As hopeful and encouraging as we could be, wanting action for the lions, and ourselves, we all came up short! It was all just ANOTHER lion night.
And not the kind of ‘lion night’ so many around the world have been mislead to believe. (Much of this blame being on our films, which depict such action in an hour filled wildlife thriller.)
Magwaza remained elusive, fuelling speculation that she’s in the hills having or had her cubs. Somehow I’ll find a way in their by vehicle, but first I have to find her den site which could be rather tricky if having to be done on foot. (Obviously all of this will be done with care so as not to harass and disturb her with her new little ones. I’ll give her at least another 10days before trying any moves in there.)
Manyari and the boys, all getting rather lean now, did try and motivate themselves at sunset heading west and then north. And when a couple of jackal called to the east, a few spasms of excitement shattered those now exposed ribs as the lions set up a brisk pace in that direction. That venture was abandoned when they came up empty handed. Who knows what morsel they were expecting to steal from those tiny canids.
Eventually the trio managed to fill their bellies with water at Nyari pan. This was thrown in with mouthfuls of Acacia flowers that littered the water surface. A little more protein, maybe?
It was only as the dawn light wavered on the horizon that the lions realised their night of hunting was coming to an end and gathered up a little effort to chase after a giraffe and her youngster. But the little guy was fully aware what awaited him and was out of there before mom even gave the danger signal.
When the lions passed out at dawn, with help from Mark’s lights I was able to be slightly creative and film another ‘static’ lion against the rising dawn.
Such is life filming the King of Beasts, but it does at least allow for time to catch up on the ever elusive, sleep factor.
With the camera having hardly rolled last night I scouted Banyini for images for Wildcast. This herd of kudu were coming in to drink and amazingly relaxed. Usually in the open they’re rather skittish but these guys were great.
The rains are still holding back although forecasts look promising for tomorrow.
With rains coming , I often wonder how the Wild Dogs manage in a thunderstorm ?!!
As we know our domestic dogs scamper under kitchen tables cowering and trembling in fear until all has passed,…so it must be terribly frightening for the Wild Dogs in Mallilangwe . Those larger more sensitive ears aswell !!
Or are they comfortable with the thunder , having the same expectant storms year after year?
Excellent footage - I would never get to see this on cable TV - or free to air. Thanks, I learned something about the balance of the reserve, and life in it