer months more and more species will arrive here to take advantage of the prolific food supply. Whether a bird migrates or not, depends largely on what it eats. Migration is common in insect- eating birds with the most common ones being the aerial feeders- the swifts, swallows, bee-eaters and nightjars that feed in the open skies. Our fish-eatingMalachite Kingfisher is resident while the similar Pygmy Kingfisher is an insect eating migrant. The Woodland Kingfishers come from Angola and are a conspicuous insect-eating visitor. The Carmine Bee-eater merely pops over from Botswana and Zimbabwe and arrives in December and leaves in February. An intriguing concept presented Our Lilac Breasted Roller is a resident insect eater while the heavier European Roller will spend from early December until March in our part of the world. Other migrating species are many of the cuckoos. The “Piet my Vrou”, Diederik, Klaas’s, African, Jacobin and many more all come here to breed. This presents the intriguing concept that migration behaviour is inherited rather than learned when the cuckoo young are all raised by parents of different species. Whatever their reasons, their route and their potential gain over 130 bird species in Southern Africa are migrants. The wonders of their skills of navigation and orientation is another story still, but simply having them show up on our door- step is a privilege and a delight to behold.
Did you know? • A kudu can jump a fence of 3.5-metres high. • A springbuck leaps up to 3-metres into the air. • A bushbaby jumps 2.2-metres straight up and 6-metres in a downward leap.
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The Klaserie White Rhino Identification and Management Project
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‘You too can be involved’
he White Rhino population of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve has grown from a small nucleus of eight Rhino introduced from Natal in the early 1980’s to a healthy population in excess of 100 animals in 2006. With a growing population concerns by reserve management for the safety of the Rhino also increased, particularly in view of the fact that Rhino populations elsewhere in Africa are under serious threat of poaching, populations are declining. Two years ago the reserve management commenced with a unique project designed to provide management with information relating to specific Rhino in the Klaserie population. The project is unique in the sense that the entire project is funded by private individuals both through corporate involvement or in their personal capacities. When one has to manage a population of wild animals and affiliate to it a protection strategy it is important to know what you’re dealing with in terms of their number, the population composition and their distribution across the landscape. Rhinos are all identical in their character, they are all large grey animals, each has two horns on the front of their faces, two floppy ears and a little curly tail, apart from this they’re identical, some individuals may have broken horns or torn ears by which they can be identified but they are definitely in the minority. In order for management to learn more about the population it was necessary to ascribe a characteristic to each animal whereby it could be identified, to achieve this an ear notching code was introduced whereby a combination of ear notches situated at various positions on the ear would denote a particular Rhinos identification number. Visitors to the reserve while game viewing and field rangers while on regular patrols have been encouraged to note, when they observe Rhino as to whether or not they have been ear notched, and if they have been, how many notches and where the notches are located on each ear. The location of the Rhino must also be noted. This information is then provided to management and it’s entered into the reserves G.I.S. data base which has been specifically designed to analyze the data spatially. Information such as the seasonal areas of occupation and social groupings relevant to the marked Rhino can then be determined. An analysis of the information will identify areas considered to be of high risk for the animals and an appropriate Rhino protection plan can then be formulated. Another aspect of the project entails the implanting of micro chips into the anterior horn and under the skin of each animal when they’re captured. The advantage of this is that should a Rhino be poached in the reserve and the horn later recovered through investigation processes, and it is carrying a microchip, it can then be positively identified and linked to a carcass in the field, this fact will assist in the prosecution of a suspect if an arrest is made.
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To date, management has successfully captured and marked 53 Rhino. This process has been sponsored by groups of participating individuals. On the day of capture the participating group assembles at a pre-arranged location at first light. Here they meet with the Reserve’s capture team which includes a wildlife vet and the capture pilot. A senior member of the reserve’s capture team welcomes the group and provides them with a presentation on the origin and necessity of the project. A briefing is then provided on the capture process and various responsibilities relating to the capture of the Rhino are assigned to members of the group. Following this the vet is introduced to the group and he provides an overview of the veterinary aspects of the capture operation. The participants are encouraged to ask questions and interact with the capture team in an effort to make the experience an enjoyable and memorable one. On completion of the ear notching and micro-chipping process, team photographs are taken and the recovery of the Rhino from the anaesthetic is witnessed from the safety of the vehicles parked close by. The project is proceeding extremely well and the 53 Rhino captured and marked has been done at an estimated cost of R795 000. The operation has not cost the Reserve a cent, all the captures have been generously sponsored by various individuals and companies. We’ve been privileged to host numerous international groups from France, Turkey, Australia, the United Kingdom and the USA on these capture operations. Some high profile personalities have also been our guests, including a family member of our former State President, Nelson Mandela, a provincial premier, numerous sports stars and Dr Ian Player who, interestingly enough, was involved in pioneering the chemical capture technique we apply today. If you would like contribute to the success of this valuable project by sponsoring the capture and marking of a Rhino, and experience the adrenalin of game capture, please contact the reserve warden on 015 793 3051. Colin Rowles
A heartfelt thanks to the following individu-
als and instances for support rendered ... Nedbank for the donation of 10 computers; MAD and 2Help1 for financial donations; Pick ‘n Pay, Nelspruit, for food, drinks and sweets for the Animal Olympics training; Senalala for the second-hand office equipment; Judith Foster at Klaserie Camps for the donation of stationery she received from a friend in Australia; Waltons – discounted prices on furniture and donation of stationery; IT Web – computers and printers; Nashua – free cartridges; Mike Anderson – two pairs of binoculars and a Minolta SLR Camera; Edward Mathebula – computer monitor; and Warren Howson - production of CET promotional DVD
“... Life ought to be more than a grim battle for survival. Life must include the joyful pursuit of a fullness towards which all awakened people are compelled to reach,” Govan Mbeki.
