Four young, Side-striped jackals (Canis adustus) also known as Witkwas jakkals in Afrikaans were released on Mountainlands today. As pups they were found abandoned on a farm and were sent to Care for Wild Africa Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in the De Kaap Valley. The staff and volunteers raised them with minimum human contact so that they could be reintroduced into the wild.
They were sedated for their journey to the reserve and brought around again in order to be released. Some were still a bit groggy and took their time before heading into the long grass and bush giving us, the volunteers and staff of Care for Wild Africa the opportunity to take some photos. Side-striped jackals are omnivores and with insects, rodents and wild fruit in abundance this time of the year, they should be able to settle in well and find their spot on Mountainlands.
To learn more about the work of Care for Wild Africa, visit their website on www.careforwild.co.za or follow them on Facebook
Sweet Sweet Thorn
At the moment the air of Mountainlands is filled with the sweet scent of Sweet Thorn (Vachellia karroo) flowers. It is the most common Vachellia (previously known as Acacia ) in South Africa and with its bright yellow flowers that look like little fluff balls it is an especially attractive tree this time of the year.
And to top it, most of the game has little ones. The Blue Wildebeest, Impala and Zebras babes can be seen in the grassland. With such abundance, the combination of yellow and green Sweet Thorn trees and young animals will surely make for some interesting wildlife photography.
