Oct 6, 2020 | News
Description
The common warthog has an overall skin colour of grey with a sparse covering of bristle-like hairs and a mane of long, erectile hairs along neck and back. The colour of mane hairs varies from straw-brown to black and is raised when an animal is under stress. Tufts of pale to white coloured whiskers may lie along the sides of the face. This is the only African pig that raises its black-bristled tail erect when running. Both sexes have prominent wart-like structures on face; the boar has two pairs, the sow only one pair. The large canine teeth, or tusks, are particularly well-developed in boars. During the course of the 1970s, common warthog were introduced onto the then Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve (now the Great Fish River Conservation Area), near Grahamstown, in the belief that they once occurred naturally in the Eastern Cape. Although claims from old written records and supposed skeletal remains are as yet unverified. Whatever the situation was warthog have now dispersed outside the reserve for considerable distances on to privately owned land and are commonly offered as trophies and hunted for their meat in the area.
Distribution
Has a wide sub-Saharan range, with from 4 to 8 races recognized, but there is little, if any, difference in external appearance. It is present in 30 African countries and huntable as a trophy in 14 countries. A second species is recognized, the desert warthog (Phaecochoerus aethiopicus), which is only found in northern Kenya, Somalia and the Ogaden of Ethiopia. Common warthogs are also present in the same region.
Conservation standing
Common over much of its range but drought, habitat modification and over-hunting have caused a few local extinctions and population reductions.
The common warthog, especially the boar, is the most sought after African wild pig trophy
Habitat
Open grass and woodland savannas, from low to high rainfall areas, and from sea-level to an altitude of about 3 000 m (9 843 ft). They penetrate into semi-desert areas along wooded water courses where there are pools of water throughout the year. This includes parts of the Kalahari and Namib deserts, as well as the Sahel zone south of the Sahara. However, in these marginal habitats they occur at low densities and in general, animals tend to be smaller than their savanna counterparts.
Behaviour
Warthogs are mainly diurnal, but under certain circumstances will forage at night. Generally nights are spent in ground burrows excavated by other species, such as aardvark and porcupine, but on occasion they will dig their own, or shelter in road culverts where these are available. In hot weather they frequently wallow in water and mud where this is available. Adult sows, usually one, two or three, and their young of the latest litter, form sounders but boars at about the age of two years leave their birth sounder and form loose bachelor groups, or live alone. Sexually active boars are usually solitary and mix with sow sounders only when a sow is on heat. Although they do not establish territories, boars fight vigorously for mating rights.
Food
Grass and grass roots make up the bulk of their food and they often graze in a “kneeling” position. New green grass growth is favoured during the rains, but grass roots/rhizomes are favoured during the dry season. They will also feed on berries, fruits and tree bark. Although they rarely take carrion this has been recorded.
Warthogs are frequent mud-wallowers
Oct 2, 2020 | News
I was born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe where I had a fantastic upbringing and made incredible friends right from junior school through to high school where I boarded at Plumtree school, situated approximately 100km south west of Bulawayo. My most cherished memories, when I was happiest, was either riding my bike or walking endlessly for miles through the Matabeleland bush, rifle in hand and not a care in the world. This has most definitely influenced what I draw today as the flora and fauna of southern Africa has been, and always will be, close to my heart.
Protea Power
During high school days I used to marvel at the talent of some pupils and their artwork and remember how I wished I could do the same, but thoroughly convinced at the same time that it was a fanciful pipe dream. However, during my latter years at school, I dabbled a bit in pencil and ink work and found that I had an ability to copy an image pretty closely, although I did not do a great deal and have subsequently found in recent years a couple of unfinished pictures from those days in an old school trunk.
Forever Alert
I have often been told by family that everything I do has to be perfect, and I suppose to a degree that is true and no less with any artwork that I attempt to tackle. I think drawing with graphite pencils at school and nowadays, and recently adding pastel pencils, was a natural progression to make as we were all brought up with either a pencil or pen in our hand. The use of graphite, as with charcoal, is art in its most basic form, but no less engaging than other mediums and certainly as adept in creating tonal shades, texture and depth if placed in the right hand. I would like to investigate the option of drawing with pastel sticks combined with pastel pencils in the future, but I think that graphite will always be my medium of choice and the one that I have become most comfortable with.
Feeding Time
I made the decision to move to South Africa in 1987 and the plan was to pursue a career in electronics, but that did not come to fruition and I found employment in a couple of companies before an opportunity arose in 1999 to start my own transport business. That I duly did and managed to eke out a living in the following years. However, in 2008 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and truth be told, was very naive and never realised the severity of the illness at the time, and the impact it would later have on my life. I was still physically and mentally able to run the business at the time but I became gradually worse and at the end of 2013, because of my ailing health and other mitigating factors, I had to finally give up the business.
