On the way to look for the dogs I came across the small hyaena cubs and their mom on the move. They were some distance from the den and heading south. I think they’re moving den as I’ve repeatedly seen hyaenas heading in the direction of the hills just south of Manyuchi. They must have den up there somewhere.
The wild dogs are doing just fine. I found them at dawn with a sub-adult male impala kill to the north of Nhoro pan.
They lay around chewing on bits and pieces for a couple of hours before passing out for the day.
I moved on to check on Manyari. I still don’t know for sure if she has cubs.
She was in the hills near Chinzwini eyeing out a herd of impala, but with the winds swirling in the hills her cover was soon blown and she gave up moving deeper into the hills. I couldn’t follow. But her 2 teats still look swollen and the fact that she’s hanging out in the hills must surely mean she has cubs. I don’t plan to risk following her on foot but hopefully in time I’ll be able to find her den. I might actually have to fly to do that. A lot safer.
The dogs didn’t move all day and were still passed out when I got back to them.
They did get active towards sunset and the pups were back on the skin and bone of their impala carcass. While they fidgeted around the adults moved off. One pup noticed and started following but soon gave up.
A lion roared about a km to the south. This is not good news for the dogs, as lions will kill them if they encounter them. The pups didn’t seem concerned but Puzzles soon returned and they all headed north. But not far.
While milling around and waiting, presumably for the male, the pups found a dead squirrel. They were rather nervous to approach it, but once their courage was up, one of the pups grabbed it and suddenly the tug-of-war was on. They all wanted in.
Even with them tugging it in all directions they weren’t able to tear it apart.
Something spooked them and they bolted. Turning back they saw dad was back. At break neck speed they took off to him and he regurgitated food for them. But it’s not much to go around 9 big puppies.
Surprisingly dad then just lay around while the pups were searching for scraps and then were back tugging at their squirrel. Why is dad not taking them back to the kill again?
As it got dark Puzzles headed out and seemed to be tracking. Possibly trying to follow up on where the male had come from. Unfortunately I lost them in the dark.
Could the pups’ dad be new at fatherhood, and therefore not entirely clear on his parental duties, e.g., leading his family back to the kill?
How on earth can you tell the age and sex of that impala, based on legs and skin??? You are really good at what you do! (I always watch the videos twice, and always see/think of something the second time that I didn’t see/think of the first time.)
Hey dad how are the pups? Have you seen Whisky?
LOVE Penny.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxooooooooooooooooooooooo
Hellllooo Peanut. Better change your name to Penny and not Kim. The pups are so cool and getting so chilled out. Coming right up to the vehicle now but no going under it like the other pups used to. When you guys come again in the holidays we’re going to have to name all the pups.
Still no sign of Whisky. Always hoping we’ll see him again sometime. Big hugs and lots of love Dad xxx.
PS Good luck with the gym championships xxx
Eve: The impala’s horns were there, so pretty easy to tell age and sex from that.