The coalition of two cheetah was found to the west of Letiahau on the 12th of this month, resting under the umbrella thorn acacia. They looked as though the dry times were suiting them, and were healthy. A few days later, at Leopard pan, four tiny cheetah cubs were found with their mother feeding on a springbok at Leopard Pan. Four cubs is a lot for a mother to raise, and unfortunately, cheetah cubs have a high mortality rate, so let’s hope that she has some good luck on her side. Young cheetah cubs have markings that resemble the white back stripe of a honey badger – possibly a deterrent to any predator that isn’t paying close attention…
Big herds of around 200 springbok were seen along West road.
Four honey badgers were seen foraging in the Tau Pan area one morning, digging for rodents or scorpions. The pale chanting goshawks were also in attendance – these birds are known for following honey badgers, in the hope that they disturb something that the goshawk can grab for itself.
Lions were seen most days from the middle of the month, often at the waterhole. The Tau Pan Pride with the two adult lionesses were seen mating with the males that now dominate the area. The sub adults (eight) are still with the females, and the young males have yet to break away.
And yes, apparently a brown hyena den has been discovered along West Road Three hyena cubs were seen playing outside the den with some sticks. This is a first for the area, and I wouldn’t actually believe it was there not photographic proof to go with it…