It has been an eventful last week for these lions. It started off with Makhulu joining up with three of the lionesses and the older cubs just on the outskirts of where the large herd of buffalo were lying up. They lazed about in the open where the cubs continued their playfull ways, waiting for the cover of darkness to make their move. They only decided to get active very late so we did not see them make an attempt on the herd but upon following up the next morning we found them with a subadult male buffalo kill. The 6 month old cubs were there too and provided some good viewing as they scrambled all over the carcass. They also very bravely approached Makhulu and tried to get some reaction from him but he was so full from feeding all night that he did not even bat an eyelid! Skoro was not present for the kill but was found some kilometers away the same morning, sniffing the air and looking for the others. He did eventually find them that night and appears to have got his fill as well. The other big news is that reports from the north and west of our concession have Sataan alive and well. He was seen with a young giraffe kill and appears to have left the coalition to try and establish his own territory. He has done this before when he left with another coalition member (Kinky tail) in 2008 and almost paid with his life as the four young males from the east caught and killed his brother last year. If the young males find him again they will almost certainly kill him as well.
Ottawa Pride
The Ottawa pride made a welcome appearance north of the river after a long absence. All members were present and the vehicles that made the long journey north were rewarded with an amazing hunting display. The pride were found in the morning and seemed done for the day as they rested in the shade, but then suddenly they spotted a herd of impala wondering a little too close. As opportunistic hunters they could not resist and the pride got moving, fanning out to cut off any escape routes. With an explosive burst they ran in and one of the young males as well as one of the young females caught an impala each. One of the cubs amazingly got hold of an impala but was unable to secure it and the fortunate antelope got away. During all the commotion a young warthog was also flushed and unfortunately crossed the path of the adult lioness who, although she was not expecting to catch a warthopg, dispatched the pig in a raucus of squealing. With such a successful catch the pride settled down to feed on the bounty and were left finishing the scraps late in the morning. By the evening they had already moved south of the river and were left moving further south, perhaps looking for the large herd of buffalo as a couple of impala and a small warthog would not keep them satisfied for long.
Shinzele Male Leopard and Dam Three Female Leopard
Another highlight of the week was an amazing and privileged display of leopard courting behaviour. Shinzele and the usually skittish Dam Three Female were found in a river bed as Shinzele tried to get some rest in the cool shade, but the female was very intent on seducing him and provided a great display of courting. With only one thing on her mind the female ignored the vehicles she normally avoided and continually approached the male, rubbing herself against him and flicking her tail in his face. Shinzele was notably irritated and growled and hissed but eventually gave in and mated so he could no doubt go back to sleep. The female had other ideas though and within five minutes she was flirting again! Even when he tried to move off she followed him and continued her efforts. They were eventually left moving along the river for what was certainly going to be a long night for Shinzele!
Metsi Female Leopard and cubs
The tracks of Metsi and her cubs were found suggesting she was possibly leading them to a kill somewhere. By the time rangers caught up with her she was close to the western fenceline and astonished rangers looked on as she tried to dig under the fence and lead her cubs through. This is the second time we have seen her do this and it is a concern that maybe she is taking to livestock rather than wild game. With a bit of persuation she left the fenceline and stashed the cubs in the long grass nearby. The following couple of days found the cubs still in the hiding place near the fence but no sign of the mother. Hopefully she was hunting within the reserve and had not gone on a raiding foray beyond the borders again. After the recent events with Mambiri we are hoping that the new fence currently being put up will keep her and the cubs safely within the reserve.
Hlabankunzi Female Leopard
Hlabankunzi was seen in the heart of her territory as she lazed in a marula tree towards dusk. Unbeknown to her the Mapogo were also close by and must have got her scent as they headed straight for her area. Fortunately she was in the tree when they arrived and moved on shortly afterwards as they reaslised there was no way of getting to her. After they moved off Hlabankunzi came down the tree and hastily moved off in the opposite direction. She still has not been seen with her remaining cub but hopefully she is just avoiding a repeat of what happened with Shinzele killing the other cub.
Tegwaan Male Leopard??
Tegwaan has not been seen for close on two months now, but a flash sighting of a male leopard fitting his discription late one night has everyone hoping that he is in fact still alive and just keeping a low profile to avoid all the other younger males competing for his territory. It seems Shinzele has probably taken over now and maybe tegwaan is nomadic which will explain the lack of sightings.
Wild Dog
There was a strange sighting of a single wild dog yesterday morning. The dog was on its own and seemed lost as it ran around in no particular direction. On closer inpection it was noticed that the dog actually had a snare around its neck! This was an obvious concern and the park warden was notified, but the dogs hap hazard movements made it difficult to locate again. It seems not to be a member of the resident Sabi Sands Pack as all seven of them were seen in the north beyond our concession on the same day, but it is thought that the dog had been seperated from its own pack somewhere in the Kruger when it got caught in the snare. The rest of the pack must have moved on and by the time it managed to free itself it had lost them. Its hap hazard movements must have been in an effort to pick up the scent and relocate the pack, but we have not seen another pack in this area so this dog may be well and truely lost which does not bode well for it.
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