MABULA GUIDES NEWS FOR OCTOBER 2016 Compiled by: Isaiah Banda Head Guide Lions like to rest in the shade. They sleep for twenty hours and hunt for only four hours.
Lioness Kill Blue Wildebeest in Front of our game vehicle Seeing a kill take place when on safari is often viewed as the Holy Grail of wildlife sightings. The reality of the event, however, can be slightly more upsetting than people imagine, especially when it comes to lion killing another animal. Whilst a leopard taking down an impala is generally a quick and silent affair a few kicks and the impala s struggles cease when their cousin one lioness take on a Wildebeest, it can be a drawn out contest which doesn t really leave one feeling ebullient. I drove some guests recently from USA, who was determined to see some action. A kill of any kind was top priority, and with lions hunting constantly at the moment as if it s going out of fashion, we reasoned that our best bet was to sit with a hungry pride and hope for the best. The early morning safari we headed for Madjuma reserve area to see if we can be lucky this time, I have also been waiting to see the lion killing an animal infront of me, for over eight years it was going to be the first time for me also. The pride has split into with one female and her sub adult cubs together and one female with Madjuma males. We found two males and one female lying on bottom whole owners plain, the female looked very hungry than the two males. We opted to wait with them and see what they got up to. As luck would have, it was a windy and cloudy with a soft rain on the morning, perfect conditions for hunting. Sure enough, it wasn t too long after rain stopped that the three lions got up and began moving through some open areas direction of orange farm, looking for hunting opportunities.
While following them we got a flat wheel and had to change the tyre with a full one, I gave up following them because we wouldn t keep up after changing the tyre. After changing our flat wheel everyone was so sad and decided to go back to the lodge for breakfast. Decisions made in the bush can go either way, and instead of heading back to the lodge, I changed my mind and took 90 degree road to see if I can t catch up with them, we drove about 300 meters up on the road and found the lioness sitting, we didn t realize that she was looking at a herd of wildebeest about 50 meters infront of her. Eventually we picked up the wildebeest and I told my guests to get their cameras ready and be quite and we are about to witness something interesting. When the wildebeest get closer to her about 10 meters, she stood up and went for a chase.
Jumped on the back of the wildebeest and went straight for the throat to suffocate the animal right infront of our vehicle, it was not easy for her as she was alone and the wildebeest gave her a tough time before she could eventually bring it down. For the first time in my guiding career to witness something like this right infront of me about 30 meters away from our game viewer, it was magical.
Eventually the poor animal began to get weaker and the lioness wouldn t give up. She was very hungry and she wouldn t let this opportunity pass.
As incredible as it had been to witness nature in its rawest form, to see the drawn out struggles of an animal is never a heart-warming experience. Ultimately, all the guests on the vehicle who were there that day were grateful when the wildebeest struggles to escape, and although the scene had an air of sadness hanging over it, it was important to recognise the importance of the death of the wildebeest cow in contributing to the survival of the lioness.
Now the animal is dead she pulled the carcass into the nearby bush close to the road and begun to feed, the two males were nowhere near her. That afternoon the other guides found them altogether eating the remaining of the carcass, to my mind the female went to fetch the rest of the pride members to come and eat the remainder of the carcass Although the pride is well known for hunting wildebeest in Madjuma reserve in the river, I have never in my nine years at Mabula Game Reserve, been privileged to witness such a dramatic sighting 30 meters from my vehicle. None of the guests who were there will ever forget it; it will be the memory that will last for long time.
Time for Cubs Breaking news! Our female cheetah gave birth to cubs yesterday. Apologies for the quality of the images but we don t want to risk compromising the den site, and I couldn t wait to share this awesome news. All the guides can t wait on a safari to view these beautiful cubs, of course it will be after a few months, three months or so, the mother is still hiding them at her den, fingers crossed that they all survive. That is all I have for you this month. From Isaiah and Wildlife team Bushveld greetings