The pups are really into this predawn thing. And they stay out for some time when the light just isn’t enough for filming.
About an hour after sunrise mom arrived with food. It’s been a while since she last provided solid food for them. The male’s been doing all the work. But today he didn’t seem to have scored.
As usual the pups moved round to the back of the den and something told me the adults weren’t there. So after about an hour I went to check on them. Sure enough there they were chilling out in the shade. They weren’t even aware of me and I had purposefully not moved quietly so I didn’t spook them. They really are looking for trouble out there. The safety of the den is a good 50m away.
I rustled some leaves and 3 pups moved back to the den. Rustled some more and another 3. And the last 3 just weren’t keen to go. More frantic rustling was necessary.
While lying out there waiting I heard lions calling a long way to the west. Luckily they hardly ever come this way. And later I heard leopards mating not too far to the east.
With the pups all back in the den by midday I decided to go walking. I walked for some 3 hours just wandering around the bush and into the hills. I so love to do that and wish I had more time to just wander around out there on foot.
Back in my box in the afternoon and nobody showed their face until sunset when I was packing up. The pups came to mill around the den entrance. They saw me moving around and just stood there watching. I spoke to them as I sometimes do. I think it’s good for them to hear my voice so at other times where I might surprise them, if I talk I hope they’ll settle down. (works with elephants!)
It can’t be long now and these little guys are going to be moving far and wide.
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