After a long night last night, the Nduna pride made a late start only getting active around 22h00. They kept their direction moving north-west and so constant I couldn’t help thinking they were heading somewhere specific.
They took us through bush/jungle that I hope I never have to experience again. It was like being attacked by a monster octopus but with hard dry limps grabbing at anything they could get a purchase on, clothes, arms, head, ears, nose and eyes!
It was no wonder we couldn’t keep up with the lions and while trying to locate them again for the umpteenth time, some zebra came charging through the thickets towards us. It was then we heard the death cries. The lions had caught a young zebra and luckily for us it all took place in a small clearing.
The kill was brutal as usual and the young animal took about 15minutes to die.
It’s always harsh to watch lions do what they do, but they too have to survive.
But in our films we always soften the blow somewhat and edit it to take the sting out the tail. In the video today the sting and reality of this murder is all there, although condensed into 3minutes.
The lions killed around midnight and by dawn left nothing but the zebra’s head and hooves. We got lucky in being able to sleep all this time. Although sleeping next lions feeding is not always that peaceful. The rest was good anyway.
Well fed and with nothing left to chew on the lions headed back east straight to Nyamsikana pan for a good long drink and then rested up in the thickets close by.
On my way home this big tusker gave me some attitude but he was just being a boy. A big one at that.
Sometimes we need to see the truth with what really happens!
Hi Kim
This footage shows me again the reason why I like your style of filming, no symphonic orchestra at the background. Just the way it is. Sometimes harsh, sometimes beautiful.
And yes, we cannot expect from the lions to eat salad after today.
But what they put in the African air, attacked by a giant octopus?
kind regards,
Douwe
Life and death on the African savannah. Do we know where the rest of the pride is?
Are any of the females pregnant yet?
LW
Are there no males in this pride?
Kim totaly not on the subject but I wondering if the 2 wilddogs in the photo you named “we can see you” had names? Im using that photo on Pete’s Pond blog as my avatar and I gave you credit for the photo but wanted to tell everyone their names. I also told them where they can catch your videos everyday. Are you gonna be able to join the cast over there this year with a story or two? Have you seen Whiskey yet? Im still wondering how he’s doing.
Take care and hope to see you at the pond. There are a bunch of us passing around Harry’s book because no one could find it in print anymore. Its kinda neat the book being passed around the country!
Paige
Sorry, but again I am getting your email but I only get a blank screen when I try to play it. I have a hard time watching animals with their kills, but still can not stop watching, after all it is natures way. Life in the balance and all that. Thanks so much for you wonderful videos.
Never mind my question — now that I see the next day’s post (Nduna Pride Hatrick), I see that there is indeed a pride male, who was just not around in the vids I had seen.
Separate question — How do you light for those night shots?
Haven’t seen the rest of the pride for some time. But heard them calling this morning to the east. i suspect at least one of them must be pregnant if not already had cubs. But they’ll be too small to venture out for us to see.
Paige: I’ll have to look for that pic. Can’t think off hand. No sign of Whiskey unfortunately. No won’t be heading out to Pete’s Pond. Would love to tho.
Mi: I hope it works now. Might not have finished the transmission when you watched it.
Joel: I film at night with lights on a separate vehicle to the camera, always trying to create a moonlit effect.
Hi Kim,
Amazing reality video….absolutely one of a kind….keep up the great work….
Raj.