Alien invasive species are a problem that is prominent around the world and here in South Africa. At Amakhosi, we have several invader species but certainly the worst of them, is the “triffid weed” Chromolaena ordorata. This plant is starting to invade the reserve in the south and is spreading rapidly. We have now launched a control program that aims to stem the invasion and in time to successfully control it. What makes this plant so dangerous is its competitive nature. When it is established in an area, it grows rapidly since there are no natural enemies here to control it. Triffid Weed reaches maturity very quickly reproducing at a phenomenal rate. One plant can produce up to 10 million seeds through its lifetime. As they increase in numbers they start to displace the native vegetation around them and can lead to local extinctions. We do not want to loose our beautiful home to this plant so we are fighting it with everything we got.

The animals at Amakhosi are in very good condition. They have plenty of grazing and the new young are growing up fast. The herd of buffalo has reason to be proud. Several newly born calves were seen the last couple of weeks. These animals are fiercely protective over their young and will do anything to protect them. Considering how dangerous and grumpy they are under normal circumstances, not even the most experienced and fierce lions will stand a chance at getting to one of the calves. Buffaloes are herd animals and rarely walk alone, except for the very old males. They are nomads that walk the lands after adequate grazing and usually move with their young and females roughly close to the center of the herd. The big males walk on the outside and are usually the first to spot signs of danger. If lions are encountered, they will bunch together with babies and females in the center, surrounded by a wall of solid, impenetrable bulls. Any lion foolish enough to attempt anything will be chased or most certainly killed.

The elephants locally known as “Ndlovo's” still do what they do best. They break down trees and chase those annoying lions around. Just the other day we found the large herd, moving down from the mountains to a new grazing area. We intercepted their course and just starred at their unimaginable bulk and strength. My best elephant friend “Frikkie” is now out of “musth” and no longer with the herd. Lately he has a bigger tolerance for my presence compared to previous encounters. As we sat enjoying the moment I suddenly realized that; “Those elephants are heading straight to the lions resting place”. At that moment I knew what was going to happen and repositioned my vehicle to safely observe the spectacle. There are young calves in this herd of elephants and no predators will be tolerated whatsoever. We could hear the advance of the elephants through the bush, cracking of branches and the rustling of grasses and other vegetation as they move. Then, like flicking off a light switch, all went airy silent. I turned and told my guests that this was the calm before the storm and we waited in nervous anticipation. The impetuous burst of sound was startling as adrenaline flooded my every sense. First was the inconceivably loud discord of a gigantic tree falling to the ground as if it was a mere grass helm. Subsequent trumpeting and the sound of depraved growling told us that the two mega-beasts have met unwillingly. Moments later lions were racing out of the bush, running like the devil him-self were after them. The elephants gave chase for a short distance then stopped and gazed at their conquest. The young were safe again and the herd settled down continuing to graze leaving some very bewildered and embarrassed lions in their wake. We headed back to the lodge having a good chuckle at the expense of the lions who for once were put in their place.

Speaking of which, the southern pride of lions have taken up residence in the north of the reserve. The northern pride tolerated them for a while but eventually moved out of the area. The female with the cubs and the two young males where found moving to the west one morning after eating a full grown male wildebeest. This sudden and abrupt decision to move out of their home has come probably after yet another encounter with the five young males from the southern pride. That morning we found that only four cubs accompanied the lioness, three males and one female. The other female cub was killed by the southern pride. Not long after that we tracked down the males from the southern pride, they were skinny, grumpy, and hungry. By dusk that day, they started stirring. Stretching  their immensely powerful bodies, some head rubbing followed and one male was sharpening his claws on a nearby tree it was obvious they where preparing for a hunt. As the sun melted down and the last bit of light seeped away underneath the horizon, it seemed like an ominous almost tangible curtain of evil fell over the reserve. Africa was holding her breath tonight for the new rulers of this land are hunting. They walked in single file, totally focussed on their common goal. Every now and again they would stop and listen for any sound of prey.  Not long after, they found a herd of wildebeest out in the open. The open area gave the wildebeest the advantage. Warning snorts signaled the nearby animal of the imminent danger. On the quiet African night you could almost hear their terrified heartbeats and taste the metallic zest of fear. The lions will have no chance of success on the open plains, here wildebeest will outrun them. What these five need tonight is patience, stealth, and determination. Several unsuccessful attempts we decided to call it a night and returned to the lodge where we could satisfy our own hunger. The next morning we stumbled upon the young warriors, they were lying close to the river with an expression of bliss on their faces. During the night they managed to catch a wildebeest by the not far from the lodge. They were so engorged that their stomachs looked almost painful. Flat on their backs and panting heavily proved their discomfort.

The other cats on the reserve are safe and sound. We have discovered two new female leopards. Sightings were short but we felt truly blessed to have been in the presence of these brilliant predators.  Our resident male has been moving around a lot, covering huge distances in the process. We suspect that he has picked up on the sent of the two new ladies and is trying to find a mate for Valentines Day. A very encouraging fact is that the one female is keeping in close proximity of the lodge. This tells me that she is not that bothered with human activity and could become the future star of Amakhosi lodge. Cheetahs are sighted on regular occasions and nothing seems to be wrong with their hunting techniques. They are making frequent kills and it seems to be that impala and warthog piglets are high on the preference list. Every now and again the larger males will attempt at something as large as juvenile wildebeest. I had the opportunity to see just such a pursuit the other day.  As luck would have it we located him within ten minutes of our drive. Close to some thick brush I stopped the vehicle and we watched him disappear into the bush where we would not be able to follow him. As I prepared to leave the area I heard a warning call that was followed by an all mighty rumble. A  herd of wildebeest stampeded towards the north and we watched them race off.  My eye caught some movement not to far from us in the opposite direction. A juvenile wildebeest came running at us with tremendous purpose. As he passed the vehicle we could see the cause of his incredible panic. The cheetah must have stumbled onto the herd of wildebeest at close range and in the confusion of flight he saw his chance to take a young calf. He came out of the brush at low speed, hampered by the thick plant growth. The wildebeest had good ground on him, but when he cleared the bush and entered the open grassland area he started to excel. Within seconds he tripled his speed and came running past our vehicle. It was unbelievable how quickly he gained ground on the wildebeest, running him down as if it was standing still (considering the fact that wildebeest can run at a good 80km an hour). But the hunt came to nothing. The wildebeest managed to reach the rest of the herd and gained protection from the large bulls. The cheetah slowed down and eventually gave up. It is better to try again another day than to get injured that could lead to a slow and agonizing death. This experience gave my guests a brief look at what type of speed these animals are capable of reaching. All I can advise in this situation is: ”don't blink, hold on to your hat” because you might miss the show.

Bird life on this reserve astonishes me daily. The diversity is incomprehensible and at first glance it may seem that not much is going on out there. Rest assured the bush at Amakhosi is infinitely alive. The trick to seeing your smaller less obscure animals is to go to a place of common interest (water, food, etc.) and sit still for a respectable amount of time. When you stop moving and blend in, they start moving taking you as part of their environment. This includes birds and insects alike. Taking this advice you will leave the area with a respectable list of species that you have never seen. Go and try this at your own home, sit in your garden, the nearest park or wildlife reserve and wait. Look, listen, and above all have patience. You will be surprised to see, hear and smell what is going on around you. This planet is infinitely alive with creatures large and small, all you have to do is look

Kind regards and a prosperous 2007

Jaco Becker (Amakhosi senior ranger, BSc. Entomology; BSc. Hons. Wildlife Management)