When I first saw the green ‘water’ at Lojaan dam I was also put off thinking it to be algae that was surviving off some effluent being passed into the dam from one of man’s undesirable activities. But this is not actually algae, it’s a very small plant with tiny leaves that float on the surface and has little roots reaching into the water. It’s often called duck-weed. I’m sure ducks must feed on it.
Of course it really doesn’t bother the elephant that with their dexterous trunks will push it aside to get to the clean water below. And of course, when my friendly hippo in the dam surfaces, his green highlights are probably blowing any chance he might have of finding a suitor.
31st August 2000
The happy couple spent the day in the same place and were still at it when we joined them before sunset.
They mated on through the night slowly moving north a considerable way out of Tjellers’ territory. Their evening was uninterrupted. No hyaenas or lions to hassle them.
But in the early hours they both suddenly sat up when another male leopard called not far off across the river. Tjololo was up in a hurry, packed his toys and headed to the river. Tjellers took up the rear to give moral support. Once in the river the brave dude seemed to lose a bit of the image, well that was judging by only what we could hear. Tjololo started a grunt and cut it short. Was he not sure of himself? Did he not want the other leopard to find his lover? The other male called on the other side of the river with a full grunt. Several times Tjololo gave his abrupt grunt, then silence as we heard the other male heading away to the north.
Tjololo and Tjellers continued to mate in the river, not that this was very quiet. They weren’t going to contain themselves with that.
At dawn they headed east away from the river to continue their passionate ways.
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