Solitaire, Namibia

The month of March was a month full of birthday celebrations and new experiences!  Myself, Sarah, Elzette, Cila, Dara, and a handful of volunteers all shared birthday celebrations at N/a ‘an ku se. Everyone at N/a ‘an ku se came together for an animal themed celebration. A delicious dinner at the beautiful lodge was a nice change of scenery. The gorge now filling with the fallen rains is a site to behold! The giant catfish surfacing remind me of the hardships these animals face in a land of extremes. 

But the lodge was just one change of scenery…

One morning I was given an hours’ notice that I would be leaving for Solitaire along with Big Matt (Matt Cleverley). I would be shadowing biologists Matt Cleverley and Kate Echement in Solitaire to learn about the Namib Carnivore Conservation Center, a partnership organization between N/a ‘an ku se and the Solitaire Quest Farm House. The project was started in June of 2011 to promote the rehabilitation and reintroduction of large African carnivores. Here we study the carnivore populations and monitor both captive and wild cheetahs. A 500 hectare enclosure on site provides us the space necessary to rehabilitate cheetahs prior to reintroduction to the wild. The enclosure also serves as a mechanism for a soft release. For cheetahs, a soft release is the introduction into a holding boma at the release site, prior to release. It allows the animal some time to adapt to its new environment. It’s like putting a newly bought fish in a bag inside your fish tank before releasing it to its new world. It increases the chance that animal will survive. Other species like leopard are able to cope more with environmental changes. They experience a hard release, a direct release into the wild of a new environment. But leopards are hardy creatures in a land of extremes!

Solitaire:

Solitaire is a beautiful place! It’s that picturistic savannah you imagine in your head. Golden fields of grass with sparsely placed acacia trees stretched across the flat open plains. There’s a mountain range in the background and dry riverbeds of sand. The town itself is merely a gas station, an Inn, and a bakery. But it’s often visited by tourists heading to one of Nambia’s great attractions, Sossusvlei. Sossusvlei is said to have the highest dunes in the world (though this statement is debated). Regardless, Sossusvlei is spectacular! It is located in the Namib Naukluft park, the largest conservation area in all of Africa. A must for the bucket list!

Cheetahs:

Here at the Solitaire Quest Farm, the Namib Carnivore Conservation Center (NCCC) has four captive cheetahs. Two of our resident cheetahs, Pepper and Spartacus, will never be released. The famous Spartacus is a known calf killer. He was captured by a neighboring farmer and given to N/a ‘an ku se after losing over 25 calves. Because of his love for beef he will never have the opportunity to roam free. A life in captivity was his only alternative to death. But 500 hectares (5 square kilometers) allows him the space captive wildlife seldom experience. Tipping the scales at 60kg, Spartacus is the largest cheetah I have ever worked with! With most adult cheetahs weighing in at 40-50kg, he is a sight to behold! Both Spartacus and Pepper have lost their fear of humans and would approach people if released into the wild. They will live out the rest of their lives here in Solitaire.

Our other three cheetahs Laura, Rusty, and Sandy are working to be released. They have demonstrated their hunting abilities taking out Springbok inside the enclosure. The following steps include finding a suitable habitat with game, away from livestock farms before a release can be discussed. Visitors of the Solitaire Quest Farm have the opportunity to book tours to see the cheetahs and learn more about the NCCC’s goals. Tours not only support the organization but offer a unique opportunity for guests to learn about the conservation of large African carnivores.

