Madikwe’s Big 5
Among the 66 mammal species resident at Madikwe Game Reserve are the world-famous Big 5: elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. Add to that giraffe, hippo, cheetah, wild dog and hyena and you have the Madikwe Top 10!
The term ‘Big 5’ was coined by hunters to describe what they deemed to be the five most dangerous animals to kill. However, nowadays the term is widely used to describe these magnificent animals, which feature on most wildlife enthusiasts lists of must-see game.
Elephant
The African elephant is the largest living terrestrial animal and is no stranger in Madikwe Game Reserve with a census putting the population at over 900. These incredible animals are highly intelligent and roam around in family groups, called herds. A typical herd is made up of closely related female elephants and their young. The leader of the herd is an old female who is called the matriarch. Once they hit puberty, the male elephants are ousted from their herd and tend to form alliances with other males.
Due to the steep growth in the population in Madikwe the density of elephant in the reserve is higher than any other protected area in South Africa, constituting approximately 43% of its herbivore biomass.
Rhino
Madikwe is home to both black and white rhino, although the white rhino is not technically part of the Big 5. These large mammals have subtle differences: the white rhino is the larger of the two and has a ‘square’ lip that helps it with grazing, whereas the black rhino is slightly smaller and has a ‘pointed’ or ‘hooked’ lip that helps it pull leaves off the plants it eats. The black rhino is generally bad tempered and should be treated with respect when spotted.
Unfortunately rhino poaching has become a significant problem in South Africa and threatens the continued survival of these species. However, the anti-poaching programme that has been rolled out in Madikwe seems to have turned the tide in the war against poachers in the reserve.
Buffalo
There is a healthy population of buffalo in Madikwe, numbering over 800 animals. They often form large herds and must be respected when seen. Buffalo have a reputation of being aggressive and may become dangerous if they feel threatened.
Unfortunately buffalo are susceptible to many diseases, including bovine tuberculosis. Madikwe has a disease management programme in order to control the spread of these illnesses.
Lion
Lions are the cornerstone of a wildlife experience and it’s no different when it comes to Madikwe Game Reserve. These magnificent cats are at the top of the food chain and when you see one in real life, it is not difficult to see why. A male lion can reach 250kg / 550lb while a female can reach up to 180kg / 395lb.
The first lions in Madikwe were introduced from Etosha National Park in Namibia and two new males were brought in from the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park in order to inject new genes into the pool. Park management employs a strict population management system for the lion population in order to ensure that homeostasis is maintained; in other words, that the balance between predators and herbivores is maintained.
Leopard
Despite being the smallest of the big cats, the elusive leopard is on everyone’s wildlife wish list. These animals are spectacular with their unique rosetted coats. They are generally solitary cats, unless they have young. The success of leopards as a species is due to their incredible adaptability in various habitats.
When at Madikwe, keep your eyes peeled for leopard, especially in the early morning and during the evening. They are especially fond of dozing on rocky outcrops, massive boulders and the branches of trees.
