The Enviro Club outing to Hluhluwe / Mfolozi Game Reserve offered an exhilirating opportunity to encounter a bull African elephant at a close distance near the Nyalazi gate.  The overcast and relatively cool weather conditions enabled the junior and senior Enviro Club members the chance to sight many species of mammal.  Species such as Cape buffalo, giraffe, nyala, baboon, white rhino, impala and warthog were recorded.  The group rested at Mpila camp and enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the campsite, where one of the students  noticed the claw marks of a leopard on the trunk of a mature Marula tree.  On the return trip to the Nyalazi gate, the students stopped at a picnic site,  whilst taking in the breathtaking views of the reserve.  The trip ended on a positive note – students witnessed the claw marks of a lion on the side of a Burchell's zebra.  To the relief of all, the zebra had not sustained any significant injuries and was on the path to a full recovery.

Next enviro – club outing: Dlinza Forest aerial boardwalk ( Saturday 27th February ).

P. Edgar
Dept. Environmental Education