Highlights of the week
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May 15th.
Lions: the two lionesses from the Fourways pride and their 4 cubs were in the company of one of the Matshapiri males- he was leading them westwards into Eyrefield pride territory. 7 leopards: The Airstrip male and the No ID female (Moya) are still mating in the Mlowathi River. The Kikilezi female and her 2 cubs were viewed at their den south of lower Mlowathi Crossing- this evening we followed the mother as she moved eastwards towards Campbell Koppies and then witnessed her killing a large imapala ram. The Island female is on an impala kill of her own south of Main Camp. The Treehose male was also viewed. Cheetah: the 2 brothers were seen in the north east. There was a herd of buffalo in the north east and many elephant sightings. The hyena den site near buffalo bush dam was also a hub of activity this morning.
May 14th. 2 lion sightings: the Eyrefield pride and their 4 cubs were west of Lion Rocks. 1 of the Gowrie males was with 1 of the Styx lionesses north and east of Mlowathi Dam. 5 leopards: the DOKF 2:2 was found near Mlowathi Pans and was chased up a tree by an unidentified young male leopard- less than 100m away from them we found the Airstrip male mating with a No ID female (Moya). The Treehouse male was also viewed. 2 cheetah sightings: the 2 brothers were viewed in Clarendon Open Area and a single female was seen in the central parts of MalaMala. A herd of 16 sable antelope were also found in the central parts of our reserve. Many elephant and buffalo sightings.
May 13th. 2 lion sightings: the Eyrefield pride and their 4 cubs are at Confluence Crossing. One of the Gowrie males was just north of Mlowathi Dam. 2 leopards: the Treehouse male is on an impala kill north of Rattray’s Camp. The Island female was in the Sand River south of Main Camp. Many elephant and buffalo sightings including a large herd 500 buffalo in Flockfield.
May 11th. 2 lion sightings: the Eyrefield pride were viewed east of the Sand River north of West Street Bridge. The 2 Matshapiri males were found some distance to their east. 3 leopards: the Treehouse male was at Maxim’s Lookout. The Island female was opposite Main Camp and uncomfortably close to the den site of the Kikilezi female. The DOKF 2:2 was viewed south and east of Mlowathi Dam. Many elephants herds were seen as well as buffalo bulls.
May 9th. 2 lion sightings: the 2 Fourways lionesses and their 4 cubs were viewed near the Windmill in eastern Flockfield. The 2 Charleston males were at Calabash Crossing in the south. 7 leopards: both daughters of the Kikilezi female had an ‘altercation’ on Stwise Koppie in Marthly. The Emsagweni female and her 2 cubs were on the banks of the Matshapiri River south of Matshapiri Open Area Crossing. The Airstrip male was on the eastern bank of the Sand River opposite Main Camp. An unidentified leopard was viewed with an impala kill along the northern reaches of the Matshapiri River. Cheetah: the 2 brothers were viewed at Clarendon Open Area. Many elephant and buffalo sightings.
May 8th. 4 leopards: the Emsagweni female and her 2 cubs were still feeding off their duiker kill. The Kikilezi female was north of Lower Mlowathi Crossing. Cape hunting dogs: a pack of 11 were viewed in the south. Cheetah: the same mother and son from yesterday were seen again in eastern Flockfied. Many elephant and buffalo sightings.
May 7th. Lions: the Eyrefield pride and both Matshapiri males were just south of West Street Bridge. 5 leopards: the Emsagweni female and her 2 cubs were found with a duiker kill north of Drum Crossing. The Island female was viewed close to Main Camp. The DOKF 3:3 was around Campbell Koppies and she wasn’t looking all that healthy. Cheetah: a female cheetah with her male offspring were found in eastern Flockfield. Many elephant and buffalo sightings.