Robert Eklund’s Wildlife Experience Page

I have become increasingly concerned about the preservation of threatened wildlife, and after having spent a month in South Africa as a volunteer at the Amakhala Game Reserve in November 2008 I have decided to spend as much time and effort as possible to do what I can to help preserving fauna that faces extinction. Below you will find pictures and film captures from various locations in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Sweden and other countries. There are pictures from game reserves, national parks, breeding centres and general wildlife awareness centres and even zoos. Note that I have aimed for general width, which means that rather than including pictures of the same animals from various locations I have tried to put as many different species as possible on this page. Feel free to use the pictures, but please refer to the source, i.e. http://roberteklund.info.

For sound files of purring cheetahs, servals and other animals, please go to the Wildlife Research Page.

Index

The cheetah Zimbali and Robert Eklund

01 Kruger National Park
02 Etosha National Park
03 Amakhala Game Reserve
04 Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre
05 Daniell Cheetah Breeding
06 Addo Elephant National Park
07 Moholoholo Wildlife Rehab Centre
08 Berlin Zoo
09 Parken Zoo Eskilstuna
10 Kolmården
   

01 – Kruger National Park

Here there will pictures and film captures taken at the Kruger National Park, in South Africa. I am currently in the editing phase, so please check back in a few weeks.


Leopard

Kruger Leopard 01

Kruger Leopard 02

Kruger Leopard 02


Lion

Kruger Lion 01

Kruger Lion 02

Kruger Lion 02


Hyena

Kruger Hyena 01

Kruger Hyena 02

Kruger Hyena 02


Elephants

Kruger Elephants 01

Kruger Elephants 02

Kruger Elephants 02


Rhinoceros

Kruger Rhinoceros 01

Kruger Rhinoceros 02

Kruger Rhinoceros 02

 

Kruger Rhinoceros 04

Kruger Rhinoceros 05

 

Buffalos

 

Kruger Buffalos 01

Kruger Buffalos 02

 

Hippopotamus

Kruger Hippopotamus 01

Kruger Hippopotamus 02

Kruger Hippopotamus 03


Dung Beetles

Kruger Dung Beetles 01

Kruger Dung Beetles 02

Kruger Dung Beetles 02


Birds

Kruger Birds 01

Kruger Birds 02

Kruger Birds 02

 

Kruger Birds 04

Kruger Birds 05

 


02 – Etosha National Park

Here are a few pictures taken at the Etosha National Park, where we celebrated Christmas 2011 and late December 2013.

Wildebeest

Etosha Wildebeest Panorama

Cheetahs

Etosha Cheetahs 1

Etosha Cheetahs 2

Etosha Cheetahs 3

Lion

Etosha Lion Night Drive 1

Etosha Lion Night Drive 2

Hyena

Etosha Hyena 1

Etosha Hyena 2

Elephants

Etosha Elephant 1

Etosha Elephant 2

Etosha Elephant 3

Black-Backed Jackal

Etosha Black-Backed Jackal 1

Etosha Black-Backed Jackal 2

Etosha Black-Backed Jackal 3

Etosha Black-Backed Jackal 4

Etosha Black-Backed Jackal 5

Etosha Black-Backed Jackal 6

Etosha Black-Backed Jackal 7

Etosha Black-Backed Jackal 8

Etosha Black-Backed Jackal 9

Black Rhinoceros

Etosha BlackRhinoceros 1

Etosha Black Rhinoceros 2

Etosha Black Rhinoceros 3

Dik-Dik

The Dik-Dik is the smallest of all antelopes.

Etosha Dik-Dik 1

Etosha Dik-Dik 2

Etosha Dik-Dik 3

Etosha Dik-Dik 4

Etosha Dik-Dik 5

Etosha Dik-Dik 6

Etosha Dik-Dik 7

Etosha Dik-Dik 8

Etosha Dik-Dik 9

Giraffe

Etosha Giraffe 1

Etosha Giraffe 2

Etosha Giraffe 3

Banded Mongoose – Yellow Mongoose

Etosha Banded Mongoose 1

Etosha Banded Mongoose 2

Etosha Yellow Mongoose

Black-faced Impala

The black-faced impala is endemic to Etosha National Park.

