And if Kwara can have rhino as it’s rare sighting, then Lagoon can also have its claim to fame this month: guides had reported several sightings of an antelope that they just couldn’t identify as being any of the regular ones they see. Looking a little like a steenbok, but with longer legs, and slightly heavier, it was possibly an oribi. Although no one was able to get a definitive photo of the animal, oribi can technically occur in the area. However, it remains a very rare sighting indeed.
The pack of nine wild dogs (this is the new pack that split from the 14 dogs in September) remained in the Lagoon area and were seen several times each week. The old alpha female went with the other five dogs, so this pack of 9 will choose the dominant male and female to be the new alphas.
The three brother cheetahs were seen five or six times this month, but had long gaps between their appearances, as they moved through their much greater territory.
In the last two weeks of the month, leopards were seen almost every day of the week – all female with the exception of one sub adult male leopard. The leopards were seen relaxing in trees, and feeding on reedbuck. One female was also witnessed stalking a warthog – a dangerous business for a relatively light cat. Although she tried her best, the warthog noticed her approach and fled at speed.
The lions were also enjoying the plentiful buffalo in the area, and all looked well fed. Although only two females were actually seen feeding on a buffalo calf, it’s certain that they are feasting on others!
At all our camps, we often get specialist photographers – either travelling by themselves, or escorting groups and advising them how to get the best out of their camera. One of these regular return photographers wrote to say that he had got the best images this time in the past 26 years of guiding in Africa. What did he see? “Flying leopards and river jumping wild dogs”! We are quite keen to see photographic proof of the first animal!
