Eight Cheetah Cubs a Conservation Success

!±8± Eight Cheetah Cubs a Conservation Success

Cheetahs remain endangered, with just a few thousand left in the wild. So the birth of not one, but eight healthy cubs at a ranch in South Africa is great news for their preservation. (Oct. 5)

Eight Cheetah Cubs a Conservation Success

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Ngorongoro Crater Unique in Africa

!±8± Ngorongoro Crater Unique in Africa

Maybe it was Mark Twain who said there are lies, dammed lies and statistics. This seems to be the case concerning statistics for Ngorongoro crater. As I checked my figures for accuracy for this article I could find no two sources that agree. So I will endeavor to keep statistics to a minimum.

This aside Ngorongoro Crater is a true marvel and I believe unique in Africa; it is located between the lake Manyara National Park and the Serengeti. It was formed from an ancient volcano that erupted and then collapsed into the craters we see today. This is called a caldera and Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest [unbroken] caldera. It is thought that this volcano, before it erupted and collapsed, stood taller than its close neighbor Mt Kilimanjaro.

The crater floor is spread across one hundred square mile and is home to many thousands of animals. Ngorongoro Crater enjoys a year round water supply and so nearly all animals remain here as permanent residents. It has the densest population of game in the whole of Africa; and it is possible to see the big five in one day. It is often referred to as a mini Serengeti as it shares many of the habitats of this huge neighbor. Although rich with game the crater has no giraffe, impala or topi. There are only a small number of tall acacia trees, this lack of grazing can explain the absence of the giraffe but the absences of impala and topi is a mystery; especially as they are present in large numbers in the nearby Serengeti.

There are five habitats on the crater floor, which as mentioned have echoes of the habitats of the Serengeti. In the south west is the Lerai Forest which gets its name from the tall yellow barked acacia. This Forrest is home to baboons and vervet monkeys. There is also a small population of giant tusker bull elephants. These elephants are the biggest you will see in Tanzania. There are no breading herds of elephants here; in fact there are no female elephants in the crater. If you are lucky you may also catch a glimpse of the shy leopard lying along the branches of the acacia trees in this forest.

The best time to visit this forest is early in the morning. We recommend a 6h30 start, if you are up to it, to be amongst the first into the crater. The animals are at their most active in a morning and an early start will be well rewarded. The Ngorongoro crater has been likened to a giant deep freeze in the early morning so wrap up warm for this early start.

Just off-centre is Lake Magadi - this is a soda lake and home to thousands of [migratory] flamingo's. The central region is an area of short grass plains which is home to wildebeest, zebra and Thompson's gazelle.

In the south eastern and the north western areas of the crater floor are seasonal swamps where hippo and many water birds abound.

The eastern section has the longer grasses where buffalo are present. These buffalo have dramatically increased over the past few decades; this is a direct result of humans leaving the crater and it reverting to its natural state. The grasses in this section are particularly suited to the buffalo.

There are over one hundred bird species found here which are not present in the nearby Serengeti. The crater is also home to one of Tanzania's last heads of black rhino. The other herd is found in the Serengeti. You are more likely to see the black rhino here in this small area, than in the vast Serengeti. There are just twenty-five rhino here but we been told numbers are increasing slowly.

Of the carnivores Ngorongoro Crater boasts lion, cheetah, hyena, seval, ratel, jackal and the bat eared fox. Cheetah have thrived here; especially over the past few years due to the increase of buffalo and the decrease in wildebeest. The regeneration of this area has been particularly favorable to the cheetah.

From 2006 the park fees double for this destination and also for the Serengeti and the Kilimanjaro National Park. Half day safaris will be enforced for Ngorongoro crater. This will result in most safaris taking two half-day safaris to visit Ngorongoro Crater. We would recommend you take one morning safari and start as early as possible. All the lodges in this area are perched high on the rime of the crater. These lodges make and ideal spot for relaxing and enjoying the view of the crater far bellow you.

Ngorongoro Crater Unique in Africa

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Impact of Evolution on Wild Animals and Their Lifestyle

!±8± Impact of Evolution on Wild Animals and Their Lifestyle

Nature can be very misleading for a visitor to the Kenyan Game Parks. Herbivorous animals, such as zebras, antelopes, wildebeests and giraffes, grazing in close proximity to sleepy lions, give an impression of peaceful co-existence. Even the deadly, aggressive crocodiles in the Mara river, in the Mara Game Park, may appear to show no interest in the wildebeest swimming across. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Life in the Wilderness is a constant struggle for survival. This basically narrows down to two main challenges, namely eat and avoid being eaten. It is one thing to find food but quite another to collect and capture it. In the battle for survival, evolution has created a deadly amour of offensive and defensive weapon systems, which, when used in combination, provide strategies that make survival in the wilderness a real nightmare for both predator and prey. This article discusses some of these survival strategies used by animals found in the Kenyan National Parks:

