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Nico Grobler, Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Thanks for an excellent newsletter.  Your conservancy is really setting the standard here in Gauteng.  I’m passing it on to my colleagues as well. 

John Wesson, Wildlife and Environment Society of SA
Please help!  WESSA is raising funds to help curb the escalating illegal rhino hunting.  We are encouraging people to make a donation through our SMS line.  SMS “Rhino” to 40706.  SMSs cost R20.  Or go to our website,  www.wessa.org.za to make a donation to WESSA with the reference “Rhino”.

Carolyn Allan, Rhenosterspruit
The Conservancy's hippo saga seems to continue!  It is a somewhat "Loch Ness" scenario.  I recall a story written in the Cradle News sometime ago regarding hippos in the Crocodile River near Toadbury Hall.  Their footprints were clearly seen in and around the vegetable farm off Beyers Naude where it crosses the Crocodile River.  Maybe these are the same ones working their way along the river until they find a safe place to reside - clearly the Conservancy is a safe haven!

Editor's note:  The hippo (or more than one) has been spotted several times in the dams on Northern Farm.  The owners of Aloe Ridge in the Cradle reckon it's their hippo, Houdini, who is living up to its name!
 

This is a Forum for sharing an experience, a problem or some of the humour of the veld.  Ask questions, comment on life in the veld or write a letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Sue Hatfield, Roodekrans
The May VeIdTalk was excellent.  I was so surprised to see the VeldForum comment from Colin MacRae of De Tweedespruit Conservancy!  My husband bought me Colin's book, "Life Etched In Stone", a few years ago for Christmas and it is the most beautiful, interesting book. 

Janine von Zeuner, Doornrandje
My husband, Lee, saw a brown hyena at our gate early on the morning of 26 May.  The dogs were going mad so he went to investigate and shone his torch straight into its face!  I’d have thought  hyenas would keep away from an area with houses.

Editor's note:  Lee von Zeuner is involved with the Wilderness Leadership School so he's unlikely to confuse an hyena with a wandering goat!

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Paul Smyth, Centurion
Thank you very much for the most interesting Scorpion Walk.  I really enjoyed it immensely.  It was my first visit to the Conservancy but I'll be back!

Niko Knigge, Doornrandje
Interest in the Conservancy is growing at a phenomenal rate.  Even the hippos, leopards and hyena want to come and live here!

Colin McRae, De Tweedespruit Conservancy
Super newsletter.  Good to see the enthusiasm regarding the geology of your conservancy.  I am a geologist and palaeontologist - the author of Life Etched in Stone. You may find it enlightening to squizz through it sometime.  I dealt extensively with the evidence of life in the dolomites (The Oxygen Pump).  I also covered the human evolution - you have a lot of sites in your area.

Alex Delides, Riverside Estates
Our annual Climb-the-Rhenosterkop outing in May attracted two dozen enthusiastic climbers.  Natalie from Johannesburg and her family all made it to the top and promised to be back next year.  “We're your biggest fans!”  she said.  The views from the top of Rhenosterkop are something to behold!

"We made it!"  On top of Rhenosterkop with the Witwatersberg and Magaliesberg in the background.  Photo provided by Alex Delides

Lynette Loosen, Hills and Dales
We would love to join the next Scorpion Walk. The kids really enjoyed the Spider Walk. We were at the coast and on Saturday morning I heard the kids yelling from the lounge to say that they were on TV. We watched the whole Knock Knock Show - it was awesome!

Professor Pink, presenter of the Knock Knock science programme, and his team filmed the Spider Walk and will be covering the Scorpion Walk again on 2 May. The show is broadcast on SABC 3 on Wednesdays (14:00) and repeated on Saturdays (06:30). www.knockknock.bz. Ed.