Rare sightings at uMkhuze Game Reserve
Recent sightings include an aardvark and a striped polecat
PROCLAIMED 107 years ago, uMkhuze Game Reserve within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park continues to stun visitors with all it has to offer.
The wetland park authority said the drought which peaked in 2015 was one of the bleakest times for the game reserve, but that it has bounced back and wildlife sightings today are as good as ever.
After the initial reintroduction of lions to uMkhuze in 2013, two young males were recently brought in from Limpopo and, after some time in a boma to acclimatise, were last month released into the park.
These new residents were brought in to diversify the gene pool and strengthen genetics.
uMkhuze is also home to the critically endangered African wild dog, which are carefully managed by scientists to introduce new genetic lines to avoid inter-breeding.
To this end, uMkhuze regularly exchanges individuals with other host properties.
Surprisingly little is known about the spotted hyena which also resides in the park.
PHOTO: Andre Vorster
To obtain more information on this species, research is under way which will assist in managing the hyena.
An ongoing project by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has to date identified 56 individuals in uMkhuze.
A separate project focusing on carnivores should, through the use of 250 camera traps spread evenly throughout uMkhuze, provide the most comprehensive data yet on the distribution and density of this species.
Following last year’s donation of 30 elephants to Zinave National Park in Mozambique, uMkhuze is left with 106, which puts the reserve close to its maximum elephant population capacity.
To prevent over-breeding, 75% of the adult females last month received repeat contraceptives.
Two tortoise species occur in uMkhuze – the leopard and eastern hinged – which give the reserve its reputation of being well known for such sightings.
This year uMkhuze conservation staff have reported a higher than usual number of tortoise hatchlings.
This is a good sign, but visitors must be aware to not squash them on the roads.
Rare sightings recently seen include aardvark, a striped polecat and a fleeting glimpse of what is thought to have been a dwarf mongoose.
If this is so, it will be big news as this species is recorded as being extinct.
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