The wild dogs are fine.
I checked on the Mupanigawa pack early this morning and they all looked well with their still full tummy’s.
I left them for the rest of the day to drift around the reserve taking stock again as it’s been some time since I’ve been around, what with most of my time being spent with the dogs.
At Lojaan dam I went walking in the hills looking for bushmen paintings and on my way back to the vehicle patrolled around the dam, much to the disgust of the resident hippo bull. He wasn’t happy with this apparition disturbing his daily rest and on several occasions mock charged me. This of course provided for some interesting images, but only if I was prepared to stand my ground. Problem was he really only performed when I turned my back on him and walked away. A true sign that he really was more scared of me than he wished to make out. He didn’t like to challenge me face to face.
I then moved on down to the Chiredzi River hoping to find some elephant but only found this big bull. He too was agitated with being disturbed and also wanted me out of there. But again it was more bravado than anything else and he moved on.
Further up the river this huge herd of 400 to 500 buffalo were grazing slowly west. I had approached from the west and waited as they grazed on towards me.
Then knowing they were heading down to the river I moved ahead of them. The river banks are really steep in this area and the only way down is on foot. I headed down there, crossed the river and hid myself next to a tuft of grass waiting for the herd to venture down the only gap in the steep bank. I imagined the amazing sight as the herd ran to water leaving a massive dust cloud behind them.
And indeed they did just that, but not where I had expected them. They entered the river about 500m downstream. Well of course I cursed them and then driving around hoping to at least get them drinking they spooked and took off out the river before I was ready for anything. Thanks guys!!!
Leaving them I headed north back onto the Rabies trail. After dark we had 10 hyaenas on a zebra carcass at Nhoro pan. We managed to inoculate all of them for rabies. None of them are showing any signs of the disease as yet, so here’s to hoping they’ll all be fine.
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