The lagoon and channel in front of camp are the lowest we have seen it in many years. Hippos nudge together and stroll along the centre of the lagoon, indicating just how low it has got. Crocodiles anchor themselves in the small islands of reeds, and launch themselves at fish and birds with a resounding splash, than can be seen and heard from the pool deck.
The elephant herds that left temporarily for the mopane veld, are trickling back in, and the males are enjoying the comparatively deeper water of the channel. Even buffalos have arrived back in increasing number – a good indication of just how dry this season has been.
The pack of seven wild dogs were out and about around bee-eater island, resting next to the Kwando River. Later in the day, they stood up, and began the hunt. They made several attempts on assorted animals, but were unsuccessful on this occasion. However, two days later in the early morning light, they were seen racing past Lagoon camp, and managed to catch an impala. In the middle of the month, we saw a lone female, in the area of cutline pan. This is the time of year where dogs disperse – leave the pack to search for a new grouping, and the chance of forming their own pack.
The next day we came across a female leopard, resting on top of a termite mound. She was very relaxed, and allowed us to make some good photographs. Later in the month, we had a great sighting of a lactating leopardess, hunting through the woodland and heading west.
Two intruder male lions were seen at the airstrip, facing each other off, trying to prove who is dominant. Although we did not see them fight then, the very next day, we came across the younger one of the two, suffering from extensive injuries, that made it difficult for him to walk. We are guessing that the older male won this bout…. A little later in the month, and they appeared to have settled their differences. They were seen together with a young lioness from the resident pride, feeding on a zebra carcass. Jackals could be seen on the periphery of the kill spot, whilst white-backed, hooded and lappet-faced vultures hovered, together with the scavenging eagles such as tawny eagle, and yellow billed kite. Oddly, a herd of zebra mixed in with a number of eland, came very close to the scene and watched for some time…
A little later, and another unusual sighting – the Wapuka pride of two adults and six sub-adults – a pride that has not been seen in the area for over a year! They caught and fed on a zebra, and after only half a day, moved south out of the area… Shortly thereafter, the lioness with three cubs was located along Leadwood drive. Two days after that, the same grouping was seen – this time all together, resting under a shepherds tree to the west of John’s Pan. And a little east of them… 19 dogs were found next to the road. Following them for a while, they killed a reedbuck.
An action packed dog morning in late February, near the airstrip, with 1 male and 2 females from the pack of seven dogs, coming in close contact with two female intruder dogs from the south. The three had been active most of the morning, to contact and regroup with the rest of the pack: running and calling. A little later on in the same morning, the pack of 19 dogs were found resting at Johns Pan. And just for good measure – six hyenas were seen patrolling the edge of the mopane woodland.
And apart from all the predators, such wonderful sightings of eland, sable, and roan this month – we are getting quite a reputation for seeing these more unusual antelope! A crocodile was seen in a small muddy pool for several days, feeding on a baboon carcass, which had probably got a bit too close to the water’s edge…