Bushveld Spa
During the last couple of years of running my company I had often thought of starting to draw again but having not picked up a pencil since school, a good 30 years before, I was under no illusion how difficult that would be. And so it was proved, with rolled up balls of paper and pencils being thrown across the room in pure frustration. However, in early 2017, I was determined to try again and this time I persevered and managed to draw four or five simple sketches with the encouragement of family. The turning point came when my dear beloved mother, who has since passed away, suggested that I attempt a Baobab tree. It is because of this that I credit a lot of my journey through art to a very special lady who always encouraged and had absolute faith in both of her children in whatever they endeavoured to pursue. That was my first “real” drawing and a family friend on seeing it, enquired as to whether he would be able to get a canvas print made of it. That was the start of what has been an incredible and rewarding artistic adventure.
Pied Piper
I think the most rewarding aspect of my drawing has been the learning experience and the satisfaction of improving with every piece I tackle. The other rewarding element is the reaction of a pleased client when they have just seen a finished piece they have commissioned or just a print, knowing full well in my heart that I have done my very best for them and they respect and appreciate it. Very rewarding.
My biggest disappointment, for obvious reasons is that I cannot become involved in the whole process before the sale of an artwork, that being the sourcing of the next subject, the actual photographing of said subject and the finalising of the image before it is then transferred onto the art paper. However, I do remind myself of the fact that there are some amazing photographers who would do a much better job than I could and it is then my task to give justice to their incredible talents in the art studio.
Aloe Aloe
Hopefully in the near future I can contribute with my art in helping with the preservation and protection of those animals that have been so recklessly and callously exploited by the greed and cruelty of mankind. I think art has the amazing ability to help with this incentive and I think if every wildlife artist or otherwise, gave just a small fraction of their proceeds derived from their artwork towards this cause, it would make a world of difference in the fight against animal exploitation.
I am based in Waterfall in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa and if anyone is interested in my artwork, whether it be a commission or print, I would love to hear from you and can be contacted through my Facebook page, Dean Lewis Art, https://www.facebook.com/DeanLewisArt, or my email address, dllewis42@gmail.com
Umdondoshiya
Sep 8, 2020 | News
If your trophy’s still not home….
Going back 20 years, some taxidermists were unapologetic of their lead time. I recall one explaining how skulls take time and how 18 months was really not a long time to wait. This was while they sat on your 50% deposit!
It was what many refer to as the great old days of hunting. And perhaps it was.
To read more, click here.
Sep 7, 2020 | News, Newsletter
Q: Tell us about your family, how they originally got to Africa.
A: My ancestors arrived in Africa during the 17th century.
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Windhoek, Namibia on 6 February, 1963.
Q: How did you get into hunting – what was it that influenced you?
A: I was lucky enough to be raised on a ranch, so my father gave us plenty of exposure to hunting. He taught us the importance of hunting and how that also contributes to conservation. He also taught me how to act respectfully towards the animal after it has been hunted. This experience made such a big impression to me that still today I have the greatest respect for every animal I hunt or have hunted as a guide.
Q: With whom did you train, apprentice and learn from?
A: Obviously I learned from my Dad, and once I become a professional hunter I learned every day, and am still learning. Guiding is like driving a car. You only start to learn once you have got your license.
Q: What was the most important thing you learned during those early years?
A: It was to be honest with yourself and your clients. If you’ve misjudged an animal, don’t try to hide it or make an excuse for it. Admit it to your hunter. He/she will also appreciate your honesty.
Q: The early years of professional hunting – where were they?
A: Namibia
Q: Were there any embarrassing, fun or interesting experiences?
A: Every hunt creates its own fun/special memories. Embarrassing? I don’t see anything as embarrassing – I try to see it as a learning experience either for myself or for the hunter.
Q: Anything you learnt about what not to do?
A: Always be professional. Although we all have the motto of “arriving as a stranger, leaving as a friend” which is really true, the client must still listen to you from a professional point of view. Do not get so familiar that the client tries to override your decisions in the hunt.
Q: Did you have any particularly interesting trophies?
A: Every safari has its own interesting moments, fun and great trophies, etc. It will not be fair to single one out
Q: If you could return to any time or place in Africa, where would it be?
A: I would be as a guide in Namibia. And as a tourist – Vic Falls would certainly be on the list.
Q: Which is your favorite trophy animal to hunt? And why?
A: Kudu – the name “grey ghost “says it all.
Q: What is the best trophy animal one of your clients ever took?
