May and June 2009

We also got stuck in with a set of camera traps provided by Kersey, and plotted transects of road to clear for track records. The success of the camera traps was simply unbelievable, with some really great images being captured, as you will see below. Kersey has definitely helped to show us a side of the reserve we seldom see.

A large brown hyaena patrolling in the road next to the camp.

A large African civet…and then the same civet, a few nights later, getting a fright and running away. If you look carefully the spots correspond, showing that it is the same individual.

The traps show the date and time of image, so, for example, these two porcupines walked past the camp at 9:54 pm on the 28^th of May.

Other images of unusual animals were taken too such as this Aardvark and a rather surprised looking Serval, which we caught a few times on film…

Some industrious Brown hyaenas were also caught, milling around the camp with the remains of wildebeest which were killed by the lions…

Some day time activity was also recorded, with a Serval being photographed at 5:30 AM and also a Vervet monkey…

Another cool type of critter to see around the camp was this pair of Bushpig’s, who apparently had nothing better to do at midnight, on May the 20^th than to set off our camera!

Track and sign was as always a big part of the programme, and this science was certainly embraced by the students, who saw the value of tracking in their degrees. It was great fun and all of the students learned a load of new facts from the spoor evidence they saw.

Lee explaining some of the finer details to the students.

Searching for tracks art the edge of a pan is a good idea as most of the animals often come down to drink.

On the final evening we had a great night of presentations, which included the students own research from the 25 days, and it was truly fantastic to see how much they had all learned with us at Entabeni. Even the instructors learned a few new facts from the students. These presentations are to form the basis of future projects which we will continue to do with UCONN into the future. Here are some pictures of students doing their presentations.

Katie, Lindsey and Daniella….

Josh, Amanda and Melissa…

And of course Morty…..

Thanks to all of you who made this group possible, and thanks especially to the instructors and management, as well as all of the staff on the team of the Entabeni Nature Guide Training School!!