RESERVE REPORT MAY 2013

Transcription

1 RESERVE REPORT MAY Introduction The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is an animal that has always fascinated me, its shape and size unmistakable in the African savanna with its intriguing physiological adaptations. The long extended neck is the best example of a special and distinguishing characteristic of the giraffe. In Afrikaans the giraffe is called a kameelperd referring to its camel like appearance. There are nine subspecies of giraffe, distinguished apart by coat patterns and different range distributions. The South African giraffe (G. c. giraffe) is the subspecies that occurs on Ingwelala. Giraffes are the tallest land animals, up to 6 metres in height, the Zulu name, ndlulamithi translates as taller than trees aptly describes this characteristic. In Africa giraffes range northwards from South Africa to Chad in the north, and east west from Somalia to Niger respectively. They can tolerate arid conditions. In adults, males weigh about 3 kgs more than females. Both sexes have horns which are actually called ossicones. In contrast to regular horns, ossicones have a skin cover and are vascular. In males the ossicones are thicker in appearance, often void of hair tufts that females have and are used in fighting. The tongue is unusually long, and assists the animal when browsing. Papillae line the inside of the mouth which is protection against thorns and sharp twigs. Giraffes are browsers, at Ingwelala their food preferences will be from the more common occurring Genera such as Acacia, Combretum and Terminalia. Observations in time have noted giraffes occasionally licking bones from carcasses. They are the largest ruminant. To facilitate regurgitation for purposes of chewing the cud the oesophagus muscles are exceptionally strong. Despite having such long necks, they have seven neck vertebras like all mammals, only that the giraffe neck vertebras are very elongated. Time spent feeding each day can be as much as hours, eating approximately 3 kgs of browse. 1

2 The strongest social bonds are between females and their offspring. Although giraffes have home ranges, they are not territorial. Adult males will compete for females in estrus, where a courtship takes place. Gestation is usually 1 months. Females give birth standing up, the calf dropping some distance to the ground. The calf is around 1.8m in height and can stand on its own soon after birth. Calves are vulnerable to predation and spend much of their early time in hiding. Males play no part in protecting or raising the young. More interesting facts about giraffes: Necking is the term referred to when males fight to establish social dominance. The okapi is the giraffe s closest relative. At birth the newborn s ossicones are flat, erecting themselves after a few days. The heart can weigh up to kgs; it has special adaptations to enable pumping blood to the brain. The blood pressure is twice that of other large mammals. A special valve reduces the blood flow and pressure to the brain when a giraffe lowers its head. The West African giraffe (G. c. peralta) is the most endangered. Giraffes have excellent eyesight, an anti predator aid. Giraffes have two gaits, galloping and walking. An anti predator aid is their take off speed from standing still, attaining a top speed of 6kph. When water is available it can drink up to 4 litres per day. Giraffes have the longest tail of any terrestrial mammal. In the wild, longevity is 2 years. Facts researched off the Internet, text by John Llewellyn. Pictures by Gail Alborough and Natalie Llewellyn. 2

3 Climate and rainfall (summary) Rainfall:.3mm Minimum temperature: degrees Celsius. Maximum temperature: 32 degrees Celsius. The following graph summarises total rainfall recorded at Ingwelala for the month of May over the past 3 years RAINFALL MM May (Note: May :.3 mm is below the monthly average of 6 mm) Staff compliment Reserve Manager (1) Conservation Manager and 2iC (1) Shop and Systems Manageress (1) Sibon and Housekeeping Manageress (1) Accounts Manageress (1) Workshop Manager (1) Maintenance Manager (1) Receptionist (1) Field Assistants (8) Grounds staff (1) Domestics () Maintenance Assistants () Workshop Assistants () Petrol and Stores Attendant (1) Shop assistants (2) Sibon (2) Staff Movement Nil. Bungalows for sale Bungalow # 74, a half share for R 1.6 million. Bungalow # 86, a full share for R 2. million, negotiable. 3

