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Waking to a not so chilly morning and the faint roar from the hill, we set out with Laili and Lewa for a 6 hour walk in the bush for them to practice their hunting skills and smells of the bush.
Racing out of their enclosure in a bouncing and playful run, jumping on and ankle tapping each other in the excitement.
During the walk we came across a lot of game - cudu, seerbok, wildebeest, zebras, giraffe and impalas. Laili is good at seeing the potential meal but yet to hone in on her skills with stalking. Instead of crouching and creeping up on her prey she just runs straight at them. Lewa was not really engaged but gave a token effort. I think it was more following Laili than the kill!
I'm not sure why I did it but after lunch (thankfully) while grabbing the water bottles, in the back of the truck and trailer was a dead cow that had already started the meat preparation for the lions feed with slabs of flesh cut away, the knives still stuck in it. It reminded me of a big leg of ham you carve but still with fur, head, hooves, tail along with the complimentary side of a thousand flies...
Enjoyed an easier afternoon filling the water bottles to top up the bush enclosures which I didn't know existed with more lions. One with five males and another closure for breeding with a male and two lioness'. A great feeling sitting in the back of the truck with the sun beaming on my face and the wind in my hair - feeling very relaxed, especially after the morning walk.
As if we hadn't done enough walking, not that I'm complaining that's what I'm here for, we took Paza and Penya out for their afternoon walk. Both were playful and even managed a brief encounter with some cudo or impala, not that it came to anything.
On our return, Penya had playfully taken Ticha, one of the lion handlers, stick hanging out of her mouth. It was such a game for Penya and she was so proud of herself as if she had "won" the game, until once locked back in her enclosure the stick was taken off her. Oh those eyes of please don't take it away! And it worked, stick duly won back.
Such a lovely afternoon to finish off another awesome day.
- comments
Donna Ahhh, sounds awesome Shags. xxx
sue What an amazing experience xx