September 2009

Young Male Leopard’s Life Lesson

September 30, 2009

You might have seen the video of one of the young Mxabene male leopards capturing and hauling a young duiker up a Marula tree before letting it drop and watching as its mother picked up the still living prey, waiting for the young leopard to come down and learn how to kill it. That same 10 month old male continued along his passage of learning this last week as he attempted to eat from a kill his mother had made and hoisted in a Marula tree.

Read the full article → 3 comments

Female Leopard Hunts Massive African Rock Python

September 26, 2009

Vomba’s curiosity could not be denied. With typical catlike inquisition she padded her way towards the python. She was not afraid, rather cocky and sure of herself, as if she just wanted to toy with the reptile for fun. Moving swiftly now, Vomba reached inside the thicket and sunk her claws into the pythons wide body. There was plenty of skin to grab as the snake reacted with fright to the sudden aggression and now found itself being dragged out into the open. Turning to face its assailant, the serpentine head emerged to the left of Vomba ready to attack.

Read the full article → 6 comments

To Burn or Not to Burn?

September 25, 2009

The debatable topic of fire; Friend or Foe, continues here at Londolozi. The management technique of using fire for savanna grassland has always been a heated debate. Some are of the opinion that this should only be done towards the end the dry season, as close to the first rains as possible. This is done so that all the dry, moribund natural material will combust and return essential nutrients to the soil. This aids in the germination of seeds and most importantly a beautiful green flush occurs which attracts great concentrations of game. Others, however, are of the opinion that one should burn in winter preceding a cold front which brings a light soaking rain. Both theories work extremely well for both parties, providing the rains come of course.

Read the full article → 1 comment

Young Mxabene Leopard Attempts First Hunt

September 22, 2009

The Following Video May Offend Sensitive Viewers

The Mxabene female’s 10 month old cub had been found alone, sitting atop a dry, dusty termite mound. He was exuding a sense of bravado that is so typical of young male leopards. His steely gaze was only interrupted by the flicking of his ears and rustling of his coat. It was to be a significant afternoon for him. In the space of a few hours he would demonstrate his physical prowess and deadly instincts.

Read the full article → 4 comments

Londolozi Guests Donate Toys to Maggie’s School

September 20, 2009

Maggie Mnisi, who works in Londolozi Living, has been actively involved in running a nursery school for the children in her community over the last two years. Rhandzami School (which means ‘To Love’) is situated in the Seville community and is aided by the work and effort of a few community members, in particular Judith Mahanke the school’s headmistress. The school is a significant project which is part of a longer term plan to move into proper facilities with trained teachers to educate the young learners.

Read the full article → 3 comments

Elephants Gives Birth at Londolozi

September 17, 2009

Gavin Lautenbach, Londolozi ranger, had only met Jeffrey Shan & Stephanie Gettis a few hours prior, yet none of them could anticipate what they were to witness that afternoon at Londolozi Game Reserve. Gav and Solly Mhlongo (Tracker) had decided to take Taylor’s river road when they bumped into the elephant cow.  Both of them [...]

Read the full article → 2 comments

Wild Dogs attack Honey Badgers at Londolozi

September 15, 2009

In the southern section of Londolozi Private Game Reserve, bordering the Kruger National Park, a pack of resident Wild Dogs discovered two honey badgers. Both aggresive animals, what ensues is an extremely rare interaction between the two very rare species that was fortunate enough to be caught on camera by James Siwela and Adam Bannister.

Read the full article → 5 comments

South African Cricket Captain, Graeme Smith, Opens Londolozi’s Community Based Cricket Net

September 10, 2009

South African Cricket Captain, Graeme Smith, stayed at Londolozi over the weekend to open our recently constructed cricket net. The top cricketers from Sam Nzima School, in the neighbouring community of Lillydale, were invited to participate in an hour long coaching session with Graeme. Once the captain had cut the ribbon to open the net, the children (and some over enthusiastic Londolozi rangers) were given the opportunity to bowl at one of the world’s premier batsmen. Londolozi is hugely grateful to Graeme for giving of his time in the baking lowveld sun to help us unearth our local talent.

Read the full article → 2 comments

First ever footage of the Dudley Riverbank Female Leopard and Cub

September 4, 2009

The Dudley Riverbank Female and her one cub was caught on video for the first time this last week. Adam Bannister and James Siwela found the leopards in the south-eastern corner of the reserve and managed to get a shot of the female with her cub.

Read the full article → 2 comments

Spring Day at Londolozi

September 2, 2009

The first day of the month is always busy at Londolozi, and the arrival of spring yesterday made it busier still. In keeping with Londolozi’s commitment to empowering the people living on our borders, two new partnerships with local farmer’s associations were forged.

Read the full article → 0 comments