This week Pumba's Ranger Diary tells of some interactions between Lion and Cheetah.
Ranger's Diary
11 January 2010
On Friday last week, some interesting interaction was noted, between the White Lion pride Lion pride and the Cheetah. The lion had encroached on the Cheetahs resting at a nearby water hole in the southern section of the reserve, which left them fleeing for our northern boundary.
This behavior is common particularly when it involves two species of predators which are in direct competition with one another, which often ends up in an animal being killed.
Though through sheer vigilance of the Cheetah the above mentioned did not happen. In systems where Cheetah occur in the same area as Lion, Lion contribute to a large portion of Cheetah mortalities.
The Thicket Biome is coming alive with colour as endless species of trees, such as the Spekboom and Plumbago are coming into full blossom, giving off magnificent displays of an array of Pinks and Blues. This is a preferred vegetation type, occurring within the boundaries of the reserve, of the breeding herd of Elephant that have been seen over the past week, weaving their way along the water course of the Cariega.
The Cape Buffalo, which are very shy at Pumba, were seen on four occasions enjoying a well deserved mud wallow in one of the watering holes in the northern section of the reserve. This they do not only to protect their bodies from the sun, but also as a means of cleansing the body of parasites.
Two really interesting birds have been noted flying in the reserve: the Eurasian Roller, which has migrated from Europe and North Africa to our South Coast, and the Red billed Oxpecker, which is a species introduced back into the Eastern Cape by bordering reserves. The Oxpecker plays an important role in ensuring that large ungulates and general plains game are kept clean of parasites and old skin. Once in a while it has been noted, them cleaning large ungulates ears, such as Rhinoceros.
Richard Pearse
(All images copyrighted to Pumba Private Game Reserve - used with permission)
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In the malaria-free Eastern Cape, Pumba Private Game Reserve provides an intimate African experience never to be forgotten.
The reserve is home to Africa’s Big 5, as well as white lion, hippo, hyena, cheetah, giraffe, wild dog, antelope species and an abundant 270 bird species.
Pumba offers a variety of accommodation at luxury game lodges.
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