Lion Sands Journals » 2008

Ecological Report – December 2008

Rainfall and Temperatures

Temperatures

Temperatures have been on the increase with the onset of the summer months. The average maximum temperature for this month was 29°C / 84.2^°F and the average minimum temperature 20°C / 68°F. The average maximum temperature for December 2008 falls within the range of temperatures that have been experienced during the previous years which gives the indication that temperatures are not increasing. The highest temperature recorded for November was 38°C / 100.2°F and the lowest was 15°C / 59°F.

Rainfall

December has once again been a high rainfall month and this has kept the vegetation looking lush, green and in excellent condition. A total of 174.5 mm was received during the month, bringing the total rainfall received during 2008 to 647 mm.

Field

Maintenance

The Habitat Squad spent most of the month repairing roads after the heavy rains however, several days were spent ensuring that the electric fences surrounding River Lodge, Ivory Lodge and 1933 Lodge were in working condition. This is done by ensuring that there is no vegetation touching the fence, as well as any breaks in the fence. Breaks and vegetation touching the fenceline cause shorts in the electric current which reduce the current in the fence and thus cause in to become less effective.

Roads

As a result of the heavy rains received during the month several roads were in need of repair. The entrance road into Lion Sands, Bonsela required the addition of a couple of mitre drains to facilitate the removal of water from the roads surface. The mitre drains on this section of road were also opened and their associated humps were repaired. These mitre drains and humps are extremely important as they prolong the life of a road and ensure that the surface water is quickly removed from the roads surface, preventing damage to the roads surface.

In addition, Tamboti Road underwent routine maintenance whereby the mitre drains were opened, humps repaired and certain sections were gravel patched to ensure an even road surface.

Vegetation and Water

With all the rainfall received during the month the vegetation is still lush and green. Several tree species have begun flowering and some are in the advanced stage of producing their fruits – a welcome sight for all the browsers of the Reserve. The herbaceous vegetation too has a good biomass and is providing ample grazing for all the grazers of Lion Sands.

The rainfall received during the month has helped maintain a high level of water in the major waterholes on Lion Sands. In addition to these several smaller natural pans have been formed throughout the Reserve providing ample water to all the animals on Lion Sands. Water is essential as all of the animals on the Reserve depend on water for their survival - either by being directly dependent on water for drinking and pest removal purposes or by being dependent on the animals attracted to the water for their survival.

Animals

Birds

Bird sightings are on the increase and we have been fortunate to witness some incredible bird sightings during the month. These sightings include common species such as Bateleurs and Little Bee-eaters as well as rarer sightings such as Long-crested Eagles and Ground Hornbills. Several White-backed Vultures have also been seen on Lion Sands, feeding on the carcass of a hippo bull killed in a territorial dispute in the Sabie River.

A photograph of two White-backed vultures in a dead Knobthorn tree at Treehouse Pan

Reptiles

December has been full of excitement when it comes to reptile sightings. This is probably due to the increase in temperatures and rainfall experienced on Lion Sands during the past months. On these warmer days we have been really fortunate to sight the following species:

- Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
- Giant plated lizards (Gerrhosaurus validus)
- Black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)
- Mozambique spitting cobra (Naja mossambica)

Special Sighting

Hippo Bulls fighting in the Sabie River

Everyday at Lion Sands is different and each game drive is special because you are never sure of exactly what interesting sightings you could witness. This was once again the case early last week when we set out on an early morning game drive.

It was an early morning drive in the region of Lion Sands’s newest Lodge, 1933, when our Rangers observed two large male hippos fighting in the Sabie River. It was a stunning display of power with the two bulls fighting and pushing each other, exposing their massive canines. More than likely the dispute was about territory i.e. the access to resources and females. Hippos have the potential to be very dangerous when it comes to invading their territory or when one comes too close to their offspring and for a fact more people have been killed in Africa by hippos than by any other large mammal.

The dispute ended in the death of the weaker male whose carcass was seen on the banks of the River. This attracted vultures and the two male lions of the Southern Pride who wouldn’t pass up the opportunity of an easy meal!

Mammals

Lion

Lion sightings have once again been incredible over the past month with these majestic creatures being located almost every single day. The Southern pride is still strong and healthy and all ten cubs are doing well. Now that the cubs are getting older, the females are on the move and they and the cubs have been located in all corners of the Reserve. The males are also seen regularly, patrolling their territory, protecting it from rival males who would be a threat to the young cubs.

The Hilda’s Rock Pride were also a common sighting during this month, they could be seen moving along the Sabie River for most of the month with several sightings of the entire pride directly in front of River and Ivory Lodge.

Photographs of one of the Southern Pride male and a Southern Pride female and one of her cubs

Leopard

Leopards have once again been an illusive quarry during the past month with only a few sightings of these magnificent cats. One of the few occasions that we did locate leopard the sightings were incredible.

On several occasions we located our dominant male, the Sandriver male and had a few glimpses of our previous dominant male, Tumbela. The Kingsway female was also located on several occasions and she treated us to several sightings of her on kills.

Predation by Leopards has been on the low side this month with only two leopard kills being located. One kill was an adult male Impala and the other a new born Impala lamb.