What happened yesterday? We tried and tried and tried again but technical stuff got the better of us.
And anyway not much has been happening on the lion front.
The night before last, the hyaenas moved in soon after sunset to take over where the vultures had left off. And they’d left little else other than skin and bone. But with their strong jaws and carnassial shears they were able to make short work of the half-inch thick buffalo hide.
They’d been at it about an hour when one hyaena alarmed, sending them all scattering. Chahwihwi came running in. With his mind set on sorting out hyaenas he totally ignored the carcass. Male lions have this passionate hatred for hyaenas and will often go out of their way to kill them. Chahwihwi wasn’t that lucky and the hyaenas were!
Chahwihwi did come back some time later to chew on the skin but was finding it hard work and wasn’t getting much to eat.
For the rest of the night he lay around calling but no one responded.
It was only at sunrise that he was joined by Manyari and Magwaza and they all headed into the hills after a drink at Simbiri dam.
Last night they spent most of the night in the hills. It was only around midnight they got active. We only found Chahwihwi and Manyari. They headed about a kilometre east before spending the rest of the night at Chinzwini dam.
And that was it! The sum total of lion activity over the last 3 days has been no more than 3 hours!
Yesterday morning, now that her stomach has subsided somewhat, I noticed Magwaza’s udder was really well developed and full. I suspect she could have her cubs within the next week. And just maybe last night she left the others to go and do just that.
Unfortunately if she does have her cubs in the hills we won’t see them for a couple of months because access into the area is impossible by vehicle. And I don’t plan on walking around there looking for cubs. Especially not with mom around!
is this the same group of hyena that you have been filming recently or do you have different groups. If there are different groups how do you identify them.
From your experience is this their normal pattern of eating , as they didnt appear to be very hungry. A lot less aggressive compared to the wilddog we have been seeing.
Good to have you back, Kim. Mark did a great job while you were away, different perspective.
Have seen male lions go specifically looking for, then killing hyena cubs but then they don’t eat them.
I have to say, I’ve come to admire and like hyenas. I attribute that entirely to you, Kim. I have learned so much about them just from reading your blog and watching your videos. It truly has been an education.
The HYENA QUEEN film was shot in South Africa. not here at Malilangwe.
when the carcass is big there isn’t the aggression on it. they tend to feed in peace.
Hyaenas ROCK!!! and RULE!!!!!!