UNIQUE SAFARIS N OV - DEC 2012 Weather & Migration Photo courtesy of Joel Braunfeld November saw heavy rains in Northern Serengeti. Although most of the wildebeest herd had moved into the central Serengeti smaller, herds had remained behind to take advantage of the green vegetation. There were still occasional sightings of river crossing and many animals lost their lives in the swift current of the Mara River. By the end of November, northern Serengeti was virtually empty, as much of the migratory herd had moved on into the central Serengeti where they had scattered across the plains. There were however a few remaining herds of wildebeests and zebras along the Mara River. The area was green and the river had swelled due to the rains. On occasion there were vestiges of recent crossings, the river bloated with dead bodies, many that became stuck on stones, logs and river banks which in turn attracted hundreds of vultures and storks looking for a good meal. There was also heavy rains in the Loliondo Area which still hosted big herds of resident elands and other antelope as well as large herds of elephants, groups of giraffes and of course resident lions and the solitary leopards. By December, the game viewing in the Seronera Area was superb, especially along the Seronera River where it was thick with zebras and wildebeests. Mega herds were also clustered with Thompson and Grants Gazelles along the eastern side of central Serengeti towards the Gol Kopjes area. By the end of December most of the herds had reached deep into the central Serengeti and had even settled into the southern plains, mostly
P AGE 2 between Naabi Hill and Ndutu. Herds in the western corridor had travelled down as far as Kusini so that both the southern triangle and Kusini Plains seemed to be bursting at its seams with wildebeests and zebras. If the rains continue in this fashion, the calving season will peak by the third week in January. However, in the past few years, the rains have stopped for several weeks in January, disrupting the peak calving schedule and forcing the pregnant mothers to postpone the births. A simple break in the rain could pushback the calving peak by weeks. Rainfall was heavy in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as well as in Tarangire National Park. In fact, some of the roads became nearly impassable, with the Tarangire River overflowing making Kikoti Camp inaccessible and causing a few guests to be relocated to different accommodations. Although a nuisance to drive in, guests that braved the rains were rewarded with spectacular game viewing in Tarangire of large herds of elephants, buffalo, zebras and various birds including martial eagles, weavers, lilac breasted rollers, shrikes and bee eaters, to name a few. Lilac Breasted Roller Photo courtesy of Frank Walsh Red and Yellow Barbet Male Photo courtesy of Frank Walsh
P AGE 3 STORIES Lions Serengeti and Cubs After a memorable two days in Northern Loliondo, exploring some of the most incredible vistas Kogatende, Bologonja and the Lobo Valley, we left at sunrise, saying goodbye to our gracious staff and camp manager at Buffalo Luxury Camp. Our plan today was to visit the central Serengeti with hopes of spectacular cat viewings and we were not disappointed. As we were nearing the Seronera River, in the distance we saw a pride of lions surrounding a wildebeest kill along the road. We lifted our binoculars drinking in the sight of six lionesses and several male cubs feasting on the carcass. We did not see the pride male as he had more than likely been chased off from the kill by all the females. We enjoyed watching all the cubs jockeying for different choice areas of the beast, their little muzzles digging into the flesh and ripping at the meat. Their frenzied eating was in in stark contrast to their delicate feline features. It wasn t long before the cubs filled their bellies and began cleaning their fur while their mothers continued to eat. When everyone was full a lethargy seemed to overcome the pride and mothers and cubs alike licked themselves lazily, many dozing off near the half-eaten carcass. It is common for lions to be inactive for 20 hours out of the day, much like our own domesticated felines. Females rear their cubs together in a creche so as to be able to defend their cubs from potentially infanticidal males hoping to take over the pride. DID YOU KNOW Pride males must constantly keep a watchful eye on their territory as younger males will try to oust them and take over their territory. At stake are not only hunting grounds but breeding rights with the females. If a young male or coalition of males succeeds in taking over a pride, the first thing they will do is kill off all the cubs. Since the new male wants to impregnate the females with his genes, he must kill the cubs in order to induce the females to estrus. When this happens, females will to go into estrus as little as 12 hours from the time their cubs were killed. Nearly one quarter of cub death is attributed to infanticide.
P AGE 4 Photo courtesy of Andy Miller Ambushed Several zebras and wildebeests were grazing near a marsh in the Ndutu area. The sweltering afternoon heat had driven a few of the animals to escape and find some relief under the shade of an acacia tree. Unknown to the small group, a leopard was resting high above in the boughs watching the group below. His gaze became fixed on a zebra colt, who was grazing near its mother, not knowing the danger he was soon to encounter. The leopard became very still and slowly raised its body into a seating position. He sat motionless, waiting for the right time to attack. Suddenly, he dropped from the limb, his body freefalling, and his full weight crashing into the baby zebra. Surprised by the attack, animals scattered in every direction, with the exception of the baby zebra who had no chance to escape. It succumbed quickly to death under the powerful jaws of the leopard. Within minutes, he was dragging the carcass up into the same tree he had ambushed him.