Etosha Black-Faced Impala 1

Etosha Black-Faced Impala 2

Etosha Etosha Black-Faced Impala 3

Brown Snake Eagle – Goshawk – Lilac-Breasted Roller – Purple Roller

Etosha Brown Snake Eagles

Etosha Goshawk

Etosha Lilac-Breasted Roller

Etosha Purple Roller

Social Weavers

Etosha Social Weavers 1

Etosha Social Weavers 2

Etosha Social Weavers 3


03 – Amakhala Game Reserve

Here are a few pictures taken at the Amakhala Game Reserve, a “Big Five” (lion, elephant, rhinoceros, leopard and buffalo) reserve next to Shamwari in South Africa. For some reason, I did not get a single got shot of an ostrich, alas. Nor did I ever see a black rhino. Also, I never saw any leopards, but as they say: “You never see the leopard, the leopard always sees you”.


Lions

Since the main task was to monitor the game reserve’s lion family we came up close to lions every day,
i.e. the male Mfasa, the female Scar and their three daughters. Below are a few pictures (out of many!)
of these magnificent animals –  with focus on Mfasa.

Amakhala Male Lion Mfasa 7

Amakhala Male Lion Mfasa 8

Amakhala Male Lion Mfasa 9

Amakhala Male Lion Mfasa 1

Amakhala Male Lion Mfasa 2

Amakhala Male Lion Mfasa 3

Amakhala Male Lion Mfasa 4

Amakhala Male Lion Mfasa 5

Amakhala Male Lion Mfasa 6

Amakhala Lions At Waterhole 1

Amakhala Lions At Waterhole 2

Amakhala Lions At Waterhole 2

Amakhala Lions At Night 1

Amakhala Lions At Night 2

Amakhala Lions At Night 3


Cheetahs

There were three adult cheetahs at the Amakhala reserve, two lone males and one female, Tamara, with two subadult cubs (now making it out on their own). We were lucky enough to see Tamara and her cubs several times, both in daylight and at dusk. Notice how the cub’s neck is still fluffy!

Amakhala Cheetah 01

Amakhala Cheetah 02

Amakhala Cheetah 03

Amakhala Cheetah 04

Amakhala Cheetah 05

Amakhala Cheetah 06

Amakhala Cheetah 07

Amakhala Cheetah 08

Amakhala Cheetah 09


Elephants

Here are three pictures of the largest elephant at Amakhala, most of the roaming the veldt alone.

Amakhala elephant in rear-view mirror

Amakhala Elephant 1

Amakhala Elephant 2


Rhinoceros

There are both white and black rhinos at Amakhala, although I never got a look at a black one.
Below are six picture of white rhinos.

Amakhala White Rhinocerus 01

Amakhala White Rhinocerus 02

Amakhala White Rhinocerus 03

Amakhala White Rhinocerus 04

Amakhala White Rhinocerus 05

Amakhala White Rhinocerus 06


Buffalo

Amakhala Buffalo 1

Amakhala Buffalo 3

Amakhala Buffalo 2


Giraffes

Giraffe 3  

  Giraffe 4

Giraffe 1

Giraffe 2

Giraffe 5


Elands

Eland 1

Eland 2

Eland 3


Wildebeest

Wildebeest 1

Wildebeest 2

Wildebeest 3


Impalas

Impalas 1

Impalas 3

Impalas 2


Zebras

Zebras 1

Zebras 2

Impalas 3


Gemsbok (oryx) – Hartebeest – Springbok

Amakhala Gemsboks

Amakhala Hartebeest

Amakhala Springboks


Mongoose – Black-backed jackal – Polecat

Amakhala Mongoose

Amakhala Fox

Amakhala Polecat


Secretary bird – Black-shouldered kite – Cape glossy starling

Amakhala Secretary Bird

Amakhala Black-shouldered Kite

Amakhala Cape Glossy starling


04 – Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre

At the Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Center Len and Mandy Freeman take care of birds of all sorts, but also raise cheetahs, servals, African wildcats, blackfooted cats and caracals. Below are picture of some of the cats we spent time with and got to know.


