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A2A Safaris - elephants https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/tags/elephants en The Alarming Results of the Great Elephant Census https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/the-alarming-results-the-great-elephant-census <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>Habitat loss. Climate change. Human conflict. There are many reasons why elephants, arguably the continent’s most iconic animals, are disappearing from African landscapes, but the biggest threat to this vulnerable species is humans; specifically those that hunt them illegally to trade in their ivory. The rapid decline in their numbers prompted philanthropist Paul G. Allen’s...</p> </div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/environment" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Environment</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/wildlife" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Wildlife</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/elephants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">elephants</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/wildlife-conservation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Wildlife Conservation</a></div></div> Mon, 21 Nov 2016 07:00:07 +0000 Anonymous 1840 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/the-alarming-results-the-great-elephant-census#comments Fun & Games at Sosigi Dam https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/fun-games-sosigi-dam <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://singita.com">Singita - Safari Lodges & Luxury Accommodation in Africa</a><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://singita.com/wildlife/fun_and_games_at_sosigi_dam/">Fun & Games at Sosigi Dam</a></p> <p>We usually try to ascribe animal behaviour to survival mechanisms, like learning to hunt, establishing dominance or strengthening muscles. Sometimes though, they really are just having fun! This was certainly the case at <a href="http://singita.com/region/singita-pamushana/" target="_blank">Singita Pamushana</a> in Zimbabwe recently, when field guide Jenny Hishin, observed a herd of elephants enjoying themselves in the cool waters of the Sosigi Dam. Here, she describes the amusing scene:</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16196" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_1-1024x789.png" alt="Elephants at Singita Pamushana" width="1024" height="789" srcset="http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_1-1024x789.png 1024w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_1-300x231.png 300w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_1-768x592.png 768w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_1.png 1550w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p> <p>It was an absolute delight to watch! We were parked on the bridge as the sun was slipping below the tree-line, and the rest of the elephant bulls were grazing in the riverbed. Knowing we were the only safari vehicle out, we settled in for a good hour to enjoy the view. They splashed, sploshed, sprayed and snorkelled. The game was clear – the aim was to wrestle, then get behind your opponent and jump on his hindquarters, effectively dunking him. Meanwhile, a lone hippo in the background looked on, appearing rather nonplussed!</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16198" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_3-1024x593.png" alt="Elephants at Singita Pamushana" width="1024" height="593" srcset="http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_3-1024x593.png 1024w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_3-300x174.png 300w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_3-768x445.png 768w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_3.png 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p> <p>Elephants are excellent swimmers as their massive bodies give them enough buoyancy to float easily. They use all four legs to paddle and use their trunk like a snorkel. Research suggests that elephants are great at swimming because they could have evolved from mammals like the sea cows – dugongs and manatees. Elephants in Africa have been recorded to travel a distance of 48 kilometres across water, and also swimming for six hours continuously. Experts believe that the elephants that live in Sri Lanka are the progeny of elephants that swam from Southern India across the sea.</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16200" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_5-1024x593.png" alt="Elephants at Singita Pamushana" width="1024" height="593" srcset="http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_5-1024x593.png 1024w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_5-300x174.png 300w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_5-768x445.png 768w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ellie_games_5.png 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p> <p><em>You can read the rest of the most recent <a href="http://singita.com/wildlife-reports/" target="_blank">Wildlife Report</a> from Singita Pamushana <a href="http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/SP-Wildlife-Journal-May-2016.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. You can also <a href="https://www.instagram.com/singita_/" target="_blank">follow us on Instagram</a> to see more amazing wildilfe photos and stories straight from the bush.