Live Safari Drives

 Too close for me, I've been charged by a bull ele on horseback and have a very healthy respect for keeping my distance, and we weren't that close!

Thanks for sharing the clip WS.

Lai

I don't blame you Lai. HT is a very experienced guide, and we had been watching this Bull for some time, the animals there are very habituated to vehicles. He was some way away at first, but gradually worked his way closer to the Jigga as he was picking selected shoots of grass, he was very calm, and at know time exhibited any signs of nerves, or irritation. No ear flapping or foot pawing.

WS

Strange Bird behaviour at Petes Pond
This Grey Crowned Crane seems to have adopted a Family of Egyptian Geese, It's been with them for over 2 weeks now. It goes everywhere with them, and stands guard at night with the adults over the young ones, even staying on the ground at night instead of roosting in a tree.
No one seems to have seen or heard of this sort of thing before.



WS

for sharing that clip WS.  Isn't nature wonderful and quirky?  I wonder if the crane had lost it's own family and partner.  Do you remember the clip of the lioness with the baby impala she tried to care for?  I guess sometimes something happens that triggers an unusual reaction.

A great clip, thanks WS.

Lai

Yes Lai I remember that clip really touching, and also sad at the same time. The Crane just turned up one day, it could be its lost its mate, they do pair up for life.

WS

Some sad news I'm afraid for the start of 2015. Kurula who we were certain had given birth, was seen on 31st Dec when two Hyenas  came in, and attacked her, and the Cub, sadly she lost the cub to them. We were hoping that as she normally has two Cubs that there was another Cub somewhere, and that she had been in the process of moving them when the Hyenas caught her, but there are reports of a Leopard Cub being killed the day before on an adjacent property, but that has not been confirmed 100%. There is a video of the attack, but I don't propose to put it on. Instead this is one I took of Kurula yesterday, she is in a massive big tree 30ft off the ground. Marcs commentary is very sensitive to Kurula, and what she is going through. His description of her in the tree is lovely, he describes her as Queen Kurula on her Ebony Throne. This Video is 12 mins long.



WS

That is sad news WS. I will watch the clip this evening.

Thanks for letting us know.

Lai

A Matriarch charged Marc on this Safari Drive last week, both he , and the Camera operator were lucky to escape injury

First the warning charge, then the real thing at the end



After the Charge



I have another couple of charge videos to post, but these will make you smile   Watch this space

WS

That was such a dangerous encounter! My heart was in my mouth while watching the very end of the first video. Thank God no one got injured!

SC(SeeWildChina)

Interesting encounter!!! However I think after the first mock charge he was very unwise to try and follow her off-road particularly as he was unsure exactly where she was. The best idea would have been to just carry-on with the drive along the road.
Elephants in my own experience are very unpredictable and as much as some guides feel that they can understand the body language the should always work out their means of escape before they shut off the engine and then with an upset elephant keep the vehicle in gear with a hand on the starter!! Thinking you can read what is going to happen can lead to disaster.
I am never happy with elephants if I cannot see a escape route and I have often asked my guides who I trust implicitly to back off if I feel uncomfortable. I have been charged a couple of times both in Zambia by elephant bulls. It is surprising how fast a vehicle can move in reverse when necessary!!
The driver obviously learned a valuable lesson with no harm done to either party.

SM

Thanks for the clips WS. I am 100% in agreement with Safariman. I have had a close encounter on horseback with an ele and have a very healthy respect for them at all times. In a vehicle I don't like getting too close, and those vehicles have no protection whatsoever.

Scary and a valuable lesson to everyone.

ps sorry to hear about your mum and eles Doogs.

Lai

I agree Guys I've never experienced anything like this not having been on Safari like you Guys, but my view was that the first charge was not what you would call a mock charge, it was to me clearly a warning to go away, and stay away. Marc is a very experienced guide, and presenter, he's been doing these programmes for many years. So it just goes to show even guides can read a situation wrong. As he said he'd never been charged in a vehicle before in all the years he'd been doing it, although he had on foot, and had the tusk scars to show for it, probably over confidence which can prove fatal, but fortunately didn't this time.
However to be fair to Marc he stood up fearlessly to the next Elephant charge, and didn't blink an eyelid


:lol!:Think you can show that one to your Mum Doogs

WS

WS - that was certainly a safer encounter!

Lai

I'M BIG BAD ELEPHANT, AND IF YOU DONT CLEAR OFF ME, AMD MY GANG WILL SORT YOU OUT



Muuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmm



WS

That was a great clip, and really made me laugh.

Thanks for sharing WS

Lai

I finally got to visit Africa, and the name Whitstarling is now in the Hide, at Petes Pond Mashatu .
One of the chat members on WildEarth went to on Safari for 2 weeks, and visited Petes Pond, and left a list of the regular chatter, and Mods who follow the Cam. Fame at last

WS

WS - brilliant news, what a great thing

Lai

David & Goliath
Cape Clawless Otter tries to pick a fight with this Hippo at Kwa Maritane water hole



It had been harassing the Hippo for 3 nights running

WS

Interesting clip, why on earth would it bother with a hippo? Complete madness

Thanks for sharing WS

Lai

Hey Guys seems I can do a pretty good impression of a Lion Roar. It scared these Wildies at PP this morning.




WS

I will watch this at home WS. Something has happened on my work PC I can't watch any video clips at all?????

Lai

that was funny WS but it must have given those wildies a heart attack but boy they shot off quick didn't they....bless my wildie boys

littlewid-x-

I recorded it then did a voice over just looked so funny couldn't resist it

WS