A Sad Story:

One morning we noticed Sandy appeared quite weak. We monitored her closely on a daily basis to see if she improved. After failing to get her to feed we knew there was an issue. Fluids and antibiotics were administered after Rudie made a special trip to dart her. When her condition did not improve, we grew increasingly concerned. We had no choice but to take her to a vet in Windhoek. This required darting her again. Unfortunately we did not have the equipment, drugs, or a veterinarian on standby, and Rudie was busy. So we had no choice but to do it by hand! Using the trees, a bit of fencing material, a tarp, two volunteers, and a vehicle, we constructed a boma. But this was only the beginning. We still had to keep Sandy’s mother and sister away (Laura and Rusty) while attempting to heard the Sandy from a nearby bush, into our makeshift boma. Using volunteers to prop up the fence, it was up to Kate and I to steer Sandy towards the boma. After two failed attempts, it looked hopeless. But on our third attempt she was in! I pulled the free fencing together to close the boma and when Sandy entered the box trap we had set, Kate slammed it shut! We were successful and Sandy experienced minimal stress. It was a great achievement for Kate and I. But not all stories end with a happy ending. Sadly, Sandy died in the vet clinic. She had scar tissue in her upper intestine which had formed a blockage, causing an obstruction. There was no warning, and only a necropsy revealed this knowledge. In the end we did our best with what we had, and that’s got to count for something.

My First Tour:

When Kate and Matt left me in charge for the weekend, something was bound to go wrong. I had never done a tour inside the NCCC’s enclosure, but I felt comfortable with my knowledge and history working with cheetahs. My first tour was in an old 1967 open Cruiser. Things were going well and I had just finished explaining something about coalitions. It wasn’t until after our beautiful sundowner when things went wrong. Jumping in the vehicle, I managed to get the old beast started. But when I went to switch on the headlights, they flickered for a moment as if to give me hope, then shut off. With poor reception and eight guests, calling for another vehicle was out of the question. I had no choice but to drive blindly in a camp of wild cheetahs. It wasn’t long until a large mound sent the quests flying off their seats. They were airborne, and I imagined the group demanding a full refund. I apologized and managed to get them back in one piece. Offloading, I couldn’t believe their faces! Despite the cold, rough drive, excitement gripped them. They had enjoyed the full African experience! I laughed, but I couldn’t help thinking how lucky I was that cheetahs are a diurnal predator. Thank God there weren’t leopards!

I’ll spend the next two weeks in Solitaire continuing to track our released cheetah, running tours, and working alongside Kate Echement and volunteers doing research related activities.

A Thank you to my friend, photographer, and volunteer, Marion Lingner
And for your help along with Monica Ackermann, who made Sandy’s capture possible!

Wishing you all the best,

Matthew Solberg

I would like to dedicate this entry to a good friend Robin. We had some good times bra, and I wish you the best in Germany. N/a ‘an ku se won’t be the same without you.

There and Back Again

Another month has passed here at N/a ‘an ku se and the rains continue to bring new challenges here in Namibia. Roads are swept away and the vegetation has doubled in size.

Here at N/a ‘an ku se I have continued to assist with research, leading groups of volunteers to distribute camera traps, conduct game counts, and practice my tracking skills. Every day is a new challenge and I look forward to spending more of my time here at N/a ‘an ku se!

The month of February proved to be a special month when Rudie (founder of N/a ‘an ku se along with Marlice) announced he would be dedicating more of his time to N/a ‘an ku se. Staff and volunteers came together for the announcement along with a special Valentines dinner. It wasn’t long after, N/a ‘an ku se staff and volunteers united to film a “Thank you” for some special sponsors. We lit lanterns and set them off into the rising sun. View the link posted below!

Thank you for your support Video by Lynsey Gedman.

Cheetah Run:

One of the new activities I’ve been leading is the cheetah run. It consists of a battery operated fixed-wheel that spins. Attaching a length of rope around the wheel and placing two or more pulleys in the ground creates a rope circuit. When I operate the machine, the rope is pulled through the pulleys placed on the ground of the animal’s enclosure. A small rag attached to the rope creates a moving lure that attracts the cheetahs. The movement of the rag triggers instinct and the cheetahs give chase. It’s not research related, but the activity is a great means for exercising captive cheetahs. It is also a great experience for volunteers to see cheetahs run and their amazing adaptations for speed. Their thick tail for balance, slim build, large airways, and fixed claws for traction make speed an educational experience.