</em></p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://singita.com/wildlife/fun_and_games_at_sosigi_dam/">Fun & Games at Sosigi Dam</a><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://singita.com">Singita</a></p> </div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/wildlife" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Wildlife</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/elephants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">elephants</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/malilangwe-wildlife-reserve" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/singita-pamushana-lodge" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Singita Pamushana Lodge</a></div></div> Fri, 15 Jul 2016 12:00:42 +0000 Anonymous 1585 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/fun-games-sosigi-dam#comments Wildlife Updates from Singita Kruger National Park https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/wildlife-updates-singita-kruger-national-park <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>Guests at <a href="http://singita.com/region/singita-kruger-national-park/" target="_blank">Singita Kruger National Park</a> have 33,000 acres over which to roam on twice-daily game drives with their dedicated field guide and tracker. The area is well known for a particularly high concentration of the “Big 5” – including a number of large prides of lion – all of whom benefit from Singita’s steadfast commitment to conservation as well as its minimal environmental footprint. Field guides Barry Peiser and Brian Rode put together the latest wildlife report from the area, which highlights some of the recent changes in the landscape and lots of exciting animal activity:</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16093" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_6.png" alt="sknp_6" width="811" height="540" srcset="http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_6.png 811w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_6-300x200.png 300w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_6-768x511.png 768w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_6-320x213.png 320w" sizes="(max-width: 811px) 100vw, 811px" /></p> <h3>Landscape</h3> <p>We had almost no rain during April (a few drops of drizzle) and the water that filled up the N’wanetsi<br /> River last month is slowly drying up. There is still quite a bit of standing water at the weir, at Dumbana<br /> Pools and in front of both <a href="http://singita.com/lodge/sweni-lodge/" target="_blank">Singita Sweni</a> and <a href="http://singita.com/lodge/singita-lebombo-lodge/" target="_blank">Singita Lebombo Lodges</a>. Hyena Pan, in the Lebombo Hills is still holding water and is attracting a fair amount of game. The depression is bare of grass and visibility is amazing. This has been a great month for game-viewing.</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16089" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_2.png" alt="sknp_2" width="919" height="611" srcset="http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_2.png 919w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_2-300x199.png 300w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_2-768x511.png 768w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_2-320x213.png 320w" sizes="(max-width: 919px) 100vw, 919px" /></p> <h3>Cheetah</h3> <p>The stars this month were a female cheetah and her four young cubs who arrived on the concession. We<br /> estimate the cubs to be in the region of two months old and have ruffs of golden hair on their backs and<br /> very dark bellies and sides, making them look a lot like honey badgers from a distance. It is said that the<br /> young cheetah cubs are coloured like this so that potential enemies such as lions and hyenas mistake them<br /> for badgers, which are notoriously aggressive. We have had amazing views of the mother and her cubs,<br /> particularly in the open areas of the Central Depression. When we first started seeing them the cubs were<br /> very shy of the vehicles, although they have now become fairly relaxed and we have had some great views<br /> of them.</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16090" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_3.png" alt="sknp_3" width="919" height="611" srcset="http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_3.png 919w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_3-300x199.png 300w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_3-768x511.png 768w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_3-320x213.png 320w" sizes="(max-width: 919px) 100vw, 919px" /></p> <h3>Elephant</h3> <p>We have seen elephants almost on a daily basis. They have been coming down to drink at the water in the<br /> N’wanetsi River. Johnathan reported seeing a herd of over 70 elephants drinking at Dumbana Pools one<br /> day. On another occasion we saw a breeding herd of elephants bathing in the pool at Hyena Pan. While<br /> they were playing in the water they were surprised by a hippo bull that surfaced right in front of them. It<br /> was amusing to watch them as they got startled by the hippo and then tried to chase it around the pool.</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16092" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_5.png" alt="sknp_5" width="811" height="538" srcset="http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_5.png 811w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_5-300x199.png 300w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_5-768x509.png 768w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_5-320x213.png 320w" sizes="(max-width: 811px) 100vw, 811px" /></p> <h3>Lion</h3> <p>Singita Kruger National Park is certainly the place to see lions; at least 70 sightings of these large cats were reported this month. The white lion from the larger portion of the Shish Pride has been seen this month and is looking healthy. He was seen feeding on a buffalo carcass with the rest of the larger portion of the Shish Pride right opposite the river from the camp! Barry had had an amazing sighting of two Shish lionesses, just the day before, stalking and catching a waterbuck close to Euphorbia Crossing, a short way upriver from Lebombo Camp. Two of the females of the Shish Pride also caught another Waterbuck right where the water ends north of<br /> Euphorbia Crossing.