“Lots and lots” – a description of just how many elephants are congregating at Nxai Pan camp’s waterhole… breeding herds, solitary bulls, bachelor groups, and pretty much any formation or type of elephant grouping or non- grouping that has been seen before, has been seen at the waterhole. A continual battle of elephant versus man – in the form of, “how fast can man pump the waterholes to prevent the elephants from choosing to begin siphoning out of the pool?” – or worse yet,- breaking the pipes and siphoning out from the very pipes that is enabling the water to be pumped.
And then, there is the great disappearing act: how “lots and lots” multiplied by an average of 4 tons, can suddenly vanish without a trace is one of nature’s little mysteries. (Along the same lines as how can a 4 ton elephant hide behind a scrappy bush that a small child could be seen behind?) Just the hint of a raindrop off on the horizon, and ALL elephants disappear from the area. Two days later, if that raindrop has not fallen in sufficient quantities, they will be back. And sure enough, they were…
Up to eight lions have been seen regularly in the morning at the camp waterholes, resting up from their nightly activities. Although no kill has been seen, they remain in good condition, so are obviously feeding regularly. A couple have also been sighted mating, close to the main park waterhole.
Surprise visitors to the camp waterhole, not seen since April, were the pack of wild dogs. It appears only four dogs remain from the original six that frequented us earlier in the year. It is not necessarily the case that the two missing dogs have died – it is common for dogs to disperse – move off to create new packs or join another pack. And since these four dogs were only seen two days in a row, it is entirely possible that the two missing members were simply scouting further out.
Although the big lion pride has fractured, there are still plenty of sightings of the individuals, or smaller groups. The males were found feeding on a dead elephant, whilst five lioness were seen closer to the main waterhole.
The mother cheetah with two cubs was also seen a few times this month. Although we didn’t see her with a kill, the jackals were picking at scraps and remains of something that she must have killed and eaten recently.
The general game is enjoying the few light rain showers that we have had. It has been just enough to kickstart a little growth of new grass… soon gobbled up by all the herbivores craving a new taste of greenery! Fingers crossed, the showers will continue, and this year will not be as harsh as last.
