From Ring-necked Pheasant to Zebra

A Burchell's Zebra

While majoring in Wildlife and Fishery Science as an undergraduate at Penn State University, I studied the role of hunting and fishing as wildlife management tools. Coming from a city background, I was not as familiar with these activities. I would secretly read the Pennsylvania hunting seasons and bag limits book and would spend more time in the hunting section than the soccer section of the local sporting goods store. I often thought about the deep connection that hunters had with nature.Their knowledge of the land, orienteering skills, and the ability to be at peace with oneself in the outdoors. And if a kill was made, the appreciation for the animal along with the privilege of obtaining food from an undomesticated animal. Although I was interested in the pursuit, I was not completely certain of my stance.

In 2010, I got my hunter education certificate through The Wildlife Society's student field course in Vermont (TWS Field Course) which was a 2-week course focused on experimental learning of wildlife research techniques including small mammal trapping, hunter education, and vegetation sampling. After this course, I got my hunting licence and was eager to get outside. My friends and mentors in college saw my enthusiasm and took me hunting a few times. I didn't end up getting anything on these trips, but I still enjoyed every minute of it!

It wasn't until the Conservation Leaders For Tomorrow (CLFT) program in 2011 that I was successful with a hunt. This program is for students in natural resource field with little or no hunting experience and helps them understand the role of hunting. Again I had my questions, and seeing the number of firearms supplied for the group of  students was startling. But with careful planning and a mentor by my side,  I shot a Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) Little did I know, that two years down the line I would shoot a Burchell's zebra (Equus quagga burchellii).

We needed an animal carcass to bait the trap for the Cape vultures (25 Cape vultures and a Fish Eagle!) and  zebra was the chosen bait. Burchell's zebra are considered to be a least concern under the IUCN red list of threatened species and there are about 300 in the area in which we hunted.

Hunting in the grassland. 

March 13th, 2013. By my side was Juan, who built and designed the vulture walk-in trap, is also a certified professional hunter (PHASA) and was to act as my guide. Eva, an intern from Germany, would also accompany us for the chase. Before the hunt could start we checked the rifle which was an old 1976, 30-06 Sako, Finbear. After making sure that the rifle was zeroed, Juan handed me the rifle and instructed me to shoot at the target, which was a cardboard box with a white 4x4 inch sticker, stuck in the centre, at 100 yards. This was actually my first time using a rifle, because all of my previous experience was with a shotgun. I heard stories that a rifle's recoil is harsh, so it is essential to practice  My first shot was true! And I fired a couple more times to get use to the trigger and the surprisingly slight recoil. We then moved the box to about 250 yards with a slightly larger square this time. As the terrain mainly consisted of open grassy plains, a longer shot may be needed. I adjusted the aim a little and the next shot was spot on! 

After practice, we drove until we spotted a herd of zebra mixed with some Red Hartebeest  (Alcelaphus buselaphus caama) in the distance and decided to use a small patch of dense forest to conceal our stalk. Emerging from the forest we found ourselves within fifty yards of the Hartebeest. I was surprised at how close they were! Don't they see us? Luckily the wind was in our favor and it did not reveal our scent to them. Unfortunately no zebras were in sight, just a large Eland bull (Taurotragus oryx) off in the distance his greatness highlighted against the Indian Ocean. We were not to be deterred and set off in search of another herd.

Walking through the grass I have a flash back. These were the same grasslands I helped with ungulate foraging research in 2010 while on the Parks and People program (P&P). We worked hard all day counting the number of bites individual animals from a herd took in relation to how many steps they stepped in the same time period. In the afternoon, we were in need of a nap. We took a little siesta, despite our fears of Black Mambas (which are quite common on the reserve).

About two miles away we could make out a large herd of zebra, walking and grazing at a surprisingly quick pace. We decided to re-position ourselves on a rocky outcrop from which I could possibly get an opportunity to get within shooting distance if the herd maintained their direction. We get there just in time and the herd moves into shooting range. I have the rifle steadied on the rocks and watch each zebra walk by in the cross hairs. I am waiting for a zebra to stop, but they just keep moving, maintaining their pace. By now the zebra have been joined by a group of eland cows which was not helping. We decided to move closer, and this involved crawling in the tall grass (remember the Black Mambas?) We crawled in a straight line and I held my head down, with no idea where we were going. I had to keep myself from laughing at how ridiculous/awesome the situation was.

