New Arrivals in the Wild Dog Pack
^{posted in South Africa Holidays on Thursday, July 8, 2010}

The renown Thanda Private Game Reserve’s endangered African wild dog pack recently increased when a litter of 15 new pups was born. On 20 May the alpha female of the pack gave birth to a litter of puppies in a den on the reserve.

Last year Thanda expanded the reserve to 14000-ha merging boundaries with the neighbouring Mduna Royal Reserve. This was a historic achievement and Thanda has seen a leap in game sightings over the past few months including lion, buffalo and now the wild dog.

The newborn wild dog puppies remained in their den for the first four weeks after birth. It was decided that the den site would be closed off to game viewing due to the sensitivity of the newborn puppies, and to reduce any stress that might have been caused to mothering female.

Lion Cubs at Mwabvi
^{posted in Malawi Holidays on Thursday, July 8, 2010}

Moran and Amayi are a pair of 16-week-old lion cubs and they are the latest members of the team at Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve in Malawi.

Lion cubs are a 'first' for Mwabvi as predators have long since vanished from the reigon. The new cubs will have the job of promoting environmental conservation and education in local schools and the communities surrounding Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve.

The lion cubs also signal the beginning of Project African Wilderness's big cat breeding programme. Moran and Amayi are half white lion and half brown lion, so in three years time when they can breed them, the offspring can be sent back to South Africa to strengthen the white lion gene pool by breeding with true white lions.

It is also hoped that their presence at Mwabvi will attract more visitors who may never have travelled to Mwabvi. Kirsten, the 12 year old daughter of the PAW managers at Mwabvi, will be taking care of the lions but there are also opportunities for volunteers to help out!!