</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-16091" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_4.png" alt="sknp_4" width="918" height="610" srcset="http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_4.png 918w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_4-300x199.png 300w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_4-768x510.png 768w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_4-320x213.png 320w" sizes="(max-width: 918px) 100vw, 918px" /></p> <h3>Hyena</h3> <p>Spotted hyenas were seen regularly during the month of April. The hyena cubs at the den along the H6<br /> public road have become very used to the cars and have been quite inquisitive. We have had to chase them<br /> away from the vehicles on occasion as they try to chew the plastic mudguards of the game viewer! One of<br /> the sub-adults was seen with porcupine quills stuck all over in his throat and neck. He had obviously been<br /> too inquisitive or had gone into the wrong burrow, one that was already occupied by a large, spiny rodent.</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-16088" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_1.png" alt="sknp_1" width="918" height="612" srcset="http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_1.png 918w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_1-300x200.png 300w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_1-768x512.png 768w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/sknp_1-320x213.png 320w" sizes="(max-width: 918px) 100vw, 918px" /></p> <p><em>Did you catch our recent post about the adorable <a href="http://singita.com/wildlife/meet-the-mountain-pride-lion-cubs/" target="_blank">new lion cubs in the Mountain Pride</a>? Field guide Barry Peiser gave us the story along with some gorgeous photos of them with their mother. You can also stay up to date with news from our twelve lodges and camps by following <a href="https://www.facebook.com/singita.gamereserves/" target="_blank">our Facebook page</a>.</em></p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://singita.com/wildlife/wildlife-updates-from-singita-kruger-national-park/">Wildlife Updates from Singita Kruger National Park</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://singita.com">Singita</a>.</p> </div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/wildlife" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Wildlife</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/cheetah" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">cheetah</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/elephants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">elephants</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/lions" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">lions</a></div></div> Fri, 10 Jun 2016 08:00:22 +0000 Anonymous 1532 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/wildlife-updates-singita-kruger-national-park#comments Giants Club Summit: Protecting Africa’s Elephants https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/giants-club-summit-protecting-africa%E2%80%99s-elephants <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>On 29 and 30 April 2016, some of the world’s biggest voices will come together for the first time to speak up for one of its biggest inhabitants. The inaugural <a href="http://spaceforgiants.org/giantsclub/" target="_blank">Giants Club Summit</a> is set to take place in Kenya and will bring together African heads of state, global celebrities, corporate leaders, philanthropists and conservationists to address elephant poaching on the continent and discuss long-term solutions to this problem. The summit will also address how to protect rapidly diminishing elephant habitats and ensure that Africa’s giants will have a home in the future.</p> <div id="attachment_15858" style="width: 778px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="wp-image-15858 size-full" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DSC_5827-768x400.jpg" alt="Elephants at Singita" width="768" height="400" srcset="http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DSC_5827-768x400.jpg 768w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DSC_5827-768x400-300x156.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><br /><p class="wp-caption-text">Elephants</p> </div> <p>As “ecosystem engineers”, elephants play a key role in their environments, making contributions as diverse as maintaining open wooded savanna, increasing water flow to streams and creating habitat for a multitude of smaller creatures. They are also one of the most charismatic of Africa’s wildlife, highly sought after by tourists, and therefore a major contributor to the revenue generated by conservation tourism. However, as a result of poaching and habitat loss, elephant numbers have plummeted from over a million in 1980 to less than 450,000 today. Since 2009, poaching rates have skyrocketed, and experts estimate 30-40,000 elephants are currently being killed every year for their ivory. At these rates, the possibility of the extinction of the African elephant in our lifetime is real.</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15860" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SSS10.-Resized-768x400.jpg" alt="Elephants at Singita" width="768" height="400" srcset="http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SSS10.-Resized-768x400.jpg 768w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SSS10.-Resized-768x400-300x156.