Kruger PArk Times FREE PUBLICATION • Volume 6 Issue 2 • December 2010 • [email protected]

Protecting pepper bark trees Help find southern ground hornbill nests More predators destined for smaller reserves

Inside: Giants can trip too | spotlight on rabies | i can for conservation | fire raises a storm | the great wilderness choir | wild soccer photo: Quentin Swanevelder

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Giants can trip too Government Chris Mayes The two cows took it upon them- in a small eroded section on the left This definitely took the wind out selves to move us away from the herd. side of the road. of her charge and she moved away praises It was late afternoon in October, After we moved a distance away, the She had, in effect, done a half to join the herd. The second cow the bush still very dry, in the Klaserie two cows commenced with a joint cartwheel taking into account the continued with her charge for about hunters Private Nature Reserve, when we charge, shoulder to shoulder. speed she was moving when her 300m, then she too ran out of steam. came across a breeding herd of We were moving away fairly foot caught. courtesy: Klaserie Chronicle Water and environmental elephant of approximately 20 in- quickly at this stage, as you do when affairs deputy minister, Rejoice dividuals in the vicinity of the two tons are trying to trample you! Mabudafhasi, reiterated her Melambeni dam at Makumu. The cows were charging from commitment to the profes- Initially the elephant were a fair behind us along the road when sional hunting industry of South distance away and quite relaxed. suddenly one elephant dropped Africa during the Professional Once we approached with the from sight, the only evidence being Hunters Association of South vehicle to get a better look, we a cloud of dust. Africa’s (Phasa) 33rd annual con- received the unwanted attention of Once the dust cleared we saw an vention held at the Zulu Nyala two particular cows in the group. elephant rocking and trying to get Country Manor, Fourways, What transpired next was not back on it’s feet. Johannesburg. The conven- something I had witnessed nor heard We went back to investigate the tion took place from 15 – 17 of before about mature elephant and following morning and found that November 2010. certainly took me by surprise. the elephant’s front foot had caught “The hunting industry makes a valuable contribution to the economy of our country and according to a report compiled by the department, based on information provided by the provincial conservation au- thorities, the revenue generated directly through hunting, during 2009, amounts to R650 mil- lion. Your contribution to skills development and job creation within the environmental sector deserves to be mentioned. I urge you to continue with these initia- tives, but to also focus on other initiatives to transform not only the hunting industry, but also the broader wildlife industry,” said Mabudafhasi. Mabudafhasi said that “It is reassuring to know that Phasa does not condone unethical hunting, and that your organi- sation has a code of conduct through which you discipline members who participate in un- acceptable hunting practices.” Phasa, founded in 1978, is a voluntary, non-profit and non- racial association with more Kruger scientist receives international recognition than 1100 members who are bound by its constitution and A core member of the DST-NRF awarded grants of up to R 38 000 globally problematic invasive plant, DNA specimens from Lantana code of conduct. Phasa mem- Centre of Excellence for Invasion (US$5 000) to ten young scientists. is widespread in the upper reaches populations scattered throughout bers pledged their full support Biology (C·I·B) Dr Llewellyn The aim is to encourage young and across the catchment, and thus the catchment. to the organisation’s aim to self Foxcroft was one of ten recipients scientists to carry out interdiscipli- was well suited as the focal species. By finding out which Lantana administer, improve and expand of the 2010 Man and Biosphere nary projects on ecosystems, natural Llewellyn and his colleagues populations are related to each its impact on conservation, Programme Young Scientist resources and biodiversity in keep- hope to discover exactly where the other, they can find the most likely social upliftment, empower- Awards, which are endorsed by ing with the Man and Biosphere Lantana plants trying to invade source sites of the invaders and ment and economic develop- Unesco. He received the award for Programme which focuses on Kruger are coming from. It is focus money and time on combat- ment. Phasa’s annual three-day a project focussing on the dispersal sustainable interaction between assumed that heavily invaded ting the persistent plant in those convention and annual general patterns of invasive alien plants people and their environment. areas in the upper reaches of the areas first, to the benefit of the meeting was attended by 160 along the Sabie River catchment. In early June, Llewellyn’s work Sabie are sending plant pioneers entire catchment. delegates. It is acknowledged Dr Llewellyn Foxcroft is a sci- was recognised in Paris at the 2010 downstream into as the national body in South entist/ecologist currently based in Young Scientist awards, which were the Park, especially Africa for the professional hunt- the Kruger National Park (KNP). announced by the international co- during floods. ing industry and is currently the He is responsible for the invasion ordinating council of Unesco’s Man These upstream largest organisation of its kind ecology research and monitor- and the Biosphere programme. areas are so vast it world-wide. ing programme in South African The main aim of Dr Foxcroft’s is difficult to con- Dr David Mabunda, CEO of National Parks (SANParks). project is to determine the dispersal trol the existing SANParks, stressed that in the His main research interests are in patterns of invasive alien plants Lantana there, but mid 1900’s, wildlife was under alien plant invasions, investigating along river corridors, from which it is also possible extreme threat. Statistics indi- the processes and patterns of inva- suggestions for management may that invaders into cate that South Africa has 60 sion, and the links to management be made. Kruger come from percent more wildlife biomass interventions. The Sabie River catchment cov- other parts of the now than at the turn of the He also has wide ranging interests ers an area of about 7096 km2 and catchment. century. Privately owned land in conservation biology, as well as contains a large number of different In order to pin- devoted to wildlife is roughly the use of strategic adaptive man- land uses and alien plant control point the main three times more than national agement frameworks as a means of programmes. culprits responsi- and provincial parks and the connecting science, management The headwaters of the catchment ble for the spread number of animals on privately and policy. He is the editor of the are approximately 120km from the of this highly owned game farms is approxi- journal Koedoe: African Protected KNP, from where the Sabie River invasive plant, mately twice of that present Area Conservation and Science. flows through the park and into Llewellyn will use in the country’s parks. This is Every year since 1989, the Man Mozambique, therefore providing a genetic analysis a direct impact of responsible, and Biosphere Programme has perfect study site. Lantana camara, a techniques, taking ethical hunting practices and the demand it has created over the past few decades.

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Paul Kruger, president of the ZAR, proclaimed the Gouvernement Wildtuin (government game reserve) in 1898. It extended from the Crocodile River in the south to the Sabie River in the north, and from the Logies River (Nsikazi River) in the west to the Mozambique border in the east. conservation concerns kruger park times • december 2010 • 3 Help find ground hornbill nests Dr Katy Johnson expanding existing southern ground research is invalu- photo: Andre Botha hornbill populations”. able. Currently Southern ground hornbills have we have identi- If you venture out for a game drive become endangered in South Africa fied 175 groups early in the morning, you might be for a host of reasons, although most but only 60 nests. lucky enough to hear the haunting commonly through the loss of suit- That means we sounds of southern ground hornbill, able habitat due to urbanisation, are missing over as the male and female duet. agriculture and other forms of 100 nests!” The southern ground hornbill habitat degradation or destruction “ D u r i n g is one of the Kruger Park’s big six as well as the mhuti trade. November and birds and is classified as a threatened In order to remove chicks safely, December the species in the Red Data List. This is the EWT needs to select suitable female southern why the Kruger National Park (KNP) nests. “Accessibility is what makes ground hornbill in conjunction with the Endangered a nest suitable, we choose nests that will start sitting Wildlife Trust (EWT) have been are close to gates and roads. We do on their nests. The surveying Kruger’s southern ground this to minimise the stress placed on best time to locate hornbill population and removing the second chick during its removal a nest is early in some of the chicks. from the nest and the journey to its the morning, just “Like a number of birds the south- new home”. around sunrise ern ground hornbill lays two eggs By knowing where southern when the birds each year, but only the first will get ground hornbills are nesting, it not start calling. They the opportunity of leaving the nest”, only helps with selecting the nests only call for about explains EWT project coordinator for chick extractions, it also allows 10 minutes, but Scott Ronaldson. “The female lays Scott to monitor the Kruger Ground this should give two eggs a couple of days apart, as Hornbill population. As Scott ex- you a good idea of a kind of insurance policy. The first plains “It is important that we under- where the nest is chick hatches about three days before stand how Kruger’s southern ground located. Another the second and has therefore got an hornbill population is doing, in terms good signal is advantage. When the second chick of the number of nesting pairs and southern ground hatches, the first chick outcompetes changes in population figures. This hornbills carrying the second preventing it from getting information will feed into the Park’s food. This is a sure fed”. management plans and make sure sign that a female Scott’s project gives some of these management decisions are properly is sitting on a nest. second chicks a second chance at informed”. Females are easily life. “We remove only six second But the EWT can’t do it alone. identifiable from chicks from selected nests per year. “We need help when it comes to the males as they These chicks are either transported locating new nests. The Kruger have a blue patch under the bill. So and you will see them from time to have GPS coordinates or kilometres to Loskop Dam or Johannesburg National Park is enormous and we if you see groups of birds without time walking around. If you see one from the nearest road junction, and Zoo. They are fed using feeding simply don’t have the funding or a female it is a sure sign that she is of these birds please make a note. sending this information along with a puppets, so that the chicks do not manpower to cover it all. We are ask- sitting on a nest somewhere. Any We can then identify individuals description of the sighting to scottr@ get used to humans, enabling them ing tourists who come to the Park to information about any hornbill and plot the sighting. This gives us ewt.org.za, you will help Scott and to one day return to the wild. The be our eyes and ears, to help us locate sighting is gratefully received. an idea of the home range of these the EWT in ensuring that the future goal is for the chicks to form groups new nests. Most of the nests we cur- “We started ringing the first chicks birds” of this enigmatic bird is conserved, and these groups will be re-released rently know about result from tourist from nests where we took the second By noting the location of any for the enjoyment of generations into the areas they once frequented, tip offs. The role of tourists in this chick. Some of these are now adults hornbill sighting, especially if you to come. 4 • kruger park times • december 2010 • current concerns Less rhino sold, more predators moved to smaller reserves Lynette Strauss nostic test for bTB in lions is the drugged with the new com- comparative skin test, which requires bination and ‘we had no 2010 could hardly be labelled two immobilisations three days apart, problems before then.” as a run-of-the-mill year for the making it impractical for free ranging He believes the dart may SANParks Veterinary Wildlife lions over such a large geographic not have penetrated deep Services (VWS) unit, especially with range. Hence the emphasis on devel- enough through the hide of more than 120 rhinos killed for their oping a blood based TB test that can the hippo, and the animal horn in the Kruger National Park be done from a single blood sample. may also have got water up its (KNP). Alongside testing for bTB, screen- nose, which acted as a strong Dr Markus Hofmeyr, head of the ing for feline aids (FIV) is being done stimulant. department, and his team are on by Dr Danny Govender of Kruger’s “We learnt a lot from the standby to give veterinary support scientific services. incident and have put safety to the rangers in pursuit of poaching The drug combination (butorpha- mechanisms in place to avoid suspects and to do post mortems nol, medetomidine and midazolam) a tragedy in future,” he said. and investigate the seriousness of tested last year on lions in Kruger by In Marakele, the team re- wounded rhinos “We perform post Dr Sandra Wagener and Dr Buss was moved collars from elephant, mortems on these animals and, used extensively in the captures this lion and rhino that were while not a situation we wish for, year and greatly facilitated the time used in a study of how these we can also collect samples for our required to process and to wake up animals interact with their research of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) the lions. landscape over time. The in rhino. To date we have found no Historically, the drugs used had findings will be published indication that rhinos are susceptible no reversal agents and it sometimes in 2011. were put down and of the remaining Bergkwagga Mountain Zebra to bTB.” took four hours for lions to recover Further south, Dr David healthy group, 18 were translocated National Park to the newly acquired In another research project, Dr during which time they had to be Zimmerman attended a number to the Oorlogskloof Game Reserve Colchester area of Addo. Peter Buss and operations coordi- observed and protected against other of workshops and strategies to in the northern Cape near Calvinia It was, however, the predators in nator, Marius Kruger, have been predators. By having a reversible investigate and mitigate the demise to boost the small mountain zebra South Africa’s smaller fenced parks keeping an eye on the stress levels of drug combination lions are awake of the penguin population on the population there. that devoured more of the unit’s rhino in bomas and correlate stress within 30 minutes after the reversal islands in the marine section of Addo time than in recent years, and “will factors with adaptation of rhino in injections, which reduces the time National Park. Sales and continue to do so in 2011.” Markus the bomas. This project is ongoing. needed for a specific operation. The In Bontebok National Park, the Translocation says each park’s population will be In Kruger, large mammal ecolo- combination shows similar promise team immobilised all the mountain managed as a social group. gist, Dr Sam Ferreira, is heading a in hippopotamus as observed in 25 zebra there to establish which ani- This year, SANParks sold less In Bergkwagga Mountain Zebra lion research project in which the vet captures over the last mals had sarcoids. rhino (130) than in the previous year. National Park, the cheetah and team has assisted with the capture three years. Sarcoids are cancerous growths “Mainly because we have a new sales mountain zebra populations are and collaring of more than 120 lions H o w e v e r , that can affect breathing and may policy that requires buyers of more doing extremely well. Of the 30 this year. The aim is to collar 10 Markus had a very lead to the death than 20 rhino to provide ecological cheetah, half are in bomas await- prides across three zones in the park. public scare in of the zebra. and provincial conservation agency ing translocation to other suitable “We have finished the southern October when a The dis- approval for the purchase,” says habitats. and northern parts and will do colleague plucked ease is trans- Markus. Eight lions have been translocated the central section next year,” says him away from missible. The “We have also sold less buffalo from Addo to bomas in the Karoo Markus. The research is being a sedated hippo i n f e c t e d than in previous years.” The buffalo National Park in September. They funded by the A Jubatus Foundation which awoke animals were sourced from Graspan and were released in November this year, for the next five years. unexpectedly. Camdeboo National Park and sold marking the return of lion to area The main objective is to under- The story made on tender and auction respectively. since the last wild lion was shot near stand the dynamics of lion prides headlines across Mountain zebra, black wildebeest, Leeu-Gamka in 1842. across different zones in Kruger. t h e w o r l d . eland and red hartebeest were sold Various researchers are working According to on auction. International with scientific services and VWS to Markus the About 200 animals – gemsbok, activities and future maximise sampling opportunities hippo was oryx and red hartebeest - were plans during captures for disease diagnostic the 20th one translocated from Mokala research on feline Aids and also National Park, near Kimberley, No animals were translocated to try and develop a blood-based to Namakwa National Park. to the Limpopo National Park in TB test for lion. The team also moved eland, Mozambique, but plans are being The only zebra and red hartebeest from made to move game to Zinave in diag- the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area in 2011. The team assisted with the collar- ing of buffalo in the region where Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe meet. Samples were col- lected to establish a disease profile. These animals’ movement will be recorded across the landscape and over time. Game translocations are earmarked for the Richterveld, Augrabies and Namakwa National Parks, while a number of giraffe will find a new home in the northern parts of the Kgalagadi.

