Sunday 25 July 2010

News from the Schools

Our conservation Manager Bjorn has been working closely with the two local schools that the Luangwa Wilderness conservation project supports to ensure that the students have suitable accommodation. Plans are currently underway to construct two new teaching blocks at both Chanjuzi and Chilabezi schools to replace the current, outdated timber and clay buildings. Bjorn has been working hard in conjunction with teachers from both schools to create a suitable plan and budget and we hope that construction of these new teaching blocks will soon be underway, once the planning stage has been finalized. We hope that with Bjorn’s continued hard work we will be able to confirm that construction has begun by the end of the current season.

Saturday 10 July 2010

Visitors in the Night: Large Lion sends the Baboons barking

Yet to be seen, over the last month we have been regularly visited by a VERY LARGE male lion! So far, we have only been able to identify him by his tracks, nevertheless, night after night he comes into the lodge, unnoticed and silent. Leaving no sign except barking baboons and his tracks, he has us all intrigued and we are waiting until our first sighting. Obviously shy, our night-watchmen have only caught him as he has been leaving so have not had a good look as yet. However, he has made himself at home slowly walking from the dining area, to the director’s area, through the maintenance yard and finally leaving via the staff compound. We are all interested to see the impact his presence has on our friendly resident leopard; however, we are pleased to say we are regularly seeing his tracks too!

Friday 2 July 2010

Jolly Genet!

We have not only been visited by large mammals, but some smaller ones too. As a means of relaxing at the end of the day, the managers come together as the sun goes down and play cards or watch films. Spotted first by our volunteer, Josie, we have had the pleasure of a regular visit from an inquisitive genet. Without fail, every time it came to the managers going to bed, he would be waiting there watching what we were up to. We all got so used to each other that he eventually started to wander closer and closer to us while we sat watching him silently. Unfortunately, after about three weeks, all of a sudden he was gone. Fearing the worst we stopped looking for our “jolly genet”. However, I am happy to report, he is back! Everyday without fail we find his tracks left in the soft sand. He comes right up to the houses and even jumps onto the dining table to see what smells he finds there. We are just hoping that maybe one day, he will take the next step and come and join us for dinner!