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></p> <p>With a million acres of African wilderness and thriving elephant populations under our protection, Singita is acutely aware of this ever-growing problem and the need to keep these vulnerable landscapes and their fauna and flora safe. This why we’re so excited about the Giants Club Summit and can’t wait to see the workable solutions that will result from it.</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15861" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/ellie.jpg" alt="Elephants at Singita" width="768" height="326" srcset="http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/ellie.jpg 768w, http://469uj5355hpj1cwksq2n1n1a.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/ellie-300x127.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></p> <p><em>To make sure you too stay up to date with all the latest summit developments, head to Twitter and keep an eye on #giantsclub. You can also read about the latest elephant sightings at Singita in our monthly <a href="http://singita.com/wildlife-reports/" target="_blank">Wildlife Reports</a>.</em></p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://singita.com/wildlife/giants-club-summit-protecting-africas-elephants/">Giants Club Summit: Protecting Africa’s Elephants</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://singita.com">Singita</a>.</p> </div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/wildlife" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Wildlife</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/anti-poaching" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Anti-Poaching</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/conservation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Conservation</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/elephant-poaching" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">elephant poaching</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/elephants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">elephants</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/wildlife-conservation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Wildlife Conservation</a></div></div> Thu, 28 Apr 2016 08:00:40 +0000 Anonymous 1508 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/giants-club-summit-protecting-africa%E2%80%99s-elephants#comments The Irrepressible Charm of Baby Elephants https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/the-irrepressible-charm-baby-elephants <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>There is something universally amusing about the antics of young elephant calves; their short, stocky bodies, unwieldy trunks and ears, stubby tusks and the shock of hair that sprouts on their heads combine to produce a very comical creature.</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15329" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/baby_ellie.jpg" alt="Elephant calf by Ross Couper (C)" width="1000" height="666" srcset="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/baby_ellie-300x200.jpg 300w, http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/baby_ellie-768x511.jpg 768w, http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/baby_ellie-320x213.jpg 320w, http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/baby_ellie.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></p> <p>As a member of the Big 5, elephants are of course very popular with visitors to <strong><a href="http://singita.com/" target="_blank">Singita</a></strong>, and spotting a small calf bumbling through the grass is always a huge highlight of any game drive. Our field guides love to share these moments with guests and often capture them on film, and usually to very funny affect. Here is a selection of these delightful clips from <strong><a href="https://vimeo.com/singita" target="_blank">our Vimeo channel</a></strong> that shows these little buffoons of the bush in action:</p> <h2>Curious calf</h2> <p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/142503599" width="770" height="433" frameborder="0" title="Curious elephant calf" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>Little ellies are well known for their curious nature, and will often approach a game vehicle under the watchful eyes of their elders. This little chap had a brief sniff of the 4×4’s front grille and then scampered off after his mother into the roadside scrub.</p> <h2>How does this work?</h2> <p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/146031426" width="770" height="433" frameborder="0" title="An elephant calf unable to use its trunk" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>It’s always rather funny watching a young elephant testing out its unique nose. Drinking from the waterhole is often particularly tricky as it starts to figure out how to use the thousands of muscles in its trunk to get the water from the pool to their mouths (apparently the trick is to just dive in face first!).</p> <h2>King of the jungle</h2> <p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/145776632" width="770" height="433" frameborder="0" title="Elephant calf shows a bush who is boss" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>Calves are the centre of attention in their family groups and rely on their mothers for as long as three years. This can make them a little too self-assured, as you’ll see in this clip which shows a young elephant showing a bush who’s boss!</p> <p><em>You can subscribe to <a href="https://vimeo.com/singita" target="_blank">our Vimeo channel</a> to see more wildlife clips and short films from Singita, or catch up on the monthly <a href="http://singita.com/wildlife-reports/" target="_blank">Field Reports</a> from our <a href="http://singita.com/lodges/" target="_blank">12 lodges and camps</a> to see more of this continent’s incredible flora and fauna.