Another great month of viewing with the big predators being seen every day – sometimes four different species in a day: lion, leopard, cheetah, and wild dogs.
The three brother cheetahs made a few appearances in the Lebala region of the concession, before heading south-west. Although cheetahs were not seen much this month, the other cats featured well, with nearly every drive finding either a leopard, a lion or both!
One morning drive a buffalo calf was found dead, but with nothing feeding on it. Returning to the same spot later that afternoon, a large male lion had taken up the opportunity of a free meal, and was working his way through the carcass. This resident male was seen regularly throughout the month. Later in the month, two young males were found eating two buffalos, that they had somehow managed to catch together.
The new generation of lions also made an appearance – four lionesses were located at Buffalo Pan, with four cubs. The lion activity in the Kwando concession is certainly giving plenty of variety! In the middle of the month, two male lions fought off another two at Kwena Lagoon, the winners remaining with the female lions that were nearby.
The Lagoon pack of wild dogs visited Lebala area throughout the month, killing kudu and impala. They were also seen chasing a group of warthog near the Baobab, and caught one, quickly dis-emboweling it and feeding. The very next morning the same pack of 14 was found eating an impala, when they were dispersed by hyenas. The hyenas made off with the scanty remains.
In addition to regular sightings of the pack of 14, a pack of four dogs was seen at Twin Pools, close to our boundary, attempting to hunt. This hunt was unsuccessful, but we hope to see this group again some time.
Towards the end of the month, the pack of fourteen dogs split into two – one pack of nine, and one pack of five. They spent almost a week apart, before rejoining once, and then splitting again. Both sections of the pack are covering very large distances, moving continually between Lagoon and Lebala areas.
The unusual sighting for this month was also a caracal. A relaxed female caracal was seen hunting along Sunset Pan. In addition, a serval cat was seen hunting, and a honey badger was found showing her young offspring how to search for food.