Hyaenas have their cubs at any time of year and as they den communally it’s not uncommon to find cubs of different ages in a den. Of course with so many cubs around they’re all playmates. This den had 12 cubs under the age of 12 months which is great news. I’m hoping with the lion numbers being down on Malilangwe, that hyaenas numbers will pick up considerably and soon they’ll be challenging the lions. That’s always a huge party when it happens. Very vocal with both sides trying to out do each other vocally. Can’t wait!
I’ve had the most wonderful day in here in Colorado. Started off kayaking, which I so love. Then I took a 3 and a ½ hour walk up the mountain. The elk are all bugling at this time of year. Pretty cool stuff and I even got a shot of this bull bugling before they took off having seen me.
Getting back to base at sunset I then tried my hand at ice-skating which I haven’t tried since I was at school. That was blast even though I was falling all over the place. And the day was finished off playing around in a gym. Wow what a day!
27th September 2000
The Mala Mala rangers spent the day with Tjololo after we’d left. Apparently the female leopard in the area was the White Cloth female and not the Kapen female.
In the evening the White Cloth female went to feed on Tjololo’s carcass and was soon rebuffed by Tjololo who apparently gave her a good hiding. He’s definitely not one of those guys that likes sharing.
We picked up Tjololo in the Kapen river having finished off his kill and moved into the Sand river. On arriving in the river, as usual, he called. His call was challenged by his male neighbour to the west of the river. They spent the rest of the night resting in the river and occasionally shouting at each other.
Only just before dawn did Tjololo carry on south and we were able to pick him up. At least we had a good sleep.
He soon left the river heading east and bumped into the Kapen female and Mziggi. They all greeted tentatively with Tjololo seeming happy to see both of them and letting them approach and pat him on the face. This went on for about half an hour. Then Tjololo moved on east when the Kapen female and Mziggi headed north. Here he rested up in a donga.
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