African Wildlife Environment Issue 75 FINAL

FAUNA, FLORA & WILDLIFE

D uring my time working in protected areas in Africa I have been very fortunate to fly like an eagle over some of the most pristine wilderness areas with an abundance of wildlife. Having the ability to count from the air does give one a snapshot view in time of what is happening on the ground, and it helps if one can back this up with additional data from dedicated ground counts, ad hoc sightings and things like long term camera trap surveys. After recently completing the Annual Helicopter Aerial Census of the Umbabat Private Nature Reserve, I once again marvelled at what a privilege it is being able to see the area from the air and how much detail you can see. At the end of the dry season, and no rains have fallen yet, the predominantly Mopani dominated vegetation still does not have leaves, so it was very easy to spot the wildlife across this dry landscape. Therefore, the census is done at this time of year, due to the increased visibility. If there has

to the GPS of the helicopter, and the coordinates are captured as the observers call out the number of animals and other detail like sex and age. The pilot, in our case Mike Pingo, a very experienced helicopter pilot, flies the predetermined strips set up on the shape files of the reserve and its boundaries, keeps us on track with his exceptional skills and his knowledge of the area. The two Mikes have been doing this for many years, and the repeatability is very important in terms of the long-term data set. There are two observers, one sitting directly behind the pilot and the other sitting behind the person recording the sightings. This is very intensive work as one’s concentration level must be very high, so that nothing is missed. Usually after about an hour of flying these predetermined strips, the pilot will set down in a safe area, to let us stretch our legs and have a break. Normally after a full two-hour session, it is time to

Herding elephants with a helicopter in Rwanda

refuel, and we return to base where we also do some human refuelling, like eating a hearty meal. Some people get motion sickness and have not been able to fly. There is a misconception that it is better not to eat so that you will not feel nauseous, however, the converse is true, and having your stomach full gives it something to do, and helps you not to feel sick. This is my story and I am going to stick to it ! Maybe that is why I gain a couple of kilos after the census? Fortunately for me, my fellow observer, Johan Llewellyn the GM from Ingwelala, is fit and trim and the two Mikes are also of small statue, so my rather robust, Shrek-like body is able to cram

been a prolonged period of drought, the grass sward is also very sparse with very little biomass evident. Taking off early morning, with the doors off the helicopter removed one has an uninterrupted view of the bush, as it flows under one, and it feels like one is riding a magic carpet! Many of the autumn-coloured leaves that have fallen have collected in depressions and have been blown by the wind into shapes of rustic pastel colours under the trees. The helicopter, in this case a Bell Jet Ranger, flies strips 500 m apart at a height of about 120 feet. There is a scientist, in our case Dr Mike Peel, who records the sightings on a computer which is linked

23 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 75 (2020)