Veronica Roodt has been conducting research in the Moremi Game Reserve since 1988. She first came as a postgraduate student to do a study on Large Herbivores. The project required a vegetation map and the identification of plants. As there were no maps or literature available at the time, she produced maps and books to fund her project, as she still does today. In 2005 she left Botswana to do similar projects in Tanzania and returned to Xakanaxa in 2010. She has a small, primitive bush camp as base and has one assistant, Lenyatso July, who is from the local village - Khwai. Her current project is to document, catalogue and photograph the fauna and flora of all parks and reserves in Botswana with the objective to build up a database and photo library for government use in future. She will continue to produce tourist guidebooks and maps for each area and she will also remap the entire country for an update of the Botswana map. So far she has produced 10 maps and 9 guidebooks. She is currently working with the DWNP in establishing new roads and picnic sites in the Moremi Game Reserve. Moremi Safaris supports this initiative and offers support where.needed. (Information, map and photographs by Veronica Roodt)
Weather patterns:
2011 will be remembered as a year of extreme weather. Since 1988, the only other severe flooding in Moremi was recorded in 2000 - largely as the result of local rains and not as the result of the flood. High rainfall further north (mainly Angola) caused the 2011 flood to reach areas that had not flooded for more than 30 years and permanent lagoons were formed in previously dry areas, notably in the Mopane woodland. Much of the road network in Moremi became submerged, including some main roads. In some places the main roads were submerged in 1,5m of water. The game moved to newly watered areas and new, dry roads were specifically created to follow the game movement. The floods were followed by extreme heat (±46ºC to 48ºC, occasionally over 50ºC), causing the water to disappear within a six-week period. However, the water table remained high and a single December rainstorm filled up the dry areas again. According to predictions by the Department of Water Affairs, this pattern of severe flooding will continue for the next 5 years at least. Luckily the new road system will overcome the problem, as it was specifically devised to accommodate the fluctuation.
Predator activity at Xakanaxa and Third Bridge:
Lions: In April 2010 the local Xakanaxa pride consisted of 9 lions – one adult male, two sub-adult males, 5 adult females and a year-old cub. The entrance of two other males (a very old male called ‘Madala’ and his young companion ‘Kidala’) resulted in the disappearance of the male and caused the rest of the pride to split, even though they did not take over the pride. This made the sub-groups more vulnerable. Two females and a one-year-old cub formed the ‘Maternity group’ and the two sub-adult males soon became known as the ‘Office boys’. They earned this name when they casually made themselves at home in the wildlife office for about 5 hours one morning (reported in an earlier newsletter). One of the two females of the Maternity group gave birth to two cubs about two months ago. Their inability to hunt successfully has caused the mother to dry up and the cubs were rejected continuously over a two-week period. From about the 18th of December the cubs have not been seen and it is presumed that they have succumbed. Before that female gave birth, another pride of 11 made their appearance and killed a buffalo on Nkwe Island. Curiously enough, they allowed both the Maternity group and the Office boys to feed on their kill. This can only suggest that they are distantly related and hopefully the maternity group will find refuge with this pride. The Office boys, on the other hand, are now entering the most dangerous phase of their life where they have to establish their own territory. In most cases this requires ousting a territorial male/males. The fact that the two sub-adults have joined forces counts in their favour and judging by their bold attitude, I predict a successful future for them.
Cheetah: The best place to see cheetah is in the Third Bridge area. Two males are regularly spotted between Third Bridge and First Bridge or on Mboma Island. A female cheetah is regularly seen between Third Bridge and Fourth Bridge and she was recently spotted at the new airstrip at Xakanaxa.
Leopard: Mating leopards were seen on Nkwe Island and sightings were reported at No. 9 (old Hatab site), Paradise Pools, Fourth Bridge, near the weather station and at the new airstrip.
Wild dog: During June, July and August a pack of seven was regularly seen, often on Nkwe Island. They consisted of 6 females and one male. Another small group was noticed consisting of 2 females and 3 pups. One of the females had a broken leg. Two weeks ago a pack of 11 dogs were seen on the main road to South Gate, ±10km from Xakanaxa. They had two ‘teenage’ pups with them. On the 22nd of December, a pack of six dogs were also seen. Wild dog sightings have been exceptionally good during the last 5 months in the Xakanaxa area.
Roads:
In June an emergency meeting was called by the DWNP with all the stakeholders in the area to discuss the construction of emergency roads. At this time the road between Xakanaxa and Third Bridge was partly submerged, as was the road to Khwai. I was asked to draw up a proposal. The time was ripe for new roads because since the 1980’s, the main road system has remained virtually unchanged. This resulted in a situation where accessible areas were totally over-utilized. I suggested the establishment of more access roads to other attractive areas, especially newly watered areas, to relieve pressure in the ‘hotspots’ such as Xakanaxa and Third Bridge.
