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Singita Kruger National Park Lebombo & Sweni Lodges South Africa

Wildlife Report

For the month of May, Two Thousand and Thirteen Temperature Rainfall Recorded Average minimum: 9.0 °C (48.2°F) For the period: 10mm Average maximum: 27.7°C (81.8°F) For the year to date: 398.5mm Minimum recorded: 3.0°C (37.4°F) Maximum recorded: 32.0°C (89.6°F)

The Xhirombe pride with its welcome new additions The Xhirombe pride of lions, which live in the southern area of our concession, have been going through some interesting times, but the most significant is, without doubt, the new addition three young cubs. This is the smallest pride on the concession, and its heritage is from the famous Mountain pride, but they split years back when the Mountain pride became too big. The previous set of male cubs has now moved off and has become nomadic. The lionesses mated with a new dominant male, seen in October 2012. Given the 110-day gestation period, we estimate these three lion cubs to be at an age of about 3 or 4 months. All members of the

pride are in great health – they are fantastic hunters, and rule the mountains. The father is spending a large amount of time with the mother and cubs. Male lions are not reputed to be great fathers, but the dominant male has been staying with the female, and has actually been incredibly vocal of late, sending out a clear warning. The lioness moves the cubs from den site to den site, but the cubs are definitely being exposed a little more now as they get older, and we have been afforded some wonderful sightings as they play around on the already spectacular granophyre rocks, not far from the lodge. Certainly very new and welcome additions to the Singita Kruger National Park.

Oxpeckers and their handy uses

There are two types of oxpeckers: the more common and highly helpful red-billed oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) which is pictured above, and the endangered yellow-billed oxpecker (Buphagus africanus) pictured below. These species both feed on ticks and parasites off animals such as giraffe, Cape buffalo, hippo, impala and many others. Their relationship with the animals is symbiotic, so they tolerate each other – with the host providing the bird with a food source, whilst it is cleaned of parasites by the bird – a win-win situation. But the birds are being put at risk due to human practices, and as a result are restricted to conservation reserves. In agricultural areas where one would expect to find them, with the presence of cattle and other livestock, they cannot be seen anymore. This is due to the fact that livestock are put through cattle-dips and insecticides which are used to keep the livestock in good condition – but thereby killing the oxpeckers food source. Even in the smallest ways, human actions can affect an entire species. There are a few key differences between the two species, despite their very similar size and shape. The red-billed oxpecker, as the name suggests, has a red bill and a yellow eye-ring. It also feeds in a ‘plucking’ manner. This is in contrasts with the yellow-billed oxpecker, which also has red on its bill, but a very prominent yellow base, and the lack of the eye-ring. The yellow-billed oxpecker also feeds slightly differently, with it taking more of a ‘combing’ action. Guides and trackers also appreciate oxpeckers presence immensely due to their early warnings that they afford us. As the birds sit on certain dangerous game species such as buffalo and hippo, if we hear their clear hissing ‘tssskkkkk’ call, we immediately pay attention. They fly up and off the animal, thereby warning the animal and the guide of their respective threats. This has given them the well-earned nickname of, “The Angels on our Shoulders”.

The impala ‘rut’ It may be that the impala is the most prominent antelope in the Kruger National Park, but this is well earned. Their ability to feed on both grass and leaves, has allowed them the benefit of being very adaptable to conditions through summer and winter, but also to disperse to many areas. They live in large herds, giving them many sets of eyes to look for dangers. Another characteristic trait that assists with their success is their breeding system. They have a temporary harem structure focused during April and May, peaking between the full moons of the respective months. The bush becomes filled with crazy noises of the males chasing other males out of their territory, and also chasing the females, trying to keep them within their territory. There are ‘jousting’ sessions with impala rams practicing, but also very serious and potentially fatal clashes. The sound of horns connecting with each other is simply frightening. In the end, however, a dominant male emerges and is able to mate with the females in his territory. The females have a seven-month gestation period, and all the lambs are born within a month of each other, essentially ‘flooding the market’. There are only so many impala lambs that the predators can eat, and this creates a very high success rate of lambs, adding to the success of the impala species. The males, when rutting, can put themselves at risk, as they are so focused on the females and defending their territories from intruding males that they often don’t pay attention to potential threats and they become fairly easy targets for predators. The number of impala rams killed during the rutting season does increase drastically. The dominant male also forgets to look after his own condition during the rut as he is so focused on the females and chasing away intruding males, that he can only maintain his dominance for about five to eight days. The next

male then comes and takes over, and I guess it could be argued that this is nature’s way of ensuring that the strongest genes are passed on. The above being said, I have witnessed a more humorous incident during the rut. The dominant male was chasing off a challenger, and during that time, the entire bachelor herd ran in and started mating with the females whilst the dominant ram was away. In the end, I guess it might not always be the strongest genes being passed on!

The giants of Singita Kruger National Park May has been a great month for elephant sightings on the concession. Receiving good rainfall in both April and especially May has resulted in lush vegetation. This naturally has resulted in good game concentrations. Rivers are still trickling, which is highly unusual, and the elephants have loved this fact, enjoying the great vegetation and water availability during the day, and moving into the Lebombo Mountains at night for a bit more warmth. Large herds of over 30 elephants have been plentiful, with many post-summer additions still trying to learn how to figure out how to use their trunks. The social structure of elephants is a matriarchal structure whereby the oldest and generally most experiences female leads the herd of related females and their youngsters. Bulls sometimes accompany the herd, but are often seen on the outskirts, as they tend to irritate the females.

Generally they are out on their own or in small bachelor herds. However, smaller herds often come together in more ‘kinship’ groups, which is what we have clearly been seeing of late.

We have also noticed quite a few elephant bulls in musth on the concession, which is always very interesting to see (from a slightly greater distance) as their behaviour is markedly different to usual. The phase called musth is when the big bulls have about six times the normal amount of testosterone in their bodies. They secrete a substance from their temporal glands and leak a combination of semen and urine from their penile sheath. This leaks down the legs and hence their hind legs often appear wet. This is accompanied by a particularly pungent smell, easily recognizable from a distance. The high levels of testosterone make them more aggressive and even their body language changes to a more aggressive ‘swagger’. Elephants are still one of the most incredible animals to watch and seem to have an emotional intelligence far superior to that of many other animals, so we have all truly loved the numerous sightings over May, afforded to us by these extraordinary creatures.

By Anthony Holdcroft Photos by Nick du Plessis

Singita Kruger National Park South Africa

Thirty-first of May 2013