Cheetahs

Below are pictures of adult cheetahs Chester and Zimbali, subadults Zulu and Duma and a couple of cubs.

Tenikwa cheetah, Robert Eklund and Miriam Oldenburg walking Zimbali

Tenikwa cheetahs Chester and Zimbali

Tenikwa cheetah Zimbali resting

Tenikwa cheetah subadult 01

Tenikwa cheetah subadult 02

Tenikwa cheetah subadult 03

Tenikwa cheetah subadult 04

Tenikwa cheetah subadult 05

Tenikwa cheetah subadult 06

Tenikwa cheetah cub 01

Tenikwa cheetah cub 03

Tenikwa cheetah cub 02


Servals

Servals look almost “made up” with their fairytale long ears and legs. Also see and listen to the purring serval above.

Tenikwa serval 01

Tenikwa serval 02

Tenikwa serval 03

Tenikwa serval 04


Caracals

One of the most impressive cats, I think, with its long hind legs, enabling it to jump extremely high.
Also, the five-weeks old cub is perhaps the cutest thing I have ever seen.

Tenikwa caracal 01

Tenikwa caracal 02

Tenikwa caracal 03

Tenikwa caracal cub 01

Tenikwa caracal cub 02

Tenikwa caracal cub 03


Blackfooted Cat and African Wildcat

Two of the lesser-known cats are the African Wildcat and the toughest of them all, the blackfooted cat, one of the smallest cats in the world. Since one was hiding, and the blackfooted cat could not be still for a second I only got
two decent pictures of them, alas.

Tenikwa blackfooted cat

Tenikwa blackfooted cat


05 – Daniell Cheetah Breeding

We visited Daniell Cheetah Breeding several times, and met their wonderful cheetahs and lion cubs.


Cheetah

below are pictures of me and Miriam Oldenburg with the extremely friendly female cheetah Ola.
Ola can also be heard purring above.

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Cheetah l

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Cheetah Ola 2

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Cheetah 3

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Cheetah Ola and Miriam Oldenburg l

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Cheetah Ola and Miriam Oldenburg 2

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Cheetah Ola and Miriam Oldenburg 3

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Cheetah Ola, Miriam Oldenburg and Robert Eklund l

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Cheetah Ola, Miriam Oldenburg and Robert Eklund 2

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Cheetah Ola, Miriam Oldenburg and Robert Eklund 3

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Cheetah Ola and Robert Eklund l

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Cheetah Ola and Robert Eklund 2

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Cheetah Ola and Robert Eklund 3


Lion cubs

below are pictures of me and Miriam Oldenburg with lion cubs, ages three, four and seven weeks, respectively.
Thanks to Eva Estberg for allowing me to use two of her pictures.

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Lion Cub 1

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Lion Cub and Miriam Oldenburg 1

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Lion and Robert Eklund Cub 1

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Lion Cub 1

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Lion Cub and Robert Eklund 2

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Lion Cub and Robert Eklund 3

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Lion Cub and Robert Eklund 4

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Lion Cub and Miriam Oldenburg 2

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Lion Cub and Miriam Oldenburg 3

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Lion Cub and Miriam Oldenburg 4

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Lion Cub and Miriam Oldenburg 5

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Lion Cub and Miriam Oldenburg 6

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Lion Cub and Miriam Oldenburg 7


06 – Addo Elephant National Park

Pictures from one of the largest national parks in South Africa: Addo Elephant National Park.

