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Feeding Frenzy

on Jun 24, 2019

“I swear you only see this in movies!”
“What an experience to remember!”
“Nature is incredible!”

These are some of the remarks my guests had made in one of the most epic scenes...

It all started as we had noticed in the blue skies above us just how many vultures were moving towards and circling a certain area. Without any hesitation, we followed and let the vultures lead the way. As we approached the area, we noticed a few vultures sitting on surrounding trees.

“Something is definitely up” my tracker Sidney said. We kept making our way towards the scene when a potent odour hit us like a train! Turning the corner and at once, in unison, my guests said “wow”! A carpet of vultures sitting on the ground and right next to them, sure enough, the rotting smell was coming from a deceased male giraffe, surrounded by Spotted Hyenas and vultures - we couldn’t believe our eyes.

01Louise Murray Giraffe Kill 23062019 3 Final

We quickly made our way closer and positioned ourselves as we watched this spectacular scene play on.

It looked as if this had all happened the night before as the Spotted Hyenas had done a good job and had already eaten through the stomach. We aren’t 100% sure what happened to the giraffe, but on speculation and great discussion between guides, conclusions were that there may have been a territorial dispute with another male giraffe, or even the possibility of dying of natural causes.

With the passing of one majestic animal, brings many more. Close to 100 vultures and 20-30 hyenas! We stared in awe as the vultures and hyenas gouged away at the rotting carcass. It was so fascinating to see the interaction between the vultures and hyenas, chasing one another around.

We visited the location again this morning and noticed many more hyenas than before as well as some cubs who had joined. The vultures, however, had chosen trees close by to roost for the night, but as the sun came up the vultures started their descend towards the carcass for another battle for scraps.

  • Blog by Louise Murray (Bush Lodge Ranger)
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