Sable, Gemsbok & Buffalo

[Dzombo]

When the initial restocking of Pilanesberg was made, a number of unusual antelope species were re-introduced.
Species not found in some of the SANP, or rare in these parks.

Tessebe, Eland, red hartebeest all of which I have seen in Pilanesberg

But up to our last Pilaneberg trip in 2011 (we started going to Kruger from 2012)
I had never seen Sable or Gemsbok.
Are they still present ?
Has anyone seen them recently?

[Flutterby]

We have never seen sable or gemsbok there. Would be interesting to find out if they are still around.

[Flutterby]

I asked the question on the Pilanesberg FB page:

Tatjana Bekker saw 5 sable on 9th August 2015. Pics shared with her permission.

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[Flutterby]

Also from Facebook:

Jason Swart: Seen 1 gemsbok on Moloto once. 1 deformed horn and 1 straight horn. Sable from what I've heard have been removed from park. not 100% sure on that 1.

Warren Best: There was an unconfirmed sighting of a gemsbok about a year ago...have not seen one myself in about 10 years and suspect there are none left.

Elaine Van Der Poel: In 2013 we saw 3 Sable on Moloto drive.

[Dzombo]

Flutts,

Thanks for asking.

I guess some species did better than others.
The introduction of the various species was an experiment.

I remember reading that the Buffalo haven't done as well as hoped. They are restricted to the north west corner of the park, and do not move out of that area much.
And I have never seen them either.

[Flutterby]

At one stage the buffs were seen quite often at either Makorwane or Rathlogo...can't remember which one.

[JoeKing]

The buffs are moving further and further East. I read of a dagga boy being seen last year close to manyane. I have seen 1 male sable on ditabaneng 2002/2003 from the parking area of the dam. Brief sighting. Jumped in car to find it but was gone

[JoeKing]

The buffs are doing well. Over 120. They were introduced into the wilderness area as there are fewer lions. They did this because the herd is TB free. These animals are worth a few rands and NWT were protecting their investment.

[Dzombo]

Flutts, Joeking, thanks for the info.

[Dzombo]

The buffs are doing well. Over 120. They were introduced into the wilderness area as there are fewer lions. They did this because the herd is TB free. These animals are worth a few rands and NWT were protecting their investment.

I was reading in one of my Pilanesberg books last night. Apparently 19 buffs were originaly introduced.
If there are 120 now, 30 or so years later, I make that a roughly 6% increase (maths was never my strong point )
But that seems to be low?
How would that compare to the % increase in Kruger for eg?