Cheetah and Wild Dog Sept Oct Report 2010
Our 4 WILD DOG:
Most of the time I only see on them once a day - at midday or thereabout, when most would be resting. Its usually an easier find.
On the 27th of September we found the Wild Dog sleeping under a tree approx 2 km east of the Villa, and of course we were given a hearty ‘welcome back’. We gave them water and food, which still happens nearly every 3 or so days. I fed them again on the 30th. They are all in good condition, but really enjoy the supplemented food.
1st October- Dogs back to ‘Alcatraz’. I think the old release camp is a bit of a ‘security blanket’ for them and they probably feel safe there – so keep on returning. By the 2nd they had moved all the way up to the northdam – which is about 15 – 20km from where they were! They run most of the way.
They were back at 'Alcatraz' by the 10th again.
After that they moved south but I saw them back at ‘Alcatraz’ – this time with bloody mouths and full stomachs on the 19th – but could not find the kill, so have no idea what their meal consisted of ?
Fed them again on the 22nd of October and by the 24th they had moved north again –back to ‘northdam’, but seemed hungry, so we again supplemented their diet on the 25th. Again they were assisted on the 30th, although they were still at ‘northdam’ that has a lot of activity ?
You have most probably noticed how often we do feed them compared to the Cheetah, but we have to keep up those energy levels until they are 100% sustaining themselves.
Our 16 REHABILITATED CHEETAHS:
The SIBLINGS however have been causing some havoc around the reserve!! Late September I was called in by AJ to break-up a fight between HAMMER, BONES, SPUD& COCO who were attacking CHARLIE & TRISH. I found Charlie close to the four and Trish about 400 metres away. I managed to lure the four away with the promise of water and that gave Charlie a chance to re-join Trish which he did later.
A day later I was again called in by Jacques this time - to say that the four siblings were now bullying TOBY, ZEN & ZIPPY. I shot out there to find the four holding Toby at bay with threats and the occasional - whack. Once again I managed to lure the four away with water to a decent distance so that Toby could make his escape. The four are definitely a force to be reckoned with!
TOBY, ZEN, ZIPPY, CYCLOPS & TWIGGY are now only seen once or twice a week and recently more by AJ. The few times I have seen Toby, Zen and Zippy they have definitely become more skittish than when they were released - running away whenever you try and observe them. The only time you get a good look at them is if they are on a kill. This is, of course, the way we want it to go as they will most probably become our first rehabilitated cheetah to be released somewhere far away from the OKONJIMA reserve.
CYCLOPS is looking really good and is obviously hunting well! He does not run from me, but I am not sure if he does from AJ ? When I saw him on 28th of October – I did give him some water, not because he looked as if he needed it as he is well fed, but because it was so incredibly hot and he was close to the road and I had water on the car and felt sorry for him. . .
TWIGGY who had such a bad start when she arrived at Africat all those years back - is also doing very well. I found her on a Duiker kill on the 23rd of October.
TRISH is limping a bit [seen on the 30th of Oct] - I think it is either a thorn in her foot or a sprain - as she IS putting weight on it which must mean it is not broken. I will keep checking on her and keep you all informed.
Not much news from TONGS – but he seems very well!
THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!
TinTin, Mulder, Abbey and Scully who were released on the 25th of October are doing well although they did not move very far on day one of ‘freedom’. They are our oldest rehabilitated cheetahs, but age did not stop them from exploring the next and the next day.
On the 28th of Oct, their luck changed as they were exploring the Villa! First Kill - a scrub hare and then two warthogs that evening. (our Villa guests have been spoilt this year) On the 29th & 30th they moved west of the Villa - and seem to be moving very slowly. Although the Okonjima guides reported that they had split up at one time - I have only seen them together.
1 & 2 November and major action at the Villa between the ‘New Kids’ and a herd of Eland with young calves. Some of the guests were apparently routing for the cheetah, whereas the other ½ wanted the eland calves to get away! 4 serious and what originally looked like - ‘successful attempts’ – all ended up a ‘no-go’, for the Eland bulls protected the herd with such aggression – the cheetah stood no chance. According to 1 witness – the noise levels coming from the bulls, were something between a ‘lion growl’ and an aggressive ‘domestic bull’. A once-in-a-lifetime-experience apparently!
3rd November, am – a bit of bad luck! Mulder was actually struck by one of the Eland Bulls and had a serious gash in his chest! I rushed him off to the vets – and we’ll just have to wait and see . . . it might look worse off than what it actually is. Hold thumbs! [Dr Axel Hartmann’s vet clinic is 74km from OKONJIMA.]
 Tin Tin, Mulder, Abbey and Scully |
 Tongs, 13th-19th Sept 2010 |
 Mulder |
 Scully and Abbey |
 Spud, 13th-19th Sept 2010 |
 Spud, Sept 2010 |
 Tin Tin and Scully |
 Charlie and Trish, 13th-19th Sept 2010 |
 Charlie and Trish |
 Coco, Hammer and Bones, 13th-19th Sept 2010 |
 Bones, 13th-19th Sept 2010 |
 Cyclops, 10th Oct 2010 |