WILDLIFE REPORT SINGITA GRUMETI TANZANIA

For the month of March, Two Thousand and Twenty Temperature Rainfall Recorded Sunrise & Sunset Average minimum: 18°C (64°F) Faru Faru 190 mm Sunrise 06:46 Average maximum: 28°C (82°F) Sabora 149 mm Sunset 18:50 Minimum recorded: 16°C (60°F) Sasakwa 118 mm Maximum recorded: 31°C (87°F) March has been a challenging month but has provided us with spectacular wildlife viewing. It has, as one would expect, remained reasonably wet for the most part and the Grumeti River went from a gentle sweep to a raging torrent where the water burst its banks on a number of occasions. We have had some lovely wildlife up on the higher ground of the Nyati plains and the Nyasirori area with great numbers of Thompsons gazelle, zebra and eland. Herds of elephants peruse the thickets on the drainage lines adjacent to the high ground and lion, leopard and cheetah are never too far away. We have again experienced some fantastic cat sightings this month - from cheetah hunting on the plains, tree climbing lions and big shy male leopards that stare down at you from their perch with a wild intensity in their eyes.

Here’s a sightings snapshot for March: Lions

• We have seen lions daily on the reserve this month. Prides viewed include the Nyasirori, Butamtam, Mkuyu and Ridge prides.

• Both the Nyasirori and Mkuyu prides made multiple buffalo kills this month.

• Great sightings of the Nyasirori lions up in the trees west of Sabora.

• Two lionesses split temporarily from the Nyasirori pride and have given birth to four cubs.

• The Butamtam youngsters continue to do very well despite the tough conditions. Leopards

• There are currently three different leopardesses each with two cubs, all active within a 6 Sq. Km area from Faru Faru, the Grumeti North Hill and along the Grumeti River.

• We have experienced some fantastic sightings of the mother with two six-month-old daughters.

• Three very shy leopards were observed on the property this month. The first on the Nyasirori drainage line, a second on the Mbogo drainage and the third on the Raho drainage.

Cheetahs

• Some good cheetah sightings this month in the western areas of the reserve.

• A male cheetah was seen hunting on three occasions just west of Sabora.

• Up on the Nyasirori high ground a mother with a single cub of 11 months has been seen a number of times.

• The Sasakwa plains male was seen on two occasions in the Pundamilia Ridge region. Elephants

• March has been very good for elephant sightings with the return of great numbers to Sasakwa Dam.

• Elephants are still traversing large distances and are widely distributed. We’ve enjoyed many sightings down on the Grumeti River and on the Raho drainage, south of Sabora.

• A highlight was watching bull elephants swimming in Sasakwa Dam. What a pleasure to see!

Hyenas

• The hyenas have been very active this month especially in the central regions and the south west.

• The Nyasirori area remains a hot spot area with active den-sites.

• The Marsh area, east of Arab Camp hill has also offered good hyena viewing and two known den-sites.

Buffalo

• Lovely herds of buffalo continue to hold out on the grass plains.

• Buffalo viewing here on the Grumeti is always spectacular no matter what time of year. With the general population growth being incredibly encouraging.

Rhinos

• The rhino continue to do very well and are establishing themselves nicely in the Ikorongo region.

• The animals seem to be settling well into more defined ranges which is great to see.

• Conditions have not been easy for them with all the rains and swollen drainage lines.

• The Ikorongo area is for the most part inaccessible currently due to the conditions and sightings have not been frequent, however, the Conservation team on the ground are always close by and we have had some wonderful feedback on the rhinos’ progress.

Some exciting and informative Bush Stories follow, as well as the March Gallery of images.

Elephants on the plains Nature can offer unequivocal experiences, each one unique and special in its own way. Watching a herd of elephants roll across the open grasslands, towards the waterhole to quench their thirst and swim, is absolutely magical. These are one of these moments that nature has to offer that simply blows you away. Initially the animals bunch a little tighter together as they stroll into the open. The youngsters are ushered gently into the centre of the herd whilst the adults hold a protective form. On they surge, through the tall grasses, a little quicker now as to cover open ground and make it to the treeline close to the waterhole. Then, the excitement builds as the herd nears the water, the animals break formation and begin to relax. Having anticipated the herds movements from afar, you have selected your viewing spot and positioned yourself perfectly. The herd has now arrived, moving gently passed your position. Youngsters jostle with a cheeky manner and tusk each other’s rumps playfully as they go by. One of the elders offers you an inquisitive look and comes a little closer, but quite content that you are no threat, she continues on by in peaceful motion. Close to water now, the elephants struggle to contain themselves, opening their stride as excited shrieks and trumpets escape from them. Gathering at the water’s edge the elephants drink, two young bulls tussle on the banks whilst another older bull makes his way between the herd and dashes straight into the water.

The hippo move off gently and allow the bull some space but continue to watch as the elephant proceeds to lunge, fully committed, into the water, rolling from left to right, fully submerged, having the time of his life! His excitement appears infectious as others look on, spraying water with their trunks on themselves and one another. What an incredible display of animal behaviour, from start to finish, the complexities of these creatures’ social structure and thought processes. An amazing time spent with this herd of elephants and may we be privileged to encounter many more just like it because I can assure you, it never gets old! A golden orb

The golden orb spiders fall within the genus Nephila which originates from Greek meaning “fond of spinning” and this they truly are! During the summer rains you will see the golden webs in the bushes and trees all over the grasslands of the Grumeti Reserve. These golden webs are incredibly impressive and so is the spider that sits in the middle. The banded-legged golden orb (Nephila senegalensis), on average, will reach the size of a beer mat and may prey on numerous insects that are trapped in her sticky web. Spiders are incredibly important to the ecosystem as they are one of the greatest consumers of insects and thus regulate insect populations. The yellow webs shining gold in the sunlight are remarkable. One of the reasons for this is the composition of the proteins of which the web is formed. Carotenoids are the main contributors to this yellow colour. These are essentially yellow

organic pigments which can also be found in various plants and vegetables such as corn, butternut and crotalaria flowers. The vibrant yellow/golden colour of the silk strands in sunlight may appeal to insects, drawing them in to the web. In low level light or shaded areas, the colour may allow the web camouflage and reduce the possibility of the spider being predated on by various spider hunting wasps. Amazingly, through history, there have been several incidents recorded of the golden silk being collected to make garments of clothing! Fisherman have been known to collect the silk of large webs which are modified into intricate shapes and then thrown into the water to catch small fish species. Spiders as a whole, are incredibly well specialized creatures as well as absolutely fascinating. The silk webs are said to be, pound for pound, mechanically stronger than steel! The human race has for many years invested a lot of time and effort to replicate this very special material but thus far have been unsuccessful. There are close to 8 000 species of spider that have been recorded on the continent of Africa all of which have adapted different mechanisms in order to survive under varying conditions. Next time you are out and about in nature, cast an eye over you friendly neighbourhood spiders, and see how unique each and all really are. March Gallery

A Sasakwa Hill leopardess. She was seen to be lactating and we believe she has cubs somewhere on the

southern slopes of Sasakwa Hill.

The Grumeti North leopardess and her two daughters.

A herd of elephants roll across the plains to Sasakwa Dam to drink.

The Sabora male cheetah walks the grasslands in search of prey.

A Nyasirori lioness guards her kill so that her four cubs can feed.

Mkuyu lionesses scan the grasslands ahead close to the Grumeti River.

The lovely African hoopoe.

A young Verreaux’s eagle owl calls to its mother in the early morning on the Sabora drainage.

The spur–winged lapwing at Sasakwa Dam.

All pictures taken by George Tolchard unless otherwise indicated.