P AGE 5 Elephants crossings in the Northern Serengeti were abundant in September and October. As seen above, great care is taken to help a young calf descend a small cliff. Older juveniles often help the young cross the river safely. Photo courtesy of Joel Braunfeld Rhino sightings, such as this one, have become more frequent in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater due in large part to increase in anti-poaching efforts over the last 15 years. Of the almost 200 lizard species recorded in Tanzania, none are venomous. Most commonly seen are the colorful agame lizards often seen sunning on a kopjes in the Serengeti. Those with a distinguishing eye for wildlife beyond the great migratory herds and big cats are struck by the beauty of even the smallest creatures like this flap necked chameleon. These chameleons have a prehensile tail, which means the tail can grasp and hold onto branches and other objects while it climbs. Photo courtesy of Barbara Fleming
P AGE 6 UMBRELLA ACACIA TREE Featured Tree With its unmistakable flat-topped and umbrella-like profile, the Umbrella Acacia tree is one of the Serengeti s most common and recognizable trees. But it is more than just a beautiful silhouette against the backdrop of the setting sun. It s Vital Role in the Serengeti s Eco-system The Acacia tree provides welcome shade for many animals, including elephants, buffalo, and various antelopes. During their respite from the hot sun, these animals cover the ground with their droppings, which in turn provides rich nutrients that are absorbed by the tree s roots and help it grow. The tree is home to many birds including colonies of weavers whose dangling nests seem like decorative ornaments. Every part of the tree is food source for animals and insects. The leaves are eaten by caterpillars, elephants, giraffes and rock hyraxes. The boughs are penetrated by beetle grubs that live for years digging intricate tunnel systems and feasting on the more nutritious sub-layer below the bark before emerging as adult beetles. When elephants break off the boughs to get to the leaves, the tunnels are exposed, making the grubs easily accessible for woodpeckers, shrikes and barbets. The tree also produces a cream colored flower during the early part of the year that is food for Vervet monkeys as well as nectar for butterflies and pollen for numerous beetles. Both bring about pollination ensuring the seeds will set which in turn will grow into pods once
P AGE 7 the flowers die. The attraction of all the insects provides additional food for various bird species and the pods become food for a certain beetle that lays its egg on the surface of the pod. Pods that survive the beetles dry up and eventually fall to the ground becoming food for impala and elephants. Not all the seed pods are completely digested by the elephants; some will just pass through their bodies helping ensure the progeny of the acacia. Dung beetles will collect the animal droppings that build up under the tree s shade and roll them into balls, pushing them out into the beyond where they will bury them into the grassland and lay a single each within each ball. Sometimes a seed is lodged within the dung and when the next rains come, the seed will germinate using what s left of the nutritious dung. The Acacia s Adaptations The acacia tree can live in places that reach up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. It can survive on as little precipitation as one inch of rainfall a year and as much as 47 inches. Its deep taproot system can go up to 115 feet underground, critical to helping it withstand the dry seasons. The umbrella shape of the tree helps it maximize the sunlight while the small leaves help reduce water loss during the sweltering days. The tree also produces long thorns that are home to small stinging ants which help ward of herbivores with the exception of the giraffe. Although, if too many of the leaves are being eaten by a giraffe, the tree will release tannins, making the leaves unpalatable to the giraffe and causing them to move on to another tree. Amazingly, the tannins are picked up by other acacias within 50 yards, causing them to also release tannins, essentially forcing the giraffe to move upwind, where the other DID YOU KNOW The acacia tree has been used for many things throughout man s existence. We use its seeds for food and eat the honey made from its flower. It is used to make Arabic gum in Senegal and Northern Nigeria. Parts of the tree can make charcoal, disinfectants, and is even used in perfumes. It was used as a cure for rabies in the 19th century by the Ethiopians and the Ancient Egyptians used it for painting. It is referenced in the Bible in the burning of its wood as incense and was used by the Israelites exclusively in the building of the tabernacle and its furniture, including the Arc of the Covenant. There are cultures that believe that the Acacia represents the soul and means resurrection during a funeral. acacias have not yet picked up the scent to release tannins. Today the acacia is being used to help green the deserts as it is one of the few trees to tolerate extremely harsh and arid environments. Sources: Neal, Ernest. On Safari in East Africa - A Background Guide. London; Harper Collins publishers, 1991.