This young hippo bull probably died of his wounds from fighting with another bull. They are seriously territorial and with those huge teeth of theirs often inflict fatal wounds.
Hyaenas are one of the only predators that can make inroads through that inch thick hippo hide. And with a pack as large as this one they soon made short work of the carcass only leaving a few of the larger leg bones and very little meat for the many waiting vultures.
I had another great day in Colorado! Clay pigeon shooting, kayaking, Go-kart racing (actually more like Go-kart bashing) and a good long mountain bike ride.
And of course I love horses! Especially seeing them running free in a big herd like this is just so stunning.
28th September 2000
As we were approaching Tjololo where we’d left him, a herd of kudu must have almost run over him. He still seemed dazed when we found him, probably having had his sleep disturbed by them.
He was on the move before sunset heading straight south down the center of his territory following the road/track all the way. When he reached the river he started heading west.
Tjololo was suddenly surprised by a lioness following his trail, but he became aware of and saw her before she saw him. He ducked off down the river. Resting up he was again disturbed, this time by a hyaena.
When we found him again he was now heading east along the river, continuing all the way into Kruger where he must have rested around midnight after having been on he move for the last 7 hours. That’s a long time to keep walking. Something we don’t appreciate when we blame him for sleeping all the time.
Before dawn he called and was soon back on Mala Mala turf only to rest up again at sunrise.
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