Rutting Brawl

Lately we have seen an increase in Impala locking horns over dominance.  It is an interesting sight as the rams fight over territory with the sound of horns knocking against each other.

Here the Impala rams are preparing to lock horns.  They carefully align themselves so they do not cause harm to each other while in the brawl.

The male Impala round up any females that enter their territory and include them in their herd.  When another ram enters their territory they surround the females to show that the females are now a part of their harem.  The rut (breading season) usually starts at the end of May in most areas in Africa.  In our part of South Africa the rutting starts in April already, explaining why Ubizane has been seeing our Impala locking horns since beginning April.

 

The main reason apart from dominance, for the Impala to lock horns and fight until one succumbs to the other, is that the rams in the herd want to keep the females with them.  They do not want their females to leave the harem and therefore chase away all weaned or bachelor rams. 

 

The noises they make is a type of roaring-blowing sound as if they were a mix between a lion and a horse.  So if you visit Ubizane during this month, be sure to look out for these sights and listen to the sounds of nature.  You might think it’s a lion but don’t worry it’s only the Impala!

Impala Lambing Season Is Upon Us!

Ubizane Welcomes CAPRISA:

After Months of planning and preparation, Ubizane was proud to host CAPRISA’s workshop on Mucosal Immunology, HIV Vaccines & Microbicides. Scientists and delegates from all corners of the world began arriving on Tuesday the 13^th of November. The CAPRISA delegates were warmly welcomed by our Front Office staff; welcome drinks and refreshing towels, to cool off after a long and hot journey into the heart of Zululand.

Once refreshed, the guests were transferred to their rooms, after which a Pimms Cocktail and delicious snacks were served at Tree Lodge.  

Safari Lodge’s sprawling lawns, with its aged Aloes and Scented Thorn Trees were to be the back drop to a truly African dinner, set under the bright African sky and enclosed by majestic Marula Trees. But as any South African will tell you, Mother Nature does not go according to your plans, but rather the other way around and rain soon intervened moving the dinner inside Safari Lodge’s Restaurant. Ubizane’s warm hospitality and friendly faces brought an African charm to the indoor venue, where an opening session and welcome speeches were eagerly heard, after which a hearty buffet dinner was enjoyed by all. 

The highlight of Wednesday’s conference had to have been the informative poster session. Departing from Tree Lodge the guests enjoyed a short but scenic game drive, part of which was through a majestic fever tree forest. Ubizane’s magical Bush Deck served as a memorable venue, where numerous wines and delicious cheeses were enjoyed while informative posters were on display. The magical night sky held out long enough for a captivating boma dinner to be enjoyed. A variety of buffet styled food was served, along with the star of night’s cuisine an Impala on the spit.    

Thursday kicked off to an early start with majority of the delegates waking up at 04:30 am for a game drive through one of South Africa’s oldest and third largest game reserves, Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve. Being well known for having the largest White Rhino population on Earth, the park did not disappoint, treating the CAPRISA delegates to an exceptional sighting of 3 White Rhino right next to the road. Ubizane’s open game drive vehicles and experienced guides ensured an educational trip was enjoyed by all.

Tree Lodge Restaurant was spruced up with fairy lights and Chinese lanterns for the plated gala dinner. A selection of delectable cuisine was served; bring the formalities of the conference to a close.  

A unique opportunity to interact with one of Africa’s largest land mammals was enjoyed by many on Friday morning, with the guests enjoying an early morning trip to Bayete Zulu, where they got the once the once in a life time opportunity to intermingle with African Elephants. A scrumptious breakfast awaited the euphoric guests upon their return from Bayete Zulu.

Mid morning saw many of the CAPRISA delegates leaving Ubizane Wildlife Reserve, with a hand full of memories not only of the educational workshop that was held but also the magical African experiences that took place. With their tasty snack boxes and refreshments in hand, many of the delegates left Ubizane with a lifetime of memories, and the hope and promise of returning someday soon. 

A Restaurant with a difference:

Here at Ubizane Wildlife Reserve, the well being of nature and its occupants is of high importance to us. A not so well known fact about Ubizane wildlife Reserve is our Vulture Restaurant.  

It was late afternoon when our General Manager Tiaan, dropped off an Impala at Our Vulture Restaurant, which he had come across during his many patrols of the bush.

Early the next morning we noticed Vultures thermalling above the restaurants location, and by early afternoon, when we went to investigate further we were quite astonished to discover +/- 80 Cape Vultures sitting on the road and in the bush. Clearly the Impala didn't touch sides for the hungry scavengers, as there was next to nothing left. 

Vultures are any medium to large sized scavenger birds, feeding on the carcasses of dead animals. Vultures do not generally kill their own prey. As scavengers, vultures play an important role in the ecosystem by contributing to the decomposition of dead animal matter, cleaning the environment and reducing the spread of diseases.   

A vulture restaurant is an open area, where vultures can easily land and take off from; where fresh and poison free meat and/or carcasses of domestic livestock or wild mammals are put out for vultures and other scavengers. Feeding vultures at vulture restaurants can contribute to the survival of these birds, especially during periods of food scarcity and when young birds fledge. Vultures, like many other large birds, are under pressure from many different causes in the modern world as the human population increases. 

Traditional beliefs and Medicine are also a contributing factor to the decline in Vulture numbers. Vultures are used in the traditional medicine industry for a range of purposes, but are believed to be most effective for providing mystic powers, foresight and increased intelligence. The main drivers of demand for these uses are betting and gambling, for improved business success, and intelligence in school children. Vulture is also prescribed by traditional healers for various ailments, including headaches.

So the next time you see vultures thermalling (Birds use temperature differences in neighboring air masses to glide in tight circles and using thermal uplift to gain altitude with very little wing flapping) do not see it as an omen of death, but rather as a contribution to the operation of the ecosystem.