The sable antelope, Hippotragus niger, has shown some dramatic declines in parts of its range in southern Africa. Despite fairly intensive study in the Kruger National Park and other areas, the reasons for these declines are imperfectly understood.

It is for this reason that an investigation into the home range and habitat use of the species has been initiated in the Vumbura area in the Okavango Delta. Here a relative stronghold of sable exists, allowing an investigation into what factors allow the species to thrive here. Michael Hensman, an MSc student from the University of Witwatersrand and HOORC (being jointly supervised by Prof Norman Owen-Smith and Dr Casper Bonyongo), has just begun his research project using the relatively new technology of Geographical Positioning Systems (GPS) collars to produce fine scale movement data from three different herds.

We have so far managed to fit two collars onto two sable cows and are indebted to the assistance of veterinarian Dr Dane Hawk and gyrocopter pilot Mark Muller without whom the exercise would not have been possible. Dr Casper Bonyongo also lent valuable field experience during the operation.

The first cow darted was part of a herd of 22 animals that use the area in the north-west of the Vumbura Concession around the airstrip. This herd is well known and is comfortable with vehicles, allowing a close enough approach for darting from a vehicle. After some initial challenges this cow was successfully darted, immobilised and collared by Dr. Hawk. All relevant measurements and samples were taken from the cow before she was ‘reversed’ and allowed to rejoin the rest of the herd. Further observations on that day, the following morning and subsequently, suggest she has recovered completely and has continued to hold her position as the dominant female within the herd.

The second cow darted was located from the air by Mark Muller who guided us into an area to the north-east of Vumbura Plains Camp. We eventually located the 15-strong herd in an area of open grassland within mopane woodland. We were again able to successfully dart a selected cow from the vehicle and following all checks and processing of the animal, Dr Hawk successfully revived her, allowing her to rejoin the herd without incident. She was again located the following day and found to be behaving normally.

The third herd intended for inclusion in the study had in the meantime moved into a temporarily inundated area we were unable to access. We will attempt a second operation later in September and are excited to see the results from this study and what role these might play in the conservation of this iconic species.

The sequence of adjoining images were all taken right from the deck of Savuti Camp which looks out over the currently flowing Savute Channel – one of the biggest events in Botswana in recent times. What has been even more interesting is how the elephant population has reacted to this rekindled water source.

I was deeply struck by the changes that have come about in both the environment and the elephant behaviour in the Linyanti Concession. In the years when the Channel was dry, from 1983 up until 2008, the onset of the dry season in June brought about a daily influx of elephants to the four artificially pumped waterholes that were situated along the dry river bed. Observation hides were in place at two of the waterholes, to enable up-close visuals with the thirsty elephants.

With the return of water to the Channel last year, this has all changed.  The narrow ribbon of grassland with a dusty river bed where the channel once flowed has now been replaced by soothing, clear water once again. The Channel is now flowing, bank to bank, and currently stretches for 60km, having just past the Chobe Cutline moving ever closer to the Savute Marsh. Hippos, waterbirds, catfish and water lilies have all recolonised the new water, with the Channel now even sharing wildlife affinities with the Okavango Delta.

Just as big a change has taken place with the elephants’ behaviour.

In years gone by, each waterhole would have been surrounded by thirsty, hot and agitated elephants. As there was often not enough water for all, the elephants would have to push, shove, and jostle their way to the head of the line, just to get a chance at a drink. All the water in the waterhole at Savuti Camp used to be consumed by around 11h00 each morning, and then the elephants would just place their trunk over the pipe transporting water to the hole, and drink directly from there.

Smaller elephants, or herds of females with young, would often have to stand for hours waiting for a turn, and if it came at all, it would often be brief, before a bigger bull would force them out of the way. All night, the air would be filled with the sounds of the thirsty elephants as they rumbled and trumpeted at their forced meeting place around the waterhole…

Today, the scene is very different. The Channel winds right past the front of Savuti Camp, and there is even water under the deck of the main area. The old log pile ‘hide’ is now almost in the river itself, and is hardly noticeable amongst the bright green grass.

There are still lots of elephants though, and they still come to drink in front of the camp.  What is so different now though is that their visit to the water is a happier, more relaxed event. From the camp’s main deck in the last week of July we watched a herd of 25 elephants slowly making their way to the water’s edge, some feeding on emergent vegetation as they moved along.  They entered the water, and for half an hour we enjoyed the spectacle of elephants drinking, play-fighting, swimming, standing and walking. They visibly ‘rejoiced’ in the changed conditions.

The experience was the same on all our game drives out of the camp. Instead of stressed herds competing for a few thousand litres of water, these elephants now have a lush, deep waterway from which to drink.

Certainly, none of us knows how long the Savute Channel will keep flowing, but while it does, it is a wonderful place to be: for the wildlife that lives here, and for those of us who are lucky enough to be able to spend time at Savuti Camp.

For more information on Savuti and other camps in Botswana, email land@karell.com or call 1 800 327 0373.

Additionally, Wilderness Safaris has extended its “Extra Night in the Wilderness” program, now valid through June 2009 as well as November 1, 2009 – May 31, 2010. Guests who book a 7 night itinerary in a particular country will receive the 7th night absolutely free of charge.

We will continue to highlight new opportunities from Wilderness Safaris as well as other top flight providers over the next few weeks. For more details on how you can take advantage of these incredible offers, email info@karell.com today.

From now until the end of June 2009, andBeyond is offering phenomenal savings through their “Stay for 6, only pay for 4″ offer. Visit any combination of their Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe properties and receive the first and last nights absolutely free of charge.

Similarly, Wilderness Safaris is currently offering an “Extra Night in the Wilderness”, valid through June 2009 as well as the full month of November 2009. Guests who book a 7 night itinerary in a particular country will receive the 7th night absolutely free of charge.

Email land@karell.com or call 1-800 327 0373 for details on how you can make the most of these opportunities.

Botswana is a landlocked country about the size of France. Two thirds of the land is arid Kalahari savanna unsuitable for agriculture. Large areas have been set aside for wildlife reserves and these include some of the very finest in Africa.

The magnificent Okavango Delta, home to the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, fans out across the north-western corner and creates a paradise of islands and lagoons teeming with birds and wildlife. In the northeast, the famous Chobe National Park supports great concentrations of Elephant and Buffalo. Botswana’s Tuli Block lies at the south eastern corner of the country, with Zimbabwe to the north and South Africa the south.

Here some of Botswana’s only commercial farming coexists with magnificent game reserves. A unique array of wildlife can be seen in Tuli, with its most notable highlight arising in its immense elephant population.