A: There are several top 10 trophies I can remember but the best trophy is a happy client that worked hard for his/her animal and who can return home with great stories and even greater memories.
Q: Tell us about a most memorable hunt, without naming names.
A: When a non-hunter comes along with a hunting friend to do a photo safari, but after a few days on the ranch the non-hunter has a change of heart. He or she is now interested in hunting, has plenty of questions, and after first- hand hunting exposure now returns home a hunter. They are no longer ignorant to the fact that hunting plays such a big role in conservation in Africa.
Q: Tell us about any disaster with a client.
A: Rifles not arriving with client – they got lost at a stopover airport.
Q: Any personal challenges you have had?
A: Crossing a path with a black mamba.
Q: What are your recommendations on guns, ammo, or equipment for the first-time hunter to Africa?
A: It all depends on the terrain, but in our area for plains game, any flat-shooting caliber. Such as .300, 7mm, 270,
Q: Which guns and ammo are you using to back-up on dangerous or wounded game?
A: For wounded game I like 7 mm.
Q: What was your closest brush with death?
A: It was that black mamba!
Q: How has the hunting industry changed in your opinion over the past number of years?
A: Clients really do not have so much time on hand to do a classic 14-day and longer safari. It is 10 to 12 days now, with the exception of dangerous game like a leopard. Also it has become more a family affair nowadays, which I think is great to introduce the younger generation to hunting.
Q: If you should suggest one thing to your hunting clients to improve their safari experience, with you, or with anyone else for that matter – what would it be?
A: Write down what happened every day and make sure you have quality photos of the day and the trophy.
Q: What can the industry do to contribute to the long-term conservation of Africa’s wildlife?
A: The industry already contributes massively to the long-term conservation of Africa’s wildlife. Without the industry there is no future for wildlife.
Q: What would be your ideal safari if you have one last safari?
A: It would be to guide one of my family members and try to share with them all around the fire in the evenings my vision for wildlife 50 years from now.
Sep 7, 2020 | News, Newsletter
Q: Tell us how you came to be in Africa.
A: I am the first generation of the Engman clan to have settled in South Africa – and I arrived on an airplane.
Q: So where were you born?
A: I was born in Sweden in a little village named Dalstorp in 1969, and moved to the next door village Ljungsarp a year later, and I stayed there for the following 18 years.
Q: How did you get into hunting?
A: I pretty much grow up with hunting! Being raised in the countryside, we often had hare, deer and moose in the garden, and me being allowed to roam freely with a pellet gun from an early age, I not only kept the local bird population under control, but also honed hunting skills. My father grew up hunting as had his father before him, and so on… At the age of eight, with a 12-bore I shot my first animal, which was a hare.
Q: What made you come to South Africa?
A: As a youngster I did a lot of hunting in Sweden. Then it was put on a backburner for an extended period of time while I travelled the world as a scuba instructor. I met my wife-to-be in the Maldives in 1997, and we ended up in South Africa in 2004 because we were about to become three. We had decided to leave our watersport center in Zanzibar due to the prevalence of malaria, and instead I could actively pursue hunting again. (I had hunted in every visit to SA since 1998.)
Q: Tell how you started as a PH.
A: I did my PH course with the late Ian Goss in 2007, and did freelance hunting wherever and whenever opportunity presented. I hunted for Zululand Hunters and Shikra Safaris, where I learned through Kotie Herholdt a lot about fauna and flora.
Q: Where did you do most of your hunting?
A: From the start, most of the hunting has been split between the Mpumalanga Highveld and the Natal bushveld in South Africa. I early on realized that a range finder is a most useful tool on the Highveld – but you run the risk of spoiling the hunters only to have them ask distance as a norm, even in the bushveld, when it is obvious the animal is well within 100 meters. Once binos with integrated rangefinders became available, that problem got sorted.
Q: Where do you mostly hunt now?
A: My hunting is still primarily focused on South Africa and I hunt most of the provinces – I am slowly building on my network and plan to offer other African destinations for those who so wish. I am venturing into other African destinations, basically as a direct result of the dynamic of the clientele. To elaborate, I am a firm believer that every hunter should be able to hunt Africa. For a Scandinavian – or most other nationalities – to experience the different terrain and the multitude of species available normally ends up being a mind-boggling experience, and as a result the African bug gets firmly imbedded, and new repeat clients add their names to the list! And that is obviously great news! But eventually the need for new areas and species arrives – and we always aim to please.
Q: How do you plan your hunts?