Join us on the children's water training programme
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by Zani Kunz
wo hundred and thirty children attended the first CET training earlier in the year. A couple of new faces were welcomed and we even had two brothers from Maputo Mozambique attending. They were here visiting their cousins. Every day we kicked off with registration, a photo taken of every child for the data base and the child received his name tag. On the name tag is his/ her name, age, camp he/she is from and the group symbol. The group symbols – every age group has a different picture: youngest group bugs and the older kids Lions. A questionnaire about the child gets filled in – Name, Surname, Age, School, Grade. Breakfast is served: sandwiches with ham and cheese, juice and an apple. Then the games begin! The trainers get their groups and start with the training. The first activity is Bio-monitoring. On the way to the site the kids get educated on the Game drive vehicle about Bio-monitoring. Where do we do it, The different invertebrates etc. At the site the group receives 4 Nets and a see-through container to catch and capture the goggos. It is always funny to see how scared and cold the kids are when
they enter the water and how they just relax and have fun later in the activity! This exercise is definitely the highlight of the day. The results showed that the Klaserie River is in a good, clean and healthy condition. On the way back to HQ the kids learn Continued on Page 11 ...
Did you know? • A cheetah’s top speed can be between 100 and 120 k.p.h. for a 600-metre stretch; The Tsessebe is the fastest antelope at 70 to 80 k.p.h. • A springbuck can sprint away at up to 88 k.p.h.
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The man who stood on a leopard’s tail by Leeann Khoza
Eric Manyike is a guy, 37 years of age, he lives atAcornhoek in Mpumalanga. He is a dearly married man with seven children. He is presently the warden manager at KPNR HQ. He began working on the reserve in January 1991 when he was a 23-year-old. He knew this reserve as his father worked here as a camp guard. While still young his dream was to care for orphans. If he were to be a wild animal his choice would be, to be a kudu cow. Within the next ten years Eric Manyika sees himself leading a group of people preaching gospel. When young he never had fear because he grew up in the reserve. He enjoys his work in the reserve for it is his earnest wish to take good care of nature as well as our mother soil. He sees the Klaserie Chronicle acknowledging the people who share common views for the development of the KPNR. He strongly supports CET because it teaches the youth about nature in its broader sense. Eric relates how, when still a young boy, he stepped inadvertently on the tail of a leopard without coming to any harm. It was 03:00 of a morning when his father and he rose early to catch a 04:00 taxi from Caskets to Acornhoek. They walked from Hull No1 property where his father used to work. It was still dark when he stepped on the tail of the leopard that was lying in the bush with its tail resting in the pathway. It was too dark to see the leopard from any distance but there it was. Eric says he was not afraid at the time, but shivers now when he thinks of the episode. The only thing that frightens Eric Manyike now are those memories of the day Eric Manyike, the man who, as a boy, when he stepped on the leopard's tail. There are no other fears and why should there stood on a leopard’s tail and lived to tell the tale! be, in his position in the office with much responsibility.
