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I'm not sure it if it's knowing that it's my last couple of days here but I have had the most perfect day. Starting with a client walk with Penya and Paza, they stalked a huge kudu with no luck but a great show of their natural instincts. The morning walks are a great wake up and energerising for the day ahead.
Trying to jam as much as I can into these couple of days, I went and had elephant training, seeing the handlers command the lions and then the floor (dust bowl) over to us. I stuck with Chebi who I met on my second day and had my ride with. I had the opportunity to sit on her knee and then boosted up onto her - very cool, sitting solo on top of an elephant, pushing her ears out and lying over her.
Off to my last meat preparation at the butchery, cutting up some cow parts for the cubs and loading more bags of offal for the big boys. Meika and I getting in there gloved up and carving up legs and rib bits - I think...
I was lucky enough to hand feed Penya a small piece of beef stuffed with her vitamins - she was so gentle and graceful not a razor sharp tooth in sight.
Emptying the bags of offal in preparation for the 5 big boys lion feed for the Kumuka bus. Not quite as exciting as the other day but still just as disgusting and smelly. This time I watched from the time Widmos opened their gate and the big boys sprinting directly towards us, manes in the wind, sliding into get top position or prize meat. The grunting like roaring sound of dominance to each other, snarling and threatening each other before tucking into their dinner.
Lucky for me for my dvd filming there was only a few of us making it easier to get up close footage and photos. Also helped that Laila and Lewa had been fed after their 6 hour walk so they were fat and tired. Some great shots though.
I wad lucky that one of the other volunteers, Ann from Denmark let me take her spot on the night encounter. Much to my joy and the dream day/ night continuing - as we drove out to collect our night hunters, Moyo, Mara, Meeka and Kali we noticed a small impala limping through the grass away from the safety of it herd, semi jokingly saying "you'll be dinner...". we had only been out following the lions prowl for no more than 15 minutes when the four stalked the impala with Mara and Moyo leading the chase and Mojo making the kill. We didn't see the actual take down but moments later witnessing the four devour their prize catch with blood covered faces evidence of their enjoyment.
What a fabulous day!
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