A Week in the Bush Vol. 508
on Jul 10, 2024The N’weti male leopard killed a warthog during our morning safari and stashed his kill in a thick bush. Although we couldn't see him clearly, in the afternoon, we found the carcass up a small tree, with hyenas attempting to reach it. Eventually, the hyenas succeeded in stealing the entire kill.
Hyenas are known for their scavenging behaviour, and they are often seen stealing kills from other predators like cheetah or leopard. Hyenas have powerful jaws and a strong sense of smell, which helps them locate and steal food from other predators. Hyenas are opportunistic feeders who take advantage of any chance to get a meal, even if it means stealing from other animals.
We discovered Ntsumi’s cubs playing where she had left them. This playful behaviour helps the cubs sharpen their hunting and awareness skills as they often chase birds.
We came across Ntsumi's cubs frolicking in the area where she had left them. This playful behaviour is essential for the cubs' development as it assists them in honing their hunting techniques and increasing their awareness. It's a delightful sight to witness the cubs enthusiastically chasing after birds, as it fosters their natural instincts and prepares them for their future as skilled hunters in the wild.
We have been searching for the Ntsumi female for a while, but we have only seen her cubs from time to time. Some impala were alarm calling in the area, so we headed in the general direction and found the cause of their distress - Ntsumi! As the cubs reach a certain age, female leopards tend to leave them alone for longer periods to start training them to protect themselves and prepare for their solitary life.
Male leopards usually leave their birth areas in search of new territories but face tough competition in finding or establishing a territory. The young male leopard named Nottins had left his birth area, but now we are starting to see more of him, possibly because he has realised that he is not yet powerful enough to challenge other males for territory.
We enjoyed plenty of sightings of the Msuthlu Pride this week.
One of the lionesses in the Msuthlu Pride had all the cubs with her as she attempted to call the rest of the pride. Some of the other females were also making vocalisations from a distance. In prides like the Msuthlu Pride, when the females go hunting, they may leave the cubs unattended. However, after making a kill, one or more females will return to fetch the cubs for feeding.
The cubs, growing rapidly both in size and confidence, showcased their developing regal strides. Under the fierce protection of the Gijima males and the excellent guidance of their mothers, these young lions are thriving, learning the ways of the wild and preparing for their future roles in the pride.
The Gijima males were found near Selati Camp in the company of the Msuthlu females following up on a big herd of buffalos grazing in the open area in front of the lodge. They followed the herd until dark, but the buffaloes put up a strong fight and repeatedly chased the lions away. Eventually, the lions were overpowered and had to abandon their hunt.
Morning safari began quietly, the cool weather providing ideal conditions for the Gijima males and Msuthlu females to traverse the night. Their tracks, etched in the sand, revealed a change of plans, with the lions abandoning their buffalo trail and heading south. The Gijima males' tracks diverged eastward, while the Msuthlu females and their cubs settled just north of Bush Lodge.
As the morning progressed, distant roars from the east hinted at nearby males, their calls growing louder and demanding attention. Upon reaching the eastern stretches of our reserve, the two Gijima males emerged over the rise, moving west with palpable tension. Moments later, four Nkhuhlu males appeared, roaring and chasing the Gijimas.
The chase led into the reserve, culminating in an open area near Bush Lodge. The "smaller" Gijima male, typically overshadowed by his dominant brother, suddenly turned to confront the Nkhuhlu males. In a burst of fierce energy, he pinned one down, biting into limbs before driving the Nkhuhlu males back towards the eastern boundary, reasserting his territory.
This fierce defence not only showcased the Gijima males' strength but also underscored their commitment to protecting the cubs just north of Bush Lodge, ensuring their safety amidst the constant threats from outsider males.
The Gijima males and Msuthlu Pride were close to each other, both with very heavy stomachs, a sure sign they had eaten the previous day. The cubs were all present and looking well fed.
Since the run in with the four Nkuhlu males recently, the Gijima males have been staying close to the Msuthlu Pride to try and protect them from further invasion. They have been vocalising every night to alert any aspiring males of their presence in the area, and it seems to be working as we haven’t seen any other males or prides coming through to this part of their territory again.
Our last sighting of the Msuthlu Pride for the week was of them on a zebra kill. Their strategic and coordinated hunting efforts have involved stealthy approaches, well-coordinated movements, and effective use of teamwork, showcasing their development as skilled hunters.
During our winter, we experience arid conditions with little to no rain for most of the season. Many waterholes dry out, leaving only a few with water, which causes numerous animals to gather around these water sources to satisfy their thirst. Recently, we came across a pride of lions with full stomachs lying around a waterhole. Various animals approached to drink, but the lions showed no interest. The young cubs were curious, but at their age, they are too young to hunt or pose much threat.
The Styx Pride was found with full stomachs near a waterhole, but only one young male and two females were present. They kept vocalising through the morning to no avail. The pride may have been separated while hunting or fighting with other prides, and we hope they will reunite with the rest of the pride soon.
The Southern Pride has not been seen around our area in a long time. Their whereabouts were revealed through the remarkable efforts of our tracking team, who tracked them to a large warthog kill. Prior to this discovery, Tawny eagles were observed perched on a tree near the road. Despite our proximity, the eagles did not take flight, suggesting that they were waiting for something.
Until next time…
Blog by Wendy Claase
Images by Benjamin Loon, JP van Rooyen, Ronald Mutero and Ruan Mey
