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This morning was the beginning of an exciting few

This morning was the beginning of an exciting few weeks ahead for the team. A goal that we have been working towards for a long time, is to release our Cape buffalo herd into the wild, open system....from where they are currently in the buffalo camp.

And so this morning, we started the process by fitting a collar to the lead female of our herd. The collar will allow us to find and monitor the herd, after they've been released, to check that they are adapting and settling well in their new area. Keep an eye on our news for the big release coming up soon

Some recent trail camera highlights ... #askariwc

Some recent trail camera highlights ...

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #trailcam #trailcamera #camera #cameratrap #cameratrapping #africananimals

Listen to the excitement on the vehicle when we re

Listen to the excitement on the vehicle when we recently discovered a very young zebra foal lying on the ground. We guessed that it was only a few hours old.

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #zebra #foal #zebrafoal #amazingnature #newborn #babyzebra

We recently had a very interesting sighting of a g

We recently had a very interesting sighting of a giraffe eating a large bone. Giraffes are classified as herbivores, specifically browsers. This means they focus on feeding on leaves, soft shoots and fruits/flowers of woody plants. Why then was this giraffe ‘feeding’ on a bone?

Most vegetation that herbivores eat lack sufficient amounts of phosphorus and calcium. For this reason herbivores, like this giraffe, need to chew on bones in order to obtain sufficient amounts of these minerals. Having a healthy amount of phosphorus and calcium is vital for bone mineralisation and other metabolic processes. Although there are obvious benefits to chewing bones, over time it can also significantly wear down the teeth, which can lead to later complications and even death.

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #bone #bones #chewingbones #osteophagy #osteophagia #giraffe #giraffes #amazingnature

We spent over half an hour with the Tembe lion pri

We spent over half an hour with the Tembe lion pride recently. Despite the heat, they were fairly active and gave us some great views.

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #lions #lionpride #africanlion #big5 #bigfive #big5safari #bigfivesafari #photography

Happy international Vulture Awareness Day. This is

Happy international Vulture Awareness Day. This is an important day to raise awareness about these special, but highly threatened birds. As a group they are considered one of the most endangered groups of birds in the world.

Despite their look, vultures are extremely important birds for the ecological functioning of the environment. Their scavenging behaviour reduces organic waste and helps keep ecosystems healthy. This service likely also reduces the spread of disease to animals and humans alike.

At Askari we have the potential to see five of the six species that occur in South Africa. These are the white-backed vulture, cape vulture, hooded vulture, lappet-faced vulture and white-headed vulture. Of these five, three are considered critically endangered. Although there are many threats to vultures, poisoning (both intentionally or by accident), collisions with power lines and lead poisoning are responsible for most of the deaths recorded.

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #vulture #vultureconservation #vulturesofafrica #africanvultures #internationalvultureawarenessday

About yesterday afternoons game drive... #askariw

About yesterday afternoons game drive...

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #wild #wilddog #wilddogs #dog #dogs #paintedwolf #animals #africananimals #africa #africanwilddog

Yet another interesting sighting from one of our t

Yet another interesting sighting from one of our trail cameras. This is a bush pig. Although similar looking to a warthog, they are unrelated and are more like distance cousins so to speak. The bush pig is said to be the African version of the European wild boar as the two mammals share similar physical features and social behaviours. Bush pigs are generally active at night and for this reason they are seldom seen. They feed on a variety of food, including plant roots, fruits, insect larvae, tubers, rhizomes and even carrion (the decaying flesh of dead animals). Although these pigs are usually shy and seldom seen, they are very aggressive and have been known to inflict deep lacerations with their sharp tusks when threatened.

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #warthog #bushpig #pig #trailcam #trailcamera #browning #browningtrailcameras #photography #videography

📸 Askari photo competition 📸 It's that time

📸 Askari photo competition 📸
It's that time again, where we are asking for your votes in the top photo competition! Please comment with the number of your favourite or alternatively you can go to our story and react there. This is for the top photo in July to go forward to December's grand final

What an amazing sighting on this morning's drive.

What an amazing sighting on this morning's drive. This leopard had its eye on something in the bush so when we first arrived it showed us truly where the phrase "leopard crawl" comes from. It was incredible to see it move in this way, stalking along the road before a pause to look into the bush and then disappearing. Thanks so much to Sabrina for sharing your photos of the special moment

There is no better way to connect with nature than

There is no better way to connect with nature than on foot. Your senses really do come alive...

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #walk #walkingsafari #selatiriver #safari #africa #dryriverbed

One of our trail cameras captured a pair of honey

One of our trail cameras captured a pair of honey badgers on patrol recently. Although honey badgers are named after their presumed fondness for honey, they're actually interested in the bee larvae found in the hives rather than the honey itself. They do, however, also feed on a range of other food sources such as insects, reptiles, birds, small mammals and even fruit and berries. Honey badgers also have a reputation for being fearless adversaries and have been known to take on hyaenas, leopards and even lions when under threat. Have you ever seen a honey badger in the wild?

