MalaMala - The Wildlife

The large herd of buffalo was present on an almost daily basis, at least temporarily splitting into two units halfway through the month. With there now being little difference in grass quality even between the areas which were burned last dry season, the buffalo have now been feeding in other areas. With quality of the feed then no longer an issue and quantity good, the movements of the herd have not really been extensive and they were seen totypically spend several days within a fairly small area. This lack of movement has also of course been good for the cows giving birth and their new calves. Calving this year started in earnest towards the middle of December. In spite of the abundance of calves, there has been really very little interference from the lions. For several days the four West Street male lions followed the large herd of buffalo, but were not seen to make any kill and were certainly still very lean when they finally abandoned their chase. One negative side to the buffalo health at this time of year is the infestation from the filarial parasite Parafilaria bassoni which, under current 'good' conditions, is quite obvious. Infected buffalo develop nasty looking skin lesions which are a great favourite among the red-billed oxpeckers which eat the blood and other bits of protein associated with the wounds. Although infected buffalo often lose body condition due to these parasites, most heal and all evidence of the infection in a few months time will be a scar.

November 2000

The large herd of buffalo spent most of November on Mala Mala, mostly on the areas which had been burned during the late dry season. For some of the month the herd split into two units, the one going north, the other towards the centre of the reserve. It is thought that they joined up again within a week or so of seperating. One of the buffalo gave birth during November, this surprisingly early in the season. It is typical for buffalo to start calving only after mid-summer, although last year many of them produced youngsters towards the end of November. Time will tell if this one calf is completely out of sync with the rest of the herd, or whether it is the first of many early births. The small herd of buffalo typically seen in the southern parts of the reserve were encounterd only towards the early parts of this game report period, probably moving in a westerly direction off the reserve. It is thought that they experienced some harassment from lions this month. The large herd of buffalo were, evidence suggested, pretty much left at peace by the lions.

October 2000

Of the two 'recognised' herds of buffalo on Mala Mala, the 'Large Herd" and the "Small Herd', it was the latter in its reduced number which provided the most consistent viewing. Prior to the large floods of earlier this year, the Small Herd of buffalo numbered some 60 or so animals; the current count is no higher than 17. It is not known if this number is as a result of a split-up of the original group and whether this parting will be permanent or not, or whether it is the result of a general decline in number through predation and disease. The latter scenario is unlikely, but it waits to be seen if the missing members will reappear. Certainly as a herd numbering little more than a dozen members, the buffalo will be a great deal more vulnerable to lion attack. Over the course of this game report period the buffalo of the Small Herd were certainly attacked by lions and chased many kilometres. Some of the buffalo bore the wounds of failed but close attacks, but by all accounts they managed to escape unscathed. In the area in which the Small Herd typically wanders, there are several groups of lions which have gained something of a reputation in killing buffalo - the lions of the Charleston Pride, as well as one or two gatherings of young males. These male lions were seen eating at least one adult male buffalo this month, a loner which, although a powerful item of prey, would be perhaps more vulnerable than buffalo protected by others in a herd. In the north of the reserve, the Large Herd of buffalo, which last month were still split into two groups, came together again. After spending most of the month drifting on and off the northern parts of the reserve, they moved steadily south towards the central areas where the burned areas are now showing signs of more luxuriant growth, perhaps better suited to the maintenance of such a large gathering of big beasts. Last months assault on the buffalo of the Large Herd by lions of the Eyrefield Pride and the West Street Males was not seen to the same degree this month, although, as will always be the case, the cats did take advantage of vulnerability when it was presented to them. The most dramatic instance of this occurred when several of the male lions and lionesses where sleeping in the Sand River, their bellies still distended from some large meal the previous day, when four buffalo wandered past them. These four included two adult females and their year-old youngsters. Just how these four had become separated from the rest of the herd is anyone's guess, but the wary buffalo appeared intent on relocating with the others. However, the lions saw them and without hesitation, gave chase, killing the two youngsters. Both carcasses were finished within a few hours and the lions moved south, apparently following up on the surviving buffalo cows. This took them into the central parts of the reserve where the lions not only encountered the full gathering of the Large Herd of buffalo, but other lions as well. Both the formidable prey, now gathered in great defensive number, as well as foreign lions in an area not well controlled by the lions of the Eyrefield Pride or the West Street Males, would have discouraged the cats and they left the buffalo alone. Other buffalo kills this month all involved lone males.

