If you have been to Ubizane Wildlife
Reserve, you may have had the pleasure of meeting Shimba, or most probably
heard the numerous tales of her presence and daily antics via the staff.
Our tame, though still wild Common Duiker,
Shimba has been part of the family for as long as any of the staff can
remember. Gradually becoming more and more relaxed around people over the
years, Shimba along with the not so little Tiban are the only animals we feed
on the reserve.
The Grey or Common Duiker is typically a very shy animals, sticking to areas that provides lots of cover. Grey or Common
Duikers are known to be monogamous (having only one partner) this brings a comforting
thought to all of us here at Ubizane, as we know somewhere on the reserve
Shimba might have a partner!
Her favorite hangout is the Staff quarters
where she has her own dinner party almost every night; strolling from one house
to the next getting ever so tasty snacks and scrap vegetables from anyone
around at the time. You can almost certainly set your watch to her arrival,
it’s as if she knows when you are going to be home from work and preparing
dinner.
Over the years Shimba has become
increasingly brave and given half the chance she comes into your house and has
a good sniff around. Lately her favourite obsession is to stand by the fridge
and give you the sweet ‘puppy dog’ face, hoping you will give her more
delicious treats – who could resist?! A favourite with guests and staff alike,
Shimba has become a part of the family and Ubizane’s very own mascot.
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