Impact of roads: Making a single access road to an area through the Mopane has very limited impact. The roads are made in such a way that no large trees are destroyed. It has a further advantage for the animals as they often make use of the roads, especially elephant. A tight network of roads in a small area cause much more damage. The DWNP has indicated that they want to close some unnecessary roads early in 2012.
New roads (already completed):
1. Xakanaxa – Third Bridge: There is now a dry route to Thrid Bridge starting at the new Airstrip at Xakanaxa and meeting the main road ±3km from Fourth Bridge. The road is ±5km long. Bushway Safaris kindly offered the use of their equipment as the DWNP equipment was elsewhere engaged. Moremi Safaris supplied poles and paint for the new road signs.
2. Khwai road: The Xakanaxa – Khwai road has been closed since December 2010 and it was therefore the next priority. An 8km detour was made through the Mopane, starting at the water crossing and ending at the Hippo Pools entrance road. Quite surprisingly, three huge, permanent pools have formed within the Mopane woodland and the new road basically skirts the pools.
3. Paradise Pools: A 1km link was made from the new airstrip to Paradise Pools.
Other intended roads:
1. Bodumatau: With the new water patterns, game viewing in the Bodumatau area is fantastic. The 2011 flood caused previously dry channels to fill up, attracting vast numbers of game. I suggested a direct route from Xakanaxa to Bodumatau (±9km), which will offer quick access. As the existing road from Fourth Bridge to Bodumatau is now submerged for most of the year, I also suggested a road from Fourth Bridge on the opposite (northern) side of the river. There are at least two large lagoons along the way, offering beautiful scenery and wildlife. I also suggested a link between Bodumatau and the Khwai road (5km through the Mopane woodland). This will offer an alternative and much shorter route for mobile safari companies that have big supply trucks.
2. Mboma Island: Top loop: I propose that the top loop of Mboma Island should be cut through in two places to provide more options for shorter drives. The many curves in the road and the thick sand makes the loop too long to do and it is often ignored on that account. Bottom loop: I propose that the original bottom loop should be reinstated and the bottom loop should also be divided into two loops. A number of smaller loops on Mboma will make it more inviting and it will have the function of spreading the pressure.
3. Loops between South Gate and Second Bridge: ±6km from South Gate is a unique area of Llala Palm trees (Hyphaene petersiana). I suggest a loop along the channel that can link up with the existing Xini Lagoon loop system. At the second turn-off to Bodumatau, there is also potential for a loop along the channel. When this channel fills up, it offers some of the best game viewing in Moremi.
4. Old Khwai road: The old Khwai road currently ends ±3km from the new through-road to Khwai. I propose that the old Khwai road should be linked with the through-road. This will offer a more scenic route to Khwai. The road to Duma Lagoon should also be re-established. It is just off the Khwai road and is only ±1km long.
Picnic spots:
As of lately there are a large number of day visitors to Moremi. It has become clear that picnic spots and toilet facilities have become essential. This is not only for day visitors, but also to facilitate day outings from the lodges or day outings from the Hatab and public camping sites. Since there are no DWNP funds available for such a venture, they have indicated that they will welcome donations. The sites will consist of two taps with running water, ±4 toilets and ± 8 wooden picnic tables with benches.
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Interesting sightings:
Buffaloes are known to show aggression to lions and often manage to chase them off during a hunt. One of the largest herds of buffalo to visit the Xakanaxa area was observed in October/November – a herd of about 500-600 animals. The lions of Xakanaxa always follow the herds. A kill was made on Nkwe Island during the night and by the following afternoon the buffalo herd returned and boldly walked up to the carcass. There were 11 lions on the kill and most of the lions ran off. Only one lioness remained and the herd completely surrounded the carcass with the one lioness. Some bold males nudged the carcass and one even tried to toss it in the air. The one lioness stood her ground and after about 40 minutes the buffaloes slowly walked off. Everyone who witnessed this spectacle was left aghast.
Wattled Cranes
I have spent the last two weeks re-mapping Moremi. This offered the opportunity to cover all roads and to make observations on the animals and birds. I am delighted to report that I have never before observed so many Wattled Cranes in Moremi. It is a protected species and very rare in other parts of Africa. Most of the observations were of groups of three, suggesting a high breeding success. There were 13 observations of groups of three and one observation of a pair. The sightings were at Xini Lagoon, Bodumatau, Third Bridge, Mboma Island, Fourth Bridge, Dead Tree Island, Xakanaxa, Hippo Pools and three groups along the Khwai River.
Fireball Lilies (Scadoxus multiflorus)
The Fireball lilies are more abundant than other years. This is almost certainly as a result of the high water table. Fireball lilies grow from bulbs and often flower before the first rains. The high water content of the soil stimulates the bulb formation, resulting in dense stands of this spectacular flower in well-wooded areas.