</em></p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://singita.com/the-irrepressible-charm-of-baby-elephants/">The Irrepressible Charm of Baby Elephants</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://singita.com">Singita</a>.</p> </div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/experience" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Experience</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/wildlife" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Wildlife</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/elephants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">elephants</a></div></div> Thu, 28 Jan 2016 05:53:28 +0000 Anonymous 1456 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/the-irrepressible-charm-baby-elephants#comments Grassland Giants https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/grassland-giants <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p><em><a href="http://singita.com/regions/singita-grumeti/" target="_blank">Singita Grumeti</a>, situated adjacent to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, is an integral part of the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem. Singita manages the concession on behalf of the non-profit Grumeti Community and Wildlife Conservation Fund, and is responsible for the long-term sustainability of the reserve. Elephants, the gentle giants of the grasslands, form an essential part of this ecosystem. Here field guide Ross Couper tells us more:</em></p> <p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/elephants_4.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13581" alt="Elephants in the Serengeti - Singita Grumeti" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/elephants_4.jpg" /></a></p> <p>Topographically, the Grumeti region comprises flat undulating grassy plains interrupted by scattered rocky areas, known as <em>kopjies</em>. Apart from the millions of blue wildebeest and several thousand zebra that move across the Serengeti grasslands every year, there are also several species that do not migrate.</p> <p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/elephants_2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13579" alt="Elephants in the Serengeti - Singita Grumeti" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/elephants_2.jpg" /></a></p> <p>Elephants dwarf the other species in the region and, given the rich biodiversity in the Grumeti area, do not compete for food with the grazing herds. These lumbering giants are often described as highly emotional and demonstrate a significant level of intelligence. One such example is the way in which they have been known to treat elephant carcasses, showing an interest in retrieving the tusks and bones. This behaviour has been noted as a way of grieving a companion when they have passed on. This emotional connection is also apparent in the way in which elephants show concern for their family members, in particular the young calves within the herds.</p> <p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/elephants_1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13578" alt="Elephants in the Serengeti - Singita Grumeti" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/elephants_1.jpg" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/elephants_3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13580" alt="Elephants in the Serengeti - Singita Grumeti" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/elephants_3.jpg" /></a></p> <p>As a keystone species in the Serengeti – animals whose behaviour allows for other species to thrive and contributes to the biodiversity of an area – elephants help to naturally conserve their own habitat. They stop the progression of grassland into forest or woodland, thereby providing plenty of feed for the migrating mammals. By uprooting woody plants that spout among the grasses (which form the beginnings of a forest), elephants help to manage the life-giving plains, including the throngs of antelope, wildebeest and zebra, and the predators who feed on them. Without the work of these animals, the habitat would change or disappear, completely disrupting the migration and the ecosystem at large. It’s just one of the reasons why looking after Singita Grumeti’s elephant population, and those of all the other species that live there, is a critical part of the conservation process.</p> <p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/elephants_5.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13582" alt="Elephants in the Serengeti - Singita Grumeti" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/elephants_5.jpg" /></a></p> <div id="attachment_13583" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 640px"><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/elephants_6.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-13583" alt="Elephants in the Serengeti - Singita Grumeti" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/elephants_6.jpg" width="630" height="420" /></a><br /><p class="wp-caption-text">A close-up look at elephant hide</p> </div> <p><em>Spanning over 350,000 acres of untouched wilderness, Singita Grumeti is home to <a href="http://singita.com/regions/singita-grumeti/" target="_blank">five of Singita’s 12 lodges and camps</a>, including <a href="http://singita.com/explore-mobile-tented-camp/" target="_blank">Singita Explore</a>, a private-use mobile camp that offers guest an intimate and authentic connection with the landscape and its wildlife.</em></p> <p>The post <a href="http://singita.com/blog/grassland-giants/">Grassland Giants</a> appeared first on <a href="http://singita.com">Singita</a>.