A: When hunting with clients on their first visit, I usually do a combination hunt that starts on the Mpumalanga Highveld – open grass plains – and then move to the Natal bushveld, so that the hunter can experience vastly different terrains and different wildlife. A very common comment after the Highveld part of the hunt is, “I have seen more animals in one day of hunting in Africa than one does during a whole hunting life in my home country”, and for me that is thrilling. Add to that the variation of flora and fauna, and there are endless topics for discussion during driving and around the campfire after the actual hunt been discussed.
Q: Do you have clients wanting specific hunts?
A: I am fortunate enough to have a high level of repeat clients. Therefore I tend to hunt through “stages” with the clients, starting with the more common species and they normally last a few safaris. Thereafter comes the time for more specific target groups, either small predators, grand slams, Tiny Tens, Big Five or any other grouping that appeals to the client.
Q: What is your opinion on the game numbers in South Africa now?
A: The age-old question of then versus now! It would have been great to have experienced wild Africa before the rinderpest and all the “civilized” inventions such as roads, power lines and commercial agriculture and forestry. But one also has to acknowledge that the people of that era lacked much of the comforts we take for granted these days.
Q: What is your favorite animal to hunt?
A: I enjoy hunting as many different species as possible. I also feel a great sense of satisfaction hunting the most common species with someone hunting Africa for the first time, or to have the privilege of guiding a youngster on their very first hunt. Each animal poses its own set of challenges and they are all worth pursuing.
Q: What is the greatest satisfaction a client can get?
A: I think for all the clients, the animal that was successfully hunted at the end of several long and hard days hunting will as a memory that ranks higher than inches. And sometimes, something exceptional comes along! We once hunted a brown hyena that was then one of the top three in the world, and there are other animals that have measured well, such as blesbok, scimitar-horned oryx, nyala, and black wildebeest. As a norm all trophies are being measured for the PHASA medal program (based on SCI system), and we are normally on 80%+ qualifying for medals per annum.
Q: Any special client trophy experience?
A: There are many to choose from, each holding a memory of its own. Once I had a client successfully achieving a Springbok Grand Slam – and at the end of the day it was less than ½” difference between the four sets of horns – all qualifying for Gold. Another memorable hunt was the quest for a kudu. We had a limited period of time in the area we hunted (very good kudu country), and as we set out in the morning of the final day there was a bit apprehension noticeable in the hunter. It didn’t get better as the day progressed since I kept on passing on the bulls we spotted – even the trackers started getting a bit annoyed! We eventually found something I was happy with, and the client managed to take a magnificent old 54” inch bull, that as a parting gift departed down a steep donga! In the end we had to cut and carry the animal out – a hunt the client will never forget!
Q: How do you rate yourself as a PH?
A: I tend to get along with most walks of life, and as a general mindset have the attitude that if there is a problem with the client, it is because I have not been completely clear in communications – there are sometimes unforeseen situations that has not been cleared ahead of time, i.e. dietary, medicinal and so forth. But as a rule we part ways as friends, and normally with a plan in place for the next adventure.
I’m a jack of all trades and normally manage all challenges from medicinal to mechanical, and everything in between.
Q: What weapons do you recommend for your clients?
A: From a convenience perspective – use one of my guns! Less paperwork, less expenses, and quicker out of the airport. If you want to bring your own gun, I will be more than happy to assist with the legalities. Bring something you are comfortable with shooting – absolutely no need to buy and bring a “canon” that you are afraid of shooting.
Q: What is your weapon of choice?
A: I am currently awaiting my .416 Rigby license. I have been managing with a .375H&H up until now! I prefer heavy bullets, and with a 450-grain bullet in the .416 I still have a reasonable range. I am never the person shooting the first shot. Most of the time it is about getting a breaker in on a departing animal, hence the choice of caliber. On a charge it pretty much comes down to shot placement – unless you go really big.
Q: Any close brush with death?
A: I have pretty much managed to keep myself scratch-free up until this point in time. There have been a few charges and hair-raising experiences, but nothing worth writing about – and to be completely honest, I rank that higher than a spectacular fireside story.
Q: What do you think constitutes a good PH?
A: As previously stated, I firmly believe everybody should have the possibility to hunt Africa – there is such a variety that there will be something within everybody’s budget. Having said that, the hunt should be free and fair (and I believe that can be the fact, even in fenced areas, providing the area is big enough and there should be a good number of the specific species in the area). I firmly believe the PH’s job is to find the best trophy he can for the client and I do not prescribe to the measurement guarantees or color variations unless it is for naturally occurring species such as the various springboks and the white blesbok among others. Much of the hype, guarantees and bag sizes only result in the industry getting a bad name. We all have to make a living – but preferably not at the expense of ethics.
Q: What advice would you give a first-time hunter?
