RESERVE REPORT

JUNE 2015 Introduction Ingwelala’s Conservation Intern, Paige Ezzey, shares the following facts on the African Fish Eagle:

Pictures courtesy Charlie Lynam.

The Call of the Fish Eagle, the “voice of Africa”

If you have been around Ingwelala camp recently, you would have heard one of the most beautiful

sounds in the African Bush, the call of the iconic African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer). You may

have noticed that they are calling very frequently during this time of the year, and wondered why

this could be.

The answer is that the breeding season of the Fish Eagle falls over the dry season. Fish Eagles have

an elaborate breeding display, where the pair performs dramatic, aerial falls and dives, all while

their talons are interlocked, as if in a romantic dance. The calling and duetting you hear in camp is

all part of this mating behavior.

African Fish Eagles are monogamous, which means that the pair, one male and one female, mate

and stay together for life, raising more than one brood of chicks repeatedly in a single nest. The

nests are built in trees next to water and are made from sticks, papyrus heads, bulrushes and

sometimes material from other bird nests. The pair will remain together, even outside of the

breeding season and will even share carcasses.

The female lays two to three eggs, which are incubated by both parents for roughly 44 days before

hatching. Unlike in many other bird of prey species, Fish Eagle chicks do not practice siblicide and

both chicks are usually raised to adult hood if conditions are favourable.

The Shepherd’s tree (Boscia albitrunca) is an easy tree to identify on your travels around the Reserve, especially in the northern reaches of Buffelsbed and Sibon. In Afrikaans it is known as Witgat and in Venda as Muvhombwe.

Boscia albitrunca (Shepherd’s tree)

Boscia albitrunca is a specially protected tree in South Africa, and an important food source to browsers such as nyala, kudu and giraffe. It is heavily browsed on Ingwelala and that is why specimens in this land scape are mostly stunted in growth, in a way its appearance is almost “Bonsai” like.

Shepherd’s tree (on the right) in the Ingwelala land scape (Knobthorn on the left)

The trunk is light coloured, whitish, smooth and without stems. “Albitrunca” refers to the white trunk. The leaves are evergreen grey-green and the crown is usually rounded. Flowers are clustered and yellow-green may occur from July to November. The root system is exceptionally deep. See image of leaf configuration below:

The Shepherd’s tree prefers the drier parts of our country with lower rainfall. In semi-desert regions it contributes a critical part of suitable habitat for mammals providing much needed shade, lowering the ambient temperature considerably. The image below depicts the thick woodiness and dense leaves which provide year-round shade.

Boscia is part of the family Capparaceae which is the caper family.

Shepherd’s trees are good for urban gardens, being drought-resistant, hardy and easy to grow from cuttings.

Facts researched off the Internet. Words and pictures by John Llewellyn.

Grewia spp.

Whilst currently driving around the Reserve, I have noticed an interesting observation regarding elephant utilization of Grewia spp. (raison bush). During the dry winter months the breeding herds of elephants usually move off Ingwelala to range along the riparian areas. It is the bulls that remain in the mopane veld during these times and by August partially feed on the raison bushes, kicking and uprooting the raison bushes to predominantly ingest the roots.

What I have noticed is the presence of many breeding herds, continuing to range on Ingwelala because of the water availability along the Nhlaralumi River. This provides easy access to riparian vegetation, but there is also considerable utilization of raison bush. However, what I am noticing is that the breeding herds don’t uproot the plant, they are preferring to feed off the stems and branches.

As management practices selective bush clearing of Grewia it could be that the breeding herds are “doing the veld a favour” and by impacting on the Grewia helping to “thin out” the bush and assist in maintaining a healthier balance between grass swards and woody communities?

This is a superficial observation, and in no way a scientific based statement, just a thought that I share with you. Only further observations in time will point towards the result and the natural drivers.

ANTHRAX is a prevalent (bacterium) disease in the Lowveld. In late June there were two confirmed cases of Anthrax in the Umbabat, one buffalo and one kudu. You can assist us by reporting any animals with the symptoms described below or any fresh carcasses to Reception or the Gate. Anthrax suspected carcasses must be burned ASAP. Before burning, blood samples are collected for the local State Vet.

