Cape Buffalo and horses!

Today we left at 5:30 again to work with Rita. We met her in Phalaborwa to work at a mining site within Kruger National Park to re-locate 30 Cape Buffalo. Rita had mentioned that there would be a lot of paperwork and officialdom to deal with. We arrived and waited for the rest of the team--we would be working with Andre's capture team again, along with several (turned out to be many) other individuals. The mining company also insisted upon sending a large contingent of their staff to monitor and oversee the operation. We had to go into a reception area, watch a safety video and pass a safety test, then apply to enter, present identification, get official paperwork and a sticker allowing us in, then organize again to enter the Park and mine. Our papers were examined at the gate, the van checked and Lily was breathalyzed!

We were literally working in the shadow of one of the largest open copper mines in the world, and everything was covered with the grey dust they produced. We also saw a first for this trip: clouds! It started out quite cloudy, then cleared away into sunshine. Once we were all assembled inside the mine gate, we moved several times. The plan was finally made that the helicopter would try to drive the buffalo into a kind of natural bowl, where Rita could dart them and we could then retrieve them and move them to the trucks. For some unknown reason, Rita was not allowed to dart from the helicopter, which would have been far more efficient.

We waited at the pickup site, and the first two buffalo were darted and down. We walked to the first, administered tranquilizer, and followed it back to the truck to reverse it once loaded. They did have nice trailers for moving the buffalo, which made things somewhat easier. A third and fourth buffalo followed and were loaded and medicated according to plan. Then the herd moved and the helicopter searched, then a group of about 20 broke off from the main herd and came toward us in the loading area. We had to move equipment and make arrangements to shelter in case they came close. They ran around the area several times, eventually disappearing over a heap of mining debris. We were also told that there were lions in the area, so we were being quite cautious and watchful.

Allyssa ready on the transport trailer. The stretcher is removable, and the trailer tilts to allow the stretcher bearing the buffalo to be winched onto the trailer. It also has rollers on the bed to help move these heavy animals.

Just a small part of the very large group working on this relocation. In the green on left: Lily, our guide. The tall man in the middle in the grey-brown jacket is Andre' the wildlife capture and transporter. And the large man on the far right is the head of the project.

Rita and Andre' waiting to begin.

First buffalo down. It will be loaded onto the stretcher and then winched onto the transfer trailer, and driven to the truck that will move the buffalo to their new locations.

The buffalo is blindfolded to reduce fear.

These guys are HUGE! 

Danielle administers the IV tranquilizer that will keep the buffalo calm enough to tolerate the ride in the trailer.

Moving the buffalo onto the stretcher

Video of the loading process

Allyssa and Danielle stay behind to monitor this buffalo, while the remainder of the veterinary team moves on to the next one.

Buffalo on transfer trailer, headed to the truck.

After only loading 4 buffalo, we had to leave as we were heading horseback riding. An hour''s drive took us to the farm, and we sorted out helmets, riding abilities and horses. I rode Viking again, a lovely Appaloosa that I rode last year. The group had a highly variable amount of riding experience, from never being on a horse, to riding at camp when 8 years old, to current experience. We went out as a large group, but split so that the confident riders could have a canter.

Riding through the "Golden Hour" was magical. It was quiet as we rode along a dry riverbed, up onto flat areas and through the bush. The light turned truly golden, shadows lengthened, and just enough moisture reached the earth to make smells appear. Everyone enjoyed their horses and had a successful ride.

Tomorrow we are taking the Panoramic Route tour, driving along the edges of the Blyde River Canyon. Having seen it last year, I am excited to see it again!