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A Week in the Bush Vol. 251

on Mar 27, 2019

“If I have ever seen magic, it was in Africa.” ~ John Hemingway

00Kerry Lee Roberg Ele Dusk Finnal

We enjoyed a few Wild Dog sightings this week and with that, you are almost always guaranteed an action-packed safari watching these amazing predators hunt and play; or just rest. Seeing one of Africa’s most endangered predators, is always a privilege.

Earlier in the week we noticed a half-eaten impala ram that had been hoisted up in a large Weeping Boer-Bean tree, however we had not been able to locate the leopard that had carried out such activity. Sometime later, we located the Scotia female leopard who was nursing quite a full stomach. Minutes later upon return to the kill site, we witnessed a young male lion attempt to climb this very same tree and snatch the leopardess's hard-earned meal. What an incredible sighting!

The young Ntsumi female leopard was seen regularly this week as she moved through her territory after receiving some 30mm of rain. She was on a mission to scent mark and she carried out this behaviour for a while until a Scrub Hare caught her attention.

After the rains, a leopard always has its work cut out for it, as was the case for the White Dam male who was seen scent marking.

After following up on tracks we had found, Maxabeni was spotted resting on the roadside. We followed him as he moved through dense vegetation only to pop out on the road thus affording us a great photo opportunity. He showed great interest in a nearby herd of impala and we sat with him as the sun set and the stars appeared through the night sky. Although we did not see him make a kill, the experience of the still, starry summer’s evening was one not easily forgotten.

12Kerry Lee Roberg Max230319 Final

We end this week’s leopard sightings with an old, but familiar face – Mahlathini. We have not seen this male at Sabi Sabi in a very long time, so it was a very welcome sight to see him snooping around his old stomping ground.

13 20192403 Ally Ross Mhalatini 01  Final

We located one of the two cheetah siblings and it seems as if the 2 have been temporarily split up as it was calling for its sibling while walking through the long grass. We did not see either of them again this week so hopefully they managed to locate one another.

The Southern Pride, consisting of four lions, was located one evening on our return to the lodge for dinner. We spent some time with them discussing their trials and tribulations and hoping they too would be enjoying some dinner that evening.

What a special sighting of this Large-spotted Genet! These nocturnal creatures are often very shy and quickly disappear upon being detected, however, this individual seemed rather at ease as it sought refuge in a large tree.

19Kerry Lee Roberg LSGenet Final

Herewith some general sightings from the week...

Until next time...

36Kevan Dobbie Sunset IJuba 070219 Final
  • Blog by Wendy Claase
  • Images by Ally Ross, Frederik Aucamp, Kerry-Lee Roberg, Kevan Dobbie, Kevin van der Linde, Ronald Mutero and Steff McWilliam
  • Video by Kevin van der Linde
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