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Entrance Gates of the Kruger National Park
Entrance Gates of the Kruger National Park
The following are the list of entrance gates of the Kruger National Park:
- Berg-en-Dal
- Crokodile Bridge
- Letaba
- Lower Sabi
- Mopani
- Olifants
- Orpen
- Pretoriuskop
- Punda Maria
- Satara
- Shingwedzi
- Skukuza
Gus Adendorff writes in his book “Wild Company”, which was published in 1984, that he was a ranger in the Kruger National Park from 1 May 1950 to 31 March 1977. In his book he talks about many of the above gates.
Adendorff explains about one incident near Punda Maria where he was patrolling, specifically combating fires because of the drought and thus water supply for the African Wildlife as well. Also, note that in those days these rangers would patrol extreme vast areas of the Kruger National Park on foot or horseback as part of nature conservation. So Adendorff set out with 2 game guards for protection and two donkeys to carry their supplies. They were heading towards the Luvuvhu River when one of the guards stopped and whispered that elephants are coming in their direction. The elephants noticed them and immediately stampeded towards them. The group headed for higher ground but could do nothing about the donkeys that remained standing in harms way. Needless to say, Adendorff taught at that very moment that was the end of the donkeys. However, the leading elephant stopped three meters from the donkeys. No doubt that the elephants have never seen such creatures, thus, the next moment the elephant turned, trumpeted and the whole group ran away. The poor donkeys showed no concern at all, remained standing blissfully unaware of the situation.
Leopard one of the Big 5
A Painting in Mixed Media by Amareza Buys
The South African Leopards (Panthera Pardus) exhibit an astonishing variation in coat colours. The coat varies from pale yellow to deep gold and sometimes black. Male leopards are larger, averaging from 60 kg to 91 kg, while the females weigh about 35 to 40 kg.
Sunset and sunrise are the preferred time to kill prey. In Kruger National Park, male leopards and female leopards with cubs are more active at night as compared with solitary females. The known prey of leopards ranges from dung beetles to adult elands of up to 900 kg. At least 92 prey species have been documented in their diet including rodents, birds, small and large antelopes, hyraxes and hares, and arthropods. like to stalk close and run a relatively short distance after their prey. They kill through suffocation by grabbing their prey by the throat and biting down with their powerful jaws. They rarely fight other predators for their food. Leopards often take large kills into a tree. Most notable is that for this activity great strength is required.
LIST OF REFERENCES:
(Marker L.L., Dickman A.J. 2005; Martins, Q.; Martins, N. 2006; Nowell, K., Jackson, P. 1996; Martin, R. B. and de Meulenaer, T. 1988; Cuzin, F. 2003; Hamilton, P.H. 1976; Bailey, T. N. 1993; Bertram, B. 1974; Jenny, D. 1993; Ray, J. C., Hunter, L., Zigouris, J. Spong, G., Johansson, M., Bjorklund, M. 2000; Henschel, P., Hunter, L. T. B., Coad, L., Abernethy, K. A., Mühlenberg, M. 2011).