Biologist Pedro Vaz Pinto’s Third Trimester 2015 Report with photos from Angola’s Cangandala Park and Luando Reserve, in English and Portuguese, is now up on our Giant Sable page.
“In Luando a lot of things happened, and unfortunately we have to report an escalating of poaching, and this time with a lot of vivid and shocking evidence to support. Firstly there were reports on the use of a new trapping technique in the reserve: foot traps! These are iron made with indented lateral faces and operated by powerful spring coils. They are designed to break the leg of a large antelope such as sable or roan, and were not previously known to be used in Luando reserve.”
The loss of Elvis is a huge setback as he was the dominant bull that attended both our second and third herds in Luando. Symbolically, both Francisco and Elvis were magnificent and imposing animals, carrying perfectly looped horns that measured 58 and 59 inches respectively. Two decent representatives for the most beautiful antelope in the world. Unfortunately it is also one of the most critically endangered mammals…
Our camp fire framed by giants.
In the southern areas of Cangandala park, we were offered the most unexpected spectacle: a tame hippo that has made his home in Cuque river near a local village and somehow manages to live in peaceful harmony with its human neighbours.
Visit our Giant Sable page to read Pedro Vaz Pinto’s full report and previous reports.
Angola Field Group 
February 19, 2016 at 4:11 pm
So sorry to hear about Elvis and Francisco. I hope Ivan has somehow survived. Mercury is magnificent. Love the lion and his penchant for “poached” food.
February 20, 2016 at 12:28 pm
My question is : why not demarcating ? a cha around Cagandala reserve ? or is there a demarcated cha around the cangandala ? in that way that could be better chances of stopping poaching .
March 7, 2016 at 5:32 am
Why dont you capture all the animals in Luando and put them in breeding camps ? The poaching is not going to stop.
May 2, 2016 at 7:15 pm
Hello well done on your efforts to save this species. What i find VERY confusing is why you are leaving the hybrid Sable/roan alone. They should be destroyed and given to the community for meat. This is not a natural occurance and has been induced by man interefering (killing out the bulls). Anyway well done again!!
November 19, 2018 at 2:20 pm
Hello I am a biologist and live in Cunene area and would like to talk to you personally Doctor Pinto.
Regards
March 25, 2019 at 5:39 am
We have passed on your message to Pedra Vaz Pinto.