September 2000

The large herd of buffalo was present on the property for much of September, but, as has prevailed for several months now, in at least two separate groups, one numbering some 150 animals, the other at least 400. Towards the beginning of this game report period lions wreaked havoc amongst them with perhaps as many as 8 buffalo, mostly calves and adult or close to adult females being taken over a period of only a few days. In one night alone 8 lionesses, a young male and four adult males pursued a fragment of the large herd of buffalo and took perhaps five members, at least three of these calves. These attacks took place when the buffalo were at a most vulnerable stage and the lions pursued in strength. The vulnerability of the buffalo was entirely of their own making and had to do with their demand for the high quality yet low quantity of green grass on the freshly burned areas. On these areas, in order to get enough to eat, the herds fragmented into smaller groups and still continued to walk at speed through such recovery growth areas, causing the weakest members of the herds (females and calves mostly), to lag behind. The situation would then compound itself because the weakest bringing up the rear would then get the least to eat and get weaker still. Anyway, it was in such a situation that the lions attacked, panicked the buffalo and had a feast. Two weeks later some of the same group of lions tried the same but this time were repulsed and the buffalo were left at peace. By months end, thanks largely to some rains which fell, the grass on these burned areas had become more substantial and buffalo soon found themselves with not only good quality, but also good quantity and they could start recovering. In the south of the reserve the small herd of buffalo made an appearance, but only in the form of 17 or so animals, these mostly males. Prior to the floods of earlier this year, this herd of buffalo numbered nearly 80 animals. However, it is not known if these buffalo represent a fragment of the original small herd or are the fortunate remnants of it.

August 2000

The large herd of buffalo spent this month in two separate units, one of at least 120 animals, the other group numbering approximately 400. For most of the time the two units were quite a distance apart, each traversing their home range independently but avoiding each other. On one occasion the larger of the groups moved most rapidly through the reserve from the Kruger National Park, this due to a pride of lions which was hot on their heals. The other part of the herd intersected the path of this larger group only an hour or so after the latter had moved through, but made no effort to follow. As healthy as the buffalo are - and this winter has been kind to them with all the green grass and abundant waterholes away from the Sand River - lions have still continued to plague them. Towards the beginning of the month the smaller of the buffalo groups seemed happily ensconced on the eastern parts of the reserve with plenty of greenery and water to keep them there, when four young male lions and an lioness, these members of the Styx Pride, also arrived in the area. Persistent attention from lions is usually enough to panic even a big strong group of buffalo and when they began to move, they headed off north, covering over half the length of the reserve in approximately 24 hours. The lions were first seen to chase the buffalo at midday, but were beaten back and both sides lay down to sleep over the hottest part of the day. Towards mid-afternoon the lions resumed their intentions and the buffalo, with some of the large males in both the front and the rear, moved steadily north. The progress of the lions was temporarily interrupted when they chanced upon an adult male bushbuck in the thickets in which they were following the buffalo. Although an animal of this size should certainly keep lions happy for a few hours at least, the lions, after devouring the bushbuck, immediately resumed their pursuit of the buffalo, catching up with them a few kilometres ahead. By this time the sun had set and the lions pressed home their attack. When they first ran in they were seen to catch a calf, but the rest of the herd responded to the distress calls and bravely chased the lions off, rescuing the youngster. But the lions were relentless and chased the now panicking buffalo for another kilometre or so until they caught them up against the steep sides of the Tlebe Rocks Donga. This gully system made an ideal killing ground and when the lions ran in they caught an approximately 2-month-old calf. The rest of the herd did not stay; trying to rescue the youngster inside the gully would have proved futile, and they continued their way north. The larger portion of the herd of buffalo were also harassed by lions and on the few occasions when they were seen on the reserve this month did not stay long. When they first appeared, most members of the large Eyrefield Pride of lions also appeared and the buffalo streamed north off the reserve. Fortunately for the buffalo the lions did not follow. Later on in the month this larger group of buffalo moved through the north-eastern corner of Mala Mala and into the Kruger National Park, only to have a pride from this area send them scurrying back, again not to stay long. This group of lions was nervous of landrovers and did not pursue the buffalo. At least one calf within the herd was seen bleeding from wounds inflicted by lion claws. Now that large parts of Mala Mala have been burned in controlled management fires, the buffalo will not fail to be attracted to these areas to eat the tender shoots of the newly emerging grasses. Such burned areas never have enough quantity to satisfy the buffalo's requirements, causing the herds to split up even more and increase in walking speed. Such behaviour does not favour the weakest members and lions usually benefit from such times. The last few years have also seen other large herds of buffalo move from the Kruger National Park onto areas of recovery growth. With all the rains which have fallen this year and the still abundant greenery and water-holes, this may not happen this year. There was no sign this month of the small herd of buffalo which typically resides around the lower reaches of the Sand River. In spite of the generally great mobility of the two portions of the large herd of buffalo, certain lone bulls proved most stable, particularly on seepline areas where the water can still be seen running out of the soil and the grass remains very green. In such patches certain buffalo bulls this month spent several weeks at a time without moving away and when they did, it was simply to the next such 'oasis'.

