The Count is On! (Part One)

I was lucky enough to be one of the six “chosen ones” to help out with the game count at Ubizane last month.  The game count is done annually to do a ‘stock take’ of the animals we have. This helps us to get an idea of how our animals are doing and to what extent poaching has affected our game.  We use this opportunity to analyse the population growth and decrease in order for us to make sure the animals are living in healthy circumstances without any serious fluctuation.  Being part of such an important part of conservation at Ubizane was truly exciting and knowing the technicalities that go into the final numbers, I simply enjoyed the events during the day which made this a fun outing for me! So this is my story:

Our general manager informed me early the morning we would do a game count later on the day and I must get ready because they need an extra person. Lucky for me I had a camera ready and a skin in much need of sunlight so I was first choice to fill the extra spot! I grabbed my camera, a pen and a hat and rushed to the Land Rover. I was paired up with the trusty Hamilton – our Game Ranger – and he chose the strong tough Landy called “Elephant” for our adventures and off we went to the “old gate” where we would meet up with the others.

Elephant - our tough Land Rover!

At “Old Gate” we gathered and discussed the plan of action.  Each Land Rover (with two people each) received a sector of the Ubizane grounds to count in which every single road and track needs to be covered to ensure the most accurate count possible.  And when finished we were to meet again at Tree Lodge to hand in our findings. Now as a first timer I have to admit I was a little bit scared we would have to jump into the bush and chop down thicket with Panga’s, in my mind looking like a scene straight out of Rambo, until we found animals to count and add to our ‘stock sheet’ which I had the pleasure of filling out.  With Hamilton laughing away at my ridiculous ideas, he told me we will be sitting in the Land Rover safe and sound without any Panga’s needed for any excursions in the bush.  With a big sigh of relief I took my pen and I was ready to count those Impala...and the Nyala, Zebra and whichever other animal we were to find.  The ‘stock sheet’ contained a column for species, babies, young male, young female, adult male, adult female, pregnant female and unknown for those Zebra and Blue Wildebeest who are just too fast to make out the gender. No animal will be left behind in Ubizane’s game count!

Even Matthew & Zequenya joined in the fun!

We started at 10am and drove through the Ubizane plains and bush, staring down each little bush with each movement our eyes caught.  We soon realised the heat did not help much and made our task a lot harder as animals were hiding away under trees in the shade or staying low in between the grass to catch any cool air they could find.  In the first two hours we counted a staggering 12 Impala.  Out of the hundreds we have on the farm (if you were wondering) this was not a good result for us. Since we were still in the “busy” part of the reserve near Safari Lodge we decided we will probably find more interesting and larger number animals further in the quiet bush of Ubizane.

And interesting it most certainly was...

(Part Two will be published in the first week of December so keep checking our blog and don't miss out on the next part of this adventure!)

Talons of Power

Our fascination with Barn Owls have been evident these past couple of weeks after our discovery of little Barn Owl chicks abandoned by their mother, in a Tree Lodge Room.  We have been hand-raising these magical creatures in an effort to keep them alive and rehabilitate them to become the self-sufficient birds of prey they ought to be.  One of our goals of keeping these birds around is for educational purposes. We want to educate people on the instincts and habits of these birds and why they are so valuable in eco-systems.  One of the many interesting things that we have noticed about these beautiful birds is their powerful talons (claws).

 The talons have an immense strength, and it is used to crush the skull of their prey.  We have definitively seen the evidence of this in our Barn Owls.  They grab the food out of our hands with their talons sometimes instead of their beaks.  Then they start bashing the food onto the ground continuously.  They stomp their feet and start hissing revealing their aggressive nature when there is food involved.

 They also use these talons to fight off enemies. When noticing a threat, they start stomping their feet and hiss to try and intimidate the enemy. They also stand up straight and ‘puff’ out their feathers to appear larger in size for intimidation purposes. It is a captivating process to witness. When finally eating their prey, they tear off chunks by clasping to the prey with their talons while the beak pulls and tears.  These pieces then gets swallowed whole because of their lack of teeth. The food is broken down by powerful stomach fluids.  They later regurgitate the indigestible pieces such as bone and fur in a similar way as a cat would get rid of ‘hair/fur balls’.

 It is interesting to know that prey is believed to be killed by mostly the bashing against the floor as well as suffocation from the strong clench of the talons rather than the peck of the beak.

 On your next visit to Ubizane, be sure to ask our Lodge Managers to view these magnificent birds!

Birds of a feather...

