The text below is posted once again as a reminder to give wild animals their well-deserved natural space and our human behaviour should not impact on their natural instinct and behaviour:
A historical issue with hyena presence around the camp area and bungalows has again reared its head.
The varying reports received have witnessed these animals entering unsecured and unlocked bungalows and, in some cases, attempting to remove items from open parked vehicles. I am of the firm opinion it is multiple animals and not restricted to a single animal, learned behaviour through the various generations of hyena which is clear.
Our human footprint at Ingwelala is a reality, this cannot be disputed, any action taken, or any behaviour by any individual should be viewed holistically, and never in isolation, as this has implications for all users. The Gate Letter draws special attention to every User’s responsibility to ensure that animals are not fed either deliberately or inadvertently.
The text below is once against posted as a reminder to give wild animals their well-deserved natural space and our human behaviour should not impact on their natural instinct and behaviour:
"Your attention is drawn to the official policy regarding the feeding of animals on the property. This practice is forbidden. There is a worrying and potentially dangerous trend developing with regards to the feeding of game in the Members areas and surrounds, this is specifically related to the nyala and warthog. Please keep your distances from these animals as far as possible.
There is an adult hyena that continues to try and enter bungalows in search of opportunistic food availability. If we consciously open and close doors behind us to prevent these random opportunities all together, we can modify this hyena’s behaviour and thereby avoid any potential human/wildlife conflict that may result in an unfavourable outcome for the hyena by having to request a destruction permit from MTPA.”
As a member recently correctly stated to me in conversation, as humans visiting a Protected Area we are in the animals’ space, our behaviour should be humble and unintrusive in every sense of the word. We are in their kingdom, and we should serve them wisely and responsibly.
by John Llewellyn