To Duncan and the Leopard Hills Team,
As we collectively mourn the tragic loss of these magnificent Friends, Our thoughts are with you, and your path forward is our path forward…
Depend on our unswerving solidarity and support in your endevours in what ever way you deem most necessary to continue your sterling work and achieve the difficult and admirable goals that you have set for yourself and your team.
You epitomize and ignite in us the Spirit of Africa Itself.
We applaud you and your efforts to ensure that their passing is not in vain.
Tim
Tim Warner put our thoughts into words better than we could have ~ so DITTO!
May Africa always have servants like all of you!
Susan and Lou
Tim Warner put our thoughts into words better than we could have ~ so DITTO!
May Africa always have servants like all of you!
Susan and Lou
Amen! You could not have said it better.
Joy K.
Absolutely agree!!!
Tim, you have put my afterthoughts perfectly into your post.
However, I can not stop thinking about it:-(
Tim,
Congratulations on a very successful first post on the weblog and thank you for taking the time to honour the late Sand River Pride and support Duncan and his dedicated team.
I strongly believe that positive will come from this tragic event this time round…
Thank you to all the readers for all your support and encouragement. You guys make this weblog!
Thanks Tim for the posting and the friendship. This has helped more than you will know right now.
Thanks to All.
Thank you Duncan for all your efforts and for trying to rescue these beautiful animals. Your dedication is admirable.
Best Regards,
Ken & Ngaire
Thank you Duncan for all your efforts and for trying to rescue these beautiful animals. Your dedication is admirable.
Best Regards,
Ken & Ngaire
Duncan, sad news indeed. It is people like you that make such a difference in the magic that is South Africa. Thank you to Tim as well for letting us know of the developments in Sabi Sands, one of the most wonderful places in the world. The wildlife of the Sabi Sands is a treasure and we so appreciate all your efforts in conservation, care and concern the people and animals of the area. THANK YOU.
This is heartbreaking news to read and I share the feelings of all who have posted. The photo’s of those beautful animals will keep them forever in our hearts. My memories of Kruger and Africa have made my life richer. Thank you
This is such sad news and thanks to Tim for alerting us to the situation. It is a tragic loss, not only for South Africa but for the entire world. They were beautiful animals. Keep up your good works Duncan.
Our hearts go out to you, Duncan, and your dedicated team! We are so saddened over this news. As members of Ngaire & Ken’s ROAR group, please know that you have our support as you deal with this tragic event. These precious animals will forever be in our hearts. ROAR on, sweet Pride.
A very sad, upsetting report. Thank you for letting us know about the situation and know that you have our support in your efforts to deal with these unfortunate events. We look forward to expressing our thoughts in person when we see you in April.
One of the lasting memories we have taken away from Leopard Hills was the love of the animals and the land the whole staff embodied. Know that we all support you during this time and one day hope to bring our whole family to experience your devotion to Sabi Sands.
One of the lasting memories we have taken away from Leopard Hills was the love of the animals and the land the whole staff embodied. Know that we all support you during this time and one day hope to bring our whole family to experience your devotion to Sabi Sands.
Our hearts go out to you, as you deal with this horrific happening. We were there with Ngaire and Ken’s group also, and know how devastating this loss is to everyone in the area.
I’ve not had the opportunity to visit this area in person – yet. It is the wonderful stewardship of this spectacular land and the animals who share it for which I thank you. I can’t wait for an opportunity to visit in person – the photographs brought back by friends are awe-inspiring!
I am so incredibly sorry to hear of this tragedy, and my heart goes out to those of you who are having to deal with it.
Your news is heart breaking. My husband and I send you condolences and wish you strength in dealing with this tragedy.
Duncan, This is such a tragedy and makes me cry. We were in the Sabi Sands in November and are devastated to hear that this could possibly have happened. My heart goes out to you and others for all you do. Thank you Jim for bringing it to our attention.
This breaks my heart. After two visits to S Africa and a third to come, my thanks go out to all who are working on this.
