INTRODUCTION
The widely acclaimed Thaba Tholo wildlife auction took place on the property close to the Thabazimbi yesterday, breaking countless records.
The sale turnover of around R94 million surpasses any record on wildlife sold in any one auction on the planet. A buffalo bull, Senatla (pictured left), fetched a record breaking R18 million, the animal was sold to a breeder in the Naboomspruit area by the name of Peter Bellingham.
Further SA records were broken with Grey Duiker R5,600, Steenbuck R8,000, Impala ewes R3,600, Tsessebe R20,000, a 42″ Eland bull R205,000, an Impala R185,000, Buffalo cows R600,000, a pregnant buffalo cow R1,3 million, a Buffalo cow at R1,6 million, a Sable antelope bull for R2,1m and a number of Sable bulls for between R825,000 and R1,8 million. A Waterbuck bull was also sold for R28,000.
The auction was attended by over 350 people with over 120 registered buyers. A total of 108 lots of animals were sold and only one buffalo bull did not achieve the requisite price and was held back for next year.
ROGERS BIRD FACT
Martial Eagle Polemaetus Bellicosus
Area:
Open woodland and grassland throughout southern Africa
Family:
A part of the Eagle Family
Interesting facts:
This a large raptor with a wingspan of nearly 2.5M long, allowing long distances of flight and subsequently enabling it to feed on a large variety of prey predominantly mammals up to and including jackals. The image alongside shows an adult female leaving its next in the Kalahari, in the background a full grown chick can be seen on the nest.