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Did you know…
Posted: November 30, 2011 by bushwhacked in Did you know...Tags: Leopard tortoise, tortoise
Did you know that the Leopard tortoise is the largest in southern Africa and can reach a maximum of 70 cm and 40 kg. It is also the only tortoise known to be able to swim!! It is hard to believe that such a size tortoise without flippers can swim!!
The leopard tortoise is called such because it has similar colouration to its namesake.
Do you know why it is important to never pick up a tortoise? The reason is that they might urinate when you pick them up and this can result in dehydration because of lost of water and they can die!!
Who’s got the worst job??
Posted: November 18, 2011 by bushwhacked in Funny FridaysTags: Elephant, zookeepers
Did you know…
Posted: November 4, 2011 by bushwhacked in Did you know...Tags: Acinonyx, cheetah, cheetah cubs, Honey badger, leopard, mimicry, Panthera
A cheetah do no roar in the manner of the larger cats and as such are in a genus of their own, i.e. Acinonyx (lions and leopards belong to the genus Panthera). They produce various bird-like sounds to keep in contact with young or to greet one another. When content, cheetahs are known to purr loudly. Under duress they may growl, snarl, hiss, bleat, cough or moan.
Young cheetah cubs (up to 3 months old) have a mantle of grey fur along the saddle of their backs which at quick glance resembles the colouration of the formidable honey badger. This mimicry is believed to deter larger predators from attacking the defenceless cubs as predators mistake them for the more ferocious and generally avoided badger.
We would like to wish Sinead a warm welcome!! Sinead is joining our bushwhacked/wildlife students team and will be helping with the marketing.
Here is a message from Sinead…
Hi,
I’m Sinead, an Irish Veterinary Student at UCD.
I have always been very passionate about Wildlife Conservation so when I heard all the great things about the Bushwhacked Cheetah project, I quickly became enthusiastic to get involved.
Thank you Sinead 
, we’re delighted that you’ve joined us and are looking forward to be working with you!!
If you have any questions you are welcome to contact Sinead at: sinead.mellett@ucdconnect.ie
The Bushwhacked team
Niall’s experience at the Cheetah Project, South Africa
Posted: October 18, 2011 by bushwhacked in Wildlife StudentsTags: black footed cat, cheetah, cheetah project, endangered species, hippo, Hornbill, leopard, Lion, Puffadder, river rafting, Serval
I spent 3 weeks on the HESC Cheetah project in Hoedspruit, during which time I experienced once in a lifetime opportunities!
We arrived there late in the afternoon on the minibus with the two camp leaders, Tabs and Karen. When we turned up at camp everyone else was already there and waiting for us! We wondered round the camp wondering where all the guys where, only to find me and Ryan where the only ones, with 8 other girls!
The huts we stayed in where brilliant. You really got a feel for the country and the animals around you by the way the camp was set up. The 1st night was just spent getting to know each other a little better, playing a few games and me and Ryan pretending we knew how to light a fire…fail.
We’ve been asked a few questions about the Whipalong program… so we decided why not blog it .
We are working with 32 horses as the moment – ranging from 2 months to 35 years, with quite a few youngsters, just backed or being prepared for backing.
We normally have 3 or 4 volunteers at a time, I can not guarantee that a volunteer will never be the only one at the project.
We start the day with feeding and grooming – then tick spraying and grooming of horses living out in the fields. Then we either do rides in the Moholoholo Game Reserve and/or train horses, mostly youngsters in the lunge ring and 20 x 40 school.
We do excursions for volunteers, but that can be done only when the project is fully under control and may not be possible should we have veterinary or other emergencies.
Volunteers have 1 day per week off or can take more days off should they want to rent a car and do excursions on their own. In the evenings volunteers cook and wash dishes – there is no TV. Many volunteers bring laptops with favorite movies etc. We do have internet at the project – I charge R250 for 4 weeks – I can also charge per 1/2 hour should they prefer.
Please let us know if you have any further questions regarding any of our programs.
Feedback from Jeannet who joined the Cheetah project program in August
Posted: October 9, 2011 by bushwhacked in Wildlife StudentsHello Tanja!
Everything went well with the flight home
My experience was awsome! The three weeks went by much to fast! I will definitely go back to South-Africa!!
A really good program where we got to experience hands on handeling of the animals and also got to see some of South-Africa and taste lockal food This journy will be in my memories for all times!
Enjoy springtime!
Jeannet
Each week the students are involved in outreaches here locally. This is a great opportunity for them to give back into local communities, and it is a learning time seeing how to practically use many of the teachings and skills they are learning.