For those of you who followed our Barn Owls story, you might be dying to hear how they are doing.  Our little chicks are all grown-up and starting to gain the birds of prey instinct that we so diligently have tried to expose them to.  

We see this when they receive food.  Whenever we start feeding them they start hissing and stamping their feet aggressively.  This is a sign of dominance as they would usually take the mice that they catch and beat them on the ground with their claws until they die.  This is a very gruesome way of killing but we must remember that these are wild birds of prey which can become just as violently aggressive as a predator such as a lion.  They also swing their heads from side to side to try and intimidate those around.  It is a very interesting process to watch as they brutally attack their food without mercy.  And yet they do it so gracefully and beautiful that it’s hard to look away. 

They have become more beautiful by the day and now look like fully grown adult Barn Owls.  The only difference is that they are a little smaller in size than a fully grown owl.

 They have much fuller rounder faces now with that perfect heart shape

All their down has gone, now it’s only the beautiful brown, grey and white soft feathers that remain.

On your next visit to Ubizane, feel free to ask us about the progress of the owls!

April is Prevention of cruelty to animals month!

April is Prevention of Animal Cruelty month and Ubizane likes to support the cause! We would like to inform the public on how it is not only domestic animals suffering from cruelty.  The wildlife has been put in the line of fire and some species risking extinction if humans carry on destroying at this rate.  We have compiled a few facts to spread awareness of how much damage wildlife conservation is suffering. 

   Speeding Kills.  

Normally this would be an AA ad to prevent human loss but what most of us forget is that speed also kills a lot of our wildlife every year. 

Thousands of reptiles get killed on roads in South Africa every year because it’s hard to see a small creature walking over the road when you are driving speedily to your destination.  When in areas with long grasses on the side of the road, try be extra vigilant about what’s going on, on the road.  There might just be a snake sneaking over the road or a tortoise slowly making his way across.
The larger animals are a lot harder to miss when crossing the road but if you speed, there’s a big chance you can kill the animal as well as endanger yourself.  Larger antelope and animals, such as Kudu are known to jump in front of cars during early morning hours and late at night.  They jump high enough to jump fences easily so if you’re in an area with a lot of wildlife during those hours, make sure you drive slower to ensure you have time to stop for the animals crossing the road.

    Report animal abuse

If you witness someone harming any wildlife, report it.  It’s the only way you can prevent it from happening again.  You can get in contact with the local SPCA and if they cannot help you, you can ask them the contact details of the nearest Wildlife Conservationist. 

    Rubbish!

The worst habit some of us have is to simply throw a paper wrapper, empty can or bottle or an empty plastic bag out the window or in the water when nearby a river, dam or the ocean.   This is the easiest way of damaging not only the environment but also endanger animals who do not know what the foreign objects are.  Animals can eat the plastic and choke on it and fish can get entangled in bags.  So the golden rule is to never throw rubbish on the ground and rather keep it until you can find a rubbish bin.
 

   Don’t feed animals

It is sometimes hard not to feed a helpless little creature but in actual fact you are disturbing the natural ways of living for the creature.  If there’s a monkey in your area, don’t feed him and make him used to eating at your house, off foods that he might not normally get.  One day you will stop feeding and when that happens the animal won’t know how to find its own food.  This goes for birds as well.  If you have a bird feeder in your garden, you either keep feeding the birds or don’t feed them at all.  When you forget to feed them, they will not know where to find other resources of foods and might suffer because of this.  The best thing to do for any animal rather than feeding them, if you want to help, is to build a pond with a water source for them.  Water is always something that all animals need.  If you can make a pond in your area, make sure it has a constant source of water and doesn’t dry up in summer or freeze in winter. 

     Minimize amount of herbicides and pesticides

Poison might be good to keep the pests away but not all animals are pests.  Remember that animals – any animal – can eat the poison that you spread outside and it is just as dangerous to them as the pest that you’re trying to keep out.  Try to minimize your use of these poisons and spread it responsibly where other animals will be safe from it.

If you have any other tips for April’s Prevention of cruelty to animals month, feel free to comment on this blog to inform readers on more handy tips!

From City Madness to Serene Nature

Yesterday we drove from Pietermaritzburg to Ubizane Wildlife Reserve for four hours which proved to be well worth it! At the gate I was greeted by a friendly guard who contacted the reception to let them know I have arrived.  Leaving the gate, entering the beautiful property the first sight I had the privilege to see was the long necked giraffes, eating a few leaves while staring curiously at the new visitor. 