So sad to hear the news. South Africa is such a magical place. We were on safari in October and fell in love. This was very sad but please do not let it keep you from sharing these beautiful animals with all of us.
Very sad and distressing news. Our hearts go out to those who have such a great care and concern for the wonderful animals, and then have to deal with such a terrible situation.
I am so sad to learn of this situation. My husband and I were on safari in the Sabi Sands area in November before meeting Ngaire at Madikwe Hills. The lion sightings at Sabi Sands were our most compelling experiences while on safari.
I’m a freelance writer and have recorded our journey in Sabi Sands on my personal travel blog as well as at my professional one at http://myitchytravelfeet.com. If I can help you in any way, please contact me.
While we have never been on a safari we do have a great love for all animals and much admiration for those like you who try to ensure their safety and well-being. Please know many people share your sorrow!
While we have never been on a safari we do have a great love for all animals and much admiration for those like you who try to ensure their safety and well-being. Please know many people share your sorrow!
We stand with you at this very difficult time in the Sabi Sands. The loss of the pride is shocking.
Know we are standing with you in spirit, and will stand with you in person in a few short months. Until then,
Duncan – The dedication of you and your marvelous staff to the welfare of the magnificent creatures of Sabi Sands was evident and gratifying. The loss of this pride must certainly be immeasurably more painful to you than it is to those of us who have had the great pleasure and honor to have stayed at Leopard Hills and shared the animals there with you. Please let us know whether there is anything else we can do to reduce the chances of such a tragic outcome if a similar "escape" occurs again. Many of us are willing to contact any organization or agency concerning such a matter, if you think that would be useful and would have a genuinely positive effect on reviewing the policies which lead to these sad situations.
Duncan – The dedication of you and your marvelous staff to the welfare of the magnificent creatures of Sabi Sands was evident and gratifying. The loss of this pride must certainly be immeasurably more painful to you than it is to those of us who have had the great pleasure and honor to have stayed at Leopard Hills and shared the animals there with you. Please let us know whether there is anything else we can do to reduce the chances of such a tragic outcome if a similar "escape" occurs again. Many of us are willing to contact any organization or agency concerning such a matter, if you think that would be useful and would have a genuinely positive effect on reviewing the policies which lead to these sad situations.
This is a tragic situation. We love Africa and support you in your endeavors. Tourism is important to the African economy and the Safari parks enable those of us from around the world to enjoy these wonderful creatures.
Duncan,
We loved your camp and appreciate all you and the rangers are doing to protect the wildlife. Thanks for all the time and energy you and your team have invested in preserving the African experience.
These animals are simply amazing and part of the world’s treasure. It is so admirable that you are working so diligently to save them and to change things. We appreciate all you do on behalf of all of us. The work that you do for Sabi Sands is incredible, and the world is a better place for it.
You have our continued support. When I think about Africa, I think about those beautiful animals.
After spending a week at Leopard Hills in September with Duncan and his staff – I know this is a tough time for you. We appreciate the amazing passion you have for the animals and the work you do make South Africa such a magical place to visit. Please know that we are thinking of you.
We are so sorry to hear of this situation and hope that new procedures will be implemented. We feel so privileged to have experienced the wildlife of South Africa and will never forget the animals as well as the dedicated staff, trackers, and rangers who make our experiences so wonderful.
We are so sorry to hear of this situation and hope that new procedures will be implemented. We feel so privileged to have experienced the wildlife of South Africa and will never forget the animals as well as the dedicated staff, trackers, and rangers who make our experiences so wonderful.
I fell in love with South Africa during GAME in 2008. I will return. Thoughts are with you. Thankyou.
My heart is broken to hear of this tragedy. I certainly hope new procedures will be implemented. I have not been to South Africa YET, but applaud your efforts. Please keep up the good work and our prayers are with you.
We were devastated to learn of the loss of this beautiful pride. We applaude Duncan in his ongoing efforts to capture and keep the heart and mind of south African game and their well being preserved. Please keep up the good work and we look forward to sharing your beautiful safari experiences once again in October.