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Until 1960, Pretoriuskop was the only rest camp with accommodation available all year. Before that the park was only open between May and October 15. current concerns current concerns • kruger park times • december 2010 • 5

“Luckily in the Kruger National Park we have only ever had one case of rabies in a wild animal” The spotlight should be on rabies Dr Katy Johnson saliva of rabid animals and is passed Park that there are not more cases people died of rabies in Africa, prophylactic vaccination, as well as as a result of being bitten, licked or of rabid animals. In the communities most of whom were children. Initial additional immunoglobulin treat- An email came across my desk last scratched. Transmission can also be neighbouring the Park rabies is rife. symptoms are flu like, mild fever, ment, is administered on days 0, 3, week posing an interesting question, a consequence of predation. This There is always an interface between itching at the bite site, headaches, 7, 14 and 28 after being in contact “Why are we so concerned with is often the case with wild animals wild and domestic animals and so nausea and loss of appetite. Full with a rabid animal. swine flu and avian flu, yet nobody that have come into contact with transmission is inevitable. However blown rabies then develops in one of Prevention however, is always bet- talks about rabies?” domestic carriers of the disease. the private reserves on the western two ways; either as ‘paralytic rabies’, ter than a cure. Using a preventative It’s an interesting question. Stray dogs living on the boundaries boundary act as a buffer. These or ‘furious rabies’. Paralytic rabies vaccination rather than a treatment Especially when considering the of National Parks are a particular reserves tend to have very good is where the patient experiences an is what we should aspire to. World Health Organisation (WHO) threat to predators such as lions, road networks and border patrols, ascending flaccid paralysis. In South Africa, all animals over rates it as one of the top ten infec- leopards, hyena and wild dog. so domestic animals crossing into Whereas furious rabies results in three months are required by law tious causes of death. Unsurprising “Luckily in the Kruger National the reserves are quickly picked up hallucination, hydrophobia, fluc- to be vaccinated; unfortunately really, when you consider 50,000 Park we have only ever had one case and dealt with.” tuating consciousness and finally very few domestic dogs are, despite people die every year globally as a of rabies in a wild animal”, explains All this is doing however, is dealing culminates in respiratory spasms and initiatives providing vaccination for result of rabies and over 10 million state vet Lin-Marie de Klerk-Lorist, with the effects of rabies rather than cardiovascular arrest. free. Now out of desperation some people have receive post-exposure “that was a side-striped jackal at addressing the cause and the sad fact If you do find yourself bitten by of the private reserves have started treatment. Perhaps rabies doesn’t Orpen Gate. is the cause could be addressed. a rabid animal, don’t despair, as to vaccinate their wildlife, but unless get the exposure it deserves because Unlike domestic animals with Rabies vaccinations have been the prognosis is not totally hopeless. domestic pet owners mirror this then many of the first world countries rabies that often become more ag- used effectively in many countries Rabies can be treated if action is their efforts might be in vain. that drive the news have successfully gressive, wild animals will appear to effectively control and eradicate taken immediately. It is essential It is unlikely Africa will ever be eradicated rabies from their shores? tamer. This increases the risk of rabies, saving hundreds of lives to rinse the wound under running free of rabies. The continent is The ability to successfully eradi- humans contracting the disease, as every year. water for 15 minutes prophylactic too vast, and resources are already cate rabies is the irony of a disease the temptation to approach them is Once the symptoms of rabies before seeking emergency help. The overstretched. Yet if everyone takes that kills thousands of individuals much greater”. present themselves then an excruciat- same prophylactic drugs used to a stand and ensures their pets are around the globe every year. The “In many respects we are incred- ingly painful death is inevitable. In vaccinate humans and animals can vaccinated then it is a massive step rabies virus is transmitted in the ibly lucky in the Kruger National 2008 it is estimated that over 24,000 also be taken post-exposure. The in the right direction. Plants for sale Phone Sasha Mulder @ 079 298 6976 or Lucas Mulder @ 082 706 5709

Palms, cycas, half human, impala lily, kudu lily and more ... 6 • kruger park times • december 2010 • conservation concerns

Anthrax stalks the northern sections of Kruger

An anthrax outbreak in the Kruger National Park (KNP) claimed at least 65 animals in September 2010. The actual number of deaths could be much higher as carcasses are not easily found and the park has only one dedicated team on the ground. The first case was noted in May. Since then, the disease has Lions Released in Karoo National spread along the rivers and spruits in the northern parts of the park (Shingwedzi area), a pattern typically associated with anthrax. Park after 170 Year Absence “While anthrax may evoke horror images of letter bombs and L i o n s w e r e r e l e a s e d Park in the Eastern Cape, where the eland (about 400 animals) as well fenced in with low-level electrified terror attacks, it is not a disease in Karoo National Park near establishment of a lion population as kudu (700 animals) and ostrich fencing. This will ensure that visitors generally associated with human Beaufort West on November 10, has been very successful following (600 birds). can walk between accommodation deaths. In the KNP, anthrax poses 2010 freely setting foot on the Karoo their introduction in 2003. “Apart from their biodiver- and facilities. no threat to tourists as people can soil for the first time after an absence The Addo lions were originally sity value, the introduction of lions Visitors will still be able to experi- only be infected through contact of almost 170 years. introduced from the Kgalagadi Tra will have great tourism value for ence the Park on foot as hiking trails with an infected animal,” says At According to historical records, nsfrontier Park stock, chosen for its the Karoo National Park and for the such as the Pointer and Bossie Trails Dekker, lab technician of the state the last wild lion was shot at the genetic similarity to the Cape lions Great Karoo Region,” said regional will be run as guided hikes, at no veterinary department based in nearby settlement of Leeu-Gamka which would historically have oc- general manager, Lucius Moolman. extra cost, departing at various times Skukuza. in 1842. Historical evidence of lion curred in the area and for their Moolman said that visitors would of the day. According to Dr Valerius de occurrence in the area includes farm disease-free status. Lions can suffer now be able to experience both the Predator-proof fencing has been Vos (professor extraordinaire), and river names based on the word from diseases such as tuberculosis unique atmosphere and tranquillity completed around the 176-kilometre veterinary ecologist and renowned “leeu” or lion and the fact that the and feline immunodeficiency vi- of the Karoo as well as the thrill of perimeter of the almost 90 000 anthrax expert, the disease is an two main rivers draining the central rus (FIV) which can be transmitted spotting lions in the wild. hectare-Karoo National Park to integral part of the eco-system karoo mountains – the Leeurivier to other species. “Karoo National Park has tradi- minimise the risk of lions exiting the and, though the present out- and Gamka River – derive from the South African National Parks tionally always been used by visitors Park onto neighbouring properties. break is closely monitored, it is Afrikaans and San words for lion (SANParks) took the decision to in- as a one-night stopover between SANParks will initially monitor the not regarded as something out respectively. troduce lions to the Karoo National Cape Town and the interior but we lions closely with the aid of tracking of the ordinary. Anthrax is an The two male lions, two lionesses Park in a bid to restore the natural believe that the introduction of lions collars fitted before their release to acute disease and is caused by and four cubs were released from functioning of the predator-prey as well as the recent new develop- check what habitats the lions use, the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. the boma in Karoo National Park, balance in the ecosystem as well as to ments in infrastructure and activities what prey species they target as well The bacteria form spores that becoming the first wild, free-ranging ensure that all historically-occurring such as 4x4 trails will transform this as to record their movements. can survive for many years, even lions in the Great Karoo. species are once again conserved in Park and the surrounding area into The carrying capacity for lions in centuries. It is believed one of The eight lions have been resi- the park. a two or three night destination,” the Karoo National Park has been set the ten plagues mentioned in dent in the park bomas since late It is expected that the lions will Moolman continued. conservatively at between 15 and 20 the Bible refers to anthrax. Dr September to allow them to acclima- prey mainly on the larger herbivores Prior to the release of the lions, the lions, depending on the conditions de Vos has studied the disease tise to the new surroundings before of the Park including gemsbok, rest camp area, reception complex, in the Park and availability of prey for 40 years, and while he was their release. The lions were translo- which number over 1500 animals, camping grounds, swimming pool species. employed in the KNP he found cated from Addo Elephant National red hartebeest (1400 animals) and and popular fossil trail have been Photos: Karoo National Park spores on 250-year-old bones in the Pafuri area. Anthrax is endemic to the Pafuri region of Kruger and has Human well-being is improving even as ecosystem services decline: Why? its own peculiar pattern and cycles as observed by Dr de Vos over many years. An infected animal Researchers analyse ‘the environmentalist’s paradox’ sets the cycles in motion, which is then sustained by animals feeding Global degradation of ecosystems expectancy, man well-being from ecosystem on infected bones, waterholes is widely believed to threaten human and income, degradation, and that there is a drying up or animals inhaling welfare, yet accepted measures of and has im- time lag after ecosystem service spores when grazing with infected well-being show that it is on average proved mark- degradation before human well- animals. improving globally, both in poor edly since the being will be affected. Anthrax outbreaks occur at 10 countries and rich ones. A team of mid-1970s. Raudsepp-Hearne and her to 20 year intervals in Kruger, authors writing in the September Although colleagues find little reassur- depending on several factors such issue of BioScience dissects expla- some meas- ance about human well-being in as rainfall and population density. nations for this “environmentalist’s ures of per- coming decades in these conclu- The last outbreak was towards paradox.” Noting that understanding sonal security sions, because observable effects the end of 2009 in the Pafuri the paradox is “critical to guiding buck the up- threaten future gains in food region north of the Luvuvhu river future management of ecosystem ward trend, production, and events such as when about 150 animals died. services,” Ciara Raudsepp-Hearne the overall floods and droughts clearly harm While most animals are sus- and her colleagues confirm that im- improvement people within restricted areas. ceptible to the disease, kudu, provements in aggregate well-being in well-being In general, technology provides waterbuck, roan antelope and are real, despite convincing evidence seems robust. only limited and local decoupling buffalo are more vulnerable to of ecosystem decline. T h e r e - from ecosystem services, and infection due to their feeding Three likely reasons they identify s e a r c h e r s “there is mixed evidence” on habits. Birds cannot be affected, - past increases in food production, resolve the whether humans will become but vultures, especially, are known technological innovations that de- p a r a d o x more or less able to adapt to eco- as carriers of the spore. couple people from ecosystems, p a r t l y b y system degradation. One factor After feeding on an infected and time lags before well-being is pointing to arguing against complacency is carcass, vultures wash themselves affected - provide few grounds for evidence that growing evidence of “ecosystem and defecate in shallow, stagnant complacency, however. food produc- brittleness.” pools and so shed millions of Raudsepp-Hearne and her co- tion (which Raudsepp-Hearne and her spores in the water where the authors accept the findings of the has increased colleagues urge researchers to pay spores then usually settle at the influential Millennium Ecosystem globally over more attention to how ecosystem bottom of the pool. The herd Assessment that the capacity of past decades) services affect multiple aspects activity of buffalo in these pools ecosystems to produce many services is more im- VS of well-being, ecosystem service stirs the spores to the surface for humans is now low. portant for synergies and trade-offs, technol- where, mostly the bigger bulls Yet they uncover no fault with the human well- ogy for enhancing ecosystem drink. This year, notably half of composite Human Development being than services, and better forecasting the number of carcasses found Index, a widely used metric that are other ecosystem services. They explanations: that technology and of the provision of and demand for were buffalo. incorporates measures of literacy, life also establish support for two other innovation have decoupled hu- ecosystem services. conservation concerns plant peril • kruger park times • december 2010 • 7 I CAN for conservation Dr Katy Johnson ing in. This way you ensure your Park and want to do something down to the plants are suitable to those habitat really wonderful, grab a can and W e s t e r n It has been calculated that to conditions. We have a big problem plant a tree.” Cape and replace the wood and paper we use with invasive alien plant species in September in a year, each and every one of us South Africa. The Fever Tree bells ranges needs to plant at least one new tree These often out-compete our Tree of the Year 2010 along the every year. So when did you plant native varieties, especially when it East Coast. your last tree? comes to water usage. But the most The fever tree may be ‘Tree of the Both plants For many of us the answer would important characteristic of the Year’ in 2010, but then so are three p r o d u c e be never. The sad reality is that while fever tree is that it’s an Acacia, and others. In fact there is always more s t u n n i n g most of us are good at taking from therefore they are fast and easy to that one ‘Tree of the Year”. The bell-shaped the planet, very few really put back. grow from seed. This is essential as campaign is part of a larger Arbour f l o r a l Thankfully Michele Hofmeyr and the ‘I Can for Conservation’ scheme Day celebration, where two trees d i s p l a y s , the Skukuza Indigenous Nursery are was aimed at inspiring children to are usually selected, one common with vivid making it easier for everyone to give a plant and grow a tree. Kids easily lose and one rare to highlight indigenous splashes of little back to the planet this year and interest if they have to wait too long South African trees. These trees then pink and what’s more in the process there will to see results, so we needed to choose become the “poster-boys” for all purple in be some recycling too! a tree that they could see growing in indigenous trees, raising awareness the flower’s It all started with a question. What front of their eyes and the fever tree about the wealth of tree species we tube. They could be done with the old tins found was a perfect choice”. have in South Africa. m a k e a in an old dusty Kruger storeroom The first cans made were to be For 2010 four species were se- s t u n n i n g that had been condemned for food distributed to children from local lected. One common variety, the a d d i t i o n use? The answer the Joint Initiative schools as part of a greening cam- fever tree (Acacia xanthophloea) known t o a n y team from Scientific Services and paign. “They were a real success, in Afrikaans as the koorsboom and garden as Conservation Management came up the children loved them. It is a great three rare species: Cladostemon kirkii the strong Found predominantly in depres- with was to use them to inspire kids way of getting children involved – the butterfly tree or tonga-kierie, sweet scent of their flowers lingers sions or shallow pans where under- to get planting. and excited about the world around Rothmannia globosa – September bells long after they have gone. While ground water is present or surface The team came up with “I Can for them. Looking after a plant, making or klokkies-valskatjiepiering and they don’t naturally occur in the water collects, fever trees are abun- Conservation” - a philosophy that sure it grows, is a responsibility the Rothmannia capensis – wild gardenia Kruger National Park and so cannot dant along river banks, the margins everyone can do something for con- children relish”. But it is not just or wildekatjiepiering. be found in the Skukuza Nursery, of lakes and in most swampy areas. servation. Even if it is a small gesture children that are enjoying the ‘tree The hope is that by making these they can be found at most specialist It is due to their proximity to often- like planting a seed and helping a in a can’ scheme. species ‘Tree of the Year’ for 2010, horticultural suppliers. stagnant water bodies that the fever tree to grow makes a difference. The The concept has quickly caught people will be encouraged to plant The main difference between the tree got its name. team filled each tin with everything on and Michele and her team them. two species is the size to which they Early pioneers noticed how bouts you need to grow five new trees. The have found themselves making Although the selection of inof- will grow. of fever often coincided with living seeds, potting material, instructions thousands of cans. “So many people fensive sounding butterfly tree could Wild gardenia can grow to a near, or traveling through, fever and information about the tree you have asked for cans, from school backfire if you start opening the towering 20m in some forests but is tree forests. Putting one and two are about to grow. greening projects, to the Honorary fruits! Spread sparsely over a huge much more likely to reach 12-15m, together and coming up with eight, “We started with Arbour week Rangers. They have even been used geographical range, from Kenya where as September bells are more they blamed the trees rather than the with the idea that it’s better for a in SANParks functions. We sell the to Kwazulu Natal, it only grows in slender growing to around 5-7m in mosquitoes and other biting insects child to grow their own tree and cans for R10 and people can pick restricted habitats in South Africa height. Both have interesting uses in that also dwelled in these wet areas plant it themselves than for 100 chil- them up at the Skukuza Nursery, but so is unsuitable for many gardens. the muti world as cures for leprosy, and gave the tree its name. dren to watch a tree being planted if people do need a large order we However it can be found in the and in the case of wild gardenia Found across the African continent as they usually do at a conventional ask people to phone ahead because Kruger National Park and Skukuza rheumatism. from Kenya to Kwazulu Natal, the tree planting Arbour Day thing” ex- it’s a very labour intensive process.” nursery always has some in stock. The juice of wild gardenia fruits fever tree has become a favourite plains Kruger Park botanist Michele The ‘I Can for Conservation” Interestingly it is an important cer- is also traditionally applied to with South African gardeners look- Hofmyer. scheme has been a real success story emonial plant in some Mozambican burns and wounds to speed up the ing for a quick result. Being an The fever trees seeds were the first and is proof that with a little bit of burial rituals and despite the smell of healing process and men of the Acacia the fever tree grows incredibly to be used. “We chose fever trees for imagination almost anything can be its seed it is an unusually attractive Mpondo tribe use the shells from the quickly, up to 1.5m a year. a number of reasons. Fever trees are recycled. plant. September bell as clothing. This makes it an ideal tree to plant one of the species selected to be ‘tree There is something quite inspiring Thankfully the other two rare trees But for me, nothing rivals the if you want to give the impression of the year’ this year and are also about taking something that was species selected, the September bells ethereal magnificence of a fever tree. of an established garden in a short native to the Kruger National Park”, once unusable and giving it a new and wild gardenia, repay gardeners With its shimmering semi-luminous period of time. Michele explains, “It is important breath of life, especially if it makes with a bouquet of pleasant aromas. lime green bark coated in a sulphur- It is also good for the garden, that we choose plants from the Park, growing a tree suddenly accessible Both trees are part of the Rothmannia ous fine yellow powder and feather- enriching the soil thanks to the as you should always choose plants to everyone. genus and found in Limpopo. Wild like canopy, the fever tree is one of nitrogen-fixing bacteria found amidst endemic to the area you are plant- “So the next time you’re in the gardenia is also found all the way the most easily recognised in Kruger. its root nodules. Kruger’s Crocodile Bridge and Gate get a facelift The managing executive of the Kruger gate, which includes new boom style entrance National Park (KNP), Abe Sibiya officially gates, were a huge investment for Kruger. opened the new Crocodile Bridge and Gate The R7,3 million upgraded bridge, which facilities on December 7, 2010. was built in the existing footprint of the origi- Sibiya said the new raised bridge and the nal, was designed by Aerocon Company and constructed by the Tsitemba Companies. The R3,9 million new en- trance gate includes extensive work to the approach road, entrance gate reception build- ing, ablutions blocks for day visitors, curio shop and new ‘boom”-style entrance gate. It is the fourth KNP gate to get boom gates after Phalaborwa in 2007, Orpen in 2008 and Phabeni in 2009.

