Bond of Brothers
These two six year old brothers co-operated in the hunt for this pregnant impala. Sadly the pregnant ones are slower than the rest of the herd and the Cheetahs seem to target them.
The Tree Lion Pride
No one told these lions they shouldn't climb trees. Two adult females, two cubs and a young male (about 3.5 yrs) comprised this pride. We found them in the late light on Chief's Island.
Don't Try This At Home
Leopards leap into trees with grace and aplomb. Elegance is not a word that comes to mind for lions and trees. There can be accidents as we were about to find out.
Pride Comes Before a Fall
Minutes after this photograph was taken he fell out of the tree - a 3 metre drop. It was a big thump and he landed next to our car. Being king of the beasts, he seemed to take it in his stride and all seemed well.
Sundown Socialising
Lions at Night
It Pays To Watch Your Back
This spotted hyena was enjoying a solitary feed on a kudu when it was stalked by two lions. The first lion was less than a metre from the hyena before it realised it had disapproving company. The hyena took off smartly and the lions briefly gave chase before returning to the carcass.
The kudu had been taken down earlier by a pack of wild dogs that were denning nearby.
Bloodied From The Hunt
This was the wild dog pack that had taken down the kudu (see above images). The 4 adults were denning nearby with a litter of 12 pups (approximately 8 weeks old). The adults were regurgitating meat from the kill for the pups.
Known also as painted dogs or African hunting dogs, wild dogs are endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. They are efficient hunters and thus are a more than little unpopular with farmers.
This pack was in the Chitabe Concession.
Kudu Steak
This pup is about to enjoy a kudu steak.
The Alpha Female
22 Ferocious Hunters
It was late afternoon in the Kwara concession and we had spent the last two days tracking this 22 strong wild dog pack.
The lighter coloured alpha female is in the lead as they head out about one hour before sundown to begin a hunt.
No Quarter Given
We followed the dogs at a frantic pace through the bush and watched as they circled a herd of impala. The sun has set and the light was quickly fading.
it was a brutal end for this pregnant impala. Wild dogs literally tear their prey apart and it is quickly consumed.
Female Leopard
Chitabe Concession
The Unlucky Leopard
We followed this female over two days. The first day a male lion took her kill, an impala from her. That's a good reason most leopards promptly drag their kills up trees.
On the second day we watched her stalk this herd of impala but they sprung her before she could get within striking distance. After lots of noisy alarm calls from the impala they stared indignantly at the putative huntress.
The Early Morning Leopard
This leopard waits patiently for prey. Her breath condenses in the cold early morning air.