</p> </div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/lodges-and-camps" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Lodges and Camps</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/singita-grumeti" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Singita Grumeti</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/sustainable-conservation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Sustainable Conservation</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/wildlife" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Wildlife</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/elephants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">elephants</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/ross-couper" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ross Couper</a></div></div> Fri, 20 Nov 2015 13:52:34 +0000 Anonymous 1381 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/grassland-giants#comments Elephant Antics at Singita Sabi Sand https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/elephant-antics-singita-sabi-sand <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p><em>One story from our <a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Singita-Sabi-Sand-Wildlife-Report-March-2014.pdf" target="_blank">latest Wildlife Report</a> from <a href="http://singita.com/regions/singita-sabi-sand/" target="_blank">Singita Sabi Sand</a> got plenty of attention this week and was shared on various news and social media networks worldwide. It’s easy to see why when you look at this amusing series of photos by field guides Leon van Wyk and Ross Couper – they certainly gave us the giggles!</em></p> <p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ellies_2.jpg"><img src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ellies_2.jpg" alt="Marula tree at Singita Sabi Sand" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8926" /></a></p> <p>Time has once again flown by, and yet another marula season has come and gone. February 2014 saw a real bumper crop of these delicious fruit being produced by the many hundreds of marula trees that are to be found at <a href="http://singita.com/regions/singita-sabi-sand/" target="_blank">Singita Sabi Sand</a>. Various animals were seen tucking into this fruity feast with great gusto! Not only the elephants, who are so famous for enjoying these smooth-skinned, large-stoned fruits, but also monkeys, baboons, impala, kudu, warthogs, zebra… and, of course, humans.</p> <p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ellies_3.jpg"><img src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ellies_3.jpg" alt="Elephant antics at Singita Sabi Sand" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8927" /></a></p> <p>There has long been an African myth about the marula fruit intoxicating large mammals that have consumed huge amounts of the fallen fruit. This bush legend played in my mind recently when we had a sighting of an elephant herd moving through the bush, feeding on the fermenting marula fruit. The younger elephants walked behind the older siblings, picking up and eating the fruit as they moved – the older elephants seemed to be ‘teaching’ the youngsters what was safe to eat. An adult cow had forcefully shaken a nearby marula tree, knocking off lots of the fruit, which a few younger elephants passed by our vehicle to eat. We watched in awe because the youngsters definitely seemed to display signs of being rather tipsy!</p> <p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ellies_5.jpg"><img src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ellies_5.jpg" alt="Elephant antics at Singita Sabi Sand" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8929" /></a></p> <p>As amusing as the idea may be, it is in fact extremely unlikely. In reality, an elephant eating only marulas may consume roughly 30kg in one day or approximately 714 individual fruits. This is less than half of the marulas needed to produce intoxication. There have been reports of elephant behaviour that resembles an intoxicated state, but research shows that this is unlikely to occur only from eating marulas. </p> <p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ellies_4.jpg"><img src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ellies_4.jpg" alt="Elephant antics at Singita Sabi Sand" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8928" /></a></p> <p>It has been speculated that the behaviour may be the result of the elephants eating beetle pupae that live in the bark of marula trees. These pupae have traditionally been used by the San people to poison their arrow tips, and this toxin could lead to behavioural changes in animals that consume it. Another explanation is that bull elephants, who are particularly fond of marula fruit, are simply defending their favourite food resource. </p> <p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ellies_1.jpg"><img src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ellies_1.jpg" alt="Elephant antics at Singita Sabi Sand" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8925" /></a></p> <p><em>The beautiful elephants of <a href="http://singita.com/regions/singita-sabi-sand/" target="_blank">Singita Sabi Sand</a> feature regularly in our monthly <a href="http://singita.com/blog/wildlife-report/" target="_blank">Wildlife Reports</a> and on our <a href="http://singita.com/social/" target="_blank">social media pages</a>. Spanning more than 45,000 acres, this concession is also renowned for high concentrations of big game and frequent leopard sightings.</em></p> <p>The post <a href="http://singita.com/blog/elephant-antics-at-singita-sabi-sand/">Elephant Antics at Singita Sabi Sand</a> appeared first on <a href="http://singita.com">Singita</a>.