printing sponsored by SANPArks

Ecosystems are dynamic and complex, meaning that although they usually only have a few main drivers, these interact continually to give different outcomes that are difficult to predict. 8 • kruger park times • december 2010 • biodiversity alert All Eyes on Biodiversity photo: Quentin Swanevelder The 2010 target, adopted (GBO-3), confirms this. The report, South Africa’s borders and is by more than 190 countries based on scientific assessments, home to 38 percent of South including South Africa, to national reports submitted by gov- Africa’s plant species. “significantly reduce the ernments and an extensive analysis • National Red List species sta- rate of biodiversity loss”, of future scenarios for biodiversity, tus assessments indicate that under the Convention on warns of further large-scale biodiver- 10 percent of South Africa’s Biological Diversity (CBD) sity loss and loss of essential services birds and frogs, 20 percent of in 2002, was reassessed at as ecosystems become less produc- its mammals and 13 percent the 10th meeting of the tive. These losses may be difficult or of its plants are threatened. Conference of the Parties even impossible to recover from and • The National Spatial in Nagoya, Japan from the impacts on livelihoods, human Biodiversity Assessment 18-29 October 2010. health, economies and our way of (NSBA), undertaken in 2004, The Convention on life will be severe if we do not quickly showed that five percent Biological Diversity (CBD) correct this situation. of South Africa’s 440 veg- is one of the most signed etation types are critically onto treaties in the world, Some facts that the endangered, 12 percent are and deals with the need to GBO-3 highlights: endangered and 16 percent sustain the rich diversity of are vulnerable. life on Earth. • The wild vertebrate popula- • 82 percent of South Africa’s In 2002 the CBD adopt- tion fell by an average of main river ecosystems are ed the 2010 Biodiversity 31 percent globally between threatened, with 44 percent Target, an international 1970 and 2006. critically endangered, 27 commitment to signifi- • Farmland bird populations percent endangered, and 11 cantly reduce biodiversity in Europe have declined by percent vulnerable. decline by 2010 as a con- on average 50 percent since • 36 percent of the country’s tribution to poverty allevia- 1980. freshwater fish are threatened. tion and to the benefit of • Of the 1 200 waterbird popu- • Three of South Africa’s 13 all life on Earth. This was lations with known trends, 44 estuary groups are critically endorsed by the World percent are in decline. endangered, a further five Summit on Sustainable • Freshwater wetlands, sea are endangered and two are Development and the ice habitats, salt marshes, vulnerable. United Nations General coral reefs, seagrass beds and • 65 percent of South Africa’s Assembly and was incor- shellfish reefs are all showing marine bio-zones are threat- porated as a new target serious declines in extent and ened, with 12 percent criti- under the Millennium integrity. cally endangered, 15 percent Development Goals. • Crop and livestock genetic di- endangered and 38 percent However, the target was versity in agricultural systems vulnerable. never met. The CBD’s is still declining. • Stocks of 11 of the country’s third edition og Global • By 1985 between 56 percent line fish species are considered Biodiversity Outlook and 65 percent of inland collapsed. water systems suitable for use in intensive agriculture in Habitat loss and degradation, Europe and North America invasive alien species, flow modifica- had been drained. Figures tion, over-harvesting, pollution and for Asia and South America climate change all threaten South were 27 percent and 6 percent Africa’s biodiversity. respectively. The result is degradation of water • 73 percent of marshes in resources, loss of genetic diversity northern Greece have been and biodiversity and the subsequent drained since 1930. loss of ecosystem services. For South • 60 percent of the original Africa’s people, this translates into the wetland area of Spain has loss of food and medicinal products, been lost. and serious economic impacts. • About 80 percent of the world Many South Africans depend on marine fish stocks for which natural resources for their livelihoods assessment information is and survival. available are fully exploited The World Health Organisation or overexploited estimates that as much as 80 percent The GBO-3 however argues that of Africa’s people rely on traditional through effective and coordinated medicines as their main source of action to reduce the pressures on healthcare, while several hundred biodiversity, the situation can still be thousand people are directly em- corrected. ployed in the traditional medicine industry. south Africa Wood fuel is the main source of energy for about 75 percent of rural Closer to home, South Africa’s South African families. fourth national report to the Subsistence farmers are dependent Convention on Biological Diversity, on healthy, functioning ecosystems to released in March 2009, states that provide them with water and food while South Africa is one of the and healthy soil in which to grow most biologically diverse countries their crops. in the world, it too has reason to be Urban areas are similarly depend- concerned. ent on biodiversity and the Gauteng • Over 20 percent of the plants Province’s entire water supply is de- occurring in the Cape Floral livered by inter-basin transfers from FSP Approved Financial Services Provider Kingdom are threatened catchments beyond its borders. This with extinction. This plant province also consumes nearly 30 kingdom falls entirely within times more wheat than it produces.

The printing of this publication was sponsored by SANPARKS, kruger national park guides’ diary • kruger park times • december 2010 • 9

Kruger guide, Obakeng Koma

Leopard, wild dogs and elephant

Kruger National Park (KNP) guides Raymond Khosa and Obakeng Koma were on a walk in the Berg-en-Dal area when they heard a leopard grunt. They decided to move to higher ground in the hope of spotting the leopard. A day in a guide’s life at Phalaborwa gate Suddenly they saw impala scattering in all directions with wild dogs hot on Donavan Terblanche a sighting, calves and all. The aim of the From a small steenbok to the taller-than- their tail. More wild dogs were running encounter was to view and leave the animals trees giraffe. on the other side of the valley. These 04h00: Wake-up to a crisp morning. without them even knowing that we were The sun melted away on the horizon, dogs crossed paths with the leopard Prepare the catering for the morning walk. there. To the astonishment of the guests we where else does one want to be at that time who promptly found a quieter spot in 05h00: Lourens Botha and I met the did exactly that. than in the bush having a cold one, and eve- a tree. With their attention focussed guests at the Phalaborwa gate with warm As the walk continued we saw a variety of ryone enjoyed nature’s farewell to the day. on the leopard, they did not notice a coffee and rusks. The group comprises flowers, insects, birds and markings of ani- On our way to the bush braai spot we had breeding herd of elephant who made three foreigners and two South Africans. mals that had come and gone. Again I heard an exhilarating encounter with an elephant no bones about the dogs staying in We proceeded to our walking site, although a rumble and stopped, thinking that we had bull in musth. He shouted, I shouted, he the same spot as them. The leopard Lourens and I were still debating our final found another elephant, but it appeared to won, I reversed. Eventually he gave us one leaped to level ground, but he too destination. The drive to the site was great be Lourens’ tummy and time for a scrump- last salute and let us be. was persuaded to go. Raymond and - we saw lion on the road and not far from tious, filling and well-deserved breakfast. 19h00: The bush braai spot, and exclusive Obakeng watched the leopard for a that a journey of giraffe. Lourens and I After breakfast we started heading back via kraal close to Sable dam, was lit up with few minutes before it disappeared into extended our debate as to who would be a distant koppie. Coming back to where loads of lanterns and friendly staff trying to the undergrowth. leading the walk. we left the car, the oxpeckers flew up and please everybody’s needs. After the hunger 05h45: We arrived at an area called warned us about the lonely buffalo at the had been stilled and the thirst had been Shivulani Windmill. I pulled rank so there- watering hole. quenched we took a slow drive back to fore got to lead the trail. During the safety 10h00: On our drive back we saw general civilisation and tried to find all the creepy Kruger guide, briefing we heard rumbling and branches game and shared impressions and experi- crawlies that you would not normally see Raymond Khosa breaking. We knew we were going to see ences with the guests. We bid our guests in the day. the giants that walk the earth. With the farewell and had to return to the office for 21h30: As I bade my guests farewell I was wind in our favour and the sun at our backs, the dreadful thing called ‘paper work’. off home to get some rest before another day the seven of us then moved towards the 16h30: Preparations for the Bush Braai in ‘my back yard’... crackling of breaking branches. As we got for tonight for 14 guests, With two 10-seater Besides the above mentioned activities we closer and closer the sound amplified from a vehicles, we picked up the guests from offer loads more including an overnight 4x4 low murmur to a loud rumble and there they various points in Phalaborwa. As I entered camping trail. Please phone 013 735 3547/8 were: a breeding herd of elephants – what Kruger the general game was everywhere. for all enquiries and bookings.