4 Conservation Alien plant eradication X3 Opuntia spp poisoned with herbicide in camp. Veld Rehabilitation Nil. Erosion Control Whenever possible, conservation staff is addressing erosion measures in the camp, aligning road drainage and recovering washed soil around bungalows and entrance roads. This is an ongoing project. Roads, tracks and airstrip Airstrip surface inspected weekly and recorded in a register. It remains officially closed. Due to no rain and compaction, the surface has started to break up. The top layer is loose and sandy. The majority of roads were dragged using tractors and tyres during the month of May. All perimeter roads acting as fire breaks were also serviced and cleared of encroaching vegetation. Several drivers find Tamboti Crossing a challenge resulting in frequent calls to recover vehicles. Fencing Three breaches by bull elephants and one giraffe cow during the reporting period. Game sightings Game viewing has remained sparse, most likely due to the prevailing veld conditions and water availability. Buffalo have taken advantage of these conditions and large herds numbering individuals have ranged on Ingwelala. However, the autumn season is upon us; the veld is drying out with leaves changing colour in preparation for the fall. Three wild dogs were seen on the main road in the vicinity of Ndlopfu. Most nights one could hear a leopard calling in camp. General sightings included; hippo, giraffe, zebra, blue wildebeest, kudu, nyala, impala, grey duiker, steenbok, warthog, spotted hyena, African wild cat and crocodile. Birds recorded included; Brown Snake Eagle, Fish Eagle, Martial Eagle, Verreaux s Eagle-Owl, Ground Hornbill, Saddle-billed Stork and White-backed Vultures. Security No incidents to report. Umbabat The second meeting scheduled for 11 May to progress the Federal System in the Umbabat took place at Ntsiri. The next meeting is scheduled for 6 July. Road Kills X2 Hornbills. X1 Squirrel. 4

5 Water reticulation Yield data for the boreholes is reflected in the following table, comparative with previous months. BOREHOLE MAY APR MAR FEB JAN DEC NOV OCT SEP AUG BH NO BH NO BH NO Solar Solar Solar Solar Solar BH NO BH NO * 378 BH NO 6 * BH NO BH NO 9 Solar Solar Solar Solar Solar Solar Solar Solar Solar Solar J.B GOODEHOOP COMMENTS: 1. The volume is expressed in cubic metres per month. 2. * denotes faulty gauge (when applicable). Eskom Usage The following graph shows the monthly Eskom Usage (Kwh) for Ingwelala Eskom Kwh Apr- May- Jun- Jul- Aug- Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan-11 Feb-11 Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11 Jun-11 Jul-11 Aug-11 Sep-11 Oct-11 Nov-11 Dec-11 Jan- Feb- Mar- Apr- May- Jun- Jul- Aug- Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar- Apr- May- Kwh Workshop WORKSHOP MAY APR MAR JOB CARDS OPENED JOB CARDS CLOSED FEB GENERATOR HOURS DIESEL TANK (L) COMMENTS: There were seven job cards open as at 31//. JAN DEC NOV OCT SEP AUG

6 Vehicles and Workshop The general fleet and static plant maintenance is % compliant with the servicing schedule. Water Hilux is due for replacement. Maintenance Land Rover replaced. Building projects Current (major) building projects are listed below: Bung No Name Work requested Approval Builder % Complete 1 Barnes Senekal Rebuild Approved Oct Chameleon 8% 1 Colin Cocking Rebuild (Flood damage) Approved Jan Chameleon 2% 14 John Mackenzie Rebuild Approved May Chameleon % 162 Casper Lotter Rebuild (Flood damage) Approved Nov Sharalumi % 177 Noel Tyler Rebuild Approved May Chameleon 98% 194 John Richards Rebuild Approved Nov Chameleon 1% Bungalows working towards building approval for various scopes of work include # 32, #62, # 93, # 96, # and # 16. Sibon Reception advises that the following dates are available for occupation at Sibon: 14 Jul Jan 9-18, Aug 9-2, 31 Feb 1-, Sep 1-3, Mar 1-, 19-, 2-27 Oct -17, 3 Apr 1-, -16, 23-2 Nov 1-, 11-, 2-29 May Dec 9-29 Jun 1-4, -3 For any further enquiries please contact Babs Lawrence in Reception on or reception@ingwelala.co.za Reception Statistics GATE STATISTICS MAY APR MAR FEB JAN DEC NOV OCT SEP AUG VEHICLES MEMBERS GUESTS UNACCOMP GUESTS UNITS OCCUPIED AIRBORNE VISITORS COTTAGE NIGHTS MAY APR MAR FEB JAN DEC NOV OCT SEP AUG HORNBILL FRANCOLIN GUINEAFOWL

