Tuesday, March 6

Moholoholo is in a beautiful location in the shadow of the Drakensberg mountain range.

There was an entire flock of marabou storks in the driveway.

I am not sure if they live here or flew in for the day.

A beautiful Bird of Paradise flower near our parking spot.

There was an educational, building that prepared us for the tour of the centre.

There were exhibits of how animals are hurt and killed by some of the things that are needed and used by humans – like electric lines and fences.

Other times they are hurt or killed by snaring and poaching – usually for money. Animal parts like tusks, horns and sex organs are sold for supposed medical advantages and other times used in witchcraft ceremonies.

Cheetahs are referred to as the greyhound of cats  – due to its speed.

We learned that poising an animal is the worst fate – as it kills the original poisoned animal, then the one who eats it, and the vultures that clean up the kill.

After listening to an introduction by our fabulous guide, Oscar,(left) we went to visit and pet a cheetah.

Most of the animals who live here were rescued as babies and can’t be released into the wild. They rescue many who can be and are released into the wild.

Our daughter Deb would love to live here. Deb if you want to see some of their recent rescues go to http://www.moholoholo.co.za/news/.

Petting the cheetah

They kept feeding it meat, so we felt fairly safe.

It (I think it was a she) is beautiful.

Our next stop was with the hyena who was lethargic and would not come to the fence – even with the temptation of food. So our guide walked to the other end of the fence and looked at Jesse and said, “Little boy, would you run toward me – close to the fence.” The hyena was at the fence in seconds – thinking Jesse was something to catch and eat. Yikes!

The Honey Badger was fun to watch, and because it is rare to see in the wild, it was great to see one up close.

Stoffel (the famous honey badger of this center) was in “prison” because he was trying to tunnel his way out of the pen. 🙂

A serval

This interesting bird was raised by humans and thinks he is a human.

As we approached his pen, he picked up a stick to signify that he wanted to mate. They have tried to place a female bird with him a time or two, and each time he killed her – because he doesn’t realize that he is a bird.

I am not going to try to identify the all hawks, eagles, and buzzards because it would be too time-consuming to google their identity.

There were some birds that we could touch – at least those brave enough to try it. Jesse was usually up to any challenge.

This picture makes me smile. Just after I took this shot, he walked up to Cerwin and squawked and squawked! 🙂 Most of our group was inside the pen, so I am not sure why he picked on Cerwin.

Oscar has been working with this bird, but is still cautious in approaching it.

I think this is where Jesse was wearing a large leather glove and holding a bird. There were too many people, so I didn’t capture that happening.

After visiting the birds, we went to the lion pen.

I like how the lighting from the sun highlighted my pictures of the lioness.

Jere said it was awesome to be so close to the lion.

The leopard

Oscar did a fabulous demonstration with her. When she crouches under the tree, it signifies to Oscar that she wants him to throw the meat up in the tree. Almost before you can blink she is at the top of the tree.

What a beautiful animal.

The wild dogs are not beautiful animals, but important to the lifecycle of the bush country of Africa.

By the end of our tour we were back with the storks as we left the centre.

My notes tell me this is the Elephant River and that it flows the whole way to Mozambique.

Back on the road

At the entrance to Phil and Kate’s farm at sunset.

A beautiful male nyala

Our supper was a delicious wildebeest noodle casserole.

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It was another delightful, interesting day in South Africa