- Stealth, Ambush and Speed: Most predators that are talented with speed, lack stamina to sustain it for more than 200 meters or so. They must therefore get as close as possible to their victims, unseen, before they attack. The leopard, a member of the cat family, for example, is an expert in this. Hunting alone at night, it stalks its victim to within a close range. Then with a short, fast rash, it attacks. The lions have perfected this strategy by using co-operative hunting. They hunt as a team in a very carefully planned ambush. In this strategy, a lone lioness makes her way unseen to the far side of a herd of zebra or wildebeest while the rest of the team hide in the savanna grass. The latter identify a target, usually a young old or weak victim. Keeping their eyes locked on their victim of choice, they slowly approach the victim to within 30 meters (100ft) or so. Then suddenly, bolting from cover, they drive the chosen victim towards the lone lioness who promptly busts form hiding to grab the prey. The rest of the pride then offer assistance to finish off their victim. Although a lioness can sprint up to a speed of 60km/hr (37mph), the prey can ran faster, hence the importance of the lone lioness in this strategy. Stealth and surprise are vital weapons in this attack. The cheetah, on the other hand, capable of accelerating from standing start to 72km/hr (45mph) in 3 seconds and reaching top speed of 97km/hr (60mph) does not need team work and hunts alone. With fewer mouths to share the meal , it can concentrate on smaller, easier to catch animals and still certify its appetite. For the safety of its food, the cheetah avoids competition with its nocturnal predators by hunting during the day, at dawn or dusk.

- Stamina: That spotted hyenas are notorious scavengers and will steal anything edible is true but they also are efficient hunters, using their enormous stamina. As an example, a hyena, with its powerful jaws and strong teeth,can chase a wildebeest for 5 km(3 miles) at 60 km/hr(37 mph) and kill it alone. They do not need stealth. Similar strategy is used by African Hunting Dogs, hunting in relay teams, to exhaust their victims to submission.

- Camouflage and Speed for defense: Even with these sophisticated hunting weaponry and strategies, the chance of failure is very high. Just as the predators use camouflage to kill, the hunted use it to avoid drawing attention to themselves. The black stripe on each side of a thomson's gazelle and the zebra's stripes, break up the outline of individual animals when they are in a herd, making it hard for the predator to pick up a single animal. Besides, speeding predators and prey try constantly to outdo each other in a race that means life or death. To their advantage, zebras and gazelles have more stamina than their hunters. Some antelopes have another trick up their sleeve in their behavior called pronking. They jump high into the air and bounce on their four legs repeatedly before dashing off at high speed in a drama meant to convince the predators that they are all fit. This makes it harder for any weak animal to be noticed by the predator.

- Defensive Daggers: The African porcupine fends off its enemies using quills. Each quill is cylindrical, formed of long, tough fibrous hairs, ending in a tip that is as sharp as a needle. Loosely attached to the porcupine's skin, it measures about 50 cm (20 inches) long. Contrary to the common belief, a porcupine cannot fire its quills through the air but uses them to teach its enemies a painful lesson. When threatened, the porcupine makes its quills stand on end, pointing backwards. It then rattles its quills and stamps its feet to warn the enemy. If this does not work, the porcupine suddenly reverses into its enemy's skin. The barbs on the quills lock them in once in the predators body and this may cause infection to the victim. As long as it keeps its back to the attacker, therefore, the porcupine has a high chance of escape. The horns of the African rhinoceros are another example of deadly daggers.

- Pretense: The crocodile, floating just below the surface, looks nothing more than a piece of wood. Only its nostrils and eyes remain above the water as it watches and waits near the edge of the river for the animals to come to drink. Then suddenly, the crocodile bolts out of the water so fast that the victim has no time to escape. It quickly kills it by drowning.

Impact of Evolution on Wild Animals and Their Lifestyle

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The 10 Most Elegant Antelope Species of the African Bushveld!

!±8± The 10 Most Elegant Antelope Species of the African Bushveld!

Kudu

The kudu is the world's second largest antelope species (behind the eland), reaching up to 1,2 m at shoulder height and weighing as much as 270 kg. It is by far one of the antelopes I admire the most, and always a delight to watch in the wild!

These rather shy browsers are found in well-bushed regions and hills, and can remain motionless for long periods of time when feeling threatened. Kudu bulls have highly recognizable long, spiral horns (above). As with most antelope species, females are hornless and relatively smaller in size.

There are two types of kudus: Greater kudus and Lesser ones. The greater kudu is most common, while the lesser kudu is confined to East Africa. One way to differentiate the two (other than by looking at size), is to observe the number of white stripes on the side of the animal's body. The lesser kudu can have up to 14 stripes, while the greater kudu barely has 6 or 7.

Have you ever checked the animal's ears? They are unmistakably large; very funny to watch when they hear intriguing sounds!:)

Sable

Also one of the largest antelope species found in Africa. Both sexes have imposing razor-sharp horns and magnificent black and white markings on the head. Males however are usually darker, whereas females and youngsters have a paler chestnut colour.

Love the animals, yet they are seldom seen. Encountered them a couple of times only, in places like Ruaha National Park (Tanzania) and Kafue in Zambia!

Were you aware that sable horns could measure up to 154 cm in length?! Impressive, huh?!;)

Nyala

Yet another handsome, striking antelope which inhabits dense bush and riverine areas covered in vegetation. The nyala is relatively similar to the kudu, and females are often confused with the bushbuck. Males are conspicuously different from females both in terms of coat (dark and shaggy) and horns (females don't have any).

