Territorial Roars: Video

On my way out I went via the wild dog den. The good news is they haven’t moved following a number of us having inspected the den yesterday. (Although it might help if they did move.) So over the next few days I plan to visit the den a couple of times daily to start getting them used to this human thing. Then in a few days time I plan to spend a whole day there and see how they react. I think it’s going to be a long long process.

As I passed Manyuchi pan there were vultures in the trees all around but no sign of any kill. It’s quite possible they’d been following the wild dogs and as it got late ended up roosting here.

The lions seemed to be in buffalo mode at sunset as they headed north towards Nyari pan where a herd of buffalo were already heading north.
Unfortunately that was about the only thing buffalo related that the lions did. They never pursued the herd.
Instead, just west of Nyari pan they first made an attempt on impala and then a herd of zebra. This then took them north into the hills where they rested a few hours.
Next we were moving west towards the Chiredzi River. Again zebra were being followed. No stalking here. They have this idea they can run in on the zebra from a distance and hope to be successful.
And so it’s another night that the lions go hungry. I’m trying to work out their success rate and right now it’s about 5%. And even worse if we take the fact that their last meal was stolen!

Resting up on the Chiredzi their neighbours called and the Nyari pride returned with a massive volley and then kept at it every few minutes for some time.
Dawn had the lions hunting impala. The herd had seen them and stood there snorting. In the meantime Manyari and Magwaza had managed to sneak off and surround the impala. It all seemed perfect BUT they just never sprung the trap and ended up coming sauntering back to the males while the impala scattered. Those clever lions!

I was actually thinking to myself how absolutely terrifying it would be if lions were clever. Thankfully god knew what he was doing.
At this time of year it’s not uncommon to find elephant bulls along the Chiredzi and this big dude is becoming one of the regulars. He’s got that little kidney-shaped hole in his left ear.

Banyini was full of plains game and for a change this small herd of Eland. I don’t know where these guys disappear to but they don’t always seem to be around.

Before making it home I again visited the wild dog den. All still seems well there. Not that I saw any pups but I could hear them shuffling around underground.