To assist you understand more about ANTHRAX, the following explanation by Dr Mark Dittberner is published once again for your perusal:

Anthrax has a worldwide distribution and is caused by a bacterium (Bacillus anthracis) resulting in a non-contagious disease that can affect wildlife, domestic animals and humans. Anthrax is the only disease in the KNP and its surrounds that kills its host in order to survive. Species susceptibility to anthrax varies with herbivores (primary hosts) being more susceptible than carnivores (secondary or spill over hosts). Towards the end of dry seasons, crowding occurs around waterholes and remaining green patches, and micronutrients are lacking in diets. This causes a loss of physical condition, and the resulting stress decreases immunity, rendering an animal prone to disease. Herbivores are infected following ingestion of a sufficient number of spores, which germinate and enter the animal’s tissues through abrasions in the pharynx or lower gastrointestinal tract. These abrasions are a result of grazing on tough, ‘scratchy’ textured forage in dry periods. Once in the host animal’s tissues the bacteria make their way into the bloodstream, causing a septicaemia, resulting in rapid death of the host. Clotting is inhibited by the terminal septicaemia, and bacteria rich blood oozes from the orifices of dead animals. Once in contact with oxygen the bacteria form spores that ensure the survival of the organism in the environment for 60-200 years. Predators and scavengers play a role in dissemination of bacteria and spores by opening carcasses, dragging around portions of meat and ingesting spores which are later widely distributed in their faeces. Vultures that have fed on carcasses visit watering holes and contaminate the water by defecating in it or by washing their bodies. Vultures may however, help in curtailing the disease by disposing of carcasses. Blowflies play an important role in the spreading of spores. They feed on opened and unopened carcasses, and when disturbed, fly to nearby vegetation. Here they deposit faecal or oral droplets containing high numbers of bacteria and spores. These droplets are typically deposited on vegetation at one to three meters above ground level and this coincides with the height at which kudu feed. This may be the reason for the high incidence of disease in kudu. Water and soil are mechanical carrier media. Spores are found in the upper few centimeters of soil and in the sediment of water catchment areas. These areas serve as sources for later anthrax outbreaks or epidemics. Control Anthrax is endemic in many wildlife regions and control of this disease is debatable as it is seen as the perfect culling mechanism by some. Intervention is recommended under certain circumstances when endangered species are threatened or free animal movement restricted. Control measures include burning or covering carcasses, replacing natural waterholes with concrete troughs which can be disinfected, burning of contaminated vegetation and vaccination of susceptible animals. Vaccination of wildlife has improved and biodegradable projectiles containing the vaccine are currently used. References or more information on request

From the Board The following item arises from the recent Board Meeting and is in addition to the Chairman’s most recent general communication to Members dated 03 July 2015.

1. The Entrance Gate is in need of an upgrade which is planned to coincide with the rethatching of the roof. It is anticipated that several structural changes will take place to create a gate way we can be proud of. The architectural style will ideally follow the theme of the new administration complex in order to maintain its signature styling.

The design concept is in its infancy stages. The bungalows immediately adjacent to the Gate are considered the neighbours to these company buildings. They will be consulted individually to comply with due process and uphold the spirit of the Building Regulations. The Building Committee is requesting members to provide suggestions, comment and feedback in a participative manner to understand what may be the Member needs at the Gate? Low key, high key, information boards, dispensing machines (e.g. snacks and cold drinks), wood are some examples? What will work for you? Your feedback is welcomed and can be addressed directly to John Llewellyn at reception@ingwelala.co.za

Climate and rainfall (summary) Rainfall: Nil Minimum temperature: 04 degrees Celsius. Maximum temperature: 32 degrees Celsius.

The following graph summarises total rainfall recor ded at Ingwelala for the month of June over the pas t 31 years.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

MM

June 1984 - 2015

RAINFALL

(Note: June 2015: Nil rainfall is below the monthly average of 3.5mm) Staff complement Reserve Manager (1) Conservation Manager and 2iC (1) Camp and Systems Manageress (1) Front Desk Manageress (1) Accounts Manageress (1) Workshop Manager (1) Maintenance Manager (1) Reception and Housekeeping (1) Field Assistants (7) Grounds staff (2)