Laeveld sterre: diere, die skerpioen deur Louise Vermaak Die blink goedjies saans bokant ons koppe, het nog altyd mense se verbeelding aangegryp. Verskillende bevolkingsgroepe het die goed daarbo verskillend vertolk, totdat wetenskaplikes deur studie begin verstaan het wat daar aangaan. Nie alles wat ons sien is sterretjies nie. Nou-en-dan sien ons planete, maar sommige goed is ook gaswolke, sterrestelsels of sterretrosse. Mense hou daarvan om voorwerpe wat bestudeer word, name te gee, en so het die vroegste mense sterre in groepies begin deel en name vir hierdie groepies gegee. Een so ‘n groep is die skerpioen. Tans is hierdie baie lang konstellasie net wes van regbo ons koppe wanneer dit donker geword het. Die punt direk bokant ons, is die zenit. Die baie helder rooi ster in die skerpioen, Antares, is die borsbeen van die skerpioen. Tans het ons ‘n bonus reg langs Antares. Die baie helder “ster” wat tans die zenit oorheers, is eintlik die planeet Jupiter. Met ‘n goeie verkyker kan mens selfs sy vier grootste mane in ’n reguit lyn om hom sien; kyk gerus. Selfs al vertolk verskillende bevolkingsgroepe die sterre verskillend, blyk tog asof dat vanaf die oudste beskawings, tot diè in Afrika, hierdie groep vir almal soos ‘n skerpioen lyk. Ons sien nie altyd die skerpioen hierdie tyd van die aand nie. Baie stadigies draai alles rondomtalie. Kyk oor ‘n maand weer op presies dieselfde tyd van die aand as wat jy vanaand sal kyk, dan sal jy opmerk dat die skerpioen en al sy maters ‘n hele entjie wes beweeg het, en oor drie of vier maande heeltemal weg beweeg het. Maar elke jaar sal presies dieselfde konstellasies en sterretjies weer op presies dieselfde plekke sit. Al wat hulle nie aan hierdie “reël” steur nie, is die planete; hulle doen hulle eie ding, en volg hulle eie bewegings regulasies.
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Dit is waar die woord planeet vandaan kom. Die Grieke het nog geglo die goed daarbo is almal sterre. Hulle het egter gesien dat hierdie paar apart bewegende voorwerpe wat baie helderder as die ander sterre is, hulle eie ding doen. Die Grieke noem hulle toe “planetes”, wat “indringer” of “misleier” beteken. Rigting Om die skerpioen te gebruik om suid te vind, gebruik ons net twee sterretjies in die skerpioen se stert. Hierdie twee is, vir diegene wat ster-kaarte het, q en h Scorpi. Dis die twee sterre in die kurwe van die stert, getel vanaf die punt van die stert, nommer vier en vyf. Trek ‘n reguit lyn tussen hulle, maak ‘n denkbeeldige loodlyn in die middel tussen hulle. Verleng hierdie loodlyn ongeveer 46° in ‘n suidelike rigting. Dit behoort die hemelruim se suidpool wees. Om 46° te skat, kan mens die afstand meet met jou twee arms voor jou uitgestrek. Hou jou een arm parallel met die grond, met ander woorde moet jou hand na die horison toe wys (indien daar nie berge in die pad sou wees nie!). Met jou ander arm, wys na die zenit. Die hoek tussen jou twee arms is 90°. Skat nou waar halfpad tussen jou hande sal wees. Bring jou “regop” arm na hierdie punt toe, dis 45°. 46° is net die maan se wydte meer as helfte van hierdie hoek. (Die maan is 1° wyd) Afrika Volksverhaal: Die skerpioen en Orion is nooit in dieselfde deel van die hemelruim sigbaar nie, aangesien hulle in vyandskap met mekaar is. Dit het so gebeur: Die Groot Jagter, wie ons as Orion ken, se twee seuns het groot genoeg geword om vir hulleself te sorg. Die Jagter was die koning van sy helfte van die hemelruim, en wou hê sy seuns moet Vervolg op Bladsy 11 ...
“Failure? I never encountered it. All I ever met were temporary setbacks,” Dottie Walters
Around the waterhole Continued from page 9... about the properties and interesting facts about water. Back at HQ the kids receive juice and biscuits when having their break. After the break the water experiments are done and the concept of the water cycle gets explained and demonstrated practically. They then have to draw their own water cycle as a test. Water pollution is the next topic tackled. The reasons why water in some of the rivers are unhealthy and give you diseases. The cause of polluted rivers and how to fix it. A dramatization by the teachers demonstrated why we should not drink just any water we see and what happen to wild life and humans when they do drink it. After the river was cleaned up, it was safe to use the water again. A simple demonstration, but made a huge impact. The children had the chance to act it out too. After the dramatisation and some bookwork by the trainers, the kids had to make 2 posters of a same river/dam: One very
Vervolg vanaf Bladsy 10 ... selfstandig raak en hulle eie jagveld gaan soek. Hulle is toe na die ander kant van die hemelruim, aan die agterkant van die aarde toe en het daar begin jag. Die skerpioen het ontwaak en uit sy skuilplek uitgekom. Hy het besluit dat hy nie bereid is om sy helfte van die jagveld met die twee seuns te deel nie, en het hulle van agter bekruip en doodgesteek. Die Jagter het daarvan te hore gekom en die skerpioen agtervolg. Hy het besef dat hy hom van agter af moet aanval soos wat sy seuns aangeval is. Die skerpioen het van die Jagter se voorneme gehoor en besluit om die Jagter voor te spring, deur hòm van agter aan te val. Van daardie dag af, jaag die Jagter en die skerpioen mekaar deur die hemelruim, elkeen met die voorneme om eerste die ander een van agter af in te haal. Daarom sal hulle nooit in dieselfde deel van die hemelruim verskyn nie. LB
polluted and unhealthy and the other one healthy and clean. They had to do a presentation to the group and explain their posters. Lunch: Hotdogs, juice and an apple. After Lunch the theme “Around the waterhole” gets discussed. Creatures and their behaviour normally observed around the waterhole is introduced through discussion on the way to the waterhole in the Vehicle. At the dam each child sits on the banks of the waterhole and draws the dam as they see it. Every creature, plant and cloud had to be in the picture. It was interesting to see how difficult an exercise it actually was to do. After the drawing we took a walk around the waterhole where interesting phenomena were pointed out. A kill – the opportunistic hunting tactics, The survival/protective tactics of the plover pretending to have a broken leg, Dragon flies flying around and their behaviour – earlier we saw dragon fly larvae under the water. The plant life around the waterhole and so much more! When back at HQ an informal and fun quiz took place and the message to Save Water and keep water clean concluded the learning. All the clipboards and name tags were taken in and the kids left after they had their juice and biscuits. A busy and fact-filled day was enjoyed by all.