Meet Cubby:

Our orphaned six month old male cheetah cub. He's got quite the attitude!

Bobby:

Another addition to the farm is our baby baboon Bobby. The man responsible for shooting his mother was kind enough to bring Bobby to N/a ‘an ku se. Volunteers take turns taking Bobby for the night, bottle feeding the ten week old baboon.  We’ve provided him with the best life we can here at the sanctuary. Orphaned baboons are a common issue. When they lose their fear of humans, they invade gardens, farms, and wreak havoc. Tourists should refrain from feeding such animals, as it just fuels the problem. By feeding baboons you alter the animal’s behavior and its role in the environment. Thankfully, Bobby is settling in well. We’ve bonded and I can tell you he’s quite the handful! He enjoys putting everything in his mouth and climbing about unsuspecting victims. Taking care of such an intelligent animal makes you think twice about having children.

The Caracal:

After losing two geese and a few rabbits to a predator at camp, I worked with staff to setup a box trap to catch the culprit. Our plan was to capture and relocate the problem animal. Using a rabbit that had been killed during the attack, I dragged the bait a fair distance and set the rabbit in the box trap. After a week of attempts I awoke to find a small female Caracal in the box trap. She was nestled deep in the grass, barely visible. Unfortunately it wasn’t long before she was out again. During an attempt to move the Caracal to a smaller box (for transport), the cat made a swift escape out the side! The door to the small kennel fell off and we had a wild Caracal on our hands in a small room with myself and four staff members. I felt the adrenaline kick in as the cat faced me, hissing. We managed to return the cat to the large box and agreed to work with what we had. But we learn from our mistakes.

Update on Tyson and Brown Hyaena:

Both the released leopard (Tyson) and brown hyaena are doing exceptionally well. Tyson was reported to have killed a mountain zebra during his first three days post release. And despite our predictions to return to her formal home range in the south, the brown hyaena has been heading north following the mountain range.

Swakopmund:

My best experience this month was neither a professional experience nor animal related. Two weekends ago I traveled to a small town off the coast called Swakopmund. Robin, Lynsey, Sean, and I enjoyed the beach, beautiful weather, delicious food, and a trek across the Moonscape. The Moonscape proved to be an experience in itself. This strange geological feature was smack dab in the middle of the desert, just outside of Swakopmund. But even across the Moonscape, there are signs of life. Springbok, Ostrich, and small critters find the means to survive in such an extreme environment. It makes you appreciate life, and how precious water can be.

But our adventure didn’t end there! For the first time in my life I jumped out of a plane! Robin, Sean, and I endured a ten minute safety lecture and before I knew it my legs were swaying out of a plane 10,000 feet above the desert. We had signed ourselves up for a tandem sky dive. But sometimes you have to fall to get back up, even if it’s out of the sky.

And to Robin, Lynsey, and Sean, Thank you for the good times!

Photos by Lynsey Gedman and Sean Barron.

 

Until next time,

Matthew Solberg

In the Beginning

Welcome to tales of the Solberg, a personal blog about my experiences working with wildlife abroad. Those that know me, know I am all about wildlife conservation. That is where my passion lies. I hope this blog will give you a glimpse of my life and encourage you to understand the importance of wildlife conservation.

Many people picture Africa as a poor developing nation with starving children, disease, and little water. This is a stereotype. There are communities that live in shacks in Namibia, and there are children that run around in torn clothing. Aids and HIV are prevalent in Namibia, but these things do not represent nor define this country. Namibia is a rich nation with diverse landscapes and communities. Home to many endemic species, geological features, and many cultures. It is a free, open country that can take your breath away when you embrace it. And it’s the feeling I get at N/a’an ku se.

