News – Umbabat Private Nature Reserve

Elephant Relocation Update

29th January 201925th July 2019 By umbabatNo Comments

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 ...

Elephants Misbehaving at Ingwelala

23rd July 201825th July 2019 By umbabatNo Comments

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

23rd July 20187th May 2019 By umbabatNo Comments

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. ...

Injured Rhino Dies

23rd July 201825th July 2019 By umbabatNo Comments

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...

New Outreach Team Member

19th July 201825th July 2019 By umbabatNo Comments

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...

APU Receives New Mountain Bikes

18th July 201825th September 2018 By umbabatNo Comments

A recent request by Noctuam for Mountain Bikes to patrol the Kruger boundary was answered.After hearing about the extensive distances the Anti-poaching Unit was walking in order to check for anomalies, Internationally renowned artist Maria Brink, based in Nelspruit, kindly donated 2 Mountain Bikes.The bikes will not only ensure that the APU is able to patrol quicker, but also reduce fatigue over the long periods they are out in the field. Maria Brink with Brian Havemann handing over one of the mountain bikes ...