It was another cold morning.
I didn’t check on the dogs early as they were well fed from last night and all seemed pretty well. But when I did find them in the late afternoon they were well and had another kill. But this kill was made much earlier in the day. I couldn’t believe they had killed again. Whisky and Stitch were looking like hyaenas with their hugely enlarged stomachs. The other 3 dogs still haven’t gorged themselves but aren’t showing any rabies symptoms as yet. Still holding thumbs!
I was on Banyini at dawn drinking my tea and eating a sandwich when I heard this strange sound to the north. It sounded like a stampede and bushes crashing. It turned out to be a herd of about 30 giraffe coming out the mopanie onto the open savannah of Banyini. They were all relaxed and just walking when I got to them. So I really don’t know what all the noise or the haste was about.
Most of them moved on to the pan to drink and then spent the rest of their time feeding on the Acacias.
Of course the female’s with the constant harassment of being tested for their sexual status by the males. (At least most of us humans have a little more respect)
A small herd of elephant were feeding in the mopanie to the east of Banyini and the last I heard of them was a young bull screaming for ages and the whole herd taking off south.
What a stunning kudu! The proportions are brilliant and the artist has also captured the always cautious attitude of the animal.
The dogs are fine, but…..
I was with the wild dogs at dawn resting up early and not having hunted successfully. They probably haven’t fed in the last 2 days. Whisky still looks great with a fair sized stomach. So probably ‘cos he’s fine, the pack just aren’t hunting as hard as they normally would.
I had a great drive all the way along the Chiredzi River, not seeing much in the way of mammals, but lots of birds and just the great tranquil atmosphere being out there all on my own.
Away from the river at Chekwa pan was this young elephant bull. He decided he’d try and do the “I’m so big!” trick on me. I wasn’t impressed but he did give me the opportunity for a number of great images.
On Banyini the impala rams were going crazy. It’s that time of year when the impala rut reaches it’s peak, usually around full moon. These guys are all so pumped with testosterone they can’t contain their aggression and spend most of their days now challenging anyone with horns.
Back with the wild dogs at dusk they had themselves an adult male impala kill, probably one of those guys who spent all his energy on the rut.
Whisky and Stitch ate really well with both their stomachs bulging.
But I’m concerned about the other 3. Although they all fed on the carcass, and there was plenty to go around, their stomachs just weren’t showing much of a bulge. This has become a telling sign for the beginning stage of the rabies infection where they can’t actually eat properly because of paralysis of the tongue. But I might be over reacting on this. I sure hope so. Tomorrow should show clearer signs if there are any. Here’s holding thumbs that they’re all still well!!!
A hunter returning with his bounty carried over his shoulder on a stick. His kill looks like a monkey dangling on the end of that stick. (it’s very faded though). Must be a different artist to the guy painted to the left of this hunter. Probably painted years apart too.
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.
This looks like a random set of drawings by different artists.
The man below is absolutely stunning! Such intricate detail and probably dressed for a special occasion.
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