Rare encounters

iSimangaliso, with its diverse eco-systems, is renowned for its huge variety of flora and fauna.  With improving visitor access and activities interesting encounters are being frequently reported. Some recent highlights include:

In air..

The uMkhuze section of iSimangaliso, already internationally renowned as a birding hotspot, has just earned itself another feather in the cap in the twitcher stakes. An extremely rare Golden Pipit was spotted and photographed by keen birder Brian Chedzey during a visit late December last year

The sighting has caused quite a stir in birding circles and was forwarded to iSimangaliso by Birdlife’s Duncan Pritchard. “This is probably only the 4th sighting in South Africa and definitely the first in KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.

uMkhuze has an impressive list of over 400 recorded species – now increased by one thanks to the sharp eyes of Mr Chedzey

Under water…

iSimangaliso boasts riches beyond measure in its protected estuary and ocean, and anglers are often amazed at what they pull out of the waters. This “monster” brindle bass was caught in the shallow St Lucia estuary by Mtubatuba resident, Innes Minnie, who fought for almost 2 hours to bring it in. Before being release it was measured at 1.7m and probably weighed around 100kg

Out at sea, other magnificent giants include a familiar whale shark spotted by diver Sam Bester at Sodwana Bay.

“On 18 December 2008 after a spectacular dive on Stringer reef we were visited by an eight metre male whale shark on the surface at Stringer.
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““When I saw the visible scarring on the left gill area, I knew immediately that this was an animal encountered and photographed twice before in Sodwana Bay.  The first recorded sighting was on 8th January 2006 followed by a repeat sighting on 4th January 2008.

“This whale shark is the seventh individual identified and re-sighted at Sodwana Bay in the last 24 months,” said Sam.

A further excitement recorded by Sam was a repeat sighting of a Loggerhead turtle released by uShaka Marine World on 12 May 2008.  “Bob” had spent in excess of 15 years in captivity at Seaworld in Durban, and then subsequently at uShaka. 

Bob was transported from uShaka with a hands-on team of scientists and staff to Sodwana by vehicle.  Once in Sodwana he was tagged, medicated with antibiotics and measured before being loaded on to the boat and taken to sea.  He was successfully released at Anton's reef on southern 2 mile and was monitored before being left to enjoy his freedom. 

On the 28th  December 2008, Sam Bester - who was part of the Release Team - had the privilege of a visit from Bob on Wayne's World, at northern 2 mile. 

On Land...

The Eastern Shores section of iSimangaliso and in particular Cape Vidal, is home to an active population of the rare Samango monkey.  Even more rare is the albino pictured below, photographed by iSimangaliso’s Roland Vorwerk.

iSimangaliso would love to hear of other interesting sightings from visitors to the Park.

Images supplied by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.