July 2000

Buffalo sightings during July reflected viewing perhaps typical of autumn rather than what can be expected during a 'normal' dry season, with the herds mostly staying away from the reeds and fresh water of the still strong-flowing Sand River. Studies of these and some other animals does indicate that they will use the most depletable of resources first before turning on those likely to be still good during the leanest of times and this could well be the reason for this behaviour. With both water and grazing in good supply far from the river, the buffalo appear to be making good use of it. At present the large herd is still separated into at least two groups, one of less than 150, the other closer to 400 in number.

June 2000

The large herd of buffalo continued to roam the reserve in sub-units of the main herd, fragmenting into even smaller units as the month progressed. All appear to be in good condition, except for a few of the older animals, particularly those cows which have recently given birth. The fast pace of the buffalo as they move from area to area in search of the green grass which is still to be found in certain areas has taken its toll on the weaker animals. Surprisingly, lions appear to have had little success in taking these animals which would perhaps be easier prey. Towards the end of the month, four lions, mostly youngsters, managed to kill a young buffalo cow, but had it taken from them when five young male lions chased them off. These five males had been following the buffalo for at least a day and the buffalo were moving at speed to get away from them. A buffalo calf was seen being born at the end of May. In the south of the reserve the small herd of buffalo - or at least a fragment of this herd - has been seen a few times, all sightings in or close to the Sand River.

May 2000

The large herd of buffalo were not seen during the early stages of May, appearing only during the middle of the month. Indications are that their movements and behaviour have not changed much since April in that they are still wandering at high speed through their home range and are still split into at least two sub-groups. Such behaviour is quite expected under current water and food conditions - the abundant supply of water allows them much freedom of movement and the declining quality of grass makes them walk rapidly and to far-flung areas in search of this last high quality food supply. The body condition of the buffalo is still good as can be expected and some calves are still being born. One good sighting of part of the large herd of buffalo, this a group of at least 300 animals, saw them approaching a water and mud-hole where a rhino was standing. The rhino was quite clearly not impressed by the buffalo, particularly when some of the latter started rolling in the mud which he probably took to be his own personal supply. Fortunately the buffalo were moving steadily and the rhino was soon left to himself. On another occasion part of the large herd of buffalo chanced upon some lion cubs which had been left behind whilst their mothers went hunting. In a show of determined aggression the buffalo trampled and gored the tiny lions, killing two of them. By some miracle the one youngster managed to survive. The only sighting of part of the small herd of buffalo occurred during the early phases of this game report period. Indications are that they too have split into at least two units. Unfortunately the area typically frequented by them has not been well worked by game-drive vehicles and so they may be on the reserve a great deal more frequently than the statistics indicate.

