Question 1

Counter-Poaching

Accepted Answer

Greater Kuduland works side by side with the South African Police Force and Limpopo Rhino Security Group to help fight poaching. Howard and his team closely monitor animal species on the Reserve and keep track of the game through monitoring systems, trail cameras, helicopter surveys, and scouting missions.   These efforts have led to a drastic decrease in poaching on the Reserve and have allowed for the introduction of various rare game breeds, including black rhino, sable, roan, and tsessebe.

Question 2

Drought Management

Accepted Answer

Greater Kuduland Safaris falls within a high drought-prone area so a number of measures need to be taken to ensure the well-being of the animals during the dry season.    1. Feeding - Greater Kuduland sources and invests heavily in feed for the animals during a drought. Produce such as hay, lucern, and over ripened fruit from farms in the area is brought in to sustain the wildlife during these dry periods.   2. Boreholes - There are 17 boreholes spread across the reserve that pump water into waterholes and reservoirs for the animals to drink from when the dams and streams are low.    3. Salt Rocks - We place large salt rocks at the waterholes during droughts for animals to lick during the dry months. These salt rocks, or licks, help regulate the body's fluids and control electrical impulses in nerves and muscles while replenishing electrolytes.    3. Game Count - We conduct regular game counts to ensure that the land remains sustainable and that an overpopulation of game does not lead to overgrazing and a shortage of food. Reintroduction programs, game sales, and hunting are all important factors of herd management.   4. Monitoring Teams - Howard and his team continuously monitor the rainfall, natural and human-made water sources, food sources, and the animals’  overall condition to ensure that all parts of the Kudualnd eco-system are healthy and prepared for any climatic uncertainties.

Question 3

Disease Control

Accepted Answer

There is unfortunately little you can do once a disease has entered an area. However thanks to our monitoring teams we are constantly aware of our animals' well-being and when a disease does take hold of an animal we are likely to pick up on it in time to move the animal into an isolated area to receive treatment, while closely monitoring the other animals that could be prone to the condition.    We are also thankful that the Limpopo farming community is a tight-knit community and when a disease has implicated one of the other reserves, the news travels fast, and we are usually able to take the necessary precautions in time to prevent further spread.   Since the introduction of disease-free buffalo in 1975, which was a first of its kind in South Africa, Greater Kuduland has proactively put steps in place to detect and prevent this serious environmental threat.

Question 4

Ecological Balance

Accepted Answer

Much like other nature reserves, game reserves are established to preserve wildlife in their natural habitat, but with private land come boundaries which essentially prohibit animals from their natural migration patterns during times of drought and over-grazing.This means that there is a delicate balance that needs to be maintained to create a thriving ecosystem.    We manage this balance by conducting regular game counts and assessing whether we need to introduce or remove animals based on conditions such as rainfall and quality of food sources.    One of the means by which we control population numbers and support the environment is through trophy hunting. Unlike government-funded reserves who are reliant on tax, private game reserves are funded through tourism, of which hunting safaris bring in three times the amount of normal safaris. Over 90% of the Revenue brought in from a safaris on Greater Kuduland Safaris goes straight back into the Reserve. This not only allows us to support the animals through times of drought, disease, and poaching crises, but also enables us to expand our conservation efforts to breed and safeguard other rare-game species such as the black rhino to help bring them back from the brink of extinction.    With some of the larger mammals, such as elephant and lion, where overpopulation could cause devastating effects on the environment, we use a contraceptive method which involves inserting a pill under the animal's skin that renders them sterile for up to 18 months. The procedure is reversible. To read more about it please see our blog post:   Alternative to Lion Hunting on Greater Kuduland  ​ Please feel free to contact us with any questions.  safaris@greaterkudulandsafaris.com

GREATER KUDULAND SAFARIS

The Heart of African Hunting since 1974

CONSERVATION

Our Founding Promise

The Battle for Wildlife Preservation Through Focused Efforts

Protecting our Environment

In Honour Our Fathers Who Walked the Land Before Us