Roan

The fourth-largest antelope species of the continent. Not to be confused with the sable; it is lighter in colour, has shorter horns with long tasseled ears and a clown mask! Absolutely stunning creature!

Impala

The most common African antelope species out of them all. Known as the "McDonald's" of the bush for their black and white "M-shaped" markings on the bum, it is the one animal that you just can't miss while on a safari!

Impalas have acute hearing and are known for their loud uttered snorts capable of frightening elephants. They are extremely agile fellows and excellent jumpers. The antelope is preyed upon by most of the big predators: the lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, etc. In my opinion it is the most gracile animal of the African savanna!

Gemsbok

When one first thinks of the gemsbok (also known as the oryx), it is immediately associated with sand dunes and desert regions. As some people put it, it is "the spirit of the desert embodied in an antelope". Although arid habitat is typically where the animal is found, it can also occasionally be encountered in savanna and mopane woodland. If you're a fan of these breathtaking antelopes be sure to visit Tsavo National Park in Kenya, or the well-known Etosha Pans of Namibia.

Waterbuck

A robust, somewhat "overweight" animal found in small herds and dominated by a bull. As its name implies, waterbucks love water though they will often venture some distance away from it to feed. Two subspecies co-exist: the Common Waterbuck with a distinctive white ring on its rear (see below), and the Defassa Waterbuck that has a white rump patch.

Did you know?

Just for the fun of it: do you know why common waterbucks have an elliptical ring around the rump? No? Read on...

When Noah built his Ark, the vessel's toilet seats were painted in white. Unfortunately for the waterbuck, it had drank too much water (as always...), and couldn't resist the loo even though the toilet seats weren't dry yet...very funny I know!:);)

Springbok

"Springs" into the air with a pronking action! The springbok is the only gazelle found beneath the Zambezi river. It has very good eyesight and is highly gregarious. It is the symbol of South Africa's rugby team: the "bokke"! Springbok Pronking Video!

Gerenuk

A slender mix between an impala and a giraffe, which, just like the latter, also happens to eat acacia leaves! The gerenuk is considered as a browser and inhabits areas of dry bush and scrub.

Bushbuck

Attractive medium-sized antelope found mostly around rivers, forests and dense bush areas. The bushbuck is mainly nocturnal but may sometimes be observed on early mornings/late afternoon game drives (when undisturbed). Interestingly enough, the bushbuck varies from light to dark brown in colour according to the region in which it lives.

The 10 Most Elegant Antelope Species of the African Bushveld!

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Animal Rehabilitation at the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project

!±8± Animal Rehabilitation at the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project

A hundred years ago, you could find cheetahs running wild across the majority of Africa and areas of Asia. Now their numbers have dwindled and are confined mostly to protected areas. The wild population has reduced by half since the 1970s, which has made them vulnerable to extinction, so the rehabilitation of these animals and the rejuvenation of their numbers has become critical.

This is where the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project, based at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre in South Africa, comes in. Their efforts include campaigning for the security of the cheetah territory, the breeding and rearing of cheetahs in captivity, and the education of the local communities and the conservation volunteers who visit the projects. Conservation volunteering at Hoedspruit is an active and rewarding pursuit that brings you into close contact with cheetahs, their cubs and a number of other animals in rehabilitation or breeding projects.

Part of the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project's mission is to teach about how man has affected the cheetah's natural habitat. This means visiting schools and encouraging the pupils to understand the problem. Life is difficult for the cheetah in the competitive environment of the wild. They have to contend with predators such as lions, leopards and hyenas, as well as the threat of rival cheetahs roaming into their territory. Cheetahs must endure the ongoing struggle of hunting for food while protecting vulnerable cubs and the species must also face the narrowing of their territory by human influence.

Cheetahs need wide areas of land to hunt their prey; they prefer flat land where they can take advantage of their immense speed. The availability of such open space has reduced because of the spread of people and farm land, and the cheetahs are sometimes considered as pests by ranchers who want to protect their farm animals from predators.

In South Africa, when cheetahs are found injured or orphaned either from an encounter with lions or with man, they are brought to the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project. This is a place where students on conservation volunteering courses can witness and assist in an animal's rehabilitation, helping to bring animals back to their full strength and confidence before their careful reintroduction into the wild.

A similar process takes place with cheetahs and other animals that are bred at the center. The Hoedspruit Cheetah Project makes it their task to maintain healthy cheetah populations in the wild by crossbreeding from different territories to ensure a healthy genetic mix.

Animal rehabilitation and rearing is a slow, gradual process that requires care and attention. Those volunteering help the conservation of the cheetahs by taking part in their daily care and the upkeep of their enclosures at the center. This involves feeding the animals, holding them, assisting the vet with procedures, and even capturing animals in the park. It is an enjoyable and hands-on experience where learning and participation are central. If you want to get close to these beautiful and vulnerable animals, find out more about Hoedspruit and conservation volunteering.

Animal Rehabilitation at the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project

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