Cape clawless otter John Adamson, head guide at Olifants camp, spotted a Cape clawless otter when returning from a morning walk from the low-water bridge at Balule in October. The otter seemed to be playing with a lone hippo bull by swimming unseen around it - possibly nipping its tail on oc- casion. The hippo was aware of the otter and quickly spun around on a couple of occasions. 10 • kruger park times • december 2010 • conservation concerns Braai Kruger fire raises a storm n October the Saturday key to the great tourism product process to implement very hot fires, about 12 000 hectares, an arsonist Wood Star report on animals that the national park offers. This so called “firestorms”, in two blocks walked through the southern Kruger Iburnt in a Kruger experi- also requires variability in the nature in the Kruger Park. Park and set numerous fires under ment set in motion extensive and extent of fires that burn across Blocks that showed significant extreme environmental conditions. media coverage of fires in these vast landscapes. Nevertheless, bush thickening and densification of This and other arson fires this year Kruger, and especially the over time, a steady decrease in very the shrub layer were identified in the have burnt 67 000 hectares in south- Marco @ southern section. large trees has been observed in Malelane and Pretoriuskop sections ern KNP. Nevertheless, in spite of most landscapes in the KNP, with a in conjunction with section rangers. precautions taken such as extensive 082 520 8736 Park visitors came across severely concurrent densification of the shrub The experiment was approved firebreaks created for animals to burnt animals, notably rhino, and layer in the western granitic areas of by the Kruger Park Conservation move into, some animals were burnt conveyed their horror to the media. the Park. Tall trees play an important Committee and the KNP Fire in the experimental fire in spite of all The article sparked a flood of similar role in the ecosystem as nesting sites Protection Association (FPA) and a precautions taken and a number of complaints from other visitors, as for large birds, as moisture and min- permit with conditions for the experi- animals were also burned in the ar- reported in a follow-up article on eral pumps from deeper soil layers to ment was obtained. The experiment son fires. Rangers continued to look Independent Online. the upper layers and also as shade for and its conditions were also discussed for burnt animals and when found “After the publication of the story, animals and tourists alike. with Working on Fire, the Lowveld they would evaluate their condition. more visitors to the park said they It is understood that elephants and Escarpment FPA as well as with Some were put down immediately had encountered several burnt and and fire are playing interactive and the Department of Agriculture, and others were monitored to see if dead elephants – including a calf contributing roles in these proc- Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) they could recover. – impala and critically endangered esses. Some renowned scientists, Veldfires Oversight Directorate and The value system necessarily as- ground hornbills in the past two such as Prof William Bond from all parties indicted that they were sociated with managing large natural weeks. the University of Cape Town, also satisfied with the conditions and areas obviously includes condoning “A visitor, who did not want be attribute the bush densification safety procedures for the experiment. the many (normally cruel or violent) named for fear of being victimised, phenomenon to an increase in at- The mandate given to SANParks via ways in which animals naturally die

Phalaborwa can deliver said he had seen numerous badly mospheric CO2 levels. Such a change periodic public meetings followed by in such systems, though we as human burnt animals last week. in woody vegetation structure on a approvals by the SANParks EXCO, custodians feel obliged to, whenever “We were on the dirt road next to large scale will impact negatively on the SANParks Board and DEA on feasible, euthanize injured animals Afsaal on our way to Lower Sabie plant and animal species that prefer the management plan has several (especially) if human interference when we saw one elephant and dead more open areas, and also on the objectives which support all of the caused this. Generally we strive to birds – hornbills next to the road. associated game viewing experience above thinking in concept and often limit such human interference in our There were also small antelope like for tourists. A very dense shrub layer in particular detail. duikers. One side of the elephant will make certain antelope species Baseline data were col- looked like acid had been thrown more vulnerable to predation while lected to assess the impact on to it.” Another park visitor, certain predators prefer more open of “firestorms” on woody Russell Bruton, lamented the lack areas for hunting. Rare and threat- vegetation. The Carnegie of accountability evidenced in the ened species such as roan antelope, Airborne Observatory “cavalier” responses from officials tsessebe, cheetah and wild dog prefer (CAO) assisted with quoted in last week’s story. This more open areas and have declined flying the experimen- implied officials were happy to repeat over the past decades. tal areas to obtain high

the “disastrous experiment”, he said. Current atmospheric CO2 levels resolution LiDAR images Vacancies “They proffer that animals must are the highest they have ever been of the three dimensional get out the way because fire is natu- in the last million years. This favours structure of vegetation at CET ral, totally ignoring the fact this fire woody plants above savanna grasses before the fires were put was intentionally set to be so intense more than ever before in the history in. CAO plans to return

PROJECT only flighted birds could escape. of savannas. Higher CO2 makes to the same area with “What of breeding herds of woody plants grow faster, sprout a follow-up aerial cam- CO-ORDINATOR elephant with calves, of which the better after fire and build defences paign in 2011 to assess Full day : Hoedspruit cow in these pictures was probably (spines, tannins) more easily. This and quantify the change Minimum requirements: a part; where is her calf; where are competitive advantage of woody in vegetation structure • Tertiary qualification the others? Or rhino, or buffalo, or vegetation has resulted in significant caused by the firestorm • 5 years exposure anything else with young?” Park and increased encroachment of experiment. Detailed to Admin. and visitor Teresa Agenbag said her sister woody vegetation into our grasslands field information was also had come across a burnt rhino last over the past few decades. In ad- collected pre and post the Project Management week being hounded by wild dogs dition, substantial alteration and fire experiment on tree environment and hyenas. “It was distressed and thickening of savannas translates and shrub height and • Fully bilingual wouldn’t let cars pass.” (Independent into a potential loss of a crucial density and bark dam- • Proficient in MS Office Online, October 16). biome which currently sustains mil- age for different woody • Understanding cultural lions of people and their livelihoods species to quantify fire diversity in Africa. Bush thickening appears impact. • Passion for children the response from to be taking place in most South • Own transport African savanna areas as well as in Working on Fire management, but some is needed • Knowledge of Fauna and the Kruger National Park with regard to certain other areas in the country. and it is always a sad event when Flora Fire is a natural process, but also The Working on Fire team based such an animal has to be euthanized. the incident an important tool that managers in Nelspruit were actively involved in Due to the changing climate that can use to combat bush thickening. the planning of the experiment and we are managing within, with high Fire is a natural and important Animals such as white rhino, zebra, assisted with burning the firebreaks air temperatures, lower relative FINANCIAL component of savannas, such as the wildebeest, roan antelope, tsessebe, as well as setting and controlling the humidity and increasing fire danger ADMINISTRATOR KNP, and both plants and animals cheetah and wild dog prefer open experimental fire on 15 September indices, fires that burn under the have adapted to fire through the savannas and will benefit from more using the latest aerial ignition tech- conditions that the experiment Minimum requirements: millennia. Ignition sources for fire open areas created by judicious use nology. Before the blocks were set was lit under are becoming more • Grade 12 with a minimum in Kruger are many and varied. of fire by park managers. In such alight a helicopter was used to chase frequent. However, in order to learn of 5 – 7 years relevant Nevertheless, fires are usually started a large, natural area such as the rhino and elephant out of the blocks. from, to use, adapt and manage these experience in a Financial by man (tourists, poachers, trans- Kruger Park, it is clearly impracti- The fire front was first set alight on fires in the future we have to study Administrative migrants, fires crossing from the cal to use herbicide or mechanical the western side along the tar road how a high intensity fires burns and environment outside the park’s borders) under means to combat bush thickening. with a westerly wind. how the vegetation responds. • Excellent computer skills warm environmental conditions The northern, eastern and south- Pre-fire, post fire and re-growth (Proficient in MS Word, (high temperatures and low relative The experiment ern flanks of the experimental blocks vegetation surveys, pre and post fire Excel, Power Point) humidity) and this often leaves rang- were left open to allow game to move LIDAR data and satellite images • A grasp for cultural ers fighting large runaway fires. The In southern KNP in particular, out ahead of the fire front. In both have been taken in order for us to diversity current fire policy in the Kruger Park for example east of Pretoriuskop blocks there were also a number of study and learn from the experiment. • Ability to work aims to reduce the number of large and south of the Biyamiti River, it sodic sites without grass, areas that These data are essential to assist us independently and hot runaway fires in the August is obvious how woody shrubs, espe- could act as refuge areas for game to to better predict, control and manage – September late dry season by set- cially Combretum and Terminalia are move onto to get away from the fire. for firestorms (induced or natural) in • Good command of the ting smaller and cooler management increasing in density in what used to The blocks were burned as planned the future and will help to set realistic English language fires in May - June to break up the be much more open areas. This area with no damage to any people or monitoring thresholds for bush en- fuel load in the veld with burnt and was therefore selected to rigorously infrastructure. Rangers flew over and croachment and/or disappearance Please submit CV to: un-burnt patches. and scientifically test the use of fire patrolled the blocks frequently the of tall trees, and for fire, so that park [email protected] Kruger’s vast area, spanning as an appropriate tool to learn more days after the fire, to look for injured management can be informed with or fax: 086 628 8733 nearly two million hectares of about the role of fire in shrub densi- game which may have needed to be the best possible understanding in a by 31 December 2010 the Lowveld, constitutes a diverse fication and the loss of tall trees. An euthanized. difficult and changing world. and highly variable ecosystem. experiment was thus designed as part Unfortunately in the days just after Persistence of this variability is a of an active adaptive management the experimental fires, which burnt Archive photo: SAVFire conservation concerns • kruger park times • december 2010 • 11 Saddle-billed stork photographic survey finds 55 birds in south

The saddle-billed stork photo- The action category was won an advantage of this survey method graphic survey that took place in the by Kobus Brink, who was also a is that the birds do not have to be Kruger National Park (KNP) from finalist in the portrait category. His physically captured and handled, September 2009 to September 2010 winning photograph was taken on and continuous population surveys has been concluded. Competition 18 May 2010 on the gravel road are possible. The vastness of the winners have been announced and travelling east and following the KNP combined with the inacces- preliminary survey results for the N’wanetsi Spruit from Satara Camp. sibility of some areas makes a total southern sections of the Park indicate His prize is a two night stay for two population count of this species a total of 55 birds remaining in this people sharing at the luxurious Tinga almost unachievable. area. Private Game Lodge on the banks of As such, the aim is to determine a This survey forms part of a re- the Sabie River. population index and with repeated search project that is being con- The best overall contribution measures of the index over time, the ducted on the population status of was submitted by Brent Smith and population size can be monitored. saddle-billed storks (Ephippiorhynchus Samantha Meeke, who submitted Monitoring with an index is cost- senegalensis) from 2009 to 2011. The no less than 11 entries, including a effective and efficient. birds can be individually recognised sub-adult stork range. Their prize is Saddle-billed storks are classified by the details on the black band two nights for two people sharing at as endangered in South Africa. They across the red bill. Kings Camp Private Game Reserve. breed slowly and are dependant on Side-on photographs of the birds, Preliminary survey results indicate extensive wetland habitats, which from both the left and right angles, a minimum number of 40 adult are under increasing pressure from were used in identification during saddle-billed storks in the southern developments. the survey. Over 5 000 photographs sections of Kruger. The flow regimes of rivers passing were received from 2 000 entrants The bill markings only become dis- through the Kruger National Park although only submissions with tinctive when storks reach adulthood are expected to change in response clearly identifiable bill markings and as such juveniles and sub-adults to catchment developments outside could be used for data analysis and are analysed based on geographic the Park, and this, together with the 62 percent were rejected. locations only, and an additional removal of artificial water impound- A panel of judges evaluated the 10 juveniles and five sub-adults ments within the Park, may have a contributions in three categories: were counted using this method. negative impact on this species. portrait, action category and best Complete survey results for the rest In South Africa, saddle-billed overall contribution. of the Park will be made public as storks are largely confined to the The winner in the portrait cat- they become available. north-eastern tropical lowland with egory was Keith Marallich, who sub- The photographic survey method the majority of the population mitted two mugshots of a male stork relies on contributions from the residing along the riverine habitat photographed on 9 March 2010 just public and as such, contributions in Kruger. south of the Sweni Bird Hide. His received after the study period may They normally occur in pairs, are prize is a pair of Pentax 10x43 DCF affect population estimates when strongly territorial and remain in the SP binoculars, sponsored by Pentax. using statistical models. However, same area for years.

opinion: We need to need less

Lisl Bennett problems is cultural. The deteriora- cerns especially those of nature. because it’s the right thing to do? The problem of climate change tion of our planet is an outward After the industrial revolution, What are you willing to do? is huge, but small personal action, I recently watched the Leonardo mirror of an inner nature came to be treated as a Quality of life should be the goal, however inconsequential it may di Caprio documentary on climate condition. resource that was considered end- not growth. However the corporate seem, remains important. It’s impor- change called The 11th Hour. Have T h e lessly abundant. We now know that economics which govern our way of tant because everybody making a you seen it? Like many of these w a y w e this is not true. life rely on growth. If we continue change adds up to something mean- films it starts with a depressing t h i n k i s The gifts of nature such as clean to grow so unsustainably, we will ingful, because shifting the way we list of everything that’s going the problem. drinking water and food are about lose all quality of life. It’s not just act and live is part of the solution in wrong and moves on through Our culture of to run out. We need to change our the huge corporations that are ad- the long term, because if we act in an alarming list of possible global growth and thinking back to when nature was dicted, it is us as consumers. We’ve that way we will demonstrate to our warming disaster scenarios. materialism a partner, when the rights of the lost touch with the world and so we leaders that we do care. What we did wrong, whose fault has displaced natural world were considered as try to replace that sense of beauty With the onset of global warming it is, what’s going to happen to all other important as the rights of a person. and belonging with things. and its many disasters, environ- us, will the human race will go c o n - We have to change how we define The lessons we need to learn on mentalism has become a unifying extinct… aargh! It’s all too much who we are; it’s not about what we how to survive and how to fix that human issue. but luckily the film doesn’t end have, it’s not about what we do, it’s which we have broken are to be We as citizens, consumers and there, it concludes with some not about what others think of us. found in nature if we’ll just listen in communities have the opportunity positive ideas on what we can do We are part of the earth and what time. The technologies which mimic to change by being willing to change about it all. happens to it, happens to us. nature are available, they make us our daily habits. The current crisis is not a This could be our finest hour, less dependent on fossil fuels, they’re We’re lucky enough to live in a problem of too much carbon this could be the generation that just not supported in a way that place where we can actually make dioxide or soil erosion or pol- is remembered for doing what was makes them affordable. a difference. A small town where lution, it’s not the population necessary to save the future. We have to show that support. people know each other and small explosion, it’s not the exploitation Or it could be the end of our civi- Every time you buy an object you’re actions can have an impact. of our natural resources, the near lisation. It all depends on what we saying, ‘I approve of this company, Ask yourself what you can do to extinction of nearly all our major are willing to do. What does it take I approve of how this was made, I stop the disaster, what you can do animal species… all of these things for humankind to change its ways? approve of what’s going to happen to make a difference. And if you are just the symptoms of what We need to make people aware, we to this when I throw it away’ can’t think of anything, give me call is really wrong. need to slow down, we need to need But do you approve? Or have you I have lots of ideas… Lisl Bennett The root cause of all these less. What are you willing to forgo just not taken the time to ask? 0793938803.

