The Nduna pride have been at it again. They must have killed big last night as they waddled around with veins stretched across taught bellies.
I found them in the Brachystegia woodlands and followed them up into the hills.
Oh yes, they were covered in flies as usual. Golly they must really stink!
I searched for Mandlovu in the area but no sign. Now I’m not sure where they could have moved to.
On to Lojaan dam a small group of elephant were leaving just as I arrived. They’d obviously had some serious fun at the mud wallow judging by the chaotic mess of mud in the area. I left the area as they moved on up into the hills.
After sunset we were up at Khayeni open area where we’d put out a bait to attract hyaenas. The mission was to try and dart a couple of hyaenas I’d seen with wire snares around their necks. 5 Hyaena arrived on the scene but were nervous to help themselves to the bait. We drove around them but luckily none of them had snares. We waited on hoping the rest of the clan would arrive, but we really needed these guys to feed and squabble/giggle over the bait. This would surely bring in the rest of the pack. Alas no such luck and we left empty handed with the hyaenas lying around staring at the bait.
Happy lioness at last!
It seemed to me that her calls started low and short and then she probably got anxious and the calls became louder and longer….
Goodmorning Kim,
Reading about setting up a bait for the hyena´s, is poaching an increasing problem in Malilangwe? Has it to do with the increasing demand for bush meat? I should expect that, due to the fact that the reserve is community based, there is more control on poaching from the local people itself.
regards,
Douwe
Poaching is not a problem on Malilangwe. It’s all really well controlled here. unfortunately the hyaenas with snares appear to be males and these guys travel far and wide, consequently moving into neighbouring territories where they’re picking up the snares.
Kim,
Sorry to bug you, but I have searched and would love to know….Did the baby wildebeest survive after escaping the lions clutches? I am not sure how to locate it here on your site. I located the clip on you tube….It is the one where the baby is caught, but not killed. The herd comes back and he rejoins his mother. Thanks!
Hi Sarah. This young buffalo calf didn’t actually survive. The lions persisted after the herd and the calf was so weak that it soon lagged behind and the lions killed it. It wouldn’t have survived with all the injuries.
Hello Kim,
Sublime am I. Love to hear lions roar…we lived within half a mile of the Ft. Worth Zoo at one time and it was too fine to go out and hear them roar at feeding time in the evening. It would be even better to actually get to hear and see them in their own free world. Am finishing a book on tigers, it has taken me three somber days to accomplish reading the last pages about the future of the tiger. We as a species have no right to drive any other species to extinction. So. Your videos make a place of peace in my heart, to see that their are still a few places that the top predators can exist, that wildlife can exist.
Read that you horseback ride…at another time in my life I boarded my Appaloosa stallion out side of Cincinnati. One of the trails you could ride bordered on a beautiful stream and a drive-thru sanctuary with lions. There was a double fence, but one had to wonder how often they “rode fence” as the innermost was in questionable shape in places. On the way back to the stable one evening, Charlie turned his head, questioning the breeze for the maker of that roar. The hair stood up on the back of my neck…. So far the closest I’ve ever come to riding in Africa. Also a lesson in respect, as horse and I felt like mice!
How do you stable your horse? And, yes. Let me know if you ever need an experienced groom for that four-footed beastie! :-))