February/ March/ April 2000

Movements of the large herd of buffalo, particularly in April, have reflected the change of grazing as associated with the approach of the winter months. Although the quantity of grass will probably not be a problem this year (fire would perhaps be the only factor which could cause it to be in shortage), quality will. The exceptional rains and luxuriant growth this year would in all likelihood have resulted in a grass of quality, on average, lower than would otherwise be expected. This quality would decline even further as winter approaches. Although buffalo have a superb digestive system, their preference will be for the more succulent, easy-to-digest green leaf material. With the latter rapidly declining, not only are the buffalo forced to move rapidly through the grazing areas, but the herds also separate out into smaller units, each working an independent area within their regular domains. The abundance of surface water away from the Sand River has of course allowed them to do this with great effect. The movements are perhaps also based on the fact that the vegetation and water of the Sand River should be saved to the last and not consumed now when there is still other and more temporary food and water sources available. Due to these short and long-term environmental factors, buffalo behaviour over the last month in particular has changed quite dramatically from previous months. The large herd of buffalo was seldom seen as a single unit and the sub-units have started spending greater quantities of their time outside Mala Mala, on the peripheries of their range. Also, the movements of these sub-units have been rapid as they move with pace over their grazing areas trying to gobble up the fast-declining greenery. In spite of the generally good condition of the buffalo, this rapid movement will cause the weaker buffalo to get even weaker and so lag behind and probably fall easy prey to lions. Two of the West Street Males were found on carcasses of two buffalo from one of these sub-units during April. When winter arrives with force and the buffalo have no choice but to eat the dry and lower quality grass, so their movements will slow down and they will resign themselves to this time of year and its inevitable change of food. Perhaps later in the year, towards the end of the dry season, the Sand River will become the heart of their movements. The only sightings in the last three months of what was probably part of the 'small herd' of buffalo, were two encounters in early February of a group of approximately 35 buffalo on the banks of the Sand River towards the very southern areas of the reserve. The water availability of the general area, as well as the buffalo-killing lions in the southern portions of Mala Mala, have both probably contributed to the general absence of this herd.

January 2000

The large herd of buffalo continued to spend the majority of their time on the northern areas of the reserve which were burned towards the end of the last dry season. It is highly likely that this grass is of better quality that the more stemmy grass of other areas. Although there were sightings of the entire herd together, the buffalo did split up this month into at least two units, both groups wandering within this same northern area. Water and mudholes have continued to provide the buffalo with exactly what they need. Calving is in full swing and there are many youngsters to be seen. At least one buffalo calf was seen being born this month. The general condition of the buffaloes is of course very good and in the few cases this month when lions were seen to attempt to catch one from the large herd, they had no success. Towards the southern parts of the reserve there have still been few signs of the small herd of buffalo, perhaps as a result of the tremendous rains letting them localise their movements with no need for them to feed along the banks of the lower reaches of the Sand River. Also, the presence of buffalo-killing lions in the southern areas would also be a major deterrent. Some months ago the behaviour of the small herd of buffalo was such that it was speculated that lion attacks had induced it. This month there was some indication that a small group of buffalo - perhaps 'the' small herd - did venture onto the reserve, but they were immediately set upon by the buffalo-experienced Charleston Pride which brought down an adult female. With plenty of food in other areas that may not have lions of this nature, there would be good reasons for the buffalo to move away. Towards the end of the month a small group of nearly 2 dozen buffalo - thought to be part of (or the remnants of) the small herd did make an appearance around the Kirkmans Camp area. Aside from lone or small groups of male buffalo, there was regular viewing throughout the month of a group of a dozen or so buffalo - all males except for one young female - which spent their time close to the environs of the Sand River between Harrys and Kirkmans Camps.

December 2000

November 2000

October 2000

June 2000