Wildcast

Eventually I have to get lucky in finding the wild dogs. Another 2 hours in the air today proved useless.
But I did find this ‘prehistoric’ looking giraffe carcass. It must be several days old and I flushed a number of vultures off it. So why hadn’t I seen it the last 3 days? It was in the area I was flying. It just goes to prove that I wasn’t covering the area thoroughly enough and so my hopes of finding the dogs improved slightly.

Knowing the dogs would be hidden under some shade in the heat of the day, I again went to spend time with the elephants at Hwata pan. About 20 bulls were chilling out at the pan and probably spent a good couple of hours there. They would just stand around, then cool themselves with mud, have a little drink, stand around, and so on….

While a few others too much delight in a well positioned tree stump.

In the afternoon it was back looking for dogs.
Then I got info on the radio that Manyari might be at Nduna dam. I’m really keen to know if she’s moved over there. I knew if I raced there I would probably make it before sunset. On the way I quickly made a pit stop at Manyuchi pan in case the dogs were there. Indeed they were!!! Such good news. But where are they hanging out.

The 2 adult dogs drank at the pan and then headed west. In the tall mopanie I briefly saw, and really heard them sending a hyaena packing. For no reason at all, but because they can.
Once I’d lost the dogs I went back to the pan and started back-tracking the dogs. Their tracks headed southeast. Eventually I was back in the hills. And then Voila!!! There were the pups being their reckless selves wondering in the hills. I snuck closer and then they saw me. Slightly alarmed they moved off and stood at the entrance to a small cave. So this is their new home.
The sun had set already and just as I peered round the cave I was greeted by the full moon rising.
It just doesn’t get any better.

Then I broke one of my golden rules “Never walk in the bush after sunset.” This is because predators behave very differently at night. They are much braver. In the day lions will run from humans but at night it’s a very different story.
Before heading back to the car I wanted to see if there wasn’t any way I could get my vehicle up to this den site in the morning. Slowly I made my way around the hills and I think I’ve found a way, although it will take some serious rock moving and road building to get there. Mission for tomorrow.
I made it safely back to the car walking by the light of the moon. But not a comfortable situation, especially knowing the lions are now using this area.