Due to the mornings failure to locate a leopard, we were now on a mad leopard hunt. The only dynamic that had changed was the fact that my head ranger, Will, had decided on joining the drive to assess my abilities and provide constructive criticism. So the pressure was now really on! I also had guests that would be arriving late and would be brought out to join us later in the evening.
Heading east, we aimed at getting to the area where the leopards are most prevalent, in order to use the last bits of light to find signs of leopards and track the little buggers down. They had given us the slip that morning and it wasn't going to happen again! After milling around the area for a bit and still no signs of any cat we bumped into 3 big dagga boys (male buffalo) feeding around a dam. We sat with them for a while watching the oxpeckers picking off the ticks on their bodies, in their noses and periodically disappearing into the ears. We then headed off to meet the other couple at my planned drink stop.
As we got closer the other ranger bringing my guests called me on the radio to tell me that he had a leopard right at the spot where we were going to stop for sundowners. I put foot and told the other guests that the silly ranger had just dropped the guests in the middle of nowhere and left them there. So off we went on our Ferrari Safari to save the stranded guests. Of course the surprise of the beautiful female leopard next to the road set off the familiar sound of cameras clicking. We pulled up next to the other vehicle and the guests quickly hopped over onto my car and just as they had seated themselves, the leopard got up and started making her way down the road.
By this stage any thought about drinks had been lost in the excitement of following this leopard. As the light grew dim we watched her stop periodically to mark her territory and listen for any potential prey. Finally she spotted some kudu just off the road and began to stalk. Now in order to have as little impact on the hunt as possible we go all lights off so that we don't give her position away or blind the potential prey.
This is make or break time....everyone sitting dead quiet listening for lasts gasps of a dying animal or the characteristic bark of the alarm call....unfortunately it was the latter, she had been spotted but in the darkness we had lost her position. We went back on the hunt eventually finding her again and she had now spotted her next victim, an impala ram. Again back to lights off until we heard running. Solly shone the light and we could see her running after the impala but she was too far away. Eventually we left her still hunting madly but it was getting late, bladders were full and we had to get back for dinner.
The next morning we headed out to see if the FAT lions had decided to do something more than just sleep. We found them on a large open area staring into the distance, and in the distance we could see a herd of wildebeest moving toward the lions, unaware of the impending danger. We watched them come closer and closer with 13 pairs of now very interested lions eyes staring at them. Next thing they all started staring out away from the lions and a hyena came out of the bush. The wildebeest started chasing off the unwelcome visitor and we went in for a closer look! The hyena soon disappeared into thick bush and the wildebeest went back to their mission of walking towards the lions. Unfortunately the wind was wafting the the lions scent straight to them and there was going to be no further excitement. The Wildebeest snorting with disgust, the lions got up and started to move off. As they did there was a spring in their step and they started tackling each other. First a couple of ankle taps then full on play time! Theses guys were having an absolute ball around the car! One young female took to hiding behind a bush that was no more that 20cm high and pouncing on anyone that got close enough.
We left the lions and went to enjoy an awesome cup of coffee on viewpoint overlooking the bush. This is always a highlight, the stops allow people to stretch their legs and warm themselves with a hot drink. We later bumped into a a crash of rhinos, 6 strong, and watched them do a bit of mud rolling. One of the bulls getting a little unhappy with our distance and one calf doing the typical rhino whine that sounds like it should be coming from the birds around it rather than a youngster weighing in at just under a ton!
What a day! Lots of excitement and I cant wait for this afternoon!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment