BUFFALO SIGHTINGS - 2007
Archives: 2000 || 2001 || 2002 || 2003 || 2004 || 2005 || 2006 || 2007 || 2008
Photograph
by ranger Nic Proust
| BUFFALO SIGHTINGS - 2007 Archives: 2000 || 2001 || 2002 || 2003 || 2004 || 2005 || 2006 || 2007 || 2008
|
| December 2007 Buffalo have been plentiful this month with the big herds returning to the property at the beginning of the month and then again at the end of the report period. One large herd, estimated to be over 700 animals, was seen on occasion but many smaller herds ranging from 100 animals in the southern parts of the reserve to 350 in the northern parts were seen. Groups of bulls, known as dagga boys, were seen everyday and always provided entertainment as they found the rain filled pans and enjoyed many an afternoon mud bath. November 2007 Buffalos have been reported on all the days of the report period, however many of these sightings have been of dagga boys (lone males). Viewing of herds has been inconsistent, with them being absent for up to eight consecutive days at times in the northern parts of the reserve. A small herd of buffalo was seen with regularity on Charleston and Toulon. October 2007 The herds of Cape buffalo have been seen frequently on MalaMala this last month. This includes the three large herds in the northern parts of the property and the smaller herd toward to the centre and south of the property. The winter did not take as heavy a toll on the herds this year as in previous years and the animals kept most of their strength throughout the winter. This month brought the first of the annual rains and with it the new grasses, especially along the firebreaks and burnt sections of land. This new grass growth is very sweet and has been of great enticement to the buffalo herds that have spent much time grazing in these areas.
September 2007 The beginning of the report period saw many different herds of buffalo spread out along the Sand River, from the very north western parts, right down to the southern most reaches of MalaMala. Importantly, with the dry season pressing on, the river began to dry and this could more than likely be the reason for the lack of stable buffalo sightings towards the end of the report period.
Interestingly, a herd was seen frequently in the north eastern parts of the reserve, an area that is literally bone dry. Considering the buffalo’s poor constitution with regard to water utilization, buffalos are unexpected in this area. However owing to large artificial watering points to the north of MalaMala, these buffalo would venture into MalaMala to graze for short periods, before making the trek back north for water. Although the dry conditions were harsh during the report period, most of the buffalo were in good condition. August 2007 Sightings of buffalo on Mala Mala have been excellent this month. There have been at least three large herds seen in the northern reaches of the reserve, all numbering more than 200. They have been seen most frequently around the Sand River and moving between Marthly and Eyrefield. In the southern reaches of the reserve there have been two herds of buffalo numbering between 150 and 200 regularly seen between the Jakkalsdraai area and the Sand River.
Along with these large herds there have been numerous sightings of small groups of dagga boys (old male buffalos), all over the reserve. This winter has not taken as heavy a toll on the buffalos and they are all still in good condition and very powerful. They have been basking in the lack of any large lion prides and coalitions in the reserve and have not often fallen prey to these super predators.
July 2007 As is expected during the dryer months of the year, large herds of buffalo have been sighted frequently during the report period, with most of the sightings concentrating around areas of permanent water. Importantly the buffalo prefer to drink on a regular basis, with a relatively inefficient water re-absorption taking place in the large intestines, the animals have a large percentage of their water loss through their dung. Hence many animals have been seen along the banks of the Sand River.
Interestingly, a number of small herds of buffalo have been seen during the report period, with theses herds linking up at times. This herd switching is of much concern amongst conservationists, and has been the reason for the rapid spread of bovine tuberculosis in the buffalo herds. Although the dry season is accounting for a poorer nutritional quality of the veld, the buffalo in general still appear in good condition. June 2007 Buffalo viewing over the report period has been excellent. On many occasions there have been two or sometimes three herds of buffalo on the northern section of the reserve. Each of these herds has numbered in the hundreds. There is one herd of approximately 500 animals that frequents the Matshapiri river system. There another of approximately 350 animals that frequents Marthly and a herd of approximately 250 that moves in from the Kruger National Park in the north east, makes its way down to the Sand River to drink and then moves back into the Kruger. There was slightly more nervous herd of about 150 animals that came onto Mala Mala from the KNP close to the Split Rock donga system. They, however, only stayed for 2 days before moving back to the KNP. The small herd of buffalo that moves around Charleston and northern Toulon have been seen regularly as well. With the low number of lions on the property at the moment and the lack of dominant male coalitions, the buffalo herds have enjoyed a relatively stress free month.
May 2007 Buffalo viewing was solid due to the presence of a 500 strong herd that has spent the bulk of the month between West Street and the Kapen River. The herd broke up on one occasion for a few days but regrouped towards the end of the report period. This herd spends a lot of time on Mala Mala on the eastern bank of the Sand River. A smaller herd of 50 animals frequents the central Charleston areas and southwards and is often found in the vicinity of the Flat Rocks. Close to this section along the Sand River is where on one occasion this herd of buffalo was seen to come under attack from the Charleston pride. Male buffalo, known as Dagga Boys, were seen frequently throughout the property but their viewing was mostly confined to the larger river systems and of those especially along the Sand River close to the large reed beds. April 2007 Buffalo viewing was good again this month. Many small to large herds were seen frequenting MalaMala as well as the usual small groups of old bulls commonly referred to as “dagga boys”. At the beginning of the report period there was a herd of about 150 seen quite regularly in the Clarendon Dam Open Area. The large herd of about 400 in number was viewed towards the end of the game report period around the Mamba Water Hole. The southern parts of the reserve boasted many small herds of around 30 – 100 in number dotted around the river. All in all buffalo seem to be looking healthy due to the prolonged wet season.
March 2007 One large herd, of at least four hundred buffalo, was seen relatively frequently for the early part of the report period. Some fine viewing of this large herd was had, with the herd rushing towards the river to quench their ever-present thirsts. Several small herds as well as small groups of buffalo bulls were also seen during the report period.
February 2007 There were a number of large herds of buffalo viewed on the property during the report period, with a particularly large herd spending a lot of time weaving along the watercourse of the Sand River in the north western parts of the reserve. A large number of young calves have been seen with the herd, importantly buffalo do not have a set calving season, with both summer and winter calves being the norm. At least one birth was witnessed by guests during the report period.
January 2007 There were many large herds of Buffalo seen on the reserve during this report period, mostly due to the lack of rain unusual to this time of year. Buffalo are water dependent animals and due to their very short colon don’t seem to hold the same amount of water as the other large herbivores. Therefor Buffalo need to quench their thirst at least twice a day. Due to the lack of water on other parts of the reserve large herds were seen congregating all along the Sand River. There were also many sightings of lone bulls in this period.
MalaMala
Game Reserve, PO Box 55514, Northlands, 2116, South Africa. Copyright © Rattray Reserves |
