Did you know... that one of the world’s largest mammal migrations is taking place in Zambia?

Every year between late October and December, millions of straw-coloured fruit bats (Eiodon helvum) are migrating from Central Africa to the Kasanka National Park in northern Zambia. The migration of the bats is said to be the largest congregation of mammals in Africa, possibly even the world. The arrival of the bats in Zambia normally coincides with the start of the first rains and the ripening of many local fruit and berry species in the Kasanka National Park.



The Kasanka National Park, which is the first of Zambia's national parks to be privately managed (Kasanka Trust Limited), is one of the country’s smallest national parks. The park, located about 5-6 hours by car north of Lusaka, lies between 1160 and 1290 meters asl and has a relatively flat topography, except for the rocky Mpululwe and Bwalya Bemba hills. Nine permanent lakes occur in the Park and it is dissected by a network of rivers and streams. Kasanka National Park is home to 108 mammal species and 450 bird species. Video courtesy of youtube user achidakel. Kudos!

Africa: National parks hit by mammal declines

British scientist from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Cambridge University found out that African National Parks have seen populations of large mammals decline by up to 59% between 1970 and 2005. According to a study published in Biological Conservation the scientist created an index of change in population abundance for a multitude of species in 78 protected areas throughout Africa. The results of the study vary from region to region. Populations are increasing in southern Africa, declining by more than half in East Africa and 85% declines in West Africa. Despite the severe losses, the rate of decline has slowed over time, indicating that management of the National Parks has been gradually improving.

Kruger National Park: current estimates of mammals living in the park

South Africa's Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica recently announced that the wildlife population in Kruger is increasing. Mediaclubsouthafrica.com, brand South Africa media service, is also reporting about it and published a list of estimates, calculated between 2008 and 2009, of mammal populations living in Kruger National Park.

Big Five:

• Lion: 1 700
• Leopard: 1 000
• Elephant: 13 573
• White rhinoceros: 12 158
• Black rhinoceros: 627
• Buffalo: 37 462

Mammals:

• Cheetah: 200
• Wild dog: 350
• Spotted hyena: 2 000
• Burchell's zebra: 20 868
• Hippopotamus: 3 000
• Warthog: 2 316
• Giraffe: 7 091
• Crocodile: 1 600

Antelope:

• Eland: 300
• Roan antelope: 50
• Sable antelope: 325
• Greater kudu: 8 045
• Nyala: >300
• Bushbuck: >500
• Waterbuck: 5 000
• Reedbuck: 300
• Mountain reedbuck: 150
• Blue wildebeest: 8 963
• Tsessebe 160
• Impala: 127 788

Kruger National Park info guide >>

Kruger National Park tours >>

accommodation in & around Kruger National Park >>

Wildlife population in Kruger is increasing

In a written reply to a parliamentary question, Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said not a single large mammal species in South Africa's Kruger National Park is currently under threat. Good rains over the last 15 years and improved conditions in the Park even caused a surge in aninmal population.

• Black Rhino - estimated to number between 590 and 670 > estimated increasing rate 7% per year
• White Rhino - estimated to number between 9460 to 12,120 > estimated increasing rate 11% per year
• Buffalos - 22,260 in 2000, to 37,500 this year > estimated increasing rate 5% per year
• Elephants - 8350 in 2000 to an estimated 13,700 this year; estimated increasing rate 4% per year since 2004
• Lions - estimated at between 1620 and 1750 > stable, but noteable increasing rate
• Leopards - estimated (numbers from the 1980ies) at around 1000 creatures
• Burchell's zebra - numbers have risen to between 20,870 and 33,240
• Giraffe - numbers have risen to between 7090 and 10,950
• Impala - numbers have risen to between 99,830 and 163,570

Kruger National Park info guide >>

Kruger National Park tours >>

accommodation in & around Kruger National Park >>

Are dassies really elephants closest living relative?

Yes, they are! Let me explain - about 50-60 million years ago the Proboscidea (an biological order containing one living family, the Elephantidae) evolved from mammals having approximately the size of current day pigs.

Modern scientist made morphological and biochemical tests & studies on both elephants and hyraxes (such as the rock dassie) and found out, that both species do have a lot in common. Beside all the biochemical evidences they found, the most obvious ones seem to be the similarities in the structure of the feet and teeth.

Hard to believe given the fact that the African Elephant, the largest living terrestrial animal, normally reaching 6 to 7.3 metres in length and 3 to 3.5 metres in height at the shoulder, and weighing between 6,000 to 9,000 kg and a rock dassie (weight: up to 4,7kg; length: around 55 cm) are so closely related.
btw - Manatees & Dugongs are also close relatives of elphants and dassies respectively