Askari Wilderness Conservation Programme August 2023 Newsletter
The Askari Wilderness Conservation Programme's August 2023 newsletter highlights the team's encounters with endangered wild dogs, upgrades to the conservation area including the building of a waterhole, unique wildlife sightings like a giraffe eating bones, and observations of Matabele ants. Volunteers from various countries joined the conservation efforts, contributing to the ongoing projects aimed at protecting the wildlife and habitats in the area.
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ASKARI WILDERNESS CONSERVATION PROGRAMME The Askarian August 2023 http://www.askariwcp.com Coming up Sighting of the month Askari upgrades Giraffe eating bones? Matabele ants Zebra release Lion dynamics contd THE MONTH IN VIEW The Askari team took some leave in the first half of August and then were joined by a new group of volunteers later in the month. Volunteers were from Portugal, Switzerland and France. Sighting of the month The sighting of the month belongs to the endangered wild dog. While out on drive conducting a herbivore age and sex count, the team came across three wild dogs in the road. They were scent marking their territory along the road and then proceeded to move off very quickly, presumably to hunt. We followed them for as long as possible before they disappeared into the bush. Remember to Like the Askari Facebook page to receive daily sightings and project updates to your news feed. Click HERE Pg1
The Askarian August 2023 Askari Upgrades In last months newsletter we reported on some bush clearing and brush packing that took place (seebelow photos). The clearing was conducted directly in front of the Askari house and forms part of a bigger project, which is the building of a small concrete waterhole. The idea here is to try increase the animal sightings around the house, especially on weekends when we have some down time to relax in the Askari garden. To date we have done two bush clearing events and we have also started to dig the trench for the water pipe. The next phase will include the laying of the actual pipe and then the construction of the concrete water hole. We hope to complete the project in the next two weeks. Stay tuned for some epic animal photos taken from the Askari garden! Digging the trench (above) and clearing bush (below) Pg2 Follow us on Instagram for the pick of our TOP photos @askariwcp
The Askarian August 2023 Giraffe eating bones? We recently had a very interesting sighting of a giraffe eating a large bone (seephoto). Giraffes are classified as herbivores, specifically browsers. This means they focus on feeding on leaves, soft shoots and fruits/flowers of woody plants. Why then was this giraffe feeding on a bone? Most vegetation that herbivores eat lack sufficient amounts of phosphorus and calcium. For this reason herbivores, like this giraffe, need to chew on bones in order to obtain sufficient amounts of these minerals. Having a healthy amount of phosphorus and calcium is vital for bone mineralisation and other metabolic processes. Although there are obvious benefits to chewing bones, over time it can also significantly wear down the teeth, which can lead to later complications and even death. Follow us on Twitter @Askarivolunteer Pg3
The Askarian August 2023 Matabele Ants These large formidable looking ants are often seen in long lines stretching across the road. They are specialist termite eaters and they gather in large column-like formations when searching for termite mounds to raid. This sophisticated raiding behaviour gave them the common name 'Matabele ant', named after the Matabele tribe from Africa who were fierce warriors that overwhelmed various other tribes during the 1800s. We were recently lucky enough to catch them returning to their nest after they had just successfully raided a nearby termite mound. We could even see the little termite larvae many of the ants were carrying. Zebra release In May, we spoke about the importance of managing animal populations on an enclosed reserve system such as PIDWA. As per further advice provided by Askari from the herbivore count drives we conduct each month, we released 54 blue wildebeest in May. In August, we again released another 24 blue wildebeest as well as 4 zebra. This is an ongoing management strategy to increase these herbivore numbers, which have been slowly impacted by our healthy population of large predators. Four zebra in a crate about to be released Enjoy wildlife video action on the Askari YouTube channel. To join us in the sightings simply follow us HERE Pg4
The Askarian August 2023 Lion Dynamics continued Last month we reported on a lion cub from the Askari pride that was killed by an older adult male. Since the Askari pride currently does not have any adult males, this development exciting and we hoped he would subsequently join the pride. was very This month, we have some more lion news to report on. On the 12th August one of the reserves trail cameras picked up a single male lion near the Askari House (right). Then again on the 28th August while on drive, the Askari team found male lion tracks (see below) in the same area. Male lion (above) and male lion track (below left) This means that over the course of August we know of at least two different occasions where the male lion has been near the Askari pride. The Askari pride was recently seen and unfortunately the male has still not joined them. Since there are 6 younger cubs in the pride we believe that the females are not receptive to him yet. Hopefully in the next few months he will permanently join the pride. Stay tuned Instagram/Facebook handles for more updates on this developing story. to our Enjoy wildlife video action on the Askari YouTube channel. To join us in the sightings simply follow us HERE Pg5
