Wildcast

Well even after all that rain yesterday, we were eventually able to get out today.

I didn’t even try to follow up on the wild dogs as following them off road hunting would definitely have meant some sticky times.
Instead we picked up on the elephants. They had moved into the sandveld into the Albizia woodland where they love to go after the rain. I think they too keep out of the heavy clays, which is hard work for them to walk in. On the harder soils the clays get really slippery. And when such a big beast slips, they fall HARD.

Chipfongwe is gaining more and more confidence using his trunk and putting leaves into this mouth. But that seems to be about all he does. He doesn’t chew them and they soon fall out.

His teeth should now be starting to erupt, so he should start chewing soon. And again today he was eating fresh elephant dung to help build up the necessary mircoorganisms in his stomach for breaking down what he eats.

The elephants spent most of the day in the sandveld, but in the heat of the day they ventured to pans in the clays. I was so caught up filming them playing in a pan that I didn’t notice this elephant bull that had sauntered up to the front of the vehicle. Right up to it! But he meant no harm and Lindy, who a month ago was absolutely petrified of elephant, sat there and actually chatted to the big dude. It’s wonderful how she has turned around to now totally accept elephants. (I think it was little Chipfongwe who won her heart)

And it’s just as wonderful how the elephant accept us too!