I was shaken to the core to hear of this sad situation. We had to cancel our sarfari last year because of illness. But, one day, we will get there. Please keep working on this so it doesn’t happen again. You have our full respect and support. I hope they do a story of this on 60 Mins or Dateline so the world will know.
Posted by me on Africam.com–>
To all of you that are also Sad and Mad about what happened to the Sand River Pride ( Lions) It seemed to me that they were almsot adopted by Leopard Hills Lodge!
The people there are all devastad!
They have a number off message’s on there Blog and you can do a message there.
its on–>
http://www.leopardhills.com…
Different blogs!
I am thinking about creating a website which collects all the comments i can find on this tragic topic and then sent it on a daily base to the responsible Authorities. so it "* Might *"help to prevent such things happening again.
I have fallen in love with the Windmill Pride! And i my heart almost stops beating if i imagine something like what happened to the sand rivers happens to the Windmill’s !
I cant *edit* my message.
I mentioned the windmill’s but same goes for all the pride’s ! Including the Mapogo’s, and of corse all leopards!
I still cannot understand that the authorities have taken this action instead of alarming all rangers from the lodge’s and tried to bring them back into safety!
Also instead of bullets sleeping darts could have been done i think.
The authorities should go hunt for poachers!
Of Corse i understand sometimes a dangerous animal who is a major treat to the community should be taken out.
But a Complete Pride that found a fench broken by the weather and could not resist the adventure of exploring more should have been guided back into their safe domain.
Take Care.
Duncan, I truly appreciate all that you do for South Africa. Your continuing educational efforts are applauded.
I just want to add my voice to those who have commented already. We were in the sabi area this past Sept and spent many hours admiring the beautiful cat. Our hearts are with all who are striving to improve the situation there.
POSITIVE MOVES FORWARD
Thank you all for your encouragement and support, I am delighted to see that Duncan has advised that the events are producing positive results and that a structural engineer is to be appointed to redesign the Western Boundary Fence, with physical implementation of those recommendations being given urgent priority as soon as they are formulated.
It is also very encouraging that joint meetings are on the table to explore mutual concerns and ways of avoiding any future recurrence, we all recognize the crucial role that the Sabi Sand Reserve, the Lodges and the local Communities play and the importance of their task of ensuring a fair and proper balance between the needs of the Animals, and those of the population outside the Reserves.
South Africa has such a wonderful heritage to protect.
That it can keep its wild animals roaming freely within these great reserves, leading their lives in keeping with the laws of Nature, is almost unique, and it is greatly re-assuring to know that this charge is resting in such caring and capable hands. The level of response received is a demonstrated measure of the support and benefits that joint efforts to protect and preserve all wildlife can look forward to from the Tourism Sector.
We understand that you have much work to do and applaud you for your dedication, but will now leave you to concentrate on the tasks in hand, resting secure in the knowledge that you will do everything possible to ensure that the outcome is a fitting tribute to the memory of the Sand River Pride.
We thank You, your Team, the Local Community and the Sabi Sand Authorities that are diligently working towards this end, and, as always, if there is any way that we can be of positive assistance, then we are here.
TIM
Copy from exeter:
(story by Aquila)
A young male lion left over from a pride which recently perished in the area. He is approximately one and a half years old and is struggling to stay alive. He unfortunately wondered into the pride and now faced the challenge of his life. Both the adult females and some of the juveniles attacked him; amazingly the dominant male stepped in and chased the pride off him. We could not believe what we were seeing, Chris and I both thought he would be killed. Even more amazing was that he would not run away, instead he lay on his back in submission. The tactic worked, the pride with the adult male following close by left the area. The young male followed behind them and was periodically attacked by the pride that was again chased away by the male. We followed the pride for well over two hours and watched several more interactions. The two adult females then hunted and killed an adult male Impala. Unfortunately for them they were chased away by the dominant male who would not let any of the lions near him, except, the young sick male. We never saw if he had a chance to feed, but tracks the following morning indicate that he at least got the left overs. The pride later killed a Wildebeest where the young male was again seen nearby.