It’s rough out there in the wild, and, according to Tsono, we witnessed rare proof of that today on our drive.
The lions are the hot ticket on safari, so when we saw six jeeps stopped on the road by the river in Chobe National Park, we figured it might be a lion sighting. Not only were two females walking around a thicket; they were having a standoff with the cape buffalo.
The buffalo had migrated all the way down to the water to drink and were trying to head back up the valley, but the lions were in their way. The big buffalo were threatening the lions and even gave a little chase, but the lions hung around. Dust was flying as the larger buffalo tried to create a protective corridor for the younger to pass through. The animals moved farther and farther into the thicket, so we couldn’t see whether they all made it safely. This whole episode is what Tsono said we were very lucky to witness. I felt sad for the buffalo, but I understand that the lions need to eat.
When we stopped for our picnic lunch, at least five vervet monkeys were dead set on stealing our lunch, so people had to take turns fending them off with a slingshot while the others ate. One of them managed to steal a chicken leg right out of Chris’s mom’s hand. I decided to leave them my apple core; I had barely let it leave my fingertips before one of them snatched it up and ran up a tree with it. We need to eat, as do the monkeys.
On the drive back toward the park exit, we saw a kudu who had a bite taken out of its side and was lying down, panting and looking around nervously. The poor male wouldn’t survive the night. SP, our guide for today, said a jackal must have bitten him. I asked why he wasn’t eating him right now, and he said he was probably waiting for the fight to leave him. It was very sad to see, but he would be the meal for those hungry jackals who spend their day searching for food.
I sure am glad I don’t have to hunt for my own meals.
My Corner of the Village 