After much deliberation, WE have concluded that the cat report is in need of an upgrade.
WE are in the process of creating a new and improved version of the cat report that will enable our viewers to see a consolidated log of the cat movements for both the Mara and Djuma cats.
The new cat report will summarise cat movements for the week on a one-page dated map with an easy to use key for every character. Even the unknown cats will be covered so viewers know where they were seen. In addition to this a summary of any interesting or unusual behaviour of the individual characters will be noted.
WE look forward to bringing you this improved version of the cat report this Friday 18 August 2017.
(Shadow surveys her territory through dry yellow grass, Screenshot credit: Dorie B SC, safariLIVE, Djuma)
13 August
Shadow was limping badly near the junction of the MMM and Balanites Road. WE don’t know what caused the injury. We left her resting on a termite mound. While WE had no further sightings this week, we did find her tracks and those of her cub in the days that followed.
(Thamba’s bright young eyes reflect golden in the luminescence of the spotlight, Screenshot credit: Lily Brown, safariLIVE, Djuma)
16 August
Thamba playfully stalked some elephants before realising he may have bit off more than he can chew.
17 August
WE found Thamba eating a tortoise in the Milwati, south of Mamba road. Later in the sighting he chuffed at the sound of an approaching leopard but quickly ran off when he realized the nearby leopard was Tingana and not Thandi