Domestics (15) Maintenance Assistants (5) Workshop Assistants (5) Petrol and Stores Attendant (1) Shop assistants (2) Sibon (2) Conservation Intern (x1) Staff Movement Nil. Bungalows for sale There are currently no bungalows for sale. Conservation Alien plant eradication To be continued in September when the new growth season commences, this relates to more efficient herbicide absorption by the plant. Veld Rehabilitation Selective bush thinning will recommence after the first summer rains when the soil softens up. Erosion Control Whenever possible, and ongoing, the conservation team continues to address erosion measures in the camp, aligning road drainage and recovering washed soil around bungalows, entrance roads and mitre drains. In this regard work was recently carried out at Bungalow # 208. Roads, tracks and airstrip The Massey Ferguson tractor was replaced with a previously owned 4x4 New Holland purchased. The Ford tractor is not yet repaired, the cylinder head was machined and when replaced is still mixing oil and water. Workshop is attending to the fault. Considerable effort was put into firebreak preparation on the northern boundary with KNP, grading and cutting back encroaching vegetation. 70% of the road verges on Goedehoop are cleared of encroaching branches. Gratitude is expressed to the volunteer ‘WORK PARTY” who assisted conservation staff mid-month. The airstrip surface continues to be inspected on a weekly basis and general condition recorded in a register. Any identified hazards are removed. All airstrip users are reminded to complete (once off) an Ingwelala Airstrip Indemnity Form before landing. Indemnity forms are obtainable from reception@ingwelala.co.za Guest pilots must also complete the form. Fencing In order to improve the fence efficiency even more, a third energizer was installed during the latter part of June in the vicinity of the old number three reservoir on Argyle. The fence now has three sections, each can be isolated when there is a break, meaning the remaining fence sections are operational and a deterrent when conducting repairs and maintenance. Prior to the fence upgrade there were seven breaches by elephants. Hides, Bomas and Picnic Sites Work commenced on treating the walk way timber at Elephant Pan Hide. Unfortunately the compressor ran a bearing, under repair, so will work resume during July.

A TLB was hired to trench in the river bed below Aloe Ridge. This was necessary to reinstate the water pipe from the Platform borehole that supplies the water point below the ridge. This task was timed to coincide with the rapid diminishing natural water pools in the river bed. Game sightings In terms of game sightings, both breeding herds of elephants and bachelor groupings remain plentiful, one bull elephant a frequent camp fence breaker, enjoying foraging in camp at night and exiting early morning. Buffalo herds, the largest numbering 200 individuals, continue to enjoy the veld and water availability on Buffelsbed. The frequency of lion sightings has been disappointing, when comparing the frequency of hearing them at night. Leopard sightings are plentiful with the full spectra of females with cubs, mating pairs, scent marking, stalking and kills hoisted into trees.

Wild dogs were seen once near the Ntsiri airstrip.

General game sightings included giraffe, waterbuck, zebra, kudu, nyala, impala, steenbuck, warthog, honey badger, porcupine, small spotted genet, civet, side striped jackal, spotted hyena and hippo.

Bird sightings reported were Fish Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, Tawny Eagle, White-Headed Vulture, Dark chanting Goshawk, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl and Saddle-billed Stork. An interesting sighting was a Vulture and a Tawny Eagle having a scrap over a Black Mamba. It is not often that a Black Mamba is the one being eaten!

Security

CCTV cameras were installed at the Entrance Gate. Road Kills X 1 Southern yellow-billed Hornbill. General Fire Risk Management All fire-fighting equipment checked on a weekly basis and on stand-by for an emergency. Fire tender (F1) driven on a weekly basis. Boundary fire breaks with the KNP cleared and completed (See under Roads and Tracks above). Umbabat The Control Gate Company (CGC) completed the re-seal the original section of the sand sealed entrance road. Please note the speed limit on the re-sealed section is 40kph until further notice.

The legal leopard and buffalo hunts in the UWCA (Umbabat Wilderness Conservation Area) were successfully completed.

The Umbabat Warden attended a Game Reserves United (GRU). The GRU is gaining considerable momentum and is an integral part to general security within the Lowveld private nature reserves. It is fully supported by WESSA and SANPARKS. This cooperative management approach is essential to the SANPARKS Buffer Zone Policy.

Please Google www.gamereservesunited.co.za (or .com or .org) to understand more about its role.

Water reticulation Yield data for the boreholes is reflected in the fol lowing table, comparative with previous months.

BOREHOLE JUN15

MAY 15

APR 15

MAR 15

FEB 15

JAN15

DEC 14

NOV 14

OCT 14

SEP 14

BH NO 1 0 0 0 8 0 49 61 123 104 189 BH NO 2 899 955 850 749 812 814 1035 599 981 684 BH NO 3 360 211 164 319 283 141 159 236 260 545 BH NO 4 820 614 787 781 163 502 726 670 824 678 BH NO 5 229 92 324 251 265 169 335 308 313 264 BH NO 6 1332 1004 662 1156 1063 739 472 381 1098 1213 BH NO 7 739 717 686 693 765 555 335 352 759 799 BH NO 9 Solar Solar Solar Solar Solar Solar Solar Solar Solar Solar J.B 382 205 176 236 188 61 173 218 244 164 GOODEHOOP 0 270 342 438 373 488 471 466 463 634 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 (K wh) for Ingwelala.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Eskom Kwh

