The beauty of Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

The largest man-made lake in the world is fed by the Zambezi River and is a wildlife haven, having four of the big 5 along it’s shoreline.

THE STORY OF “BEN” THE ELEPHANT

ONE QUIET MORNING AT BUMI HILLS SAFARI LODGE ON LAKE KARIBA, ZIMBABWE…..

THERE APPEARED AT THE STAFF VILLAGE WHAT LOOKED LIKE AN ELEPHANT HAVING DIFFICULTY WALKING AND SEEMED TO BE IN TREMENDOUS PAIN.

ALTHOUGH THERE WAS MORE COMMOTION AS PEOPLE GATHERED TO SEE HIM, HE LAY DOWN AND RESTED.

WITH A DEGREE OF URGENCY, A VETERINARY SURGEON DR RICHARD HOARE WAS CONTACTED, AND WAS FLOWN IN FROM HARARE ON A SMALL BUSH PLANE.

AFTER A BRIEF ASSESSMENT HE ANAESTHETISED THE ELEPHANT, AND GAVE THE WOUND A THOROUGH INSPECTION AND TREATMENT.

IT APPEARED HE HAD A GUNSHOT WOUND ON HIS UPPER SHOULDER

AND TWO HOLES IN HIS EAR, BELIEVED TO BE FROM ANOTHER SHOOTING INCIDENT.

A RADIO COLLAR WAS FITTED TO BE ABLE TO FIND HIM TO MONITOR HIS RECOVERY.

WITH HAVING ADMINISTERED THE NECESSARY DRUGS AND TOPICAL OINTMENTS TO SPEED UP RECOVERY THE REVERSAL DRUG WAS GIVEN.

SINCE TREATMENT BEN HAS NOT STRAYED FAR FROM THE LODGE AND HIS OVERALL LOCOMOTION IS IMPROVING

FOR THE PURPOSE OF IDENTIFICATION THE QUESTION WAS WHAT DO WE NAME HIM?.

WITH THIS IN MIND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HOUSEKEEPER NAMED BEN GANYA HAD SPOTTED THE ELEPHANT AND HAD REPORTED IT.

BEN GANYA IS FROM MAREMBERA VILLAGE IN MOLA, A SMALL SETTLEMENT WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE BUMI HILLS.

HE HAS BEEN WORKING AT BUMI HILLS SAFARI LODGE SINCE 1979.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The crocodile eating Lion of Bumi Hills

The “Bumi Boys” seen yesterday, along the Bumi Hills Safari lodge shoreline.

Having naturally dispersed from their parent pride in Matusadona national park on lake kariba, these two young males have made it a regular incidence along the Bumi Hills Safari Lodge shoreline, where they frequently kill and eat large crocodile.

“Dinner for two”

Only in Africa

 

When travelling by car, through areas where elephant painted Dog and other african wildlife are known to cross the roads, It is not uncommon to see these road warning signs.

Lion kill crocodile

On an african safari most guests get to see some amazing wildlife sightings and some will experience the “most unique” and not often seen.

This large crocodile had been killed and eaten by the resident lions in the area. Measuring 13ft 6″ is the length of a medium size fishing boat

With an ever decreasing supply of game, the lion in the Matusadona, Bumi Hills area have adapted their prey to include the Nile Crocodile.

Puncture marks can be clearly seen in the throat area. The Lion kill by strangulation using their powerfull jaws to block the air intake.

Safeguarding his meal from the awaiting vultures.

 

Lion & Communities

FOR MANY YEARS COMMUNITIES BORDERING THE PARKS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE LOSS OF LIVESTOCK DUE TO LION.

A FUNCTIONAL PRIDE OF SISTERS, DAUGHTERS AND YOUNG MALES

The many complaints received from villagers in the affected areas have been due the loss of cattle, donkeys, goats, pigs having been killed by lion.

IS THERE AN ANSWER?

Research has shown that if Lion cannot see into a pen, they will not attempt to get in.

A GOAT KRAAL, LION HAD BROKEN IN AND HAD KILLED SIX GOATS.

Many of the Livestock affected are killed by either not having sufficient kraal whereby the Lion break in easily at night, or the owners have failed to kraal the livestock at all whereby they are easily preyed upon by the troublesome lions.

THIS VILLAGER HAVING TAKEN THE INITIATIVE BY BUILDING A STURDY STRUCTURE AND ALSO BY USING THORNS AND NOISE MAKERS TIED TO ROPE HAS HAD NO FURTHER LOSS

IN THIS KRAAL THE LIONS KILLED THREE GOATS HAVING EASILY ENTERED OVER THE DOORWAY.

THE SAME KRAAL STRENGTHENED AND VISIBILITY MINIMISED

THE METHODS OF PREVENTION SHOWN TO WORK, IS THIS NECESSARY?

THIS LIONESS IN HER PRIME SIX YEARS OLD AND PREGNANT WAS DESTROYED BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LOCAL COUNCIL, HAVING KILLED GOATS.

HERE A YOUNG BOY IN KENYA WHO HAS DEVISED A NON LETHAL ALTERNATIVE TO PROTECTING HIS FATHERS LIVESTOCK.

 

Elephant In distress

It was reported by the scouts from BHAPU (Bumi Hills Anti Poaching Unit) an elephant cow had been seen limping badly and was no longer with the herd.

Here pictured Mark Brightman recovers his Dart from the Immobilised elephant.

 

A metal detector as the team look for Rifle bullets.

Here pictured Mark Brightman recovers his Dart from the Immobilised elephant.

Here Mark Brightman responded, and with his team darted the elephant and ran numerous checks including looking for imbedded rifle bullets.

A reversal drug was administered and the cow was up and about, ready for another day in paradise.  But not without a message…

Sunset on Lake Kariba

Some say “the setting sun in Kariba, Zimbabwe are some of the most spectacular sunset’s in the world”. These pics taken yesterday evening while having a sundowner just off the Bumi Hills foreshore.

 

A Queen is crowned Cecil’s pride ‘December 2015’

Her name given Nobhuhle, In foreground. Cecils Pride as of December 2015.

One of the last known pictures taken prior the collaring of one of Cecil’s Queens, thereafter named Nobhuhle meaning Beautiful in the Ndebele language.

The fitment of the satellite collar has been a necessary measure for the purpose of research so as to know the exact location of the pride at all times, which has been done by researcher Brent Stapelkamp of WILDCRU as he monitors the Lion populations throughout Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.

Six cubs and two Lioness remain forming the nucleas of what are commonly known as Cecil’s pride. Although still on the run at age 11 months the six cubs of Cecil’s pride are still in fantastic health.

 

 

Cecil’s pride update, where is Jericho?

 

Cecil’s pride originally consisted of 3 Mature females and 8 cubs born to the pride in February 2015 sired by both Cecil and Jericho, however there currently remain 6 cubs and two mature Lioness. It appears the third Lioness is no longer with the pride.

She has disappeared the circumstances unclear.

They are situated between the area of Kennedy 2 and Mbiza within the eastern boundary of Hwange National Park. Although they are constantly on the move they still infrequently present regular photographic opportunity.

Despite the missing third Lioness, all six cubs are in fantastic condition.

Jericho, unable to hold the territory moved north abandoning the pride and has settled around Kennedy 1 and the area of The Hide Safari Camp and is seen on a regular basis.

He has within the territory he currently holds three Lioness, a collared Lioness named Cathy and her two nieces.

Here Cathy feeding on a young elephant they had just killed. This is a typical behavior of  Lions in the height of the dry season In Hwange.