Rhulani Insights 237 – Rock monitor stuck in the tree
Look behind the scenes of Rhulani Safari Lodge.
In today's blog, three of the rangers from Rhulani Safari Lodge have gathered in this dense, thorny shepherd's bush to liberate a rock monitor that was entangled in it out of this awkward situation. But how did this happen? Why has this animal been lying motionless in the thicket for several days now? Is it really trapped here or does it not need any help at all?
We practically do not interfere with the natural course of nature, and in particular we leave the animals living in Madikwe Reserve to their fate.
A lot of people think that reptiles don't feel, and they do.
In this case too, we refrain from removing the rock monitor from its hiding place or prison, we only cut off a few thorny branches to facilitate a possible exit.
It is amazing to see how such a large reptile can climb up such a thorny bush and survive in it for days and weeks without food or water. Whether this female rock monitor is just resting here, looking for a safe place to give birth to her young, or whether the animal is already old and weak and has chosen a last resting place, is all speculation.
By the way, we found the Rock Monitor in the same place for a few days until it suddenly disappeared.
Stay tuned for the next episode on 20 November when we talk to the artist Michael Cañadas about our new leopard sculpture at the entrance.
Related articles
Rhulani Minute Safari - An easy catch for the lion
| Rhulani Safari LodgeSomewhat unusual and sad pictures from a sighting out in the bush today. When a mother zebra had problems giving birth to her young, she and the unborn became an easy catch for the lion, who is now ly...Bush stories: Predatory crocodiles
| Rhulani Safari LodgeBe close to our rangers when they make great game sightings on the daily safaris, like today when Rhulani's head guide Alasdair finds three crocodiles eating an impala at a pond. How could this happen...Rhulani Insights 238 - We talk about the leopard sculpture
| Rhulani Safari LodgeToday we show you our impressive new sculpture in the entrance area, the life-sized leopard climbing down from the tree, and we talk about this masterpiece with its creator, the artist Michael Cañadas...Rhulani Minute Safari - Happy muddy elephant
| Rhulani Safari LodgeLook at how the little elephant is having fun in the almost dried up puddle in the remaining mud. You could watch these animals for hours, couldn't you?...Bush Stories: The end of the impala
| Rhulani Safari LodgeDon't miss anything and join in when our rangers report on current sightings that are unusual even for them. Today Willem sends us a fantastic and rare sighting where a lioness in the open field takes...Life of a Ranger: Cheetah conservation
| Rhulani Safari LodgeDid you know that cheetahs are endangered and that we therefore need to protect them? Rhulani's Head Guide Alasdair tells us today about a cheetah conservation activity funded by Rhulani, where we had...
