Elephant Relocation Update
In 2018 an Elephant bull, causing damage to Ingwelala property, was relocated to the Timbavati. In order to identify him his tail hair was cut, which is now seen to be regrowing nicely in the photo's. Elephants Alive has recently sent us these photo's of him, with a breeding herd, in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. To read more about attempts to originally chase the elephant away and the eventual relocation.
#umbabat#ingwelala#timbavati#APNR#theheartofthegreaterkruger#Klaserie...
Elephant Relocation
Today saw the relocation of a Damage Causing Animal (DCA), an Elephant bull that had damaged water pipes, a vehicle, and thatching at Ingwelala. After taking about 12 minutes (each elephant is different) to go down after being darted, teams worked quickly to take samples and load him. The elephant bull was then safely released in the southern part of Timbavati with the whole exercise taking approximately 3 hours.
A great team effort by Umbabat, Timbavati, Elephants Alive and Wildlife Vets. Flying by Wild skies Aviation: Jana Meyer, who had previously been called out twice to try to chase the elephant from Ingwelala, hence its relocation.
Thank you to all the members who came to watch the loading of the elephant and for bringing their children to have, for many, a once in a lifetime experience.
http://umbabat.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/20180816_101451.mp4
Darting the ElephantIn order to ensure the safety of the Elephant, the vet will dart him from the helicopter and ensure he goes down in a suitable...
Elephants Misbehaving at Ingwelala
A group of about 4 Elephant bulls was reported as being destructive and dangerous in Ingwelala.
A decision was taken by GM John Llewelyn and the Warden to hire a helicopter, Wild Skies Aviation with chopper pilot Jana Meyer, to chase the Elephants out of the camp to prevent any further problems. Despite their best efforts one bull refused to pass through an area where the fence had been removed - it seems Elephants never truly forget!
Another attempt to remove them also never worked and so alternative options are being investigated.
Watch this interesting video of the first attempt to remove the elephants!...
Rob Lowe Visits APU
On 12 July 2018, the Umbabat hosted American actor Rob Lowe on a visit to the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU).Rob, with his sons, Matt and Johnny, were taken to the picket as well as the Kruger boundary fence where they met up with two of the field rangers. He was very impressed to hear about the caliber of experience our rangers have, one of whom has fought not only in Angola but also Iraq and Afganistan - poachers beware! Matt and Johnny are very keen to come back to the Reserve to volunteer and get more involved.Thanks to Motswari and Henry, our guests had a comfortable ride in the Motswari game drive vehicle. Rob is currently filming a Netflix movie in the Hoedspruit area, and he and his family have a reality show called The Lowe Files....
Elephant Released from Cord
An Elephant with a cord around its leg was seen on the Umbabat and reported to the Warden. After locating the Elephant on 9 July 2018, Michelle Henley, of Elephants Alive, assisted by a local vet, managed to dart and remove what looked like an electrical cord. This incident brings home the importance of picking up any wire, rubbish, etc. and reporting any hazardous items during drives.
Thank you to all the vigilant members of Ingwelala who reported the updates on the elephant with the cable....
Injured Rhino Dies
The report of an injured White Rhino on Ingwelala came through to the Warden on the morning of Sunday, 8 July 2018.
It was initially thought that the Rhino had been shot as it was struggling to get up. On closer inspection, it was found that there was a large gash on the upper front right-hand side of the body. The decision was taken to call the vet, Dr. Peter Rogers who, after darting the Rhino, ascertained that the animal had been gored by an Elephant. The tusk had entered the rhino's lung, the second such injury observed by Peter Rogers that month. Once the wound had been cleaned and stitched and other medicine administered, the Rhino was woken up and it was just a matter of hoping it would recover after the intervention.
Unfortunately, at 19:00 that evening reports came in that the Rhino had died and the following morning two large male lions had to be chased off the carcass. The...
Mandela Day 2018
Our EM, Splendor, has been hard at work in her first week hosting Mandela Day Celebrations. The Orphans and Vulnerable Children at SAME canceled after-school work in order to do fun activities of art - drawing the South African flag and Mandela's face - singing and dancing.
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Lydenburg Toyota Partners with Umbabat
New Warden of Umbabat Private Nature Reserve, Bryan Havemann, has welcomed his brand new Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4 GD6 4x4 which was sponsored by Lydenburg Toyota.
Umbabat is 18,000 hectares and based in the heart of the Greater Kruger National Park (GKNP), surrounded by the Klaserie in the west, Timbavati in the south and Kruger National Park in the east and north. The new position of Warden over the whole reserve was created in February 2018 and required a dedicated vehicle enabling the Warden to perform a multitude of conservation, community and security tasks.
Fortunately, one of the share block owners at Ntsiri within the Umbabat, Fanie Erasmus, who is also the owner of Lydenburg Toyota and Dealer Principal, with the support of Toyota SA made this happen. Every conceivable accessory to make this a fully-fledged dual-purpose bush vehicle was fitted. Cooper tires donated upgraded all terrain wheels, whilst Lydenburg 4x4 Mega World sponsored the ARB Bull Bar, Old Man Emu...
New Outreach Team Member
The UPNRA Outreach team has been given an Environmental Monitor (EM), by the Kruger 2 Canyons Biosphere. Splendor Tshabalala started with the UPNR Outreach Team in July 2018. She will be based in the Sigagula Village of Acornhoek, just off the Orpen Rd with SAME. Her role is to assist with the after-school programme for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). Subjects she focuses on during the school term are Maths and English and during the school holidays, it will be Art, Sport, Self-Development and Environmental Education.
For more information on how you can get involved with the Outreach team please contact Lindsey Jones at info@umbabat.com...
