Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
My last day full day here at Antelope Park with feelings of sadness.
An early morning rise to go out to the stage 2 Ngamo pride and observe them in action as the sun rises. When we arrive the 4 cubs are playful - running and jumping over each other and their mothers before exhausting themselves and time for naps in the sun.
Time to get creative for behavior enrichment with the C's - Chobe, Chete, Chisa and Chundu. The newly arrived cubs (20 months) from Vic Falls. Scoring a chunk of beef, fresh from the cow before meat prep, I wrap it in long reed grass and tie up in a tree so they will have to sniff it out and stretch for it. My second creation - a feathered elephant poo ball swinging from a tree which I dabbed the blood from the chunk of meat to get their attention as well. The gates are closed and the lions released, all noses sniffing madly around in all directions. Tino's buried treasure of meat is soon discovered and enjoyed. Next Huggies poo creation wedged in the upper platform, is discovered by Chundu. During relocation Chundu was in the transport crate 6 hours longer as one of the female lioness' wouldn't get into her crate, Chundu has grazed the sides of his face from rubbing in the crate and being cramped in is very stiff and tender. So it was pleasing to see it was Chundu moving around more and getting involved in the behavior enrichment.
Waiting for my delights to be discovered, a bit of downward wind helped and one of the lioness' soon sniffed out my straw meat wedged high in the tree which she had to stretch on her back legs to reach. Licking the juices and claiming her prize.
Chundu again getting involved and playing with my hanging ball of feathered poo, like a boxing speed ball - well almost!
My afternoon was spent hanging out with Laili and Lewa and my final walk with them. Starting to feel a touch of sadness about my time coming to an end. I've had such an amazing time and experiences I never dreamed of.
- comments