I settled down last night to the sound of the lions roaring down in the south somewhere. This brought back memories of all those nights out with Manyari and the pride, following them through Mopane woodlands through to open grasslands.
I actually miss going out at night, it is a different world out there as something switches over in the mind of wild animals and the hunting instinct kicks into full swing. Although, it seems as though some other lion instincts have recently kicked into play, a report came in today of two groups of lions mating down at Hwata Pan. This has to be our lions; it also makes me wonder if the cubs are still alive, I hope I have a chance to check them out tomorrow.
I began my day with a few repairs to old Dozer. It was sunset at Bandama Pan and the scouts and I were checking for signs of black rhino, as I turned the my Hi-Lux’s key over I heard a hollow click and then I new that the starter motor had turned its last engine over. If I didn’t have the scouts with me last night, I would have been stranded. Anyway, I took advantage of my wings being clipped and fixed all the other little odds and ends that accumulate over the weeks. I was all ready to rock and roll by the afternoon and headed for the hyena cubs. They teased me with a few jack in the box movements at entrance to the den, they tentatively made their appearance in the beginning, but when darkness covered over, the party streamers hit the ceiling.
Before I new it all the adults had gathered round the den, life after dark is a totally different scene. And the cubs then also came to life, back to their playful selves they ventured round past the vehicle into the bushes doing their regular exploration. I will be back to some more exploration of my own as I go out with the scouts first thing in the morning and Kim will update you on the dogs.
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