</p> </div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/experience" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Experience</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/sabi-sand" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Sabi Sand</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/wildlife" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Wildlife</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/elephants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">elephants</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/ross-couper" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ross Couper</a></div></div> Sat, 26 Apr 2014 08:05:28 +0000 Anonymous 849 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/elephant-antics-singita-sabi-sand#comments China to destroy ivory https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/china-to-destroy-ivory <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p><img width="250" height="150" src="http://blog.africageographic.com/africa-geographic-blog/files/2014/01/ivory-250x150.jpg" class="attachment-sliderimg wp-post-image" alt="Photo from the U.S. Ivory Crush. © Barbara von Hoffman" /></p> <p>The Chinese government plans to destroy several tons of confiscated ivory and other wildlife products demonstrating the Chinese government’s commitment in combatting the multi-billion dollar illegal wildlife trade.</p> </div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/china" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">China</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/destroy" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">destroy</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/elephants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">elephants</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/illegal-ivory" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">illegal ivory</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/ivory" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">ivory</a></div></div> Fri, 03 Jan 2014 07:55:12 +0000 Anonymous 633 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/china-to-destroy-ivory#comments 50‌‌‌ | 50 Anniversary Season: Episode 19 https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/50%E2%80%8C%E2%80%8C%E2%80%8C-50-anniversary-season-episode-19 <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p><img width="250" height="150" src="http://blog.africageographic.com/africa-geographic-blog/files/2014/01/Blood-Ivory-250x150.jpg" class="attachment-sliderimg wp-post-image" alt="Blood-Ivory" /></p> <p>The Southern African elephant population has, to date, been largely unaffected by the mass poaching slaughters happening around Africa - but for how much longer? Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is one of the last remaining natural areas in Johannesburg but has it reached carrying capacity? Uncover the answers to these, and other, questions in this weeks episode of 50‌‌‌ | 50.</p> </div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/conservation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Conservation</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/50-50" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">50 50</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/elephants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">elephants</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/ivory" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">ivory</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/johannesburg" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Johannesburg</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/klipriviersberg-nature-reserve" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/poaching" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">poaching</a></div></div> Thu, 02 Jan 2014 09:42:31 +0000 Anonymous 629 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/50%E2%80%8C%E2%80%8C%E2%80%8C-50-anniversary-season-episode-19#comments Only 6 signatures – how successful was the Botswana Elephant Conference? https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/only-6-signatures-%E2%80%93-how-successful-was-the-botswana-elephant-conference <div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p><img width="250" height="150" src="http://blog.africageographic.com/africa-geographic-blog/files/2013/12/elephants3-250x150.jpg" class="attachment-sliderimg wp-post-image" alt="elephants" /></p> <p>In the wake of the Elephant Summit held in Botswana in early December where urgent measures to halt the rampant illegal ivory trade were adopted one is left asking if it is enough?</p> </div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/news" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">News</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/botswana" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Botswana</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/china" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">China</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/elephant-summit" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Elephant Summit</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/elephants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">elephants</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/ivory" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">ivory</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/ivory-trade" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">ivory trade</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/tourism" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">tourism</a></div></div> Fri, 27 Dec 2013 10:28:01 +0000 Anonymous 559 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa https://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/only-6-signatures-%E2%80%93-how-successful-was-the-botswana-elephant-conference#comments

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