Posing with an elephant at Addo National Park

Posing an elephant at Addo National Park

Feeding an elephant at Addo National Park

Elephants drinking at a waterhole at Addo National Park


07 – Moholoholo Wildlife Rehab Centre

On our way back from Kruger we paid Moholoholo Wildlife Rehab Centre a visit. Below are a few pictures.


Lions

Moholoholo Lions 01

Moholoholo Lions 02

Moholoholo Lions 02

Moholoholo Lions 03


Rhinoceros

Moholoholo Rhinoceros 01

Moholoholo Rhinoceros 02


Honey Badger / Rock Hyrax / Warthog

Moholoholo Honey Badger

Moholoholo Rock Hyrax

Moholoholo Warthog


Wild Dogs

Moholoholo Wild Dogs 01

Moholoholo Wild Dogs 02


08 – Parken Zoo Eskilstuna

Below are some pictures from Berlin Zoo. My personal interest was that I could get to see the jaguarundi, one of the two closest relatives to the cheetah (the other being the puma). They also had rusty-spotted cat (new to me) and several other felids.


Jaguarundi

Berlin Zoo Jaguarundi 1

Berlin Zoo Jaguarundi 2

Berlin Zoo Jaguarundi 3

Berlin Zoo Jaguarundi 4


Rusty-Spotted Cat

 

Berlin Zoo Rusty-Spotted Cat 1

Berlin Zoo Rusty-Spotted Cat 2

 


09 – Parken Zoo Eskilstuna

Below are some pictures from Parken Zoo in Eskilstuna, Sweden. In my view, their main attraction lies in their exotic cats, which you will see.


Clouded Leopard

 

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Clouded Leopard 06

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Clouded Leopard 07

 

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Clouded Leopard 01

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Clouded Leopard 02

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Clouded Leopard 03

 

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Clouded Leopard 04

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Clouded Leopard 05

 


Pallas Cat / Manul

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Pallas Cat / Manul 01

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Pallas Cat / Manul 02

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Pallas Cat / Manul 03

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Pallas Cat / Manul 04

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Pallas Cat / Manul 05

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Pallas Cat / Manul 06

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Pallas Cat / Manul 07

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Pallas Cat / Manul 08

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Pallas Cat / Manul 09

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Pallas Cat / Manul 10


Sand Cat

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Sand Cat 01

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Sand Cat 02

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Sand 03


Fishing Cat

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Fishing Cat 01

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Fishing Cat 01

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Fishing Cat 01

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Fishing Cat 01


Amur Leopard

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Amur Leopard 01

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Amur Leopard 02


Tigers

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Tiger 01

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Tiger 02


Jaguar

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Jaguar 01

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Jaguar 02


Jaguar (Panther)

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Jaguar (Panther) 01

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Jaguar (Panther) 02


Fossa

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Fossa 01

Parken Zoo Eskilstuna Fossa 02


10 – Kolmården

Below are some pictures from Kolmården, Sweden. In my view, their main attraction lies in their snow leopards and lynxes.


Snow Leopards

Kolmåden Snow Leopards 01

Kolmåden Snow Leopards 02

Kolmåden Snow Leopards 03

Kolmåden Snow Leopards 04

Kolmåden Snow Leopards 05

Kolmåden Snow Leopards 06

Kolmåden Snow Leopards 07

Kolmåden Snow Leopards 08

Kolmåden Snow Leopards 09


Lynxes

Kolmåden Lynxes 01

Kolmåden Lynxes 02

Kolmåden Lynxes 03

Kolmåden Lynxes 04

Kolmåden Lynxes 05

Kolmåden Lynxes 06


Wolverine

Kolmåden Wolverine 01

Kolmåden Wolverine 02

Kolmåden Wolverine 03


Bear

Kolmåden Bear 01

Kolmåden Bear 02

Kolmåden Bear 03



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