A: Be informed, and take an active part in the safari – ask questions about the country, history, flora and fauna, rather than just tag along and wait to be told when to shoot! There is so much more to the experience. Most of the time it is your – as the client – dream come true!
Q: How can hunting benefit the country?
A: There needs to be consistency and co-operation with land owners, game breeders, Government and local communities. It needs to be a value-chain for all involved to succeed.
Q: If you could choose to be any other time or place, where would it be?
A: For me, it’s anywhere where I can sit around a campfire in the evening with tired legs and look at the stars and listen to the night sounds of the African bush after another day of adventure.
*You can follow Axel on Instagram. His handle is axelengmansafaris.
Sep 7, 2020 | News
Like other African ecotourism and hunting destinations, Namibia has been devastated by the sudden and totally unforeseen collapse of both these important industries resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as the virus begins to subside, the country’s resilient and innovative people will no doubt be more than ready to pick up the momentum of wildlife conservation and management they have so successfully implemented in the 30 years since Namibia’s independence in 1990. Some recent developments are highlighted here to set the scene for the return of visitors to this most interesting destination.
The President of Namibia, Mr Hage Geingob, recently announced that stage five of the country’s lockdown exit strategy is expected to be rolled out on September 18. This involves the opening of the country’s borders and the resumption of air travel. The President was delivering the State of the Nation Address at the end of July.
To prepare for this important milestone, Namibia opened its borders on 3 August to tourists from a selected list of international markets. This will run for a trial period to 17 September, and will help determine whether travellers from certain low-risk source markets can be considered for travel to Namibia once the borders officially open.
“The modalities have been carefully negotiated and agreed upon, so as to achieve the dual objective of stimulating our tourism sector and safeguarding public health. Continuous assessments will be conducted throughout this trial, which will inform and strengthen preparations for the imminent reopening of points of entry under stage five,” said Geingob.
The Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE) is an umbrella association that provides a forum and mouthpiece for the broader environment sector. Founded in 2016, the NCE published its first triennial report in 2019. In it, CEO Dr Chris Brown highlighted the progress made. You can read more about this inspiring initiative at www.n-c-e.org
NCE focuses on eight strategic programme areas aimed at supporting its members, thereby strengthening the environmental sector in Namibia as a whole. Members comprise over 90% of the non-governmental organisations working on environmental matters in Namibia. The Namibian Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) is a full member of the NCE. Its website is at http://www.napha-namibia.com.
A key mandate of the NCE is to provide appropriate support for members’ conservation endeavours. Practical support includes the provision of office and boardroom space, a Cessna 182 aircraft, and assistance with research applications. Conceptual support has been through providing communications platforms for members involved in research and conservation by organising three national symposia and one international conference. Informative support includes expanding the Environmental Information Service online database, and establishing the peer-reviewed, open-access Namibian Journal of the Environment.
With a view to the future, NCE has provided support for young Namibians who want to become involved in the environmental sector. The Bursaries and Internship programmes have proven especially popular and competitive, and 35 students and 13 interns were selected during 2018-2019 from a pool of 153 candidates. Namibia is a leader in the field of community-based conservation, and you can learn more about their ground-breaking work at https://conservationtourism.com.na.
NCE is also mandated to represent the environmental sector to other sectors and stakeholders in Namibia. This includes engaging pro-actively with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, and other Ministries that affect the environment. Its advocacy function has extended to the general public – both national and international – through the NCE website, social media platforms, and a popular conservation magazine.
The latest magazine, Conservation and the Environment in Namibia 2020, is published in partnership with Venture Media and showcases work done by NCE and its members through 17 informative and beautifully illustrated articles. These cover a wide range of interesting topics from conservancies, combating wildlife crime, sustainable conservation, hunting, tourism and wildlife credits, to carnivores, giraffe conservation, endemic plants of the ‘Sperrgebiet’, environmental education and how to foster a quest for knowledge (by asking the challenging questions!). It starts on a sad but inspirational note, with a tribute to Garth Owen-Smith and his community-based conservation legacy.
You can access this magazine and read these enlightening articles at www.conservationnamibia.com, a beautifully presented website with stunning pictures. It should certainly whet your appetite to visit this fascinating country before too long. It is one of the most appealing destinations on the continent, and with motivated and inspiring people such as those associated with the Namibian Chamber of Environment, it will surely bounce back from the setbacks of Covid-19 and continue to be a leading role-model for a wildlife-based economy in Africa.
Dr John Ledger is a past Director of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, now a consultant, writer and teacher on the environment, energy and wildlife; he is a columnist for the African Hunting Gazette. He lives in Johannesburg, South Africa.
John.Ledger@wol.co.za
