I was hoping to get to the dogs at dawn but management wanted me to help them with some flying. I ended up flying for over 2hours covering most of the reserve, and what fun it sure was. Everything is so green now and the place looks like a fairyland.
Even seeing the wild dogs in the green seems to bring a new life to them. Their coats seem so much richer against the green and in general the pack just looks so well.
Except, when I found them this afternoon, one of the pups was limping badly. It looks like she’s damaged her foot and isn’t using it at all when running but when walking she puts a little weight on it. She still managed to keep up with the pack even on her 3 legs.
They were all chilling out at a pan near the Chiredzi River, but even in their hot lethargic state they still managed to get the energy to chase any Hooded Vultures that ventured nearby to feed on their excrement.
The pack only got active towards the last hour of daylight and the pups had it in for a herd of zebra. Well so they thought. But when the zebra ignored them or advanced, the pups eventually realised they might just be biting off more than they can chew.
I lost the back at dusk heading south into the thickets around Matsanga pan and went to film the rising full moon instead. So stunning, especially as the skies are so clean now after the rains.
It was then back home only to see a lightening storm rising in the west. It was an almost continuous light show. Amazing stuff and just went on and on. But unfortunately it was too far to film AND no rain for us. The forecast has been rain for the last week, but we’ve sure come up short.
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