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #badger #honey #honeybadger #animals #ferouscious #predator #omnivore #trailcam #trailcamera

Askari recently assisted reserve management with t

Askari recently assisted reserve management with the release of some zebra onto PIDWA. Keeping track of animal numbers is an important component of managing a reserve, especially where there are many predators such as lions, leopards, hyaenas, etc.

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #zebra #gamerelease #animalrelease #reservemanagement #africananimals #animals #stripedhorse #horse

**Matabele ants** These ants are often seen in lo

**Matabele ants**

These ants are often seen in long lines stretching across the road. They are specialist termite eaters and they gather in large column-like formations when searching for termites mounds to raid. This sophisticated raiding behaviour gave them the common name 'Matabele ant', named after the Matabele tribe from Africa who were fierce warriors that overwhelmed various other tribes during the 1800s.

We were lucky enough to catch them returning to their nest after they had just successfully raided a nearby termite mound. Take note of the little termite larvae many of the ants are carrying.

#amazingnature #askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #ants #ant #termite #nevertoooldtolearn #matabeleants #matabele #antsoftheworld

Even our winter days can be overwhelmingly hot som

Even our winter days can be overwhelmingly hot sometimes. This female spotted hyaena decided a cool down was necessary...

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #hyaena #hyeana #hyena #spottedhyena #spottedhyaena #winterdays #winterswimming #africanwinter #winter

A successful trail camera deployment... #askariwc

A successful trail camera deployment...

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #trailcam #trailcamera #browning #browningtrailcameras #photgraphy #africanphotography

The word hippopotamus stems from Greek and transla

The word hippopotamus stems from Greek and translates to 'river horse'. Although we almost exclusively see hippos in the water, they do also spend a considerable amount of time out of the water. Hippos usually rest in the water during the day and then move away from the water at night to graze/feed. Our trail camera picked up this individual recently while it was out searching for food. Despite their large size, hippos can move up to 30km per night to find suitable food. In fact one hippo, nicknamed Huberta, was recorded to have walked over 1800km in two years!

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #hippo #hippopotamus #hippos #trailcam #trailcamera #browning #browningtrailcameras #cameratrap #browningtrailcam

Yesterday we joined Assistant manager Andrew to da

Yesterday we joined Assistant manager Andrew to dart and treat a sick buffalo. Dr Pete Rogers came to dart the animal and assess the situation. She is a young female and was seen to be generally weak and lagging behind the herd. Unfortunately there was nothing obviously wrong so blood samples were taken and she was treated with broad spectrum antibiotics and vitamins. Our fear is that she may have some kind of obstruction in her gut. We have done all we can for now and will hope for signs of recovery in the coming days

Many congratulations to @mariepgx_ , the winner of

Many congratulations to @mariepgx_ , the winner of the June photo competition. With her stunning leopard pic, she goes through to the grand final in December 🥳🥳🥳 well done

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #photo #photography #wildlifephotography #competition #photocompetition #leopard

Did you know there are five baboon species found t

Did you know there are five baboon species found throughout Africa, but only one is located in South Africa, namely the chacma baboon. This baboon species is gregarious, forming large groups called troops. Troops are ruled by dominant males. In small groups it may only be one individual, but in larger groups there can be as many as 12 dominant males. Baboons are very vocal and their warning calls (a dog-like bark) can often be heard many 100m away.

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #baboon #ape #monkey #baboons #africananimals #animals #primates #primate #trailcam

****WARNING...SENSITIVE POST*** (Dead lion picture

****WARNING...SENSITIVE POST***
(Dead lion pictured, don't scroll past the video to avoid.)

On Friday night a dead lion was found close to the Askari house. It was a young male and had clear bite marks at various places on its body. It looks to be one of the older 2 cubs from the Askari pride but we can't confirm this until we next see the pride.

The next day, we collected our camera traps, which had been set at various points around the reserve. On Thursday night, one camera captured this video; an adult male lion. This camera was set just a few kilometres away from the dead body. And so it seems we have a new visitor in town!

Although sad, it is a completely natural process for lions, and in fact all predators, to kill each other. In this case we suspect that the large male targeted the cub, his tracks were spotted at the scene. It would be beneficial to the larger male to remove any potential future competitors. Until we see the pride next, we can't be sure that this young male was the only victim.

#circleoflife

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn

Today is world "Nature Conservation Day". Never be

Today is world "Nature Conservation Day". Never before has it been so important to protect our natural spaces and the wildlife that lives within them

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #nature #worldnatureconservationday

When you don't even have to leave the garden and t

When you don't even have to leave the garden and the wildlife comes to you 🐃😍

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #buffalo #bigfive

📸 It's photo competition time 📸 We have som

📸 It's photo competition time 📸

We have some awesome photos for you to choose from during the month of June at Askari. Please comment with the number of the photo that gets your vote to go forward to the December grand final!