Thank-you Zani extends her warmest appreciation to all who assisted to make this programme such a huge success... “Thank you: • all AssistantsLungi, Ruth and Mavis, who give up a whole day to come and help. Their duties involved: making sandwiches, making and pouring juice 4 x a day, making and serving hotdogs, packing out and serving the biscuits. Sandy, Nellie, Bridgette, Sue, Judith, Fransina, Sibongile and Gladys. • HQ staff for the logistical assistance and the use of the HQ facilities. • To the building team for having the toilets ready for the kids to use. • The Members and managers for accommodating the children to attend the trainings and for sending your staff to be assistants or trainers. • The Members for the use of your vehicle as additional vehicle. • The members for traversing on your farm to do all the activities. • Mr Jonathan Katzenellenbogen, Mr Alistair Wood and friends, the Dover delegation with their friends from Denmark for popping in at the training to observe what we do. The Huysamer family and friends. It was really special to see the interest and support. • The ongoing support from our local SPAR and Lebamba.”
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.
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38th AGM held under the ancient Leadwood
T
he Klaserie Private Nature Reserve’s 38th Annual Gen eral Meeting took place once again under the ancient Leadwood tree in the Boma at “Motlasedi” at 09:00 in perfect outdoors weather. The day began with a quick cup of tea, coffee and biscuits before members took their seats in the boma to begin the business proceedings for the day. Upon conclusion of business, that included an overview of the proposed A.P.N.R. Management Plan, members were treated to a short educational drama produced by the Children’s Training Teachers with the help of Charles of the Pfukani Theatre Group of Welverdiend. The drama centred around the pollution of our rivers and how everyone can do something small to play a part in keeping our rivers clean to prevent the death of South Africa’s greatest resource, our wildlife and the loss of our scarcest resource, water. Guest speaker Dr. Mike Peel gave the members an informative talk. This was followed by researchers from the Tembo and Ground Hornbill Research projects who gave members an update on their respective projects. Members were then treated to a mouth-watering lunch comprising butterflied leg of lamb with mixed bean salad, creamy potato gratin and ratatouille topped off with delicious chocolate lamingtons. The meal was enjoyed with bottles of red and white wine donated by Derek Macaskill whereafter - it is reported some serious socializing took place with some of our revellers leaving the AGM site well after dark.
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Exceptional 13 receive Long Service Awards
The EXCO this year resolved to present two special awards, the first for 10 years of service and the second for 20 years. Some of the personnel in these two groupings have perhaps worked longer than the prescribed 10 or 20 years but the benchmark was set in this first year of initiation of the awards. These staff members received a certificate signed by the Chairman Mr Mike Myers and the Reserve Warden Mr Colin Rowles as well as a gift voucher and cash bonus. The following staff received ten-year service awards: Obert Mzimba, George Mnisi, Limson Monareng, Kimbily Ngwenya, David Manyike, Robert Mbetse, Caiphus Mbongele, Betwell Mbhambo, Emily Sedibe, Eric Manyike, Colin Rowles and Janice Rowles. A twenty-year service award was presented to James Mhangane.
Proudly produced in support of the ideals of the KPNR by: Zani Kunz, PO Box 1227, Hoedspruit 1380; Cell nr: 082 462 8252; Fax nr: 086 628 8733; E-mail: zani@cet-kpnr.co.za - all correspondence welcome.