I arrived at N/a ‘an ku se on January 16^th. I was amazed how wild the land was just 42km outside Namibia’s capital, Windhoek. The yellow-orange land I was so familiar with is now a blanket of green. The rainy season has brought the veld alive with seasonal abundances of insects, birds, terrapins and frogs. It’s a wonderful time to observe nature in action. N/a’an ku se is a conservation organization developed by Rudie and Marlice van Vuuren, which aims at improving the lives of the San bushman, wildlife, and in turn Namibia’s community (both human and wildlife). The name N/a'an ku se comes from the Bushman language meaning "God will protect us".

My first encounter at N/a’an ku se was neither man nor beast, but a hippie-Scotsman named Stu. When I learned of his fascination with reptiles I knew we would get on well. This was good considering I would be rooming with the man for the next 2 months. Things here are pretty simple. I’m staying in a room of cement and cinder block with a false roof. I have a bed, dresser, and a stump I use as my nightstand. Outside the strip of rooms there are chicken pens, rabbits, geese, turkeys, peacocks, horses, and baboon enclosures. I wake up to the rooster’s call each morning. It’s a little farm here at camp. Other than hot water, internet access, and the small pool by the dining area, luxuries are few and far between.

Day to day schedule:

My responsibility at N/a’an ku se is to assist the head researcher Florian. My mornings usually begin with enclosure patrols. There are captive predators at N/a’an ku se and it’s important to ensure everything is in check, for both our safety and the captive animals. Some will stay resident animals for the rest of their lives while other animals are worked on being released. In the future I hope to assist more with the reintroduction of captive animals into the wild. Other tasks I’ve assisted with are carnivore feeding, baboon walks, farm maintenance, game counts, data compilation, animal capture and translocation, and reading up on published work related to the research conducted at N/a’an ku se. I’ve also worked with volunteers and Namibian students teaching tracking and survey methods using spore (animal tracks), radio telemetry, and camera traps. Each day is different and I look forward to gaining more experience during my stay at N/a‘an ku se.

Outside of work the staff and volunteers know how to have a good time. It’s like an extended family here, with everyone bringing something different to the table. Sundowners and braai’s (bbqs) are popular events. And the bushman really know how to play a great game of soccer!

During my first two weeks at N/a’an ku se I’ve already had the privilege of assisting with the release of two animals. The first involved darting a leopard named Tyson in an enclosure at N/a'an ku se to release him at a nearby reserve. I took notes on measurements, behavior, and condition while Rudie and Flo worked to fit a GPS collar on the anesthetized leopard. N/a‘an ku se’s own Dana and Lynsey documented the entire procedure for National Geographic!

Brown Hyaena release:

Our second release came about after a cattle farmer reported having numerous calves bitten on his farm. After capturing a brown hyaena in a welded box-trap, N/a’an ku se received a call to deal with the suspect. Though there was no evidence this particular animal had been injuring calves, the farmer agreed to let N/a’an ku se collar the brown hyaena and translocate it onto N/a’an ku se property. This was a unique opportunity to witness an animal seldom seen. Brown hyaenas are primarily nocturnal animals. They are opportunistic predators, scavenging or taking down weak or injured prey. Their smaller stature, thick brown shaggy fur, and striped legs separate them from the common spotted hyaena you are probably familiar with.

Prior to release, the brown hyaena was darted and fitted with a GPS collar. The GPS collar allows us the chance to monitor the brown hyanea over time to see where the animal moves. In turn this provides us with knowledge on distances traveled, how long the animal occupies a particular area, habitat preferences, and territory and home range size. This knowledge helps aid in the decision making of conservation and management schemes. Will this animal return to his previous territory? Will this animal predate on livestock? Only time will tell!

Thanks for following my first blog entry! Join me in a months time for my next entry! And feedback is always appreciated!!!

I also want to send a special thanks to all my family, friends, and peers that helped me achieve this experience and continue to help fuel my dreams! And a shoutout to all the volunteers and staff who have made and continue to make N/a'an ku se a wonderful place to be!

Photos taken by Lynsey Gedman

Wishing you all the best,

Matthew Solberg