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From Paradise to Paradise!

Sometimes people ask me why I live in the middle of the bush and why did I give up a well paid executive’s life in the city. Well, here is a large part of the answer.

When I took a break from my computer work today (yes, that is still part of my job, even in the bush), I stepped outside the building. Here is what I watched while I had lunch:

Five beautiful Kudu bulls strolled past Thanda House, just along the tree line. A group of Nyala was browsing along the fence while two Hadeda Ibises were looking for food under the fever trees in the garden. A group of Vervet Monkeys were playing on the house roof and in the trees. Impalas, Wildebeest, Zebra and Giraffes moved past my front gate towards the nearby waterhole. Three semi-resident Warthogs had their lunch and a beautiful butterfly was looking for nectar.

And all of this on a clear and sunny day! Any other reason required? 🙂

And now I am off to Pakamisa for a few days break – from Paradise to Paradise!

20140903 - CS1_0009 - E Thanda House – My home in the bush!

20140903 - CS1_0027 - EOff to the water past my gate.

20140903 - CS1_0068 - EBrowsing and grasing for lunch.

20140903 - CS1_0130 - EA Kudu midday stroll …

20140903 - CS1_0061 - EAt the waterhole.

20140903 - CS1_0055 - ELooking for lunch 🙂

 

 

 

 

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And the difference is …

Lion Cubs

 

Well, they are of different age and the pictures were taken in different light (therefore the colour difference). But here is the major difference:

The little Lion on the left lives with his family (The North Pride) at Thanda Private Game Reserve in South Africa.  The small one on the right lives with his family at the Zoo in Basel, Switzerland. The one lives in the wild with all its dangerous and its beauty, the other one lives in captivity, at full board and with a health care plan 🙂

Congratulations to Peter Mettler, who got the correct answer!

… and now the bonus question, what is so special about this one?

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What’s the difference?

Lion CubsWhat is the difference between these two Lion cubs?

A hint: it is not their looks alone!

I will blog the answer tomorrow afternoon 🙂

Have a good week.

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Getting caught!

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In the Path of Wildlife

All over South Africa, game reserves battle with poaching. One traditional method poachers use to catch their prey is the setting of snares, which are crudely constructed out of cable or fencing wire. They are set on game paths or near waterholes and are often left there for days. Any unsuspecting animal passing through may get caught and suffer injuries and/or death.

The method is very cruel and wasteful. Not only do the intended prey, like antelopes, get caught, but Lions, Leopards, Cheetah, Elephant, Rhinos and Buffalo too prolong suffering injuries and often even die in the snares. Thanda’s Anti-Poaching Units regularly patrol the reserve and carry out snare sweeps. Unfortunately, some of our wildlife still stumble into snares from time to time, despite our determination to prevent this.

Just recently, one of Thanda’s Lionesses had her foot caught in a snare. She was powerful enough…

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Summer is on the way!

20140820 - CS1_8368 - EThe last few days Thanda guests enjoyed summer temperatures, making good use of the pools at the Thanda Safari Lodge, Thanda Tented Camp and the Villa iZulu.

The Thanda Elephants did the same, enjoying a mid-day drink and bath. As always an impressive sight!

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Hyenas, Horses and a Sunset

Just before I went off work for seven days I was able to participate in a Hyena capture operation (five Hyenas were to be transferred to another game reserve).

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Then I spent a few days at Pakamisa enjoying a bit of riding, excellent company and superb food! It was great that Magdel and Warren from Thanda were able to join me at Pakamisa for a one night stay. This picture shows all of us leaving the stables for a morning ride.

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Isabella took this group picture of me, Badger and the warthogs 🙂

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I also did a “romantic drinks at sundown” photo shoot. I like the results.

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A bird per minute!

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I was sitting for eleven minutes at Thanda’s South Gate entrance and watched the little bird bath opposite the sitting area. Eleven bird species came down to drink 🙂

Birding fast and furious!

PS: Quite a few people have heard about my car accident last night – I am perfectly OK – If you want to read the complete story go to http://wp.me/P1rzfb-1js

 

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