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Ecosystems are dynamic and complex, meaning that although they usually only have a few main drivers, these interact continually to give different outcomes that are difficult to predict. 12 • kruger park times • december 2010 • raptor report

Ulrich Oberprieler are adapted to a scavenging life style. The head and neck of most species Raptors are the most magnificent are partially or wholly naked and of birds. Who is not impressed by the the weak feet are not suited to killing power and strength of an eagle, the prey. Vultures have long broad wings Rulers of the sky agility and aggression of a goshawk, and short tails for soaring flight. the effortless flight of a vulture? As top predators, they do not only play Group 4: Eagles and an important role in the ecosystem, hawk-eagles but are of special interest to nature lovers and birders. These medium-sized to very large Strictly speaking, both the terms raptors are immediately distin- ‘bird of prey’ and ‘raptor’ are mis- guished by their fully feathered legs. nomers. A number of bird groups They are powerful and aggressive take live or even warm-blooded hunters but are not averse to carrion. prey – just think of shrikes, rollers Their wings are long and broad, and hornbills, but these are not birds but the tails vary from shortish to of prey. The word ‘raptor’ is derived medium in length, depending on the from the Latin raptare, meaning ‘to preferred hunting technique of the seize’. particular species. Although most raptors catch their prey in their talons, this certainly Group 5: Snake- does not apply to vultures. All rap- eagles tors, however, are characterised by their hooked beaks and keen Although resembling true eagles, eyesight. snake-eagles are easily distinguished Southern Africa is blessed with a by their large heads, large yellow eyes Adult African marsh-harrier. Photo: Alan Knott-Craig rich diversity of raptors. Scientifically and unfeathered lower legs. As the these are divided into the 71 diurnal name indicates, they feed mostly on birds of prey species of the order snakes. As they soar often and well, Falconiformes and the 12 spe- their wings are broad and long, while cies of owl belonging to the order the tail is of medium length. The Strigiformes. The smallest raptor bateleur is not a true eagle, but rather in the Kruger National Park is the a ‘honorary’ snake-eagle as indicated African scops-owl, which has a total by the bare lower legs and dark eyes. length of about 17cm, a wingspan of around 45 cm and weighs about Group 6: Buzzards 60g. The lappet-faced vulture is usually considered the largest raptor Buzzards resemble small eagles, in southern Africa. It measures over but have unfeathered lower legs. one metre in length, has a wingspan They are medium to medium-large, of ±2.7 metre and weighs about robustly built raptors, which hunt 6.5kg. Between these two extremes, mostly from a perch. They soar well raptors show a variety of adapta- as the wings are long and broad tions, occur in diverse habitats and while the tail is shortish to medium feed on virtually any conceivable in length. The European honey- prey.Although raptors are easily buzzard is not a typical buzzard. distinguished from other bird groups, the identification of raptor species Group 7: Goshawks often presents a challenge. and sparrowhawks Nobody will misidentify an adult African fish-eagle or adult bateleur, These very small to medium-sized but what about their youngsters? raptors which usually occur in well- Adult secretary bird. Photo: Niel Cillié What about the brown eagles such wooded habitats where their secre- as the tawny, steppe or Wahlberg’s tive life style makes them difficult to eagle? Many of the smaller raptors observe. Their wings are short, while are even more difficult to identify. the tail is long: an adaptation for My recent book, the Raptor Guide fast but manoeuvrable flight. They of Southern Africa is based on the have longs legs. The dark chanting premise that raptor identification goshawk, the lizard buzzard and the depends on group identification. African harrier-hawk are not typical Once one can classify a raptor into goshawks, but are best placed in this one of the 11 raptor groups of group. Southern Africa, it becomes easy to tell a particular species a part from Group 8: Harriers the others. The structure of this book supports and reinforces this Harriers are medium-sized, slen- basic insight, which is based on years der raptors with long narrow wings, of teaching raptor identification to long tails and long legs. They occur both specialist and non-specialist in marshes or open habitats where audiences. they fly low over the ground, quarter- A quick look at these groups: ing to and fro, and dropping onto their prey on the ground. Group 1: Secretary bird Group 9: Kites This bird is well known: it is the The kites are a diverse collection only very large raptor with very long of small to medium-sized raptors legs. It is further characterised by its with long wings, and are excellent crest of long feathers on the back of flyers. The most well known exam- the head and long central tail feath- ples are the black, yellow-billed and Adult steppe buzzard . Photo: Niel Cillié ers. The plumage is grey and black. black-shouldered Kites.

Group 2: Fish-eating Group 10: Falcons, Ulrich Oberprieler is the education manager at the raptors hobbies and kestrels National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria. He is an enthusiastic wildlife photographer and is most well Both the osprey and African fish- These very small to medium-small known for his courses on birds, mammals, ecology eagle are large raptors which catch raptors inhabit open country and are and the environment. fish and are therefore associated with adapted for fast (falcons and hobbies) water. They have long broad wings, or hovering (kestrels) flight. Their You can win a copy of which enable them to carry even wings are long and pointed while The Bird Guide of Southern Africa heavy fish. The unfeathered lower the tail is long. by Ulrich Oberprieler and Burger Cillié or legs distinguish them from the true Field Guide To the Animals of the Greater eagles and hawk-eagles. Group 11: Owls Kruger Park by Christo Joubert, Ulrich Owls are well known: they are very Oberprieler and Burger Cillié Group 3: Vultures small to very large raptors adapted Check out the detail on page 13! Southern white-faced scops-owl. photo: Ulrich Oberprieler These large to very large raptors to a nocturnal life style. feathered foes • kruger park times • december 2010 • 13 Rulers of the sky Battle to the Death James Crookes morning to find the other in bed with his partner and was now teaching him One of the joys of living in the bush a lesson. This anthropomorphic idea is that the most amazing sightings tend seems to be the only logical explanation to happen at the most unexpected times for what was taking place. Just as we Early on in the battle, one bird clearly dominating the other and often in the most unexpected places. were discussing this, we noticed a third On the way back from breakfast, walk- bearded scrub-robin enter the fray. Our ing through the staff village, I noticed assumption was that this was the ‘offend- two birds rolling around on the ground ing’ female, as she stayed on the outskirts outside one of the rangers’ rooms. They and watched for a couple of minutes, were obviously having some sort of before hopping off to carry on with her Competition altercation, so, with a sense of amuse- daily activities. ment, I decided to stop and watch them All this time, without paying any at- We have two copies for what I expected to be a couple of tention to either the third scrub-robin or seconds of interaction before going any of us, the dominant male continued each of their separate ways. What unfolded was to peck at the other bird’s head and, much more serious than I could ever after a while, had pecked out the eyes The Field guide to the have expected and it turned out that the and plucked off the majority of the animals of the Greater birds were engaged in mortal combat. feathers. This took the scene to a new Kruger Park What developed turned out to be the level and it was now obvious that the and most gruesome scene I have witnessed dominant male wouldn’t stop until the The Bird Guide of in my time in the bush and my sense of other bird was dead. At this stage there The birds engaged in battle, fighting for survival Southern Africa amusement quickly changed to one of was the odd whispered suggestion that astonishment. we chase the scrub-robin away to give As I moved closer I noticed that the the other a chance of survival, however to give away birds were both bearded scrub-robins one needs to bear in mind that we are (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata), which are in nature and that this is a manifestation Send your contact monogamous and are known to be of the idea of the survival of the fittest. detail with the answer territorial throughout the year. By defini- We are in a world where there is more to the following tion, a territory will be defended against than enough human interference and question: members of the same species, with the although this may appear cruel and gory, extent of the territoriality depending it likely happens all around us without us What is the smallest on factors such as the availability of even knowing. Being able to view this sort raptor in the Kruger food, population densities and habitat. of interaction is a privilege and enables National Park? Although there is no sexual dimorphism us to gain an invaluable insight into the in this species, based on their behaviour, behaviour of these animals. Although Send to: I concluded that this was a territorial sometimes tempting and I must admit, The aggressor with a good grip from which to continue his krugerparktimes@ battle between two males. I expected that it was a thought that went through my attack, having plucked most of the head feathers. mailbox.co.za or PO at worst, the territorial male would have head early on in this battle, it is best not Box 953 Phalaborwa engaged the other male, shown him who to interfere and let nature take its course. is boss in the area being defended, and After about 45 minutes the battle 1390 left him to lick his wounds in someone continued and by this stage we were else’s territory. After all, these territorial convinced that the targeted bird was Sponsored by disputes put both parties at risk as the ag- on death’s doorstep, but miraculously, gressor also faces a risk of being injured every couple of minutes he would writhe, during the course of the altercation, so bringing about more aggression from Game Parks it is in both parties’ interest to settle the his attacker. His scalp was exposed and Publishing dispute with as little physical interaction bleeding and the attacker continued to as possible. The dominant bearded pluck flesh from his head. The level of PO Box 12331; scrub-robin in this territory, however, aggression was so pronounced that the Hatfield 0028; obviously had a different idea. attacker appeared to have blood splatter Pretoria; I’m not sure how long the fight had on his otherwise clean belly and chest. been going on for when I arrived, but Finally, in a dramatic scene after a val- South Africa at that stage, although one of the birds iant defence, the injured bird extended e-mail: anna@ was clearly dominating, both were its wings, raised its tail and took its last gameparkspublishing. putting up a fight and, amidst a lot of breath. This epic battle had lasted just The head and scalp had clearly taken a beating to expose wing flapping, they were rolling around over an hour. this gory scene. co.za on the floor. Both seemed to be trying Amazingly, the victor continued to Website: www. to peck each other, but one of the birds peck away at the deceased’s head for a gameparkspublishing. had a good grip on the other’s leg, so was couple of minutes, even though it was able to dominate him. As time went by, clearly dead. Eventually he decided he co.za I noticed that the dominant scrub-robin had achieved his goal. He lifted his head, was making a distinct effort to peck the had a look around, and hopped off as other, which by this stage almost seemed though nothing much had happened, submissive, on his nape and the back of carrying on with his foraging in the leaf his head. This continued for a couple litter surrounding the scene of the battle. of minutes, after which the other bird, This interaction caused me to look at clearly having sustained some injuries, the bearded scrub-robin with new eyes. was completely submissive. My expecta- What had always been, to me, a pretty tion was that the dominant scrub-robin, bird, with a cheerful whistling call, has clearly the victor, would now have left exposed a different side to its nature, the scene and carried on with his daily one that rivals the most aggressive and foraging. This, however, was not to be. savage I have seen in any animal of the By now a reasonable crowd had African bushveld. gathered, all with the same sense of photos: James Crookes, Singita astonishment, to witness this epic battle. Game Reserve Some suggested that one of the scrub- This article first appeared in robins had obviously come home that Africa Birds and Birding The end result of the attack. After a valiant effort, the loser finally took his last breath Printing sponsored by SANPArks

To conserve for biodiversity we need to manage for patchiness and change. We cannot aim to achieve specific and unchanging ecosystem conditions, but only to encourage variation and process. 14 • kruger park times • december 2010 • people and parks

Termites foretell climate change in Africa’s savannas Using sophisticated airborne imag- African savanna. and show how termite mounds can vegetation over larger, regional vegetation is that mounds are so ing and structural analysis, scientists They found that their size and dis- be used to predict ecological shifts scales. Work at the smaller, hill-slope tightly coupled with soil and hydro- at the Carnegie Institution’s depart- tribution is linked to vegetation and from climate change. scales has, until now, been limited to logical conditions that they make it ment of global ecology mapped landscape patterns associated with The research was published in the two-dimensional studies on specific easier to map the hill slope seeplines. more than 40,000 termite mounds annual rainfall. The results reveal September 7, 2010, advanced online hillsides. Furthermore, vegetation cover varies over 309 square kilometres in the how the savanna terrain has evolved edition of Nature Communications. The Carnegie research was con- a lot between wet and dry season, Mound-building termites in the ducted by the Carnegie Airborne while the mounds are not subject to study area of Kruger National Park Observatory (CAO)–a unique air- these fluctuations. in South Africa tend to build their borne mapping system that operates “By understanding the patterns of nests in areas that are not too wet, much like a diagnostic medical the vegetation and termite mounds nor too dry, but are well drained, scan. It can penetrate the canopy all over different moisture zones, we and on slopes of savanna hills the way to the soil level and probe can project how the landscape above boundaries called seeplines. about 16,190 hectares per day. might change with climate change,” Seeplines form where water has The CAO uses a waveform LiDAR explained co-author Greg Asner at flowed belowground through sandy, system (light detection and ranging) Carnegie. porous soil and backs up at areas that maps the three-dimensional “Warming is expected to increase rich in clay. structure of vegetation and, in this the variability of future precipita- Typically woody trees prefer the case, termite mounds and combines tion in African savannas, so some well-drained upslope side where that information with spectroscopic areas will get more, while others get the mounds tend to locate, while imaging—imaging that reveals less rain. The predictions are that grasses dominate the wetter areas chemical fingerprints of the species many regions of the savanna will down slope. below. It renders the data in stunning become drier, which suggests more “These relationships make the three-dimensional maps. woody species will encroach on termite mounds excellent indica- “We looked at the vegetation today’s grasslands. These changes tors of the geology, hydrology, and and termite mound characteristics will depend on complex but predict- soil conditions,” commented lead throughout enormous areas of able hydrological processes along author Shaun Levick at Carnegie. African savanna in dry, intermediate, hill slopes, which will correspond to “And those conditions affect what and wet zones,” explained Levick. pattern changes in the telltale termite plants grow and thus the entire local “We found that precipitation, along mounds we see today from the air.” ecosystem. We looked at the mound with elevation, hydrological, and soil The research was funded by a density, size, and location on the conditions determine whether the grant from the Andrew Mellon hills with respect to the vegetation area will be dominated by grasses or Foundation. The Carnegie Airborne patterns.” woody vegetation and the size and Observatory is supported by the Most research into the ecology of density of termite mounds.” W.M. Keck Foundation and William these savannas has focused on the The advantage of monitoring Hearst, III. SANParks provided patterns of woody trees and shorter termite mounds in addition to logistical support.

