I left camp this morning planning to traverse most of the reserve, but mainly the south, in search of any evidence of other wild dog packs.
Unfortunately I didn’t find any but then I could easily have overlooked/missed them. I think I need an ultra-light so I can really cover the property. I used to use one up here many years ago and it was brilliant. Very tempting to get another one.
Well after dawn I was so happy to find this bunch of hyaenas. There were 7 of them just doing their hyaena thing, but it was pretty late for them to still be on the move. They seemed to be agitated by one hyaena that had bloodstains from a kill. It looked like a male and was very submissive whenever approached by the others. They all kept just moving around not really going anywhere and then rested up. I was hoping they would lead me to the den as they so often do at dawn. There were 2 lactating females in this group.
Now just look into the eyes of this hyaena and see if you see “killer” in them? I find hyaenas have such gentle faces and un-menacing eyes. And a lot of the time they are just that. Gentle and loving. But they too have to eat.
The bush takes it’s time to drop leaves and the mopanie are now in full swing of gaining their autumn colours. And it’s from now until the rains again that the elephant will rely heavily on mopanie to see them through the dry winter. Right now they’re still feeding on what green leaves remain, but later they’ll be stripping the bark.
I was so chuffed to see this giraffe dude again, I just had to film him. I’d seen him before, about a year ago and was stunned at his incredibly dark coat. What a handsome brute!
Are the animals actually aware of being filmed? Do they behave differently than normally? Do you know?
The giraffe boy is really awesome!
It is a pitty that the worst case scenario indeed has happened, the only hope is that other wild dog packs will enter the area. What can we do in Europe to increase the awareness that the wild dog is a highly endangered animal? I do not think this will be world news. Whales, dolphins and elephants have much more fans. Is it all about fund raising? Education?
Will the domestic dogs also be inoculated to avoid an outbreak of rabies in the future?
kind regards
very interesting facts you have here.
Footage is unique and captivating.
I added your website link at mine.
Hi KIm, just saw your Roasted Giraffe, great footage, what a beautiful speciamen, I hope someday I will be able to see one like that.
Also read your comments on the Hyeana’s This too is one of my favorite animals. I must have 100 differnt pictures them. They really do have soft eyes, and are great mothers. I have a picture of one nursing her young and but she is up on her front legs with rear laying down. She show a neck that I have never seen it is long perhaps about 11 inches and beutiful and graceful. Would love to let you see this one if you like just email me. would love to send it to you. Have you ever seen a long neck on one, let me know. Please continue to take care of yourself, If Dana and I decide to come back to Mala Mala we will let you know
The animals don’t know they’re being filmed but they’re full aware they’re being watched. How they behave all depends on how habituated they are to vehicles. That’s why I like to work so long on my productions in order to get the animals totally relaxed in my presence so their behaviour is totally natural and not influenced by me being there.
Douwe. That’s a hard one. Where does one start? Even just making people aware of Wildcast creates the interest and then people will try and help where they can from there. We are planning to do a big inoculation spree all around the borders of the reserve.
Hi Mamabear! Hyaena with a long neck? Sounds like some of those bushmen paintings? Weird!