The hyaenas and vultures from yesterday were nowhere to be found, only a few bones and some skin remained from the eland carcass.
At first light I was at the wild dog den for a change. It was quiet. Not a peep from inside the den. I was hopeful that at last they had moved.
I waited around the entrance for a while then wondered over to the back and there mingling around the bushes were the pups. So no den move just yet!
They saw me and ducked off.
I went back to the den entrance and waited there some time. Then a growl, the adults were back and had picked up my scent. The pups came scooting back to the den but there was this dude now standing right there. What must they do? They stopped puzzled as to their next move, now only a meter from me. Realising their dilemma they ducked back behind the rocks. Then I saw them disappearing over the next ridge as they followed mom. I tried to follow but soon lost them.
Skirting around the hills I looked for tracks. No sign so I went back to the den and on the way surprised the whole family chilling out in some shade.
Mom barked her warning to the pups of imminent danger and then moved with them south.
I wonder now if they really will move the den. Tomorrow will tell.
I had checked on the eland carcass in mid afternoon and it was still untouched. But when I arrived in the evening it was obvious vultures had been on the carcass eating from the inside out but in the little daylight hours they had, they’d only managed to each part of the rump. A hyaena had obviously been round too having eaten into the chest.
One, then two, four and eventually 6 hyaenas arrived at the carcass soon after we arrived but with us there they were initially nervous of coming in to feed.
A male arrived and was being put through his paces by higher ranking youngsters. All he could do to appease them was act out his total submission. (He never got to feed until after daybreak when the others were all well fed and just before the vultures moved in.)
3 youngsters were quite happy to feed on the carcass with us there, but the others waited it out till just before dawn before moving in.
And at first light the vultures were already descending. It wasn’t long and about 50 vultures waited in the wings, waiting for the hyaenas to leave. There were mainly White-backed vultures, several Lappet-faced and a number of Hooded vultures.
The party that went on between the hyaenas and vultures is always great humour. As soon as the last hyaena leaves the carcass the vultures smother it. Not wanting the vultures to have even a titbit the hyaena rushes back sending vultures flying everywhere. This went on for about and hour before the vultures were left to finish off the carcass. And finish it off they did. Less than an hour later it was reduced to skin and bones.
I eventually got back to camp around midday and called it a day after being out for the last 36 hours.
This winter has so far been extremely mild, which makes one wonder what’s install this summer. The warmer temperatures have meant increased snake activity, which is very unusual for this time of year. I saw this puffadder was crossing road around midday.
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