Workshop

WORKSHOP

JUN 15

MAY 15

APR 15

MAR 15

FEB 15

JAN 15

DEC 14

NOV 14

OCT 14

SEP 14

JOB CARDS OPENED 56 42 60 59 34 56 92 45 39 54

JOB CARDS CLOSED 40 31 56 58 45 33 87 46 38 50

GENERATOR HOURS 11.8 23.6 16.3 9.6 32.8 10.8 22.6 20.5 4.1 9.7

DIESEL TANK (L) 725 850 675 420 550 1100 1115 950 1120 1250 COMMENTS: There were 28 job cards open as at 30.06.15. Vehicles and Workshop The general fleet and static plant maintenance is 100% compliant with the servicing schedule. The Ford tractor remains out of commission after the cylinder head was machined and returned, the problem persists, Workshop attending to the matter. The Massey Ferguson tractor was replaced with a previously owned 4x4 New Holland tractor. The Nissan LDV (M1) used for gas, laundry and Sibon deliveries is due for replacement. A previously owned diesel Hilux LDV was purchased for the Maintenance Manager. Building projects Current (major) building projects are listed below:

Bung No Name Work requested Approval Builder %

Complete 55 Russell Spring Rebuild Approved Dec 14 Chameleon 95% 142 Colleen Fox Maintenance (patio) Approved June 2015 Chameleon 10% 175 Bruce Tate Re-thatch Approved April 15 Chameleon 75% 196 Chris Knight Bathroom Ext, Re-thatch Approved May 15 Not selected 0% 184 Paul Nash Maintenance (deck and roof) Approved June 2015 Chameleon 10%

Bungalows (known) working towards building approval for various scopes of work include #44, # 71, and #161. Reception Statistics

GATE STATISTICS

JUN 15 MAY

15 APR 15

MAR 15

FEB 15

JAN 15

DEC 14

NOV 14

OCT 14

SEP 14

VEHICLES 279 176 393 184 133 127 374 146 196 279

MEMBERS GUESTS 869 446 1186 499 371 351 1138 413 601 798

UNACCOMP GUESTS 32 29 40 24 5 13 25 4 37 42

UNITS OCCUPIED 165 138 222 116 90 149 193 90 125 153

AIRBORNE VISITORS 12 6 6 6 1 6 6 4 4 8

General 1. Ron Hopkins, who authored “Ingwelala – The First 30 Years” requested I communicate the following note of

apology:

Dear Member, I regret to advise that there was a snag with the list of Directors which was published in the book; Ingwelala the first 30 years. I am not sure how this happened but apologize for the error. Below is an updated Director list which hopefully now contains all the Directors appointed during the first 30 years. This will be corrected in the next print. Once again, my sincere apologies. Regards Ron Hopkins

2. Ingwelala welcomes the Marsh and Oliver families in Bungalow # 199, wishing them many enjoyable and

memorable visits to Ingwelala. 3. The relevant Insurer reminds Members of the following requirement/obligation when any LPG gas work is

undertaken at bungalows. New legislation prescribes that gas cylinders may no longer be stored under a thatch eve. Gas cylinders must be housed a minimum three metres away from the dwelling:

COTTAGE NIGHTS

JUN 15 MAY

15 APR 15

MAR 15

FEB 15

JAN 15

DEC 14

NOV 14

OCT 14

SEP 14

HORNBILL 16 7 20 12 5 6 16 3 13 21

FRANCOLIN 12 3 13 6 8 1 22 13 11 18

GUINEAFOWL 8 2 12 14 3 0 9 8 4 13

• Where LPG installations comply with the old requirements and have existing COCs, there is no need to move them.

• Where there are any modifications to existing LPG installations, these need to then be moved to comply with the new requirements and have a new COC.

• There may appear to be some “grey” areas surrounding the definition of “modification” but the advice is to rather err on the side of caution and comply with the new regulations, unless it is absolutely clear that it is unnecessary.

• Any new LPG installations need to comply with the new legislation requirements.

Thank you for your continued support. John Llewellyn Reserve Manager Ingwelala Share Block Ltd

ANNEXURE1: GRAPHS

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

No. of Vehicles (per month)

2013

2014

2015

0

50

100

150

200

250

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

No. of Bungalows Occupied (per month)

2013

2014

2015

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

No. of Guests (per month)

2013

2014

2015

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Hornbill Occupancy (nights per month)

2013

2014

2015

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Francolin Occupancy (nights per month)

2013

2014

2015

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Guinaefowl Occupancy (nights per month)

2013

2014

2015

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

No. of job cards opened (per month)

2013

2014

2015

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Generator Hours (per month)

2013

2014

2015

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Ground Water Extraction m 3

(combined boreholes per month)

2013

2014

2015