Sable Rescue

This week has been a busy one, with game drives and drivers licence tests being the main activities. Good general game sightings have been seen, as well as some rhino and lions. A few walks were done to strengthen theoretical knowledge on those smaller, but not less important things such as birds, trees and insects as well as improving tracking skills.

One rather hot afternoon after morning game drive and brunch, Bushwise got a call for help from one of the local landowners. A adult Sable bull had wandered into a cement reservoir! They needed our help to get him out and our students didn’t have to think twice about it! The reservoir was drained to about the ¼ mark and we waited patiently for the vet to arrive. This bull was a feisty one and had to be darted in order to be safely relocated back onto dry land. Once the vet had darted him, it only took a minute before the drugs took effect – he was already so exhausted from being stuck in the reservoir for a few hours! A few of our students quickly jumped in to hold his head up to prevent him from drowning and then the hard work began. Working together with students inside and outside the reservoir we loaded the 250kg bull onto a stretcher pulled over an extension ladder. It was tough work getting him out, but alas we got him out safe and sound. The vet gave him a shot to come round and few extra vitamins and anti-biotics to keep him healthy over the coming winter season. Two minutes later, he stood up, gave us all a very annoyed look and casually walked off into the bush a few metres away. Well done students - good job!

Proud that our combined efforts had saved the beautiful, healthy sable bull – we decided to celebrate with sundowners on Selati Bridge – a secluded spot overlooking a flowing river on the reserve.

We end off this week with a lecture and sleepout on Makalali Private Game Reserve. It is always interesting to sleepout on a Big 5 reserve, we are usually visited by Hyena and Elephants. One group has already had Leopard come into their camp!

The Bushwise Team

Sable Rescue