karoocheetah
Well-Known Member
Thought a new thread for 2014 was in order.
Update from yesterdays visit:
The two female Iberian Wolves are now in the enclosure next to the Hunting Dogs - the old enclosure has basically been split into two with the top half now housing 'LESSA' & 'NORA' the African Hunting Dogs - they have a nice new heated house from which you could see the warm red glow so I think we'll see them even less than before now until the weather warms up
The wolves are in the bottom half of the enclosure but currently they are confined to the house and hard standing whilst they settle and the few fencing jobs are finished off - they are sisters who came in from Gaia Park in southern Holland/Belgium area and are called 'MARIA' who is currently the more dominant animal and is slightly larger with a floppy ear when compared to her sister 'MARINA' who is a bit smaller and without a floppy ear! They were around on Sunday and displaying some nice dominance and submissive behaviour for us
The bottom Rhino paddock is still closed off whilst work is being carried out, the Rhino were actually out for a few hours off the road finally following the torrential rain we've had that turned the grass paddocks to mush - the Camels, Congo Buffalo and Eland are still in this area too.
The second Cape Buffalo calf born towards the end of last year is confirmed as a male - so there are now 2 young male calves in the herd - we need some female calves really as the blood line at KSP is under represented although they are older females so anything from them is great really.
The park are looking to accept some Roan Antelope this year in order to replace the herd they lost most of last year - the youngster 'Wiggins' was moved to another collection to be with his own kind.
The baby boom at the end of last year in the hoofstock means that there are a lot of young Blackbuck and Lechwe around, which is always nice.
The Barasinga are becoming a bit less shy and more visible - one male and a couple of females often seen either in the heavily wooded area after the lions or in the scrub bit before you go through the gate system into the paddock before the baboons.
Lions are fabulous at this time of year with all of last years and the year befores cubs being very playful, since the loss of ALICE the old female the average age of the pride is younger and it shows in their increased activity.
KENYA the pride male had now been vasectomised to stop him fathering any more offspring, but he still tries to mate with the females which is good news as it shows that they are still coming into season around him.
Both of the Tigers 'BIRA' and 'SINDA' showed briefly in the afternoon - there are plans to completely rebuild the walk around areas at KSP and this would include moving the Tigers from their current location to an enclosure making them more visible rather than on the drive around part - looking forward to that bit I can tell you.
Think that's about it for now!
Update from yesterdays visit:
The two female Iberian Wolves are now in the enclosure next to the Hunting Dogs - the old enclosure has basically been split into two with the top half now housing 'LESSA' & 'NORA' the African Hunting Dogs - they have a nice new heated house from which you could see the warm red glow so I think we'll see them even less than before now until the weather warms up
The wolves are in the bottom half of the enclosure but currently they are confined to the house and hard standing whilst they settle and the few fencing jobs are finished off - they are sisters who came in from Gaia Park in southern Holland/Belgium area and are called 'MARIA' who is currently the more dominant animal and is slightly larger with a floppy ear when compared to her sister 'MARINA' who is a bit smaller and without a floppy ear! They were around on Sunday and displaying some nice dominance and submissive behaviour for us
The bottom Rhino paddock is still closed off whilst work is being carried out, the Rhino were actually out for a few hours off the road finally following the torrential rain we've had that turned the grass paddocks to mush - the Camels, Congo Buffalo and Eland are still in this area too.
The second Cape Buffalo calf born towards the end of last year is confirmed as a male - so there are now 2 young male calves in the herd - we need some female calves really as the blood line at KSP is under represented although they are older females so anything from them is great really.
The park are looking to accept some Roan Antelope this year in order to replace the herd they lost most of last year - the youngster 'Wiggins' was moved to another collection to be with his own kind.
The baby boom at the end of last year in the hoofstock means that there are a lot of young Blackbuck and Lechwe around, which is always nice.
The Barasinga are becoming a bit less shy and more visible - one male and a couple of females often seen either in the heavily wooded area after the lions or in the scrub bit before you go through the gate system into the paddock before the baboons.
Lions are fabulous at this time of year with all of last years and the year befores cubs being very playful, since the loss of ALICE the old female the average age of the pride is younger and it shows in their increased activity.
KENYA the pride male had now been vasectomised to stop him fathering any more offspring, but he still tries to mate with the females which is good news as it shows that they are still coming into season around him.
Both of the Tigers 'BIRA' and 'SINDA' showed briefly in the afternoon - there are plans to completely rebuild the walk around areas at KSP and this would include moving the Tigers from their current location to an enclosure making them more visible rather than on the drive around part - looking forward to that bit I can tell you.
Think that's about it for now!
