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A Week in the Bush Vol. 124

on Oct 13, 2016

We start off this weekly highlights with how the week began with the Southern Pride joining the two Charleston males on a buffalo kill. We had an assumption that this was going to happen and departed early one morning to be rewarded with the whole pride, Charleston males and all eight cubs feeding at different intervals.

Tempers were starting to fray as the meat diminished, causing some growling and tension amongst the members.

05SM02Pravir Final

With a lack of water around, they have been spending a lot of their time close to a well-used waterhole. This has provided them with some great hunting opportunities as well as a great place for the whole family to quench their thirst. Oh yes - and a great place for photographs!

Towards the end of this week, the Southern Pride - minus the Charleston males - managed to take down two buffalo. This has kept the cubs growing at an alarming rate and at the same time, increasing their chance of survival.

Having the cubs around brings with it such energy and enthusiasm to a lion sighting. Ordinarily, adult lions will sleep between 18 and 20 hours a day, leaving us as Guides little opportunity to capture them when they become active. However, the cubs always seem to be doing something, be it biting mum’s tail or even chewing and playing with a stick. It’s very hard not to smile and my cheeks have been hurting after some of the cub’s antics this week!

We were also visited this week by a large male cheetah who posed beautifully atop a termite mound - also a great place to spot potential prey. He was successful during the day as he managed to bring down an impala.

16Mike Palmer Cheetah 091016 Final

There was some great interaction between a Side-striped Jackal and a large warthog. As this picture illustrates, clearly it’s not always the predators that come out on top!

17Pravir Patel WarthogAndJackal Final

We have been seeing lots of elephants who are always a delight to watch. To witness this iconic animal in all its glory, in perfect light, never gets old.

18Terry Ennever Ellie Bbridge 1 Final

The Kashane male leopard has been seen regularly in the Southern Region of the reserve, sporting a few cuts from an altercation with another leopard. He has been fortunate as he has not had to travel too far as there has been a buffalo who died not far away, so Kashane has been close to some food and did not actively have to seek it out. I have liked him since the first day I saw him, a big brute who is confident and doesn't mind a pose or two for the camera.

Maxabeni has been elusive this week, but popped in to have a quick visit and was seen together with his daughter, the Kigelia female, as they briefly interacted before going their separate ways.

22Franscois Rosslee MAXface Final

Last but not least, the Little Bush female and her cub gave us quite a sighting as they lead us to an impala kill. There was great interaction between mum and daughter before the cub made her way to feed on the kill while her mother kept guard from a nearby termite mound.

This week I have had the joy of welcoming back and driving multiple repeat guests out of Selati Camp for 7 nights. Their passion and enthusiasm for wildlife has been contagious and been a huge reminder as to why we do this amazing job. Their philosophy that no day is the same and every moment is precious, resonates. Be it the small things or the big things, it all keeps us wanting more and appreciating every experience.

  • Blog by Terry Ennever (Selati Camp Assistant Manager & Ranger)
  • Images by Terry Ennever, Franscois Rosslee, Mike Palmer and Pravir Patel
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