With the Kruger National Park in the drought’s firm grip, we weren’t surprised that the majority of our sightings of Plains Zebra during our recent winter visit to the Satara and Mopani areas were near or at some of the artificial water holes maintained by the Park’s staff. The most spectacular congregations were at the Mooiplaas waterhole, where hundreds of zebras (if not more) milled around the water during the midday hours, kicking up dust (often further exacerbated by strong winds) and getting on each other’s nerves.
Artificial waterholes providing relief to thirsty zebras
Artificial waterholes providing relief to thirsty zebras
Artificial waterholes providing relief to thirsty zebras
Artificial waterholes providing relief to thirsty zebras
Despite the denuded vegetation, most of the zebras were still in good condition
Despite the denuded vegetation, most of the zebras were still in good condition
Hanging around Satara’s waterhole
Social interaction at Middelvlei
Social interaction at Middelvlei
On their way to Mooiplaas
Starting to arrive at Mooiplaas
Waiting their turn at Mooiplaas
Social interaction at Mooiplaas
Waiting their turn at Mooiplaas
On the way to Mooiplaas
Chasing each other around at Tinhongonyeni
Huge congregation of zebra at Mooiplaas
Huge congregation of zebra at Mooiplaas
Huge congregation of zebra at Mooiplaas
Huge congregation of zebra at Mooiplaas
On their way to the waterhole
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They are such magnificent animals, Dries. Great photos and thank goodness for artificial waterholes.
Thanks Sylvia! These artificial waterholes will be the salvation of many of the animals, especially where they ‘ve been drilled in areas that still offers sufficient grazing.
Absolutely love all your posts, every email iI receive from you, is like a holiday!! just love it. keep on sending!!!!!!!!!
Thank you very much, Ingagara!
Ons hou styf duime vas
Defnitief Tina.
Skop ‘n ou stoffie op! Ons hoop die reën kom in die lente!! Lyk my daar’s baie ribbeben te sien… en daar’s nog ‘n paar maande winter oor!
Die grasvreters veral kry nou baie swaar AJ, en soos jy se daar’s nog n hele paar maande oor voor die goeie reen hopelik sal kom.
Pragtige foto’s,veral die zebras in die stof…lyk soos in die Kgalagadi!Ek dink ons gaan binnekort weer ‘n goeie reënseisoen binne.Die Bybel praat nie verniet van sewe maer en sewe vet jare nie…daardie mense het dit al opgemerk dat daar siklusse is.
Ek dink die hele land hou hulle asem op daarvoor, Dina!
Wag en kyk en hou die wolke dop….my oupa op die plaasstoep…uit my kinderdae.
Sjoe maar dis droog. Gelukkig help die boorgate en waterbakke darem vir die dors maar nie vir die honger nie. Wys ook hoe goed die natuur saamwerk om die swakkes uit te haal en net die sterkes oorleef(dis nou die roofdiere wat maai onder die oorbevolking van bokke)
Dit is so Ineke, so sien mens ook die natuur se geharde, ongenaakbare kant.
This is so saddening but your photography is beautiful. Thank you for writing about the beautiful sights, regardless how much they’re struggling. I think some people only like hearing about animals and nature when it’s a positive, uplifting story, and I appreciate your directive to talk about the struggles too! Thank you 🙂
There’s always two sides to the coin, isn’t there? While drought is a time of extreme struggle for the herbivores, the predators are now having a royal time of it and finding it easy to raise their young. We’ll be posting about our predator encounters during this Kruger winter visit soon.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, and welcome here at de Wets Wild!
They are such a pretty animal. How are the hippos doing with the lack of water?
I’m afraid the hippos would still be having a very hard time of it, Lois, as the early rains – if they even do arrive – are still 2 to 3 months away, and then it will take a while more for the grazing to recover.
Oh, that is heartbreaking…