It’s a long haul all the way down to the dogs in the very southern part of the property. Close on 22kms. I was up extra early for the long drive south to be with the dogs when they awoke, and make it I just did.
The pack members were all very much in high spirits and Puzzles was back with them.
All were actively on the hunt and moving at a fair pace. The chase was on but dad had soon out sprinted the rest, leaving them milling around listening and waiting, and hoping dad had killed.
But not this time. The pack kept on the move north west and had soon crossed the Chiloveka River. I negotiated the Chiloveka without problem to come out the other side finding the dogs harassing a baby giraffe, only days old, that was standing between its mother’s front legs for safety. And what a safe spot that sure is. Any dog coming in close would be dealt a deadly blow with those kicks from mom.
Puzzles and dad, ignored the giraffe and moved on. Eventually the pups realised it was a stalemate and followed on after the folks where they flushed a hyaena in a ravine and had it running scared and screaming. We never did see it but the sounds were just awesome. The hyaena I think making a lot more noise than the punishment deserved.
The next challenge was the Mahande River with its vertical banks. No problem for the dogs but I had no option but to head the long way round only to catch up already having killed, eaten and continuing on north.
At the next pan the dogs called it quits as the sun rose higher and was already baking down on us.
With them passed out I rushed to get my vehicle sorted at the workshop and was lucky to have it ready for the afternoon’s run around with the dogs. But that never happened.
When we arrived with the dogs in the afternoon they were still sleeping off their long walk/run this morning.
In the late afternoon their ceremonial greeting followed its normal course and the dogs then spent the rest of the day milling around the pan, scaring themselves with their own reflections and pulling at sunken sticks only to scare themselves.
They really had no plans on hunting this evening and as the sun set slowly sauntered off east before resting as it got dark.
Tag Archive for 'kill'
Late yesterday afternoon I took an easy drive past the old favourite, Banyini Pan; there is just so much activity at the moment. This might not last with the grass growing tall and showers of rain to help it along. I was just in time to catch the young pride of lions from the South poaching on Sjambok’s territory – I would not want to be in their paws if they were caught out!
Lions are known to kill other lions in their territory, but I think they know the pride is moving up in the hills with cubs on the way, we hope. The interesting thing is that these guys were just as relaxed with us around as Sjambok’s pride.
After taking a few photographs of them lying sprawled out next to the pan, they were provoked by the sound of Zebra passing by. In typical lion style, each lion was waiting for the other to kick into action and catch themselves some dinner. At first I thought there were only four lions, but then as the hunt began we counted six lions. We don’t see much of these lions so it was good to spend time with them and hunt with them. They are really in good shape; the male is still young and does not even have a mane yet.
This morning was rescue the terrapin day. There is a pool of water we drive through to get to our house and there were a few very small baby terrapins inside. Each time a car came driving through, there would be a whole lot of paddling going on as they made a break for the bushes. I thought I’d give them a fighting chance and dropped them down at the dam. There were only two left to save, but at least they can now go on their merry way.
Kim is out flying to see if he can pick up on the dogs, I hope we see them soon, I’m getting withdrawal symptoms – hey, the thrill of the bush!
The rains have arrived! I thought I could rush off to Mala Mala when the rains started so I’d be in camp if the flood waters got too high that I had to remove all my equipment. But the rain arrived in a hurry and it wasn’t long before there was no access to Mala Mala from the outside world. So here I sit at home (that’s pretty good) worrying about what the floods are going to do.
The north eastern parts of South Africa have received the brunt of these rains causing more flooding and widespread damage and leaving many people homeless. Many have had their houses washed away. But many live in huts constructed of mud and with all the rain these have just “melted” and collapsed.
Tjololo we are thinking of you and trusting you are safe!
But even more concerned about Tjellers. We are expecting her to have her next litter of cubs any day now, if she hasn’t had them already. She should be high up in a rocky outcrop and alright.
Long night with the lions.
I spent last night with the lions only getting back to them soon after midnight. They were still chewing on the carcass in relays.
Somewhere in the night the hyaenas had moved in and tried to make a stand trying to intimidate the lions with their giggles and whoops. But there just weren’t enough of them and they had to spend the rest of the night lying in the wings waiting.
At dawn the lions were into a renewed feeding frenzy, all trying to get their last bite of what really was nothing.
The young male was the last to hang on stuffing himself.
As he moved away the vultures flung themselves at the carcass in numbers and seemingly in desperation. But their feast was short lived.
Descending on the carcass as they did was the cue for the hyaenas that all was safe and they could move in.
They moved in cautiously but soon had command of the carcass and tucked in to what the lions just couldn’t chew. But with their tremendous jaws the hyaenas were soon working the carcass all the time on the look out for the possible return of the lions. They never did come back.
About 8 hyaenas feasted and having all but cleaned up the carcass they left the scraps to the vultures.
I headed back to camp for a few hours nap before moving out again for the afternoon.
The Marabou’s were still on Banyini along with giraffe, impala, zebra and of course thousands and thousands of quelea.
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