We started out the morning walking the 2B’s. We tried to get them hunting and took them near the impala but they weren’t very interested as usual. We scored painting Ngamo poles in the hot sun next and broke the record by painting 27 poles. We were rewarded after lunch by getting Bomas. Usually this is simple but we had to move 6 or more months of elephant poo from where people had been dumping in the wrong spot to it’s correct spot. We were cracking through it when I slipped on the pile of poo as I lunged the fork into the pile and managed to put it through my shoe, sock and toe. Luckily it kinda bounced of one toe and hit the corner of the next one. Split my toenail and bruised the other one bad but at least I still have all toes! One of the P cubs had been sick and when we returned we’d learnt it had died Then the terrible news came that the 3 cubs up in the breeding program had also died today! 4 dead cubs in one day is very sad. The remaining P was really upset calling out for her brother and running around in her enclosure..a very sad day indeed. ... Read More »
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Today I spent the first 3 sessions at a local school while John stayed behind to do 2Bs walk and a bunch of animal poo shovelling jobs. We drove out to the school and were given a quick tour. The school is the oldest in Zimbabwe and many of the rooms are utilized as classrooms instead of their original purposes such as laundry etc. We spent the morning painting the concrete curbs to spruce up the place a bit. Then were we taken to a class to teach. Having no idea what to teach 8 year olds in Zimbabwe I opted for PE over English and maths and took them out and played soccer for 1/2 hour. The kids seemed pretty happy with this idea…but no so keen on playing co-ed soccer as they were keen on boys verus girls so had to encourage mixed teams. Then we had assembly and then they had some sort of health lessons that weren’t in English. We had our packed lunches and headed back to the park. Last session took out the 2B’s and they were up for posing as usual. ... Read More »
This morning we had off. I opted to jump on a walk with the MKs as we don’t get to walk them very often. It was quite cool this morning and there was mist on the river. There were a bunch of clients so didn’t get many photos but they were definately in a posing mood as we took them up the big rock and down to the jetty. After lunch BPG – enclosure cleaning was cancelled as they’d fed the lions and they didn’t want to move, so we got to do cub descriptions for the 2Bs. We were told they were only 19 months just over the usual 18 for retirement, and I’d always thought they were massive, but... Read More »
After yesterday’s early start we decided to skip today’s 4am trip to hear the lions roar to catch up on some much needed sleep. We started our morning with an introduction to the birds around Antelope Park. There’s quite a few plovers around but they are a completely different colour and don’t have the hooks on the wings like we do but make a similar sound and behaviour. Next up we had BPG – cleaning out the lion enclosures. We ripped through the first two and got stuck at number 3 when we could only get 2 of the 4 girls to move into the holding pen. We eventually gave up and went and cleaned out 2 of the big male enclosures. I’m surprised after doing Bomas at the small amount of mess they actually make. After lunch we had cub descriptions. We sat inside the MK’s enclosure with them and spent time describing distinguishing features and behaviour. Wish we’d done this earlier so we knew how to tell them apart! Mara is bigger than the other girls and has a 1/4 moon chunk out of her ear. ... Read More »
This morning started at 4 am with a day encounter. We took the trucks and the 3Ks out in the morning to find some game. They were hungry as their food had been withheld for a few days. We came across a few impala in the distance and they did a bit of stalking but they didn’t make any kills. They didn’t look happy on the way back to camp as the sun rose. Next up we had a lion walk with Lewa. She was feeling quite naughty this morning, wanting to jump up and ankle tap the group so lots of strong NOs were used. Feel a bit sorry for her as she just wants to play but there’s no other lions her size to play with and us playing with her like that teaches her bad things for when she gets older. ... Read More »
We started the morning with a walk with the 2B’s. They seemed quite docile this morning and were happy to pose for photos. 2nd session we headed off to the orphanage and played with the kids for an hour or so. John became a jungle gym and we did lots of aeroplanes and skin the cat. Gave out a bunch of balloons which they seemed to enjoy and pens seem to be like getting treasure. I put a texta down for a minute after drawing a face on the balloon and it was gone in a flash. ... Read More »
Now that we’ve done all the fun intro activities, today we have a few more duties. We start the day with a walk with the 2B’s. They decide to head left straight out of the pen and soon we can see the other group walking the MK’s. The handlers eventually get them back on track. They aren’t particularly playful today and we get a few photos with them on the way back in. Next up we have meat prep. We get to hack up a dead donkey and load some really smelly old wilderbeast into the truck. We have to hand the vehicle back over to research so wait for ages for another vehicle. Apparently I’m good... Read More »
Today we’re on research duty with Ray. The morning session we headed out and found the pride at the release site. Milo is a massive and impressive looking lion. The lionesses get a bit upset and he comes running back to calm the group. They spend most of their time this morning laying down in the shade. Before we head off we find Athena and her 3 cubs well hidden in a thicket and looking safe and well. ... Read More »
Today is horse induction day – 3 sessions with the horses. First up we did horse management which entailed grooming the horses. We were lucky to get the mares and their foals to brush. The mum’s were quite friendly and the babies were very inquisitive. Then we helped brush down a bunch of other horses. These guys had heaps of ticks and most were filthy from rolling around in mud. Next up we had our riding lesson. I haven’t been on a horse since in was a kid and never really learnt to ride properly so it was a great session to get some confidence with the horses. For this session I had Jacko, who was a nice horse..but you had to literally whip him to get him started. We played a few games with Chris and John who were very good riders and made it a bit of fun for everyone. After lunch we were off on our bush ride. I upgraded to Casper, a young male who was a lot quicker than Jacko and very well behaved. We walked and trotted for an hour and a half through the reserve and got so close to the giraffe you could almost reach out and touch them. We spotted lots of zebra and impala. It’s a very beautiful ride but boy was my butt sore by the end! ... Read More »
Today we had three sessions with the elephants. First up we watched the four African elephants perform a routine including some soccer skills. This was followed by a one hour long ride on the back elephants, John and I shared, which was very different to riding on the neck like in Thailand. We had a few pit-stops when the elephants found a favourite bush or something to dig at that they were particularly interested in. Elephants are awesome, these guys are only young and it looks like although they 3 females and 1 male they are too much like brothers and sisters now to breed. The plan maybe to bring in a prime bull. ... Read More »