Reception was just as beautiful and peaceful as the rest of the reserve with small water fountains to create an ambiance of serenity whilst the friendly receptionist, Bongani, welcomed me at the front desk.  I was offered a warm towel and a warm cup of hot chocolate for refreshment after the long drive.  It was clear that I was going to be spoiled well at Ubizane - a perfect place to rest the soul from the busy, stressful life in the city. 

After checking in, I was on route to Safari Lodge where I would be staying for the evening.  The hut-shaped chalets (“rondawels”) blend in perfectly with the Zululand area and the safari theme.  The area contains a swimming pool and a bar area.  There is also a restaurant and entertainment area which looks perfect for functions where you want a fun evening in a bush environment.  I can just imagine how this area lights up with laughter and the sound of splashing water during the summer times by the pool. 

Showing me the area was the hospitable general manager, Natascha Pienaar who explained about how the animals are very relaxed and peaceful.  I was also warned not to keep windows or doors open to defer monkeys from making their way into the room for their favourite treat; sugar packets stacked next to the kettle.  Inside, the room was transformed into a magical calm space with white and brown interior design.  Making it extra special to me was the leaves and Frangipani flowers scattered on the bed and in the bathroom, reminding me of nature’s presence in every corner of Ubizane.

After unpacking and settling in I sat on the porch watching Zebra and Nyala grazing in the area.  I decided to go closer and carefully walked over, expecting them to run away with every step I make.  To my surprise the Nyala were unaware of human presence as they stood only two metres away without running.  It is something you never think you would experience in your life! I never imagined I could be standing so close to a wild animal without it being scared.  The Zebra were not as trusting of me and I suspect it was because of the young one they had in the herd that they wanted to protect.  I still can’t believe they were so close to me. 

Dinner time came at 7pm and I was surprised at Tree Lodge restaurant by a five star buffet which was filled with foods for all tastes.  Again pleasant staff members filled the area with welcoming smiles to make me feel like I’m part of their family.  The food was delicious and the staff served it with a hospitality that is hard to find in the depressing city life.  Some staff members took a few moments to get acquainted with the guests and chatted like friends would.  It looks like the type of place you make friends that always stay close to your heart. After dinner I returned to my room with an amazing star filled sky, with the milky-way brighter than ever.  It was finally time for some rest and it was the best night’s rest I have had in a really long time.

The breakfast once again made me feel like I was eating for ten people.  A buffet with continental breakfast, yogurts, fruits, eggs, bacon, and many more started my day fresh and fully nourished.  You can’t help but get out of the right side of the bed if you know what is waiting for you here!  It’s not just the food putting a smile on your face but also the staff greeting you and asking about your nights rest.  It felt like I knew everyone personally and entered the day with excitement and in good spirit.  After my breakfast I went to take a better look at the Tree lodge.  These rooms are absolutely stunning and completely original.  With the feeling of staying in a tree house, I have to say it’s very interesting and magical.  I just cannot wait for my next visit to this wonderland and will hopefully have a longer stay.

If you want to get spoiled and meet wonderful people – and animals, this is the place to come to! When you leave Ubizane it is assured that you will feel sad to leave a family and a second home-away-from-home behind.  

Impala bucks staring curiously outside Safari Lodge at Ubizane Wildlife Reserve. ©Ettione Ferreira

Rehabilitating Tiban:

If you have been following Ubizane Wildlife Reserve’s Blog, Facebook and Twitter accounts, you will be somewhat familiar with the story of Tiban, our rescued Warthog. For those of you who are new to the Ubizane family, Tiban was found along our fence line when he was just a few weeks old and weighing less than a kilogram, abandoned by his mother he was a bundle of nerves and  very wary of humans. Tiaan, one of our General Managers managed to rescue him and bring him back to the lodge, where the hand rearing process begun. 

At 11 months old Tiban is now maturing into a healthy, boisterous male warthog, and we have decided to begin a rehabilitation process, so that he can eventually be released back into the wild where he belongs. 

Due to warthog’s extreme sensitivity to poor grazing conditions he is being kept in a large enclosure until the rainy season starts again. 

Tiban is constantly taken for walks in the bush to give him as much exposure as possible to the outside conditions, as well as opportunities to graze in his natural environment. As soon as Tiban seems comfortable enough in his natural environment, he will be taken to a central area of the reserve, away from buildings and people and released to fend for himself. 

 Tiban has become part of the family in more ways than one, with his friendly grunts and mischievous games; and as much as we would like to keep him forever it was always our intention to release him back into the wild; where he belongs! His cheerful little face, and trail of muddy hoof print will forever be missed here at Ubizane, but he will never be forgotten, as he touched each and everyone’s heart in his own special way.