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 Insights 241: O sole mio!
| Rhulani Safari LodgeAfter Christmas we are already ringing in the new year 2025. Rhulani's owner Rolf sends a greeting from his own in Switzerland to our community and to the team at Rhulani, who are preparing dinner for...Rhulani Minute Safari - Buffalo herd at the water
| Rhulani Safari LodgeIt's impressive to see a whole and really big herd of buffalo moving through the savannah and taking a drink break on the other side of the dam that is filled with sparse water....Life of a Ranger: The giraffe stands up
| Rhulani Safari LodgeDid you know that giraffes also sometimes take a break, but instead of lying down, they sit in a very special way? Rhulani's head guide Alasdair shows us this sitting position of his favorite animal t...Rhulani Insights 240 – Elephants go for the fresh water
| Rhulani Safari LodgeThere is no better place in Rhulani than here in the underground hide, very close to the waterhole, where you can relax and unwind and watch the elephants. These large mammals sometimes stay here for ...Rhulani Minute Safari - The smile of the lioness
| Rhulani Safari LodgeThe lioness has picked up something in the bush and is showing us a typical grimace, also known in technical jargon as the "Flehmen response". This is a reaction when a lion encounters a scent of inte...Life of a Ranger: The Zebra's cooling system
| Rhulani Safari LodgeDid you know that while antelopes usually seek shade on sunny days, zebras are often found in the blazing sun? Rhulani's ranger Willem shows us a zebra stallion today, standing motionless in the sun o...
