NB: Written just before before the recent rains!
Water, or the scarcity of it, is again the relevant topic for the introduction to this month’s report.
Rainfall recorded in this January totalled 59mm. This brings us to a seasonal total of 133mm since September the 1st, roughly this equates to 33% of the mean seasonal average. In the interest of local weather and rainfall patterns, it is worth noting that the Central Control gate in the same period had in excess of 330mm.
The temperature range in this period has a high of 41 degrees Celsius with a low of 16 degrees Celsius.
Water provision or artificial watering points have historically been, and currently are, a source of contention and opinion within the Conservation fraternity. The natural processes and systems in the greater environment tend to play out in full view at Ingwelala. It needs to be remembered that these energy cycles are occurring daily outside of our immediate viewing area. We perhaps tend to think the natural organisms are more fragile and prone to fatality than they really are. I would like to think they are perfectly adapted and far hardier than we are led to believe. A previously pumped waterhole running dry is not the ecological disaster it is perceived to be. In contrast I believe it to be a positive reaffirmation of the Greater Kruger open system, and the animals’ ability to move out of an area not currently suitable for its immediate needs, thereby giving the area a chance to recover from continual movement, browsing and grazing.
Challenges with the pumping at Elephant Pan were highlighted this January as well as the limited flow to Buffels Hide Pan. The lack of rainfall and run-off highlighting, and certainly magnifying, some flaws in the infrastructure which has now been rectified. A new solar pump, panels and controller was installed at #9 pump which supplies water to Elephant Pan. New panels have been purchased for the Buffels Hide pump, this will be installed by mid-February.
The bulk of the month was spent on the Capex programme for solar pump installations at #6 pump and at Jackalberry pump, this will continue into February with a tentative completion date of the 15th.
The electric fence infrastructure remains in good condition, some minor difficulties were rectified due to normal game movement to and from the camp area.
We again experienced major water losses due to burst pipes and leaks on the camp infrastructure, repairs are regular and ongoing.
The pictures belwow show how seasons can differ in plant growth so vastly.
by Chris Mayes