My doggies took priority today and I was with them at dawn. Still they haven’t fed.
It’s now going on the 3rd day with no food. There’s no cause for concern but they will need to feed soon. They have such a high metabolism that they can’t survive for weeks without food like lions and leopards.
At dawn the pups were running around madly chasing each other, while mom and dad chilled out and seemed in no mood for hunting.
Half an hour later Puzzles led them south. They drank at a pan and then moved on. But not finding any prey they were soon resting up as the heat got to them already at only 7am. They really don’t function well in the heat.
I left them to catch up with the elephant capture. When I got there they’d already darted a herd and loading was in progress. Another clockwork operation!
Thankfully there was no flying today. Actually I really do like flying but flying later in the day when the conditions are really bumpy really doesn’t do me well.
It was back to the wild dogs in the afternoon. Again they were on the move early but only barely. Puzzles kept on her bearing south. Then she and her man disappeared.
The pups were milling around and about a minute later we heard the death cries of an impala. Puzzles had caught a young male about 50m behind. It must have been a short chase and she battled to get the impala down. It wasn’t exhausted as they usually are after a long chase, so it didn’t go down easily. The pups were there right away but not sure what to do and watched mom. This was probably the first kill they’d received alive.
Once the impala was down the pups took over leaving Puzzles rummaging around eating the stomach.
I spent about half an hour with them as it was now getting dark, but still no sign of the male. He must have killed on his own somewhere.
What a rough life! lol Thankfully, mom and dad are doing a great job on keeping them fed and happy.
There is one pup, not sure if male or female, they move so quickly, that has differernt markings on it’s tail. Black, then a white ring, then a black ring, then the tip is white like the rest of the pups. Perhaps we call call him/her Ringo.
When the elephant families are moved how does the matriarch know where to find food and water in a new territory? Seems like she would have no memories.
The pups are wonderful, when do you plan on getting them the rabies shots?
I second Karen’s question. And how does the move affect the elephants’ “society”? I assume they move families? How does that affect the larger bond and kin groups?
Kim, did you get video of the translocation? And what is that one ele doing standing while everyone else is knocked out?
Kelley: that pup with the extra black on the tail I’ve called Chevron/Chevvy. I see Bonny has come up with the same name.
Karen: the elephants are released where there is water and food they’ll find all over. Not a problem for them.
hoping to do the Rabies vaccination in the next few days.
Amy: yes whole families are moved and because Malilangwe’s elephant population is not very big, all those moved probably know each other anyway.
didn’t shoot video but took lots of pictures. The last one standing was the last one to be darted and still waiting for the drug to take effect.