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Rhino Make-over Day!
As we all know, these magnificent creatures have been facing a plight of poaching for many years, however in efforts to deter the unnecessary slaughter of our beloved rhinos we actively de-horn where needed.
The rhino horn is made of keratin which is the same material as fingernails or hair and holds no medicinal value at all. The horn grows from a growth plate and can be ‘trimmed’ multiple times throughout its life.
The process of de-horning is extremely efficient with our wildlife and veterinary teams usually only taking about 20 minutes to complete.
Even though it is a speedy process, it is also extremely costly and we do our best to encourage donations to continue this valuable work. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to our next adventure in the bush!
After a good rain!
Everything seems to have things to do and places to be!
We have had a lovely bit of rain in the last few days and oh has it energised the bush!!
Termites have taken flight, bees are harvesting pollen, birds are drying their wings and millipedes are moving house!
The roads also take a beating when the rain comes down heavily, with fine clay-like soil it becomes muddy and easily washes away. Being a part of the Ulwazi team we assist in combatting soil erosion and learning new methods of road maintenance.
Come get your hands dirty! if you would like to join us for our one of our 2019 courses, ask us how!
Bring on the Rain!
Summer is certainly here, temperature is hovering around 40 degrees Celsius and it’s not even noon!
This beauty dagga** boy has got the right idea. Elephant, rhino and warthog here at Thana will wallow in the mud to protect their sensitive skin from the harsh sun and any biting flies that may accompany that heat.
An important role for the wildlife team and volunteers is recording rain capture data. This is imperative to understand when we can intervene if the water holes become to dry. The rain data is also important to communicate to the guides at Thanda as many of the roads here are un-drivable in 10mm of rain!
This is one of many new rain meters our team is placing around Thanda to record and assess rainfall data.
Top photo: Amanda Lessard
Bottom photo: Marianna Venter
**Dagga boy is a term used for solitary bull buffalo that have been pushed from the main herd. Sometimes they join together in small numbers. Dagga is a term for mud. (umdaka- in Zulu)
Please contact us at ulwazi@thanda.co.za if you have any enquiries.
Summer fun…
Summer has arrived in Zululand and we are having some amazing sightings whilst out and about in the bush.
Everything, from spotted hyaena cubs to our lions and cheetahs, is putting its best foot foward for photographic opportunities.
The trees are in full leaf so everything is wonderfully green and lush, providing plenty of browse for the giraffe.
The elephants are having the best time playing in the waterholes whilst our warthog, rhino and buffalo (pictured below with a friend along for the ride!), are also fond of having a mud bath to cool off and rid themselves of parasites.
The birds, in their stunning breeding plumage, are giving us an amazing display of colour and sound.
All in all, a truly special time to be in the African bush…”Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you” Frank Lloyd Wright
