Daily Archive for August 27th, 2009

Buffalo Attraction: Video


I’ve been out and about this last week moving around the property, it’s been another pick-up shoot scramble trying to finish the last of what is needed for the movies in post production. I managed to find Chawhiwhi moping around on Banyini all on his own, he was there for three days while the rest of the pride have been moving around Malilangwe Dam. I’m hoping not to run into one of them as that is the route of my little midday run and I’ve seen a few tracks of late. This is an odd pride as they always seem to be going their own way.

Lion intensity

Anyway, with most of my elephant shoot out of the way I’ve been trying to spend as much time with the hyena cubs as possible. I have a strong bond with two of the cubs in particular; they really get excited when they see my vehicle pulling up to the den.

Growing Cubs

The one little guy guns it straight for the spot on the floor next to the door. If I stick my feet out the door, he will have his little nibble at my toes then continue rolling around in the dry leaves on the ground – these guys are such value!

Affectionate Eyeball

I’ve seen one of the male adults on his patrol and he has a snare around his neck, this just seems to be a continual battle, humans dream up such cruel ways of trapping animals. I’m hoping to get that snare off, but it is not easy to stay on his tail, I’ve tried twice already and failed. Another highlight in the week was my visit to the roan antelope paddock; these creatures are as majestic as the sable.

Hairy Eyeball

They receive a feed to help them perform at their peak, so I was asked to help out for a day when everyone was busy – it turned out to be a real treat. They are very rare antelopes that don’t seem to do well in the wild anymore. I was also treated to a large herd of buffalo pulling in at Nyari Pan the other day; it can be quite a spectacular sight as hundreds of buffalo wade into the water. So another week is on its back and I can’t wait to see what the next week has to offer!

Buffalo treat