Mike Sutherland hails from Durban, but we try not to hold that against him.
The beach lifestyle that was such an integral part of Mike’s formative years has turned him into probably one of the most relaxed rangers ever to hit the Lowveld. A bad day does not seem to exist in Mike’s life. Any kind of problem or setback that would call forth a scowl from a normal person might do so for the briefest moment with Mike, but is soon replaced by a cheery smile and a laugh. “Blessed is he who can laugh at himself, for he shall never cease to be amused.”, goes the saying, and it has never held truer than in Mike’s case.
Somehow fitting in study-time between surf sessions, Mike graduated from the University of Kwazulu-Natal with a Bachelor of Science degree. The bush was his ruling passion, and he immediately set out to follow his childhood dream and become a ranger. Training through &Beyond, Mike’s first posting was to Kwandwe in the Eastern Cape, where the smaller animals reign supreme. After being charged on foot by one Aardvark too many, he relocated to Phinda Game Reserve in Kwazulu-Natal, the province of his birth, where he was based at Mountain Lodge. The Sabi Sands Game Reserve was always the area Mike had wanted to work however, and in January this year he made the move. We think it was purely because he wanted to see a leopard cub that he came here, but Londolozi was glad to have him!
Juuuuust checking to see if she was still there…
Having worked in two completely different environments like Kwandwe and Phinda has given Mike a unique edge when it comes to understanding ecology, and he is able to draw on extensive knowledge from these two previous postings when interpreting wildlife for guests at Londolozi.
Photography, tracking, birding… Mike can do it all, and his infectious enthusiasm never fails to rub off on the rest of the team. He’s not too shabby on the rugby field either!
I remember one of the first times I went out into the bush with Mike. Dean Smithyman and Elmon Mhlongo were further down the road and had found tracks of the Camp Pan male leopard coming our way. Some vultures to the north of us had aroused Mike’s suspicions, so into the bush we went, on foot. Stalking as quietly as we could through waist-high grass with Mike in front, he suddenly turned, his eyes alight with excitement, and pointed down, then to his nose, then to the West. Thinking he might be having some kind of seizure, I had to creep closer before I could hear his whisper. “Blood-trail.”, he said simply. He had spotted the smallest brown streak on a blade of grass and had smelt the faintest whiff of something amiss, and within 5 minutes of starting to follow the trail (which to a normal human being was almost invisible), a low warning growl from a thicket ahead of us told us that we had found the leopard (I say we, but actually mean Mike).
Mike’s reputation as a guide spoke for itself when he joined the Londolozi Ranging team, and he was driving guests before he even began his training course. Needless to say, he sailed through the course itself.
Here are some of his photo highlights from his first few months at Londolozi:
A portrait of power. The Scar-nosed Majingilane
One of Mike’s favourite sightings was this one in which the alarm calls of a kudu revealed the presence of the Mashaba female and her cub. The mother led the cub out ont the airstrip for a magical half hour. Here, the cub glances nervously up at the creaking windsock.
Getting down and dirty. Photographing a beautiful flap-necked chameleon from ground level.
The Marthly Male leopard.
Mike’s ready wit and willingness to get involved make him an incredibly valuable asset to the team. Look out for more of his work on the Londolozi Blog.
Written by James Tyrrell
Suthy! I am soo stoked for you my boy! What a legend!
Welcome to the team Mike! Cant wait for more amazing pictures!
Well Done Suth you legend..!
Mike, so great to see you in the blog team!! What a fantastic time we had together in May… We can’t wait to be back on drive with you!
I’m impressed with the amount of talent the blog team has, welcome Mike, I look forward seeing more!
I have watched you all your life, your are an asset and your parents must be busting with pride – I know I am
Mike, just got back to Vegas baby…Thanks for everything, again, you were the best imaginable, but my pics of the Leopards suck, can you help??
Thanks and hope to hear from you soon
jsw
Hi John, great to hear from you, I have only seen this comment now. Was wondering if you received my emails? I have sent a couple to your address. Could you possibly check or let me know the corrrect address! I hope you are well! Kind Regards Mike
I was blessed to have met and spent time with adorable Mike during his first week at Londolozi. He introduced me to maybe the world’s best adjective, “hectic”. Used to describe nearly every thing and situation! “Yeah, it was hectic.” I brought it back to the states with me and am determined to have it catch on here. I think I’d be more successful if I had the Durban accent to go along with it. I use his phrase frequently and smile every time I do. So thank you, Mike! I hope to see you on my next trip.
Btw – did you ever get the video footage from your guests that week of the rhino chase we almost became a part of? That was hectic! 🙂
Hi Mike,
Perhaps you remember Kurt and me from Switzerland – we stayed in Tree Camp from 22nd until 24th July, and saw that amazing mating ritual of the two leopards. Well, we’re back in Switzerland now, and life goes on. After leaving Londolozi, we spent an amazing time travelling to Maputo, then down through Swaziland to Umhlanga, up to The Cavern in the Drakensberg (my second home when I lived in South Africa), and back to Jo’burg before our flight home. Our time in Londolozi was certainly a highlight of the trip, and a lot of that is thanks to you. Although only for a short time, you made us feel really special – as if we were your only guests – and your knowledge and understanding of wildlife has greatly impressed us both. Hardly a day goes by when one of us doesn’t say: “Remember when Mike told us …!” I could wax lyrical here, but I shall spare you that, and just say “THANKS”. You are an amazing guy, and Londolozi is an amazing place. Kurt sends his regards. Take care. All the best, “Gijimani” (Craig)