July!

Since the recent expedition members started in July the wildlife sightings have been incredible. I think luck was on our side in the first week as one group stumbled into an Aardvark (Orycteropus afer). I know people who have been in the African bush for years and still only seen tracks of these amazing animals. In terms of our focus wildlife, sightings have been memorable. We have seen the pride of Lions (Panthera leo) on a Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) kill with the 4 cubs clambering all over it, Leopard (Panthera pardus) in a tree with a kill, and Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) mating literally 3 metres in front of our eyes. You cannot get better than this for your first 3 weeks in South Africa. As a result of all these excellent sightings the data collected is contributing to ongoing research here at Karongwe. In between sightings we still find time to do our conservation work in the park which includes clearing and fixing roads, and mattress packing branches on eroded areas. All this helps with the management and ecotourism of Karongwe Game Reserve and is just another day in the life of one of our GVI expedition members.

Emma Sterling,
Research Assistant.

July!