Web report by Wim Van Schie (Team Wetlands)
The weekend took place at Pilanesberg. Due to a visit from the resident elephants, we did not stay at Potokwane camp as normal, because the perimeter fence was not secure. So the decision was made, for us to camp at the old HO area within the Manyane campgrounds. On Friday evening, the weekend formally started with the test for Veld Management, after which Jeremy Anderson and Bevan Richards, the coordinators, took us through the programme for the weekend.
The adept Ulrich Oberprieler presented Saturday morning lectures in the education centre. As in our session on Ecology with him, he again shared his vast knowledge and passion for nature. As the weekend was about mammals, he took us through the mammal lecture programme.
After the morning session, prior to lunch, we were split into two groups. Each group was assigned one of two tables set up in the camping area with various skeletal items, mainly mammals, with a few red herrings thrown in to challenge our identification skills. The two groups rotated between the tables, and at the end of a timed period, each group was given the opportunity to give their feedback on the identification exercise.
After the lunch break, each eco group was given specific tasks to identify five mammal species within the reserve, observe and record their behaviours, and select one mammal species for observation for a period of 15 minutes and log the behaviour during this time period. We then convened back at the camping site in Manyane and presented the exercise’s results to the coordinators and guests from the CPU unit. Thereafter, we all enjoyed a sociable evening around the fire.
Sunday morning started around 05h00 as we prepared breakfast and readied to leave for the bushwalk around Malatse dam. Again, the group was split into two, and we were led into the bush accompanied by members of the CPU. They guided us in the identification of spoor and areas used by mammals as middens and areas that showed signs of animal activity for either foraging, resting, etc.
Once we arrived back at the Malatse Dam parking area, we departed for Manyane camp, where we debriefed on the walk and summarised what we had covered over the weekend.
Thereafter, we packed up our campsites, said our goodbyes until the next module, and left Pilanesberg after spending a particularly special time in the bush together with the 24/25 group, BM coordinators, and CPU members. It was really special…
Ed’s Note: Thanks to Wim for this report on an eventful weekend. With some really good observations.