May and June 2009

We did many fun activities with the students, and one which they seemed to enjoy was the jungle observation lane, which involves a stroll along a game trail, during which the student needs to spot objects which are hidden on the path, and nearby in the bush. This is to improve ones observation skills and spotting abilities.

Ian assessing Matt, one of the students, and in the pic on the right, down in the bottom left corner, there is a partially buried candle in the sand, which Betsy just missed!

In the bottom right corner of this picture (left side) there is a box of ammunition which has been missed (as it has a couple of leaves on it). On the right Chelsea and Ian are making their way down the lane.

I am still not sure how nearly everyone missed the three bullet cases (Seen here right next to the feet of a student, on the left).

We had many interesting chats around the camp fire at night, and also got a good idea of the goals and aspirations of this great group of people, who were for the most part experiencing their very first taste of Africa. The lions visited regularly, roaring their way around the camp, I think they smelled chef Pieter’s food and were keen on a bite!

Relaxing around the camp fire… the Waterberg winter was colder than they expected!

Always bring a big enough jacket for the South African winter! Africa is not always warm!

Another interesting subject was the Game Animal Necropsy, where we cropped two animals, an impala and a warthog, and examined digestive systems, parasites, eyes and general morphology. This was very interesting for all, especially comparing the digestive tracts (hind gut ‘versus’ ruminant), and also the internal organs such as the hearts, livers and kidneys. Seeing the different stomach wall structures of the antelope’s ruminant system was also fascinating. The carcasses were then taken and fed to the lions at the White lion breeding centre on the reserve.

Another new experience for most of the students.

Parasite counts were done, and load and position of different species were noted. Lindsey does not look amused!

Comparative picture of the mamma of the impala ewe (left) and warthog sow (right). Both have their mamma inguinally situated.

It is truly amazing to see the stomach walls of the antelope, which are specially designed to maximise the absorption of nutrients into the blood stream, with the four main chambers being shown here (from Left: Rumen, Reticulum, Omasum and Abomasum).

These pictures above show the magnifying ability of the lens from the eye of an impala, and the blue-green colour of the Tapetum Lucidium (a reflective crystalline membrane at the back of the impala’s eye).

Thereafter a fascinating afternoon was spent with Oom Arrie at his Cheetah, White lion, Cape buffalo, Sable and Nyala breeding centre. This component of our course includes the chance to get up close and personal with these creatures, participate in feeding and capture and much more. Valuable lessons can also be learned by listening to Arrie teach about his passion and hobby - breeding African game.

Arrie, passionately teaching the students a little about game breeding…. (“REMEMBER, YOU MUST SEE THE ANIMALS EVERY DAY!!!”)

The students on foot with Nyala’s and Sable antelope.

Many specialist lectures were conducted, about many subjects, but amongst these were lectures from Entabeni Safari Conservancies conservation and research team, and here are a few highlights.

Natasha and Leonard giving their lectures.

Gabby discussing elephant contraceptives, and our practical excursion with Jan and his team the next day.

With all of these activities it may seem hard to believe that we even found time to do game drives, many of them. The students went out twice a day usually, and saw loads of great game such as elephants, cheetahs, buffalo, our new rhino calf and our two brand new baby lion cubs.

Ian on drive and Kersey taking a few photos.

Lions with a wildebeest snack, and the lioness with the two new cubs.

For more info about this group including the success of our nocturnal cameras traps (with awesome pictures of rarely seen animals) and the students presenting their research projects please see news letter number 4…