You can also vote by watching our story and reacting to your favourite picture there.

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #photo #competition #photocompetition #camera

The Askari team has been in full swing controlling

The Askari team has been in full swing controlling invasive plant species on the reserve. Our main culprits include lantana (Lantana camara), prickly pear (Opuntia spp) and mimosa (Mimosa pudica). Alien plant removal is one of our main ongoing projects at Askari and we spend a significant amount of time tackling the various species.

Invasive alien plants are plants that have been brought to South Africa from other countries either intentionally or by accident. Once here, without their natural enemies, they are able to reproduce and spread prolifically, sometimes to the detriment of the environment and the animals that live in them. If left unchecked, they can reduce the biodiversity of your reserve substantially.

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #alien #alienplants #plants #invasive #invasiveplants #invasivespecies #pricklypear #lantana #mimosa

We have had some epic cheetah action near the Aska

We have had some epic cheetah action near the Askari headquarters recently. This is 'Son', one of the resident males found on the reserve. Our reserve is proud to be associated with the EWT (Endangered Wildlife Trust) Cheetah Expansion Project. We have received a number of individuals over the past few years and will undoubtedly continue this alliance with cheetah conservation in mind. There are less than 9000 wild cheetah left in the world, with only 1600 of those living on South African soil.

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #cheetahconservation #cheetah #cheetahoftheworld #bigcats #cat #ewt #cheetahexpansionproject #endangeredwildlifetrust #africananimals

Early this week we spotted some fresh hippo tracks

Early this week we spotted some fresh hippo tracks on the road near the Askari Volunteer House. We decided to investigate a nearby deep pool on the Selati River to see if we could find them. As luck would have it, we were offered great views of two individuals. However, one of the younger males was not impressed with our arrival and showed some unusual behaviour. Although at first this may seem playful, yawning, water-scooping and head tossing are a threat display to unwanted visitors, in this case us! To avoid any conflict we quickly moved on and let them be.

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #hippo #hippopotamus #danger #threatdisplay #africananimals #wateranimals #animalinteraction #animalencounter

Did you know that a giraffe is a ruminant? Ruminan

Did you know that a giraffe is a ruminant? Ruminants are animals that digest their food multiple times, regurgitating and chewing swallowed food more than once and processing it in various chambers of their stomach. Pay close attention to this giraffes neck, you can see the bolus coming up the neck and it starting to chew again. The chewing and rumination processes increases the surface area of the food eaten, making the particles more accessible to the microbes in the stomach for digestion. This unique digestive system is very efficient and allows them to obtain energy from fibrous plant material that other herbivores may battle to process.

#rumination #ruminant #rumen #giraffe #african animals #amazingnature #askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace

One day your life will flash before your eyes; mak

One day your life will flash before your eyes; make sure it's worth watching 👀

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn

How was your week? Ours went a bit like this......

How was your week? Ours went a bit like this.......🦁🦒🐈🐃

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #buffalo #wildcat #lion #giraffe

The team had a fantastic sighting of this serval t

The team had a fantastic sighting of this serval this morning. He was very relaxed and took a stroll down the road, even doing some scent marking. Servals are very rare to see so every sighting is a real treat

Some highlights from our June volunteers... #aska

Some highlights from our June volunteers...

#askariwcp #nature #conservationvolunteer #wildlifevolunteer #wild #wilderness #conservation #wildlife #southafrica #limpopo #africanwildlife #lovenature #wildanimals #southafrica #outdoors #adventure #travel #education #learn #safari #gamedrive #wildspace #animals #africananimals #wanderlust #big5safari #bigfivesafari #big5 #bigfive #outdoors #destination #vacation

Have you ever wondered how much epic brown hyaena

Have you ever wondered how much epic brown hyaena behaviour you could witness in just one video? Well check out our latest reel to find out! We set one of our trail cams at the site of an old lion kill to see what came along. We got some amazing footage of brown hyaena.

In the first video the hyaena performs piloerection. This is the visible erection of hair caused by the contraction of small muscles at the base of the hair follicles. It is done to make the animal appear bigger and more threatening; in this instance the hyaena gets a fright from something off camera so immediately goes into defence mode. SO COOL 😎!

In the next video the hyaena performs an anal pasting. The white shape that you see being projected from the anus is the anal gland. With this gland they secrete a strong-smelling paste onto grass stalks and bushes as a way of scent marking. 2 separate pastings are deposited, one of which communicates to fellow clan members and the other to rival clans. In the third video there is another slight piloerection display before the hyaena disappears off screen.

If you loved this and think brown hyaenas rock (like me 🤩) then be sure to head over and follow our other instagram account #projectimpisi for more information and photos of the brownies and their successful translocation to Askari

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