Well, hello there. I hope that you are well and have had a fab weekend and are getting on with Christmas shopping…. Here in the Luangwa finally some more rain has arrived, bringing a refreshing burst of life to everything which is simply glorious. However, before I digress lets carry on with our update from this year’s Carnivore Week.
Day 3 and having spent plenty of time in the area immediately opposite Nkwali it was time to head a little further afield to see a different part of the Park, so after a quick stop off at the hyena den, off they went finding different lions and this time with a big male and 2 cubs. There were also fresh dog tracks which was a very promising sign but heading in totally the wrong direction and deep into the bush where there were no roads or access of any sort. But the mere fact that they were there was exciting enough.
This wasn’t enough though and a little further afield needed so the decision was made that the following day the team would be packed up with plenty of food and water, enough to last the whole day so that there was no need to return to camp with growling tummies and they could head out with no restrictions.
Armed with a picnic lunch packed, the Park was all theirs on day 4. Heading north and into areas which were now accessible again since the huge rainfall a few weeks ago. 2 male lions that moved into the main area causing plenty of upset with Big Pride were found mating with one of the females, so let us hope that we get some new fluffy little ones in a few months’ time.
Time spent with the ZCP team wouldn’t be complete without a little more behind the scenes information so as well as the regular in camp presentations they headed to the airstrip where they were met with the CSL (Conservation South Luangwa) pilot who works hand in hand with ZCP who gave a presentation on how they work with ZCP tracking the animals, collecting data and patrolling for poachers. So next time you see the little plane buzzing overhead you know what it is doing.
Finally the signal for the dogs was picked up and within reaching distance so with food and drinks on board there was no holding back and off they went to look for the dogs finding 6 of them and then as the saying goes, it doesn’t rain but it pours. On the way back they got signal for the Kakumbi pack which is the pack we see more around Nkwali but sadly the are in an area which the team couldn’t get to due to the rains. But good news is that they were coming back into the area.
The following morning the Kakumbi pack of 6 adults and 6 puppies were not only seen but they were hunting and killed a baby impala which doesn’t go far between 12 dogs, so they soon started hunting again and ignoring the cars zoomed straight past and caught another baby impala after which they settled. (Watch: https://youtu.be/qUQkkWX8Vjw)
After a well-earned cup of tea and a review of the situation, the team crossed the river into the Park to look for the big pack who had disappeared off into the middle distance. Before seeing them though, more lions from yet a different pride.
That evening was camera trap evening which everyone really enjoyed seeing how they use the information from the data that they capture.
The last morning, they finally found the big pack of dogs who were in the process of having a bit of a family dispute ending in some dogs running off but bumping into a warthog which then became a quick snack.
So, as you can see I think that we can finally say that it was an immensely successful Carnivore Week.
With very little else left to say on the matter, I shall leave you with one last little sighting had by John last week, of our young leopard opposite Nkwali who was happily relaxing in a tree until the movement of a tortoise caught his attention. So much so the little guy jumped down and spent an awfully long time totally transfixed by this strange animal not entirely sure what to do with it, he opted to sit and watch.
What a wonderful bunch of sightings! On that note, let me bid you a very fond farewell. Hope that you have a fabulous week ahead with plenty of smiles and laughter and don’t forget to look after one another.
