May 2008

During this report period elephant sightings have again been numerous especially along the Sand River with more frequently sightings along the major river systems leading towards the Sand River usually during late morning or afternoon as this animals comes down to drink, with the bush getting dryer and water becoming scarce sighting should increase as the animals need to stay close to the Sand River as it is becoming the only water source.

April 2008

Elephant sightings are slightly lower than last month. Sightings of large herds have been good and elephants were seen on most days during the report period. There have been a few more irascible elephants during the last month, but this likely to be caused by the drying conditions or merely coincidence. For most part the herds have been very relaxed and constantly on the move. There have been a few sightings of very large herds (50+ animals) moving together. These have usually been the aggregation of a number of smaller family herds that have come together at waterholes. There have been a number of sightings of an old female with a radio tracking collar seen in the Mala Mala area. She is moving with a fairly large herd including many young elephants. There have been many sightings of very young elephants (under 1 year of age) moving with the herds.

January 2008

Elephants have been seen on most days this month. There numbers range from single bulls to large family herds. Overall the elephants have been very relaxed and provided the guests with excellent viewing and photographic opportunities. There have been some interesting interactions between the elephants and predators, especially lions on kills and leopards. The elephants seem to take great pleasure in chasing these creatures around. Other interesting sightings have been new born elephants as well as fine sightings of courting and mating behaviour.

Baby elephant - Photograph taken by ranger Keenan Stears