The rains threatened and then fell just to the west of the Chiredzi River outside the reserve. And so the dry spell continues, although thunderstorms are again forecast for tomorrow.
The dogs were working on their tried and tested hunting method along the fence line again this morning but were without success and as the temperatures rocketed again so retreated into the shade with empty tummies.
The cloud cover from the imminent storm cooled things down a little and that’s when the tortoise made his daring dash for the water. The only adult dog to show it any attention was One-eye. A short glance was all he could manage.
For the pups this was a very strange being.
Why wasn’t it running away from them?
Why didn’t it attack them?
What was this very strange being?
And while they were trying to figure it out the tortoise had gained enough confidence to approach them. This was too much for the pups and had them scattering before gaining their composure to advance gingerly on the tortoise again. But they left him/her to wander on in search of grazing.
Again this afternoon they were hunting the fence line heading east but were still unsuccessful after a couple of chases when I left them after dark.
The dogs are being successful but not giving me much chance.
After a long chase, which left me bashing through bush catching the odd glimpse of a dog rocketing through the undergrowth, they eventually all seemed to have lucked out and stopped for refreshment at a pan. But One-eye was missing.
Eventually he too arrived at the pan, but was well fed. The others realising it then back tracked on his trail and found the remains of an adult male impala he had killed up against the fence.
When they were done with that it was back to the pan for the day.
Late afternoon again they were on the move. This time the country wasn’t only thick bush but really rocky too. I bumped and bashed my way through with many new cursing words be uttered (well shouted actually). Then I heard the squabbling, but it was only a baby impala kill. Continuing north in easier country the dogs came out at the fence and looking lost, lay down and rested.
Their little break was interrupted with a ‘woo’ call from the north. Racing up there I found the dogs on female impala kill. She too was a victim of the dreaded fence.
I wonder if the dogs would be as successful if they didn’t have the fence to help them?
The dogs are all accounted for!!!
At dawn the whole pack were lying out in the open near Khayeni, all 21 of them. BB is still well but always seems to be in extra pain when they first head out hunting, until her joints have loosened up. Then she hits the front of the pack and will, if not lead the way, be flanking the pack to scoop any prey not encountered by the rest of them. She sure is a classy hunter, even with her handicapped leg.
The dogs were well fed from last night and lethargically headed out hunting across the Umbrella thorn woodland. They encountered several impala but the chase was limp and soon they were lying up at a pan.
Not wishing to roast myself again all day, as I did yesterday, I was back in camp early to catch up on admin.
Back out in the afternoon the dogs had moved a little east but were still resting up. Luckily from here they headed back north at sunset. Going south was impossible for me with the many dongas/ravines and horrendously thick bush.
But even so their hunting attempts were rather futile and we left them resting soon after sunset.
With the moon being past half they could hunt tonight but then they still look fairly well fed from yesterday.
It was a day of taking stock.
Having been out the bush for 2 days I spent the morning taking stock to see where all my movie stars were hanging out.
Mandlovu, Chipfongwe and the herd spent most of their day around Chikwelane in the thick bush near the hills. This bull was oblivious to my presence crouched under this tree stump right next to his mud wallow.
In the heat of the day, over 40C (109F), I was running around looking for lions. They were southeast of Banyini and feeling much the same as me in the heat.
And then I was lucky enough to pick up the wild dogs at Matsanga pan after a walk to the top of Sosigi hill.
At first I wasn’t sure they were our dogs as I couldn’t recognise them they were so covered in mud.
When they headed off hunting I was only able to count 19, instead of 21. Some of them were in the bush when I counted, so I hope I missed the other 2. But I also didn’t see BB. I really hope she is still there. The last time I saw her, her stiff leg seemed to be giving her a lot of pain.
They hunted successfully killing 2 baby impala and an adult female. This female was again killed on the fence line.
I’ll be out first thing in the morning checking if all pack members are there.
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