October 2009 : Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania

The below rainfall distribution will give you a better perspective for specific locations across the property, and not an average for the entire concession as indicated in previous Journals.

•Sasakwa – Month 50 mm, Year to date 773 mm •Sabora – Month 55 mm, Year to date 878 mm •Faru – Month 14 mm, Year to date 569 mm •Samaki – Month 67 mm, Year to date 1008 mm •Risiriba – 18 mm, Year to date 725 mm •Samisami – 37 mm, Year to date 811 mm

Samaki is the scout camp situated on our far western boundary, Risiribi in the far northern reaches of Ikorongo (pictured to the right), and Samisami on our furtherest easterly point of the concession. The weather station at Lawatu provides the rainfall, temperature and wind readings for Sasakwa Hill.

LIFE AT FARU, SABORA AND SASAKWA

For most of the month, wildlife viewing in and around Sabora Tented Camp and Faru Faru Faru Lodge was as good as ever. The small pans at each lodge providing welcome relief for thirsty travellers. Migration numbers remained constant for the first half of October and slowly, after hearing and seeing storms in the distance, large herds began moving in the direction of the Serengeti National Park.  General wildlife numbers were as impressive as ever, especially on the plains around Sasakwa Lake where animals had a plentiful supply of water. This breeding herd of elephant have been wondering around the woodlands of Sasakwa Hill and have been an absolute highlight for most of the month. The herd comprises of approximately 120 individuals.

We had numerous Leopard sightings throughout the month; mainly in the evening when they are far more relaxed. This sub–adult male off Chui Drainage Line also featured in the August and Septembers Journals and is fast becoming more and more habituated. Despite his age, he is still frequently seen with his mother; recently spotted a mere 50 meters from him. She is still fairly skittish and keeps her distance in the day, or looks for cover when game viewers approach. We have taken several photos of her in the past, but unfortunately this month, after many hours searching we only had brief visuals of her once or twice. Adas was out early one morning when he came across another fairly relaxed young male leopard. He followed him for some time before losing him in the Grumeti River. This youngster is moving about in the middle of a much older male’s territory, a beast of a leopard who we saw quite often this month, especially at night in the vicinity of Faru Far Lodge.

HONEYMOONERS

Adas was again on hand to describe another fantastic sighting near Faru, this time accompanied by guests. “We had coffee at the lodge before heading into the field. One of my guests spotted the honeymooners roaming around the Southern side of the lodge. We decided to follow them in hope of seeing them mate. The female comes into heat and advertises to the male by constantly approaching him and waiting for his receptive activity. She calls and scent marks and rubs up against him or on the ground. The male’s behavior is totally disrupted and he eventually will succumb to her advances, the result a very short, but powerful mating experience. This will last for 4-5 days, a process that is necessary because of his low fertility levels”.

THE BATTLE OVER TERRITORY

Will the lone male cheetahs ever conquer territory over the coalition partners in Singta Grumeti Reserves? In the Serengeti ecosystem, where only 4% of all lone male cheetahs have ever held a territory, I guess the answer is no. Being an inhabitant of open country, diurnal and often seen in groups, cheetah are supposed to be social carnivores.

The groups we see are mothers with sub-adult cubs, young adult siblings recently separated from their mother or coalitions of males. This month, right on Sasakwa Plains, some of us witnessed the slaughter of one of the sub-adult male cheetah that has just separated from his mother for a couple of days. He was killed by the two coalition partners in what was considered to be a territory intrusion. The mother has been seen with the same two male we think there could have been a mating scenario in progress.Within fifty meters of the dead cheetah, the killers were lying, watching to make sure that the he was actually dead, and possibly to make sure his mother did not come to him.

Pictured here is the young male on the left with his mother a few days before his slaughter. For a while now it has been known that of all the cheetah males resident in the Serengeti 41% live alone, 40% live in pairs and the rest live in larger groups. Yet only 4% of single males ever hold territory. Young males are never territorial because body size and age are important criteria which determine whether a male cheetah will become territorial or not. Consequently a young adult male will only be able to hold a territory when he is unusually large for his age group”.

ACTION AT SASAKWA LAKE

Our resident lion prides have been very successful in several hunts around the lake and on more than one occasion were chased off their kills by crocodiles. Drag marks leading from carcasses into the lake have been noticed, so despite seeing one or two live kills by the crocodiles, it is apparent that many of their meals are obtained from carcasses left by lion.

FIELD TRIP TO KOGATENDE

On one of our quieter days, Saitoti led a field trip with a number of the guiding department to the Serengeti National Park. Kogatende is situated in the far northern parts of the Serengeti, an area very well know for wildebeest migration crossings over the Mara River. The team were hoping to witness a crossing or two, but the migration was north of the river. They did however see loads of hippo and a few of the renowned monster crocodiles who feast on the migration annually.

BABOON SPIDERS

Baboon Spiders are easily recognized by their large size, strong, hairy bodies and the thick pad of hair on the last two segments of their legs. Grant Burden found this beautifully silk lined burrow and gently fished out the spider from inside with a piece of grass. The burrows are constructed with the spiders specially developed fangs and pedipalps, and are fairly deep, protecting them from high temperatures. The burrows can be found in various grassland and savanna woodland.

The silk lining extends beyond the entrance and is sometimes camouflaged by leaves and foliage. The spiders are predominantly nocturnal and wait for prey to walk close to the burrow entrance. The spider uses sensory detection systems picking up air currents left by crawling prey species, or by sound and vibration on the extended silk lining. Prey are ambushed and dragged into the burrow. Their prey consists of anything from small insects, locusts, ants and other arachnids (spiders, solifuges and scorpions).

Baboon spiders themselves are preyed on by several species including Honey baggers, shrews, mice, baboons and many bird species. They defend themselves by delivering nasty venomous bites from large fangs. They produce neurotoxic venom and bites to humans are extremely painful. Bites will cause nausea, vomiting and shock, but are never fatal. Grant exercised extreme caution by not making any sudden movements, and the spider was returned to its burrow.

SCADOXUS MULTIFLORUS

This beautiful Fireball Lily is seen frequently after burns, especially on rocky surfaces with well drained soils. Scadoxus used to be included in the genus Haemanthus, translated to blood flower, from haima (blood) and anthos (flower). The bulbs contain Lycorine, which inhibits protein synthesis or the process where cells build proteins, and other alkaloids and are poisonous if eaten, but cause only low toxicity. We wait in eager anticipation for the short rains that traditionally fall in mid to late November, and look forward to another months fantastic viewing at Singita Grumeti Reserves.

Stuart Levine Singita Grumeti Reserves Serengeti, Tanzania 31st October 2009