A MAMMAL DAY . . . CONTINUED
Almost immediately after setting out on our afternoon drive, a call came of another leopard setting. We changed direction in order to see it. This one was of a mature male and he was lying on a tree branch with his tail and paws dangling down. His back paws were crossed and his front paws dangled freely. Once again, we managed to get very close for this viewing. We weren't there more than 15 minutes when another call came that there were wild dogs at the camp's waterhole. Wild dogs are much rarer and highly endangered. There are estimated to be only 3000 left in the wild. For every hundred sightings of a leopard, there would be only one of wild dog. We opted to try for the wild dogs rather than wait with the other vehicles to watch the leopard climb down the tree. TK took us on a fast ride through the Savannah and we managed to make it to the waterhole in time. There were four wild dogs - the alpha female sporting a radio collar. TK wanted to find out the location of their den. Apparently in this pack, there is one individual who was hurt and most likely was left at the den to look after a newly born pup.
TK drove the vehicle as if it were an elephant - nothing got in our way. We drove over bushes rather than around them as we tracked the pack through the Savannah. This is apparently a no-no but according to TK, what happens in the bush - stays in the bush. As we approached the camp, he stopped the vehicle, broke off a branch of a thorn bush and went around the vehicle getting rid of the evidence.
This was the third Rockjumper first on any tour - the sighting of a leopard and a wild dog pack inside of 15 minutes.
We enjoyed our Sundowner and another delicious dinner and retired to our bed under the stars. This time we were given a winter-weight duvet and managed to spend all night sleeping outside. It was wonderful.
Almost immediately after setting out on our afternoon drive, a call came of another leopard setting. We changed direction in order to see it. This one was of a mature male and he was lying on a tree branch with his tail and paws dangling down. His back paws were crossed and his front paws dangled freely. Once again, we managed to get very close for this viewing. We weren't there more than 15 minutes when another call came that there were wild dogs at the camp's waterhole. Wild dogs are much rarer and highly endangered. There are estimated to be only 3000 left in the wild. For every hundred sightings of a leopard, there would be only one of wild dog. We opted to try for the wild dogs rather than wait with the other vehicles to watch the leopard climb down the tree. TK took us on a fast ride through the Savannah and we managed to make it to the waterhole in time. There were four wild dogs - the alpha female sporting a radio collar. TK wanted to find out the location of their den. Apparently in this pack, there is one individual who was hurt and most likely was left at the den to look after a newly born pup.
TK drove the vehicle as if it were an elephant - nothing got in our way. We drove over bushes rather than around them as we tracked the pack through the Savannah. This is apparently a no-no but according to TK, what happens in the bush - stays in the bush. As we approached the camp, he stopped the vehicle, broke off a branch of a thorn bush and went around the vehicle getting rid of the evidence.
This was the third Rockjumper first on any tour - the sighting of a leopard and a wild dog pack inside of 15 minutes.
We enjoyed our Sundowner and another delicious dinner and retired to our bed under the stars. This time we were given a winter-weight duvet and managed to spend all night sleeping outside. It was wonderful.
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