MalaMala - The Wildlife

ELEPHANT SIGHTINGS - 2006

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Bull Elephant - Photographed by ranger Greg Coates

December 2006

The elephant viewing was good during the report period, although sightings generally consisted of small herds of elephants. This is normal for this time of year. Large herds were seen in the Sand River at Charleston North, close to Rattrays Camp, near Bicycle Crossing Hippo Pools, and along the Mlowathi. Several large male elephants were encountered, two of whom had particularly impressive tusks. Owing to the lack of rain, the sightings were concentrated around the Sand River.

Photographed by ranger Chris Galliers

November 2006

Following the onset of the rains in early November, elephant sightings were not as common as in the drier months. Although elephants were seen on every day of the report period the average number of herds seen was down in October, numbering around 4 herds a day. Some very large bull elephants were seen throughout the property during November, three of which had very large and impressive tusks.

Photographed by ranger Sheldon Williams

October 2006

Elephant sightings were consistent during October but numbers were down compared to previous month’s sightings. With no heavy rains falling in October most of the sights were concentrated along the Sand River, with large herds being seen on Charleston and Toulon.

Elephant damage, especially in areas with large Acacia stands, is becoming very evident with many trees simply being pushed down or badly broken apart. Lone bulls were also frequently sighted, and at least three different large tusk elephants were seen.

September 2006

Elephant numbers and sightings were slightly down on last month. However elephants were viewed regularly and occurred throughout the property. Some large elephant bulls were also seen in the northern parts of Mala Mala with very impressive tusks.

Cheecky teenager - Photographed by ranger Sheldon Williams

Most sightings occurred along the river and around the now nearly dry dams and other permanent water points. Some noticeable tree destruction is becoming apparent on certain parts of the property, especially where Acacia stands predominate. Elephants are very fond of these trees, eating not only the leaves that may be on the tree, but also the bark and roots. This causes serious damage and may even result in the tree dying from the elephants feeding habits.

Elephants drinking from the Sand River - Photographed by ranger Sheldon Williams

August 2006

Elephant viewing was again very consistent during the August report period. Many different herds of elephant were viewed throughout the property. As can be expected most of these sightings were concentrated around the Sand River and other areas that still contain water.

Photographs by rangers Wesley Neuman and John Gold

At times herds of elephants came together to form large herds that spent most of their days feeding on the reeds in the Sand River. There were fewer large elephant bulls seen in August compared to July, although at least two large tusked elephants were sighted in the north of the reserve during the report period.

July 2006

As with last month, elephant sightings were frequent and occurred mainly in and around the Sand River . Large-tusk bull elephants were also encountered many alone and on the periphery of the herds. Large herds were seen on several occasions, this probably being two or more families that had come together around watering points.

Photograph by ranger Greg Coates

June 2006

Elephant sightings were excellent and certainly improved on last month’s towards the end of the report period, Large herds were encountered frequently along the Sand River throughout the property. Large elephant bulls were also commonly encountered, two of which had very impressive ivory tusks and were frequently seen roaming around the northern and central parts of the property. One aggressive herd was encountered along the Kapen, and stayed in this area over a few days. Large breeding herds were seen towards the end of the report period and provided some excellent viewing. Elephant sightings are expected to increase drastically now as the water reserves start to dry up and the Sand River becomes more and more important as a source of water.

Photographs by ranger Johno Bailey

May 2006

Compared to April, elephant sightings in May were somewhat erratic and overall frequency of sightings was poor with an average of five sightings a day, low for this time of the year. The beginning of the month saw a large herd of approximately 100 individuals frequenting the Sand River near West Street . However, once this herd moved off even small herds and single bulls were not common. The Sand River on the MalaMala farm provided most of the elephant viewing in the north while the south enjoyed a wider distribution of these beasts.

Photograph by ranger Johno Bailey

April 2006

Elephants were abundant on Mala Mala in April. As can be seen, the Sand River was again favoured by these massive herbivores. As the grass begins to dry out, elephants will be found spending more time around the Sand River . Here, they will feed predominately on the Phragmites reeds, which are prolific in most riverbeds. As conditions get even drier, there will be a shift towards a more varied diet, including bark, roots and pods. It is during the up and coming winter months that elephants can be truly destructive to the riverine habitat. However, the good rains of the summer may have a buffer effect on this phenomenon in the coming winter.

March 2006

Elephant viewing in March was again good. Despite the rain, most sightings were recorded in the vicinity of the Sand River. While the herds observed were generally small, there were sufficient sightings of these groups to provide quality elephant viewing. As winter approaches, one may expect these herds to become larger as concentrations of elephants will increase along the Sand River.

There were also numerous single bull elephant sightings. Of note, there is a particularly large bull elephant from the Kruger National Park, which was seen on 4 days in March. He is a very large animal and has impressive tusks, and officials in the Kruger National Park have named him “Muliluane”. Muliluane is the Shangaan name given to the late Harry Kirkman, who served as a ranger in the Kruger National Park, and later as warden of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. This is a somewhat appropriate name, as this mammoth elephant bull roams between Mala Mala in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and the Kruger National Park. Sightings of him were mainly along the Matshapiri River in the middle of the game report period.

February 2006

Although not as prolific as the winter elephant viewing, February provided steady elephant viewing. Most of the sightings were concentrated along the Sand River , although a fair number of sightings were attained on the higher sandy ridges away from the Sand River . The marula trees have been dropping their fruit throughout January and February, attracting many elephants away from the riverine area. Most of the young bull elephants observed during this game report period were found under marula trees eating the fallen fruits. With the prolific rains experienced this summer, the elephant distribution may prove to be somewhat random until the drying conditions from May onwards will draw them back to the Sand River in high concentrations.

January 2006

Elephant sightings were less frequent than the previous month, which is not surprising, given the abundance of rain. No really large herds were encountered either.