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R2 700 000 R9 800 000 R1 250 000 Comfort & luxury is teamed with style Built in beauty Neat as a pin Immaculately-maintained, secluded This unique 160ha game farm and commercial Immaculate family home, 3 bedrooms, 2 are home, 2 bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms, lodge Offers you a wide selection of equipped with aircon’s, 2 bathrooms, well designed 3 dining areas 2 lounges. Double lock accommodation, Luxury Chalets, family chalets, kitchen, dining area, spacious living area. Huge up garage. Home is loaded with special caravan park and restaurant. It is within close pantry/storeroom. Situated in quiet part of town. finishes including new Splash pool. Two to proximity to Kruger Park. Offering you a wide Well established garden with borehole. Double lock boreholes. Sundowner deck. selection of game and excellent bird watching up garage. 1 bedroom wooden cottage. people and plants • kruger park times • december 2010 • 15 Protecting pepper bark trees

Dr Katy Johnson pepper-bark tissue is immense. The The key is to reduce or uses for it are wide ranging from giv- to satisfy the demand At the back of the Skukuza nurs- ing sinus relief to treating malaria. and often this involves ery there is an unassuming row of It is the widespread popularity that managing access to the planting sheds, which most visitors has lead to the remaining pockets resource. Education simply pass by without ever knowing of pepper-bark trees being severely is one route, engag- its existence. It is where seeds get a overharvested. ing with traditional kick start at life, where young plants This has come about due to a healers with regards are nurtured and all the magic hap- shift in how medicinal plants are to the active properties pens and the real beauty is the sim- harvested. Traditionally, only the also being present in plicity of it all. The seeds or clippings traditional healer would harvest the the leaves and shoots, are harvested by Kruger botanist plants they used. which grow quicker Michele Hofmeyr and her team, or They would do this sustainably, as and hence are easier collected by rangers, as every plant they had an incentive to ensure their to harvest sustainably. sold in the nursery is indigenous to sources remained viable for years However, there are the area. Then it is just a matter of to come. It was the bark that was some traditional heal- transplanting the seeds, clippings harvested in the case of the pepper- ers in South Africa that or even seedlings into a suitable bark tree, although recent studies have embraced this op- medium and adding a bit of water. have shown that the leaves, shoots portunity and are using But this simple process of collecting, and roots have the same chemical leaves as opposed to cutting and cultivating, might have properties. Thin strips would be bark in their health huge implications in curtailing plant taken, which allowed for the plant practices at home. poaching and ensuring the survival to heal easily. Now unfortunately it Another angle is to start of some of South Africa’s most en- is a different story. In addition to the cultivating pepper-bark dangered plant species. traditional healers collecting sustain- trees from seeds, or The pepper-bark tree Warburgia ably, commercial gatherers are also cuttings, that can be salutaris, was once widespread harvesting pepper-bark. supplied to traditional over Mozambique, South Africa, They usually come from some of healers. This is what the Zimbabwe, Kenya, Madagascar and the larger urban centers, and have no SANParks Warburgia Swaziland. However, habitat loss cultural ties to the ecosystems from Conservation Program through urbanization and agricul- where they harvest which results in (WCP) initiated in 2008 ture, along with the plants specific a lack of incentive to harvest sustain- is attempting to do. ecological requirements, has meant ably. In the case of pepper-bark this B y w o r k i n g i n that only a few small pockets of often means ring barking the tree, conjunction with the trees now exist in the wild. In fact in and specifically selecting bigger trees, Vukuzenzele Nursery Zimbabwe, only 10 trees are believed in order to get as much profit as pos- and Medicinal Garden, to exist in the wild, giving pepper- sible. It is the switch from sustainable who specialises in me- bark the unwanted accolade of being collection to commercial gathering, dicinal plants, the WCP categorized as endangered on both that has seen many plants used in has begun an outreach IUCN and SANBI red species list. traditional medicine be pushed to initiative. Endangered species can so eas- the brink of extinction. The goals are two ily be pushed over the brink and Certainly in South Africa if there fold: to train traditional become extinct. are existing populations of pepper- healers in the artificial If that is the case for the pepper- bark trees, they are located only in propagation of pepper- bark tree the knock on effect would protected area. bark and to engage be two-fold. Losing any species has Game parks, botanical gardens with traditional healers great ecological significance but for and protected areas provide a glim- about the potential for the pepper-bark tree there will also mer of hope for a species on the using leaves as opposed be a dramatic social and economic teetering on the edge of extinction, to bark and roots in impact on society. Pepper-bark has however it poses an interesting social their daily health prac- been used for centuries in African question: Are we forcing people tices. The Vukuzenzele Nursery menting with different potting and an equal amount of clippings medicine, and is one of the most into poaching by placing a higher have been successful in artificially media, and are also attempting to in the Skukuza nursery, and a few sought after commodities in the importance on the protection of a propagating Warburgia cuttings for a grow plants from seed, although this hundred established cuttings in Southern African traditional health species over the cultural traditions number of years, and are currently is proving to be trickier as the seeds Vukuzenzele mark the first step in a care sector. and beliefs of those who have utilised engaging with SANParks and with dry out quickly and the fruit is often long process which herald a brighter With estimates of 27million peo- the species for centuries? the Skukuza Nursery in refining the heavily parasitized. future for pepper-bark and other ple relying on traditional medicine in If there is a demand then there process. While the project is only in its early rare medicinal species. South Africa alone, the demand for will always be pressure on the plants. The Skukuza nursery is experi- stages, a couple of dozen seedlings Photo: Katy Johnson

Honorary ranger John Turner and regional Shimuwini Bush Camp manager, Johann ranger for Nxanatseni, Louis Olivier Mduli receiving the bush cutter. Rain suits and a brush cutter donated Kirsty redman The honorary rangers are well known for their generosity and tireless support of SANParks. Two recent recipients of this generosity were the rangers and field rangers of the Nxanatseni south region in the Kruger National Park (KNP) and the Shimuwini Bushveld Camp. The rangers support services of the Honorary Rangers (HR), chaired by John Turner, made the life of the field rangers a little more comfortable with the donation of rain suits, which will allow working in all weather. The West Rand region of the HR assisted Shimuwini Bushcamp manager, Johann Mduli with a much needed brush cutter and safety gear that will be used to control the encroaching vegetation in the rest camp.

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To conserve for biodiversity we need to manage for patchiness and change. We cannot aim to achieve specific and unchanging ecosystem conditions, but only to encourage variation and process. 16 • kruger park times • december 2010 • kids and conservation

Focus shifts to grassland Last year SANParks decided to second only to the fynbos biome,” global environmental agenda. In percent, which compares favourably To date the concessionaires have scale down on its land expansion says Dr David Mabunda, chief ex- the financial year under review, 425 with the rest of the country’s 51.3 contributed about R360 million to programme, which resulted in only ecutive of SANParks in the 2009/10 research projects were registered percent. South Africans accounted the SANParks revenue since their 9 000 hectares being added to the annual report. with the organisation. for more than 77 percent of all guests establishment. national park estate in the 2009/10 The escalating rhino poaching A key focus has been the strategic to the parks. Financially, the year under review financial year, comprising mostly war remains a conservation priority. framework for the biodiversity Growth in black day visitors grew saw SANParks achieve more than 11 thicket, savanna, lowland fynbos and “There is growing evidence that it monitoring programme, which was by 17.5 percent and growth in black percent growth in gross operating succulent karoo biomes. has ceased to be an environmental developed in the previous year as visitors staying overnight by almost revenue. Future expansion programmes crime, it is now firmly in the sphere a foundation for a set of similar 10 percent. It will be a tough year ahead with will focus on the country’s grassland of organised crime.” programmes across all South Africa’s The concessionaires also felt the government announcing a further biomes. “It must be noted that the Over the years, SANParks has national parks. global economic pinch and showed R170 million cut in its allocation of grassland biome ranks extremely carved a significant scientific re- On the tourism front, SANParks an occupancy decline of 4.5 percent funds to SANParks. high in biodiversity composition, search profile on the local and had an average occupancy of 73.3 compared to last year’s figures. Photos: Lynette Strauss

Tourism: Bed and unit occupancy International Tourist to parks profile

2008/9 2009/10 %change Origin 2008/9 2009/10 % change % of foreign visitors 2010 Bed occupancy 57.2 58.0 0.8 Bed nights sold 1 259 515 1 287 787 2,2 Germany 150 614 134 465 -10.7% 28.4% Unit occupancy 72,5% 73,3% 0.8% United Kingdom 63 015 64 062 1.7% 13.5% Camp person Holland 51 393 49 935 -2.8% 10.5% nights sold 604 900 675 392 11.7% France 31 760 43 059 35.6% 9.1% Guests to park United States 23 126 25 663 11% 5.4% (excl cableway) 3 628 181 3 806 729 4.9% Total 319 908 317 184 -0.9% 66.9% Activities sold 217 294 221 530 1.9%

Top five parks – guests to park Top five – highest unit occupancy

Position Park guests to park % of total Position Park occupancy

1 Table Mountain 2 173 548 48.2% 1 Addo 85.2% 2 Kruger National Park 1 429 904 31.7% 2 Kgalagadi Transfrontier 81.2% 3 West Coast 195 255 4.3% 3 Kruger 79.4% 4 Tsitsikamma 160 405 3.6% 4 Marakele 74.2% 5 Addo 135 109 3.0% 5 Mountain Zebra 71.7% Note: these parks represent 90.7% percent of the total visitors to all national parks. global conservation • kruger park times • december 2010 • 17 Estimates of abundance of large species in South Africa’s National Parks

species Knp aenp monp manp mnp mznp GGHNP Kanp cnp afnp

Baboon common 500 6 KNP: Kruger National Park Black backed jackal 700 20 9 50 AENP: Addo Elephant National Bat eared fox 10 Park Black rhino 560-670 49 10 10 8 5 AFNP: Augrabies Falls National Black wildebeest 240 45 300 1 400 70 Park Blesbok 8 280 2 380 110 GGHNP: Golden Gate Highlands Blue wildebeest 8 960-13 770 720 310 1 080 National Park Buffalo 37 500 338 2150 45 4 30 MNP: Marakele National Park Bushbuck 500 7 15 MZNP: Mountain Zebra Cape mountain zebra 76 350 550 60 National Park Cheetah 120 9 29 CNP: Camdeboo National Crocodile 4 420 Park Eland 460 205 210 90 210 200 710 330 100 60 KaNP: Karoo National Park Elephant 13 700 547 210 130 MoNP: Mokala National Park Gemsbok 75 790 130 15 1 450 60 60 MaNP: Mapungubwe National Giraffe 7 090-10 950 30 35 50 30 Park Grey rhebok 80 140 100 Hartmann’s mountain zebra 35 Estimating the abundance of Hippopotamus 3 100 animals is subject to various Impala 99 830-163 570 40 870 1 100 sources of error and bias, which Kudu 8 050-13 180 1 445 280 110 190 170 680 80 7 differ according to species and Leopard 1 000 the environment in which the Lichtenstein hartebees 50 animal is found. Lion 1 620-1 750 14 12 Specialised techniques are Mountain rheedbuck 150 24 15 15 450 50 30 applied to determine the sources Nyala 300 6 of error and bias, to correct them Plains zebra 20 870-33 240 230 240 1 010 140 and to assess the reliability of the Red hartebeest 630 470 20 35 240 1 040 1 240 110 estimate. Roan antelope 90 45 4 Readers interested in details Sable antelope 290 30 of accuracy and reliability may Springbok 790 790 880 450 420 250 300 contact SANParks for additional Spotted hyena 2 000-5 340 40 information. The table here Reedbuck 300 incude only those species for Tsessebe 220 310 6 25 which estimates of abundance Waterbuck 3 210 70 110 are available. Warthog 3 220-4 450 751 220 220 30 260 Source: SANParks Annual Wild dog 120 Report: 2009/101 White rhino 9 460-12 120 40 3 80