7 General 1. Reception has requested that all laundry items be clearly marked with bungalow numbers. Any unmarked items will be marked by our staff accordingly to avoid miss identification. The use of refuse bags serving as laundry bags is not ideal. Suitable and durable laundry bags are available from Reception at R3. each. Laundry bags should also be clearly marked with your bungalow number, please. 2. Maintenance continues to advise that they are in a position to assist with any painting required, especially interior painting, over and above their routine services provided. 3. Kindly be reminded of the remoteness of Ingwelala, and the substantial distances and travel time necessary to seek professional medical facilities in the case of an emergency. Please ensure that any guests travelling with you to the Reserve are fully aware of this and that persons on chronic or similar medication should plan sufficient supplies when visiting Ingwelala. Please also remember to consult your General Practitioner for advice on malaria prophylactics before visiting Ingwelala. 4. Updated Reserve maps are available in the Shop, detailing the new facilities and infrastructure changes (roads and picnic sites).. It is interesting to note how often bungalows are vacated after occupation where windows are left open and doors are not locked. This is brought to management s attention by the Ntomeni Rangers during their routine patrols through camp. This literally leaves the door wide open for baboons to enter and wreck the place. 6. John Lawrence recently returned from attending an in depth technical training course on solar design, installation and routine maintenance. Details of the in house services Ingwelala will be offering Members in this regard will follow in a dedicated communication in the new financial year (July ). 7. From time to time I appeal to all Members to review their personal circumstances and needs for what appears to me like a lot of spare vehicles house in the Workshop. Garaging is very limited and there are serious spatial challenges for further expansion. We should be working hard to reduce our footprint and impact. This is again one of those times that I appeal to Members to review your vehicle status and consider disposing any unused or retired game viewers. You are welcome to contact me directly in this regard for further assistance. 8. A reminder that the Shop is to undergo an internal make over during the next 4-6 weeks. This will entail maximising usage of available space. We are installing new shelving, pay point counters, screening, change cubicle and smart looking cabinets for important retail stock such as spirit liquor and cigarettes. Please bear with the staff during the fitting, apologies for any inconveniences and a potentially dusty environment 9. A Public Meeting for Interested and Affected Parties concerning the application to rebuild dams on the neighbouring Wilkens property was held in White River on 3 May. The meeting was well attended. Subsequently, Interested and Affected Parties are waiting for the new draft report to be compiled by the applicant s appointed environmental practitioners. Once this draft report is received, the information will be assessed and commented on. These comments will be reviewed and included in the final report submitted to the authorities for decision making.. If for any reason you are using your town vehicle for game viewing due to malfunction on your game viewer, please ensure you obtain temporary decals from Reception before traversing on Ingwelala so all vehicles are easily identifiable. 11. Kindly be reminded that tracker seats may no longer be used.. Progress on compiling the Member Survey is good. Bungalow Administrators will be contacted accordingly in due course (Internal Relations Committee). Thank you for your continued support. John Llewellyn Reserve Manager 7

8 Ingwelala Share Block Ltd. ANNEXURE 1 GRAPHS No. of Vehicles (per month) No. of Bungalows Occupied (per month) No. of Guests (per month)

9 Hornbill Occupancy (nights per month) Francolin Occupancy (nights per month) Guinaefowl Occupancy (nights per month)

10 No. of job cards opened (per month) Generator Hours (per month) Ground Water Extraction m 3 (combined boreholes per month)

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