After crawling through what felt like all of the tunnels of a McDonalds playground, we stop. The zebra are about 180 yards away. They are foraging with the eland in a rocky outcrop. We didn't bring any sticks to shoot from, so Juan instructs me to shoot off his shoulder. You want me to position this rifle on your shoulder??? Okie-dokie! While I was looking through the scope of the rifle, Juan was looking at the zebra with his binoculars. There were so many! Our intention was to pick a young stallion as that will have the least effect on the dynamics on the herd.

After locating a young stallion, the next part took lots of patience. Most of the time the zebra's body was obscured by the tall grass. I was instructed not to take the shot before the belly was visible above the grass. I focus on the zebra, finger ready to squeeze the trigger. But we had to wait until it got into the perfect position. I was to aim at the little triangle formed by the stripes on the shoulder, this would ensure a shot to the heart. The zebra moves and Juan whispers something. He is telling me to take the shot! But this breaks my concentration and I can't pull the trigger. My hopes fall. I had a shot, but couldn't take it. Breathe! We didn't spook the zebra and I regroup. Looking through the scope a second time and I see where I have to shoot... Juan gives me the go ahead. I do not hesitate this time and squeeze the trigger.

The shot rings, but I don't  notice it above my pounding heart. Juan takes the rifle from me, probably to fire a backup shot, but my shot was textbook (located right where I was aiming)! He gives me a hug to congratulate me on the great shot.

As we start to walk towards the zebra, I had a range of emotions. I was sad that I ended this animal's life, but it was for a good purpose (we did catch vultures with this carcass for my project). I felt so privileged to go on this hunt and to accomplish what I set out to do.

It was quite a leap from a small Ring-necked Pheasant to a big Zebra. I am thankful to all my mentors and friends for their support. And I'm already looking forward to the next hunt!

The zebra and I. 

After the successful hunt with Juan. 

25 Cape Vultures and a Fish Eagle!

Pure Joy!

That is what we caught this past week during the second Mkambati vulture capture. Long story short, one of the GPS transmitters was not working correctly on our previous trapping trip. We decided not to put that unit on a bird. Therefore, I needed to organize another trapping trip to deploy a replacement unit as well as three units from Avi-Track.

After months of planning, the week of the capture was upon us. My team stayed at Riverside Lodge, which is located on the ocean at Mkambati Nature Reserve. It is large enough to hold 20 people; however it is about a 30-45 minute drive to the vulture trap. We needed to be in the hide at the vulture trap before 5:45AM. Talk about a morning commute!

We did that morning commute three days in a row with no success. Two team members and I sat in the hide, quiet and patient. The hide is in the shape of a triangle and is covered with multiple layers of green shade cloth. I was quite tired of triangles and the color green after three days.

The vultures were not playing our game those first three days. First of all, the wind was gusting up to 12 kph or 7mph. The birds would circle over the trap with the freshly dead zebra (which was procured by yours truly – stayed tuned for that adventure!) Some even landed on the ground! On the ground, on the complete opposite side of the entrance to the walk in trap. And the peak of frustration was when the vultures were perching on top of the trap for hours looking down at the free meal! We were having luck attracting a Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer). While feeding on the carcass, it would chase the Cape Vultures away! 

Vultures on the trap, while we sit in the triangle hide to the right. 

One the fourth day, which was Sunday March 17^th, the celebration of St. Patrick, we caught the birds! We had placed another dead zebra inside of the trap, while the previous zebra was placed in front of the trap door. The vultures were on the zebra outside of the trap by 6:20AM making their guttural noises as they gorged themselves and put the Fish Eagle in his place. The eagle saw the dead zebra inside of the trap and went to feed on it. The vultures finished off the zebra outside, and the mob began to inch over to the trap where the fish eagle was eating.  At this moment, I was so nervous. At any moment the vultures could be scared off and not come back for another day. On top of that, members of my team had to leave that day. So the pressure was on!

The vultures’ instinct took over and a group of 20 birds were feeding happily in the trap, while more were waiting to get in. That is when we pulled the curtain closed and successfully caught 25 Cape Vultures and that pesky Fish Eagle!

On closer expectation, we re-trapped one of the birds from the November trapping trip. This was great because I had already collected the measurements from this bird. That bird was then fitted with a GPS transmitter.

In total we wing-tagged 24 Cape Vultures and deployed four GPS transmitters. I have a total sample size of nine adult vultures with transmitters and 34 wing-tagged birds. The following day at the vulture colony, we re-sighted 16 of the birds! I look forward to following the movements of the birds as well as their journey through the breeding season.

I would like to say thank you to the team that helped with this capture.  It was truly a magical week!

The men making a plan!

One of the vultures being fitted with a transmitter.

Taking measurements of the dangerous part!

A vulture with a transmitter  being released.

The group with the trap, ocean, and a vulture in the background.