Game Capture on Hlambanyathi....

Arriving at the boma, most of the work had been done by a very efficient game capture team. The team leader briefed the volunteers on what will be happening, how things should run and the dangers of the operation.

The helicopter started and volunteers scurried to get to the top of the game capture trucks to get the best view of the Burchell's Zebra (Equus burchelli) that will be the target of the day. Thirty to forty is the number they are looking for.  Myself and another staff member waited in anticipation to enter the boma, as we were helping at the curtain stations.


As the helicopter brought the zebra in, it seemed to be a lot of fun to be sitting in the helicopter instead of viewing it from below, and all I had to do was ask......

On the next refill I was picked up.

The reserve looks completely different from the air, as to what we are normally used to in our game drive vehicles. 

We managed to spot our two cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) cubs that was recently chased of by their mother from the air. This gives us a good idea of were to go and look, seeming one is supposed to be collared by now and selled to a neighbouring reserve.

Caracal (Caracal caracal) and a Bateleur's nest (Terathopius ecaudatus) was just some of the amazing stuff I saw out of the helicopter.

Finally we found our target, a group of eleven zebra. Slowly we herded them into the boma from about 1 km away. It is truly amazing how flexible these pilots make the helicopters seem. Effortless.

This was undoubtedly the best feeling I have ever had.

Ester van der Merwe
Base Manager
Hlambanyahti Game Reserve

Game Capture on Hlambanyathi....