Funds raised for fight against rhino poaching

Kirsty Redman South Africa at present. All funds received from this event will go into The annual Honorary Ranger (Ranger buying this equipment. Support Services) Sunset Serenades were held It takes many sponsors and organizers to in the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Letaba make an event like this a success. Rest camp in 2010. The first Serenade was held One of the main sponsors to the first event, from September 8 to 12 with the second from Mazda Wildlife Fund, came on board as spon- September 29 to October 3. sors a few years ago and their dedication and These functions welcomed back old friends involvement continues to grow. and long time supporters of the Sunset Mazda Wildlife presented John Turner, chair- Serenade as well as Mazda Wildlife, as main person of the Ranger Support Services, with sponsors of the first function. a cheque of R100 000 for the HR in support Guests to each of the functions were whisked of their endeavors within SANParks as well as away to designated sites within the section in the donating a brand new 4x4 bakkie to the cause camp’s open game viewing vehicles. for future fundraising efforts. At each site they were greeted with spec- Desert Wolf followed with the sponsorship of tacular views of the KNP bushveld as well as a camping trailer described as a ‘town house on refreshments like wine and amarula, sponsored wheels’ to the value of R250 000. by Amarula Lapa. Both functions received sponsorship from The guests enjoyed classical music concerts, Distell in the form of Amarula product for the specially compiled for each evening, performed guests as well items for gifts and raffling. by six musicians from the Johannesburg The second function saw the donation of Philharmonic Orchestra, all of whom are an oil painting from well known artist Maré considered experts in their chosen genre. Bruwer which was sold at a nail biting silent The music included pieces from well-known auction, all funds going towards anti-poaching composers such as Bach, Handel, Mozart and in SANParks. Strauss. Thanks must be conveyed for this function The guests were truly spoilt with the natural to all the sponsors, Mazda Wildlife Fund; sunsets forming a spectacular backdrop to the Amarula; Aquartz, RR Travel, Classic FM, concerts. Tabard and Memorex. The Sunset Serenade is a fundraising event Thanks are also given to the management for the Ranger Support Services division of and staff of the Letaba Rest Camp and people the Honorary Rangers (HR). Funds raised in and conservation department, the regional this manner are channeled back into the South ranger Nxanatseni South. African National Parks rangers’ corps. The section rangers of the Letaba, This year saw the launch of the “own the Phalaborwa and Kingfisherspruit, for their night” campaign in which the Ranger Support assistance in other aspects of the function, the Services are seeking to provide much needed Letaba field rangers who ensured the safety night vision equipment as well as a helicopter of the guests at the concerts site. And lastly with night flight equipment to help fight the to the HR who work tirelessly for the benefit upsurge in rhino poaching that is plaguing of SANParks. 18 • kruger park times • december 2010 • kids and conservation

compiled by Karen Randall, Bushytale.com Discovering birds Lomo the Kori Bustard was slowly walking on the open plain, when he felt hollow on the ground and she sits on the eggs until they hatch. That is called something pull at his tail feathers. He swung around and saw little monkey sitting incubation. She looks after the chicks, by bringing food to the nest.” on the ground. Little monkey put on an innocent face, rapidly blinking his eyes. Little monkey gave Lomo a last look over before he turned around and ran “Oh, little monkey, I should have guessed it’s you!” Lomo exclaimed. “Why back to his troop. do you have feathers and not fur like me?” little monkey asked. “Feathers make Lomo smiled and crouched down to suck up some water from a puddle. me a bird.” “So, if you did not have feathers, you could not fly?” little monkey “Inquisitive little monkey!” tugged on Lomo’s wing feathers. “Feathers are unique to birds, but some insects Discovering nature the BushyTale way! and all bats can also fly, but they do not have feathers.” Lomo answered. He opened his wing for little monkey to inspect. “Why do you have feathers on your tail?” “Although I don’t like flying that much, my tail feathers help me to steer when I do take to the air,” Lomo patiently answered, wiggling his tail feathers. “And these soft feathers on your chest?” little monkey questioned. “Those are called down feathers and that is the soft feathers that keep me warm.” “Why is your bill different from a raptor’s beak?” Little monkey turned his head to examine Lomo’s bill. “We eat different types of food. I love gum and insects. Other small reptiles are also on my menu. I don’t need a hook shaped bill for tearing meat. Look at my feet. I also don’t have sharp talons like raptors for catching prey.” Little monkey looked down at Lomo’s big feet and noticed three toes. “Do you also give birth to live young like mammals?” little monkey’s questions continued. “No, birds lay eggs. In my case, the mother lays two eggs in a Meet Lomo, The Kori Bustard The Kori Meet Lomo,

Find out more at www.bushytale.com kids and conservation conservation concerns • kruger park times • december 2010 • 19 Krazies in Kruger ...... Claim to Shame

Stick to the speed limit KNP traffic officers received new speed cameras, which will be used during the 2010 December festive season. The new cameras record the speed of several oncoming vehicles at the same time. The cameras also take video footage which KNP traffic officers can replay to individuals who express doubt when they are caught speeding. A lion sighting five kilometres from Orpen Gate, “From time to time, protection services receive feedback from concerned tourists about rule break- June 14, 2010 ers who speed on the roads in the park while others hang from or even climb out of their vehicles,” says head of public relations, William Mabasa. As from December 10, KNP law enforcement officers will conduct roadblocks at strategic places all over the park. General patrolling and visibility at vulnerable areas such as receptions and bank/ auto tellers will also form part of this campaign. There will be strict spot checks at the entrance gates. The rules and regulations of the KNP, which are well communicated on entrance permits, signage and pamphlets, include the following:

• Visitors must remain in their vehicles unless Four lionesses on the road between Lower Sabie and in a designated area. • Remember that no part of the body may Crocodile Bridge, July 23, 2010 protrude from a window or sunroof or any other part of the vehicle. Vehicle doors should be closed at all times. • Stick to the speed limit. The speed limit is 50 km/h on tar roads and 40 km/h on gravel roads. • General rules of the road apply within the KNP; it is an offence to drive on South African roads without a recognized driver’s licence or under the influence of alcohol. • Adhere to the gate times in your green gate permit. You must be inside the camp or out of the gate before gate closing times. No travelling before or after these times are allowed. (In December and January, KNP gates open at 05:30 and close at 18:30. Gate times must be strictly adhered to and late comers may be subject to a fine.) • You are not allowed to drive “off-road” or on roads with a “no entry” sign. • The feeding or disturbing of animals is a New cameras serious offence. Also remember, animals see litter as food! to capture • No pets may be brought into KNP. speedsters in • Declare all firearms/weapons of any sort at the entrance gate. Kruger • Vehicles of a carrying capacity exceeding 4 000 kg, buses or any vehicles with more The new cameras than 25 seats, are restricted to the tar roads. record the speed of • A stringent noise restriction is enforced several oncoming between 21:30 and 06:00. Loud car stereo vehicles at the same cause a disturbance to animals and other time and take video guests; volume levels should be kept to footages which KNP minimum. traffic officers can replay • The use of roller skates, skateboards, to offenders. bicycles, motorbikes and quad bikes is prohibited.

The printing of this issue was sponsored by SANParks, Kruger National PArk, Communications department

Kruger Park Times Distribution Spotted a vulture with Big Tuskers You will find a copy of the Kruger Park Times in all the camps at reception, and the shops in the Park, as well as at • Afsaal • Tshokwane • Nkhuhlu a yellow tag? Info picnic spots and all the entrance gates to the Park It is also available at selected outlets in Phalaborwa, Send your photos to: Hoedspruit, Nelspruit, White River, Malelane and Hazyview Contact Andre Botha from the [email protected] Endangered Wildlife Trust or mail The Kruger Park Times is an independent newpspaper, published by Emerging Tuskers Kruger Park Times, PO Box 953, Phalaborwa, 1390 on 011 646 4629 e-mail: [email protected] * www.krugerparktimesonline.com or email [email protected]. Competition, Editorial and Layout: Lynette Strauss Alternatively, contact Letaba Elephant Hall, Advertising Design: Janke Strauss 079 807 3479 Kruger National Park, contributor: Katy Johnson Sub-editing: Melissa Wray Moholoholo at MARKETING: Pieter Strauss 076 296 2490 015 795 5236 Private Bag X402, Printer: Caxton Printers, Nelspruit. 7 000 copies distributed in and around Skukuza 1350 the Kruger National Park. Member of the AIP. 20 • kruger park times • december 2010 • KNP regional awards

Best Camp: Nxanatseni Region: Letaba Best Camp: Marula Region: Satara

Best Ranger Post:Nxanatseni Region: Vlakteplaas Best Ranger Post:Nxanatseni Region: Mooiplaas Best Ranger Post: Marula Region: Nwanetsi

The annual regional awards in the Kruger Piet van Wyk Margaret Ngwenya National Park took place during November. CORPORATE the winners ... SUPPORT SERVICES

Outstanding service NXANTSENI MARULA REGiON in the workplace REGION Outstanding service in Conservation the workplace Management Department Outstanding service Joel Mikel Baloyi in the workplace Tinyiko Mtsetweni Fritz Rohr Mphephu Ngonyama Deborah Mazibane Samuel Ndlovu Marie Ramsden Kenneth Sibuyi Piet Mboweni Mari Morland Johnson Zitha Philemon Maxinini Technical Stella Ngomane Nompumelelo Nxumalo Services Department Andries Madhlophe Veronica Bothma Robert Baloyi Silas Mukoki Primrose Mpangane Martin Dube David Molobi Aitken Makhense Julius Hlatshwayo Daniel Chavalala Edward Shabangu Vusi Masinga Percy Ndhlovu Orance Cubai Ephraim Malebe Thomas Mokgalaka Jonas Mujovu Martin Masimeke Trix Olivier Frank Mbungela Jacobus Petrus Jacobs Dainah Mdhluli Freedom Mabunda Adam Tshikani Mnisi Armando Baloi Sarah Madalane Brenda Mashele Eric Maluleke Albert Maluleke Donovan Terblanche Rodney Landela Vanessa van der Berg Tomas Macie Musa Ndhlovu Piet van Wyk Timothy Chauke Richard Sowry Isaiah Mabela Rodney Landela Armando Muhlovu Samson Mashabane Wilson Baloyi Patrick Chauke Margaret Ngwenya Donovan Terblanche Samuel Ndlovu Lynneth Khosa Finance Department Outstanding Service to Elvis Maluleke Renate Ackermann Tourism/Customer/Client Thomas Ramabulana Raymond Jansen Rodgers Hobyane Marie Ramsden Elina Mona Outstanding Service to Frank Mabasa Tourism/Customer/Client Frank Mbungela Johan Baloyi Scientific Aron Mkansi Andrea Mabunda Services Department Christopher Muthathi Linda Nyathi Johan Saita Baloyi Nostah Mgiba Agnes Nyambi Jacques Venter Jobe Shabangu Lynneth Makukule Christa von Elling Wheleminah Makori People and Conservation Tebalelo Ramabulana Services Department Camp of the year Eliab Khoza Portia Mnisi Shingwedzi Rest Camp Edward Ndlovu Deon Khoza Outstanding service to Bush Camp of the year Martha Pelser tourism/customer/client Shimuwini Bush Camp David Sambo Camp of the year Daniel Chavalala Gate of the year Satara Rest Camp Giriyondo Gate Bush Camp of the year Ranger Posts of the year Talamati Bush Camp Vlakteplaas Mooiplaas Gate of the year Orpen Gate Best Retail/outlet Mopani Shop Ranger Post of the year N’wanetsi Ranger Post bird’s eye view • kruger park times • december 2010 • 21 The great wilderness choir Dr Katy Johnson communications, and I organise a fidence, it has given me a goal in With that the choir burst into them, especially for weddings in the Kruger-wide choir, as music has life”. Every Tuesday and Thursday song and I would challenge anyone Park”, Lucy tells me with a huge Walking in to the old disused shop always been my passion. Wherever the members get together and music listening to not get shivers up their sense of pride. It was the request in the Skukuza staff living quarters, I have worked in the past I have also fills the old shop. “Being able to spine. The resonating beauty of of the renowned American boys’ you would be forgiven for thinking sang, I have been singing all my life, sing and dance, it is my passion and their voices coming together in choir, Purdue, which brought home that you are in the wrong place. It is so starting a Kruger choir seemed brings me happiness”, Sinna Mdluli, spectacular unison, and flow of to the Kruger Choir how good they hard to contemplate how a choir that like a brilliant idea. William Mabasa another choir member explains. She their feet keeping perfect rhythm, really were. “When the Purdue competes at national competitions and myself held an informal meeting like most of the members feels the is enough to give even the most Choir came to South Africa”, Lucy practices in an old room filled with to try and encourage residents to choir gives her an outlet for stress, hardened individual goose bumps. explains, “They specifically asked to chairs and tables that also acts as a come sing. By this time the Lower “life is stressful, but when we come So what’s next for this fledg- sing with us. It was such an honour community kitchen, TV room, chil- Sabie choir followed, led by Miriam here and sing we forget our stress. ling choir? They hope to perform to sing with such an established dren’s play room and meeting place. Rapoo. There was a lot of interest, We can share our problems and again at the Old Mutual Music choir and we learnt a lot, both about But that is the beauty of the Kruger but it soon became clear we would release them through song”. Competition, as they were unable singing and ourselves”. National Park Choir; they don’t need be starting from scratch. Very few “It also provides education”, to do so last year due to the World With the choir flourishing under an amphitheatre or auditorium to people knew how to sing, so we had Lucy explains, “we sing in seS- Cup. Their ultimate dream however the guidance of its impassioned sound spectacular. to start by teaching people notes.” otho, English, xiTsonga, isiZulu is to produce a CD, but this will rely conductor and the dream of a CD “We opened our choir to any As the choir warms up it is hard and Italian, learning new songs and on the generosity of sponsors who in the pipeline there is a lot for the Kruger resident”, choir conductor to believe these are the same people even having songs written for us. will be needed if their dream is ever choir to sing about. and chairwoman Lucy Nhlapo, who had to be taught how to sing We sang at Kruger’s 110th birthday going to turn into a reality. However, for me the biggest Kruger’s general manager for tour- in 2005, the transformation has and SJ Khoza wrote the song ‘Great For the mean time you will be achievement is the sense of pride, ism and marketing explains. “We been miraculous. In 2007 just two Wilderness Great’ for us. It is now able to see the choir at a number passion and empowerment being a have approximately 40 choir mem- years after forming they competed our favourite song and we love of Kruger open days and events. part of the Kruger Choir has given bers here in Skukuza and then more in the Xilombe competition and a performing it”. “People do request that we sing for every single member. people in the Letaba and Mopani year later they entered their choirs. Our choir members range first Old Mutual Music from management staff to contrac- Competition, conducted tors, there are even field rangers. by Johan Sambo. “It was We encourage anyone to come, as a very nervous time for us, there is very little for residents to do we were very anxious as we in the living quarters, so the choir is didn’t know what was com- seen as a very positive activity and ing. Especially as we had to improving community spirit and sing a vernacular piece and involvement.” a Handel’s Messiah song Listening to the choir sing, you called “Oh Father whose can hear the passion and pride in almighty Power”, Lucy every single voice as they combine in recalls with a smile, “all we perfect melody and fill the room with wanted was not to come last a warmth and presence. As the choir and we didn’t, it was a big changes into their latest uniform, thing for us as we are not Lucy Nhlapo describes how the a full time choir. Everyone choir came to be. “It all started at a has their own jobs, jobs that management meeting where the pre- often come in the way of vious Kruger managing executive, practicing.” Dr Bandile Mkhize and the KNP Practice is something management heard the Mopani every person in the choir choir sing for the first time. This was is passionate about, choir the choir formed by then Mopani member Dimeto explains hospitality services manager William “I come to learn how to Nkuna. Dr Mkhize suggested that sing, I want to entertain William Mabasa, the KNP gen- people. Being part of the eral manager public relations and choir has boosted my con-

