A slightly warmer July has come and gone, the weather during this reporting period was more of what we are accustomed to.
Cold mornings and evenings were followed by daytime temperatures peaking in the mid to high 20’s, rainfall was officially recorded at 1.5mm. The majority of the woody layer is still retaining its growth from the previous rainfall season, and in some cases I have noticed new flowering occurring in the Terminalia prunoides (Purple-pod Terminalia) during this month.
The elephant bulls continued to be persistent in their efforts to breach the new fence structure, there is rarely a day that goes by where there is no evidence of their presence in testing possible entry points. This was a point raised by the contractors when erecting the fence, in that they wanted these animals to “test” the structure, as this is the only way they would learn to avoid it. In past reports and the various communications over the years we have often referred to “learned” behaviour in the social makeup of these elephants, as historically they had taught the younger bulls the means and methods to breach the fence and access the camp area, through the old fence structure. We are cautiously optimistic that this newly learned behaviour will slowly and progressively fall in our favour as their efforts at breaching the fence slowly diminishes over time. Time, however, will ultimately tell.
This early August communication now marks the 11th consecutive “elephant free” month.
Damage to the fence in this reporting period was attributed to buffalo and a single breakage by an adult female giraffe.
The Conservation Team was mainly focused on road maintenance this July, the bulk of our efforts were concentrated on cutting back and the trimming of the road verges and overhanging branches. The following areas were completed:
- Heliotrope Loop, both Eastern and Western sides
- Crinum Drive
- Nyati Drive North
- Nyati Drive South
- Combretum Drive
- Beacon Drive
- Klipspringer Lookout through to the Platform
- Lion Alley
- Wildebeest Road
- Acacia Drive
Trimming on a smaller scale was done on Argyle as necessary, multiple large trees were cleared from the roads due to Elephant impact. This trimming will continue into August and beyond.
The tractor and blade were used extensively during late July as the wheel slip on certain gradients was again repaired, the worst of these was in the Death Valley area, third crossing on Buffelsbed as well as southern Argyle. This work will continue in the coming months. I would again request your vigilance when driving in difficult areas to please engage 4x4 or diff-lock to negate these ongoing repairs.
Main line water leaks in this July were numerous, mostly confined to the camp area, the inlet pipe at the platform water supply was destroyed by elephant. Repairs are complete.
Some work was done in bolstering the electric fence even further by installing additional live wires along all support posts.
by Chris Mayes; Intro Photo: Heitlé Booysen