Bushpigs move during the day too

Although this is a very rare sight for human eyes, not because our bushpigs don't move during the day, but rather because the cover they prefer as habitat is so extremely dense.

During the day, bushpigs actually move about all the time in the very thicket habitat they frequent.On Blaauwkrantz much of this natural habitat remains in tact.This habitat is a very dense thicket that is not very tall but basically a canopy that comes right down to the ground.These almost scrub-like evergreen plants comprise of a wide variety of plants,bushes and short trees.

Visibility is restricted to one or two yards on a flat area, explaining why actually seeing them inside this habitat is almost impossible.
The reason why we perceive them to be nocturnal is that that's when they muster enough courage to venture from their bush-capsule into open spaces.

The picture above shows a rather brave pig...not an unusual occurrence on Blaauwkrantz due to them receiving relative respite due to the trophy value bestowed on them now since the early nineties.
Having said this, bushpigs are opportunistic feeders and are sometimes responsible for livestock losses on Blaauwkrantz.These specific pigs then become known as "goatkillers" which will receive attention in another blog entry..

Hunting brings much to SA economy | Fin24

Hunting brings much to SA economy | Fin24

This link simply reiterates the value that the management of wildlife on private land by amongst others, hunting delivers not only in the conservation of species and habitats but to the rural economies too.Hunters give an economic value to wildlife that would otherwise mostly be seen as competition to domesticated livestock.

Congratulations and thank-you hunters, for being an important part of this magnificent achievement!