Kruger2Canyon Biosphere biodiversity survey On November 6, budding conservationists, armed with pencils, clipping boards, data sheets and loads of enthusiasm, scouted the Olifants and Blyde Rivers for all things alive. They had joined scientists and other volunteers on the second bi-annual biodiversity day held in the Kruger2Canyon biosphere. Teams of 12 to 18 were assigned to the eight sites along the rivers. Each team included a water scientist as well as terrestrial expert. Although the day’s activities are based on scientific principles, the main aim of the day is education and awareness of the environ- ment and its importance to man. The children, who are from neighbouring communities in the Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit areas, will be producing a poster about their experience. The data will be used scientifically to examine the health of the rivers at different sites. The event was sponsored by the Palabora Mining Company and the South African Environmental Observation Network. Photos: Pieter Strauss 22 • kruger park times • december 2010 • kudu awards Eco-training programme recognised at Kudu Klaserie Private Nature Reserve’s the wonders of their environment Children Eco Training (CET) walked and discovered nature’s rhythms, away with the Kudu for best environ- cycles, patterns and intricacies dur- mental education organisation at the ing the themed holiday events. annual SANParks awards function at Over the years, CET extended Golden Gate. its conservation and development “The Kudu Awards is an initia- message to neighbouring com- tive that aims to recognise external munities. To date three schools in stakeholders for their contribution the Acornhoek / Bushbuckridge and efforts in making South African region in particular – Seganyane, National Parks the custodian of Mawuvana and Matikinya primary choice for the national parks system schools – have benefited from the of South Africa, and also plays a outreach programme. significant role in the conservation Activities include new classroom of biodiversity and cultural herit- floors at Seganyane, a borehole for age, thus protecting South Africa’s Matikinya and refurbished school most valuable national assets,” says furniture for Mawuvana. Reynold Thakuli, general manager, This is in addition to awareness media at SANParks. events during Water Week and Individuals and organisations Arbour Day, as well as books, toys outside of SANParks are recognised and plants donated to the schools. in four categories – corporate, com- Other initiatives include the kit- munity and media contribution to a-kid project where funds are raised conservation as well as organisa- towards fitting needy children with tions and individuals that further school uniforms. environmental education or capacity In partnership with MAD (Make (Ace) facilitated volunteers who Corporate contribution: Dr Brian The Endangered Wildlife Trust building. a Difference) and the Southern helped during the holiday training van Wilgen for his significant contri- (group), KwaZulu Natal; Eugene CET was initiated in 2004 by the Cross Schools in Hoedspruit, CET and with community projects like butions to conservation and for their Joubert (region of the year) and Klaserie Private Nature Reserve supports four children at Southern vegetable gardens, cleaning and group contribution towards the Jock Sunset Serenade in KNP’s Letaba; (KPNR) to create environmental Cross Schools. maintenance at schools. Safari Lodge initiative in the Kruger Margret Stafford (project of awareness with the youth of the In recent years, CET’s activities “We were delighted with the National Park (KNP). the year). reserve. came to the attention of volunteer recognition of our efforts to unlock Media contribution: Eleanor Environmental education: At first, CET focussed on present- organisations, based locally and environmental awareness in our Momberg of the Independent Individuals recognised: Bongani ing workshops and training for the abroad. communities,” says Zani Kunz, chief Group and a merit award to Sharon Mbatha and Dr Madelein J. children of KPNR staff. For the last One of the groups, UK-based executive officer of CET. van Wyk. Grundlingh. Group: Children’s Eco six years local children have explored African Conservation Experience Other Kudu winners for 2010 are: Community contribution: Training.

Spotted a the Kruger vulture with emergency a yellow tag? call centre number is: Contact Andre 013 735 4325 Botha from the Endangered Wildlife Trust Congatulations to on 011 646 4629 Gill McLaren, our or email andreb@ winner of a luxury ewt.org.za. stay at the beautiful Sheppard Boutique Alternatively, Hotel in Nelspruit. contact The answer to our Moholoholo at queston: Malopeni 015 795 5236 for the love of butterflies with Herbert Otto • kruger park times • december 2010 • 23 How old is the butterfly? lady does not willingly There is no need to change if you million years of age. It was described proboscis. The palps also have glands to smell who is out there. give her age away, but can survive the ages and climate by Scudder under the name of olfactory glands, thus they are used The fact that the snout butterflies Afortunately there is changes and have not been eaten Prolibythea vagabunda. The prefix for smell and taste. Humans have have such large palps may indicate carbon dating. or killed yet. Ask the cockroach, pro, in this instance, translates olfactory glands in their noses – these that they have very well developed scorpion and the crocodile for their as ‘before’, so it existed before or also help us to smell and taste our sense of smell and taste, perhaps Insect fossils preceded man by 250 secret too. is the fore-runner of the current food, without them we would not more acute than current butterflies. million years. From the fossils it can So just when did the first butterfly Libytheinae. Perhaps they then also have been able to do so. Olfactory The wing colour of the snout be derived that insects flew about take flight? The oldest known but- looked very similar to the current glands in dogs are very acute, that butterflies from all over the world is 50 million years before reptiles and terfly fossils date from 48 million snout butterflies. is why they can sniff out arms or basically the same. birds. Insects developed wings in the years ago and were found in Green The sub-family Libytheinae or drugs. Rats are now also used to find A silhouette of a snout butterfly Lower Carboniferous Era, about 275 River Shale, Colorado, USA. snout butterflies are found across the landmines by means of smell. with it’s wings closed is quite distinc- million years ago. The moths predate the butterflies globe in warmer areas. Yet it is not Elephants also have sensitive tive with its long palps clearly visible. Dragonflies have been around in the fossil race; the oldest moths a large family, with only one genus olfactory glands at the back of their Here is an ancient butterfly frolicking for about 225 million years and being found in amber from the and is monotypic. mouths. They inhale a trunk-ful of about with it’s modern congeners crocodiles for 220 million years, with Cretaceous Period, 70 million years What sets this genus and indeed air and spray it over these glands to and looking very similar. few changes. ago. sub-family apart from other but- taste the air, detecting any danger, Perhaps some form of plastic Dragonflies with a wingspan, from A fossil representative of the snout terflies are the elongated labial palps like humans, present. surgery or an elixir has kept this Peter base to tip, of 12” (approximately butterfly, Libythea labdaca, has also – they are appendages on either side Therefore elephants have their Pan still looking young and free after 30cm) flew at around 225 million been found in Oligocene beds at of the proboscis. trunks raised when feeling threat- so many millennia. Something we years ago and have changed very Florissant, Colorado, USA. These appendages have 3 seg- ened, so they could inhale the air, humans, and the flowering plants, little since then. It has been dated at about 30 ments and are used to clean the then spray it over their olfactory are quite thankful for.

Dragonflies have been around for about 225 million An elephants with it’s trunk raised, sniffing the air to A view of the upperside of the African snout butterfly L( ibythea years ascertain who or what is approaching. labdaca laius), while it’s elongated labial palps are also clearly visible from a side view. Social Research in SANParks Louise Swemmer had to find the best ways in which programme aims to gain a better (livelihoods and well being), natural and applicability at a project or and Kirsty Redman people, mostly from neighbouring understanding of the relationship resource use, environmental educa- implementation level. communities, can benefit from the between various stakeholders and tion, cultural heritage, outreach and The integrative nature of Research projects are not a strange conserved areas and to minimise the environment, encompassing awareness, human resources and SANParks’ social science focus phenomena in South Africa’s na- the disadvantages of the these areas. the social, political, economic and community relationships. bridges the biophysical and “people” tional parks. In fact, the quality and In keeping with the organisation’s biophysical dimensions. The important role of social realms. This facilitates improved ac- volume of research projects over the scientific framework, a newly formed The programme includes research science in SANParks was first recog- knowledgement and success of vari- last 50 years have earned SANParks Social Science Research Programme that is centered on people and nized in 2004, with the appointment ous SANParks’ biodiversity-related a distinctive reputation on the global now focuses on two main objectives their interactions and relationships of the first Social Science Researcher initiatives. A good example of this is environmental stage. related to people and biodiversity: with the natural environment (indi- at head office. This also heralded the Warburgia salutaris (pepper-bark The research findings have long benefit sharing and constituency vidually or as a group) and includes the establishment of the SANParks tree) Conservation Programme in been recognised as an invaluable building. research about tourism, economics Social Science Research Committee, the Kruger National Park, as well as management tool. Most of this The people an external group of experts from the new mopane worm harvesting research however focuses on natural and conserva- tertiary institutions within South initiative, also in Kruger. sciences. That is until recently. tion department Africa who provide voluntary The research coordination process Although biology conservationists i m p l e m e n t s support for the SANParks Social supports both internal SANParks ini- acknowledge the need for humans to these objectives. Science Research programme. tiatives, as well as external research benefit from conserved biodiversity, it However, as Currently there are two per- projects. Although in the minority, is widely known that the relationship with any ini- manent Social Scientist positions social science research projects have between man and its environment tiative, there is within SANParks. The focus is on been on going in SANParks since its has many faces and is quite complex. a need for learn- guiding social research in a way establishment. Given this reality it is therefore im- ing through the that the outcomes provide a theo- However, the numbers of social portant for South African National implementation retical framework for informed science research projects registered Parks (SANParks) to understand the process, through decision making at both a policy annually has been increasing over impacts of the social influences on r e s e a r c h , and governance level across all the past 10 years, coinciding with an its national parks. monitoring and departments and fields of interest increased awareness and support for While sustainability remained a evaluation. within SANParks. However, the social issues a positive move in the priority, SANParks also realised it The research research must also have meaning right direction. 24 • kruger park times • december 2010 • current concerns Wild About Soccer in BaPhalaborwa Kirsty Redman mental education and soccer at shirts, shorts, socks and soccer balls robin tournament was then held be- the Lulekani Community Soccer for their school for the continued tween the participating schools, with The Dreamfields “Wild about Stadium. promotion of sport in the school matches of 15 minutes a side until the Soccer’ project has been running for The project, administered and environment. eventual champions were crowned some time in the Kruger National sponsored by Dreamfields, encourag- The day started with environmen- for both the boys and the girls. This Park in Skukuza and Punda Maria. es environmental education through tal education for the learners offered event was received in a very positive The BaPhalaborwa region was soccer and links organisations such by the People and Conservation staff light by all participants and the local added to the line up for 2010 and as SANParks through these efforts. of the Letaba Rest Camp in the co-ordinator of sport for schools in nine schools from the BaPhalaborwa Each participating school is donated Nxanatseni Region of the Kruger Lulekani, and all look forward to it area enjoyed a full day of environ- a full soccer kit, including boots, National Park. A boys and girls round becoming an annual event.

Helen Mmeti, general manager, people and conservation, hands over the soccer kits to one of the participating schools

Lucas Sibuyi teaching the learners about the KNP wildlife with ‘touch and feel’ displays as an educational tool

Mopani to host educational exhibition and talks Laura Mukwevho and the exhibition will also provide an opportunity for the public to view the Mopani Conference Centre will soon Conference Centre. host Honorary Rangers from several The exhibition is normally held at schools different regions. They will be busy with throughout the country in order to educate a programme called “People Awareness and learners about nature conservation and Education” (PEAP). what the various South African National This programme, which always runs in Parks are all about. December, will this year run from Friday, The Honorary Rangers also tackle December 17, 2010 to Saturday, January various issues ranging from poaching to the 1, 2011 between 10h00 and 20h00 every existence of the national parks. day. The programme includes an exhibi- Talks on snakes and other various aspects tion aimed at educating the public about of nature conservation will be conducted conservation issues. at Mopani Conference Centre as follows: The public can view, and more excitingly, Snakes Alive presented by Johan Smit with touch displays of mamba skins, lion skulls, various snakes on 20 – 26 December 2010 shark teeth, shells, kudu horns, owl feathers between 07h00 and 20h00 and many other interesting animal objects. Conservation topics presented by Brian There will always be Honorary Rangers Jones with the help of a cheetah on 27 – 31 on site to answer questions from viewers December 2010 between 07h00 and 20h00.