WILDLIFE REPORT SINGITA GRUMETI For the month of December, Two Thousand and Nineteen

Temperature Rainfall Recorded Sunrise & Sunset Average minimum: 21°C Faru Faru 120mm Sunrise 06:37 Average maximum: 28°C Sabora 156mm Sunset 18:50 Minimum recorded: 14°C Sasakwa 189mm Maximum recorded: 31°C

We’ve had some tremendous rain which is fantastic for the reserve and its occupants. Yet, despite the wet weather and the challenging conditions, the Grumeti Reserve simply cannot disappoint with wildlife viewings. Our sightings continue to take our breath away each and every day!

Here’s a sightings snapshot for December:

Lions • A total of 116 individual sightings were recorded this month. • The Butamtam and Nyasirori prides have provided some excellent viewing.

Leopards • A total of 39 individual sightings were recorded this month. • The leopard sightings have really been considerable. A mother and two 9-month-old youngsters have been viewed regularly, close to the German Bridge, Grumeti River. A second mother and two younger cubs, of 5-months-old, have been observed regularly on the Grumeti North drainage offering some fantastic viewing for guests.

Cheetah • A total of 35 individual sightings recorded this month.

Elephants • A total of 47 individual sightings were recorded this month. • The elephant herds have spread out far and wide with all the bountiful food and water.

Rhinos

• The Rhino naturalisation process continues to go well. Not without its challenges however, as with so much rain over the reserve it is making it a little difficult for some individuals to settle. Generally, the are in great shape, although still slowly finding their feet in their new environment, and progress is good. It is absolutely magnificent to see these creatures back where they belong. A real privilege!

Hyenas • A total of 141 spotted hyena were sighted this month.

Buffalo and plains game • A total of 128 individual sightings of buffalo were recorded this month. • We have experienced great numbers of buffalo and eland out on the lush at this time, and good zebra and topi numbers up on the Nyasirori high ground.

Some Bush Stories follow, as well as a December Gallery of images. The secretive one By Braya Masunga

The leopard is a secretive , making them somewhat difficult to locate and observe sometimes. These days, on the Grumeti Reserve, we are fortunate to be able to view these animals as they relax with the presence of the vehicles which is huge testament to the great work we have been doing regarding conservation efforts and a gentle habituation process. The animals are more comfortable with our presence whilst we view them which allows us the great privilege of seeing a little deeper into the lives of these incredible cats.

At the begging of the month I was fortunate to see a beautiful male leopard with an eland calf kill on the Eagles Nest Road, close to the Grumeti River. As he began feeding on the kill he noticed spotted hyenas approaching quickly. The big male leopard wasted not a second and began to drag and hoist the eland calf into the nearest balanites tree. From this point on the leopard relaxed and could comfortably go about feeding once again – its precious meal now safe from the crushing jaws of the hyena.

Leopard news

Picture by Mishi Mtili

Leopard sighting this month have really been quite phenomenal with the core of activity taking place on both the Grumeti River and again just west of Sabora. We have been very lucky to observe, almost on a daily basis, a mother and two 9-month-old cubs downstream of the old German Bridge, and another mother with another two 5-month-old cubs on the Grumeti North drainage line. These leopards have offered us some incredible viewing over the last few weeks with some interesting and exciting interactions.

Two young cubs of the Grumeti North drainage. Picture by Adas Anthony

A hive of leopard activity was also observed close to Sabora camp where Tulia and her two sub-adult offspring were hanging out. There were sightings of a lovely male in the area too, sometimes observed very close to the youngsters, perhaps it was their father…?

Later in the month we were devastated to learn that Tulia had become caught up with the Nyasirori lion pride and unfortunately, she was mortally wounded. Tulia’s sub-adult youngsters, however, continue to do well and are moving from strength to strength. We observed them successfully taking down a young warthog just the other day, which was fantastic!

Pictures by Braya Masunga

Picture by James Ikamba

The Sabora young male finds shade up in a Balanites tree.

Tulia’s daughter dozes off for a few minutes. Picture by James Ikamba.

Interesting sighting this month

The golden winged bat is rather a lovely little thing, very common in the Sabora region, in fact. If you look carefully in the desert date trees, you may find them roosting during the day and if you get too close they take flight in a burst of golden yellow - very pretty indeed. These bats are well known for following mass insect eruptions.

The greater galago displaying melanism. This particular race we know as Otolemur argentatus. These incredible looking galagos are quite common up on Sasakwa Hill and regularly appear as they mosey along the tops of the roof and building structures. It is incredibly dark in appearance and we have noticed that they are not as vocal as the usual greater galago (Otolemur crassicaudatus). They really are a lovely sighting so be sure to keep your eyes out for them whilst you visit us here at Sasakwa Lodge.

On the wing

A grey-headed kingfisher showing off that rusty red belly bib.

A purple grenadier in all its striking plumage. Pictures J Briam

The wattled lapwing

A lovely violet-backed starling (male)

A male pallid harrier hunting out on the grasslands. Picture J Briam

A young silver , still in juvenile plumage.

The male Von der Decken’s hornbill

A very proud lilac-breasted roller.

The delicate pin-tailed whydah. Picture by G Tolchard

The sooty . Picture by J Briam

Chamrio

This is a lovely picture of “Chamrio” taken by Adas Anthony. This peak marks the very NW border of the Grumeti Reserve. It is in fact the highest point in the Mara district (1,700m above sea level).

Chamrio is said to be an incredibly sacred place among the local tribes’ people and historically it was a place of gathering and important ceremonial celebrations.

At the turn of the century when Tanzania was German East it played a key role for the Germans that, at the time, had built a fort here at Ikoma. The German troops would send word in Morse code using a heliograph to signal, using the sun’s light, to the men in the fort. They would send them messages from Lake Victoria to let them know that supplies were on route or to be aware that the enemy were advancing! It was a very clever system. The fort is still intact here on the reserve, although dilapidated to a certain extent.

Chamrio is one of the most distinctive peaks of the region and is a useful tool in orientating yourself whilst out on the vast open grasslands.

December Gallery

The lovely young lions from the Nyati grasslands. Picture by Calson Luka

A lovely Butamtam lion. Picture by James Ikamba

A cheetah surveys the scene.

An impressive bull buffalo sighted near the Mkomure drainage line. Picture by George Tolchard

A spotted hyena weighs up the situation amongst the topi herds. Picture Jacques Briam

A young elephant out on the green grasslands. Picture J Briam

A mother and calf black rhino in the Ikorongo region. Picture Conservation Team.

The Grumeti River in full flood. The river has been up and down this month as is quite normal, but after considerable rains recently we have been seeing her burst her banks on many occasions towards the end of the year.

A beautiful journey of giraffe.

Rolling on into 2020!