Ecosystems in Ndumo Game Reserve have been greatly distorted by humans, adding a deeper level of interest for the scientifically curious. Indeed, Ndumo is deeply scathed by human history. Our bio-travels investigates some of this scathing. 

Leopard (Panthera pardus) © Bernard Dupont The rosettes on the bodies of leopard and jaguar are so similar that they could belong to the same species. However, only the jaguar has noticeably bold black spots on the mid-dorsal line and chest. The relatively muted patterns on the back and chest of the leopard are consistent with its subtle mimicry […]

Common Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) © Bernard Dupont, via Wikimedia Commons The desert warthog is more massive than any indigenous mammal on the whole continent of Australia. However, South Africa retains such a diverse fauna of large mammals that the opportunity to reintroduce this indigenous species as a faunal asset has been – and probably will continue to be – spurned. Robin […]

Connochaetes gnou photo © Derek Keats BY 2.0, via Attribution-Share Alike and Crocuta crocuta photo © Bernard Dupont BY 2.0, via Attribution-Share Alike The spotted hyena and its prey species the white-bearded wildebeest seldom resort to trotting because their sloping backs and disparity between fore- and hindlimbs make this gait ungainly. However, what differs between the two animals is […]

Some enzymes have bluer blood than others and this antioxidant is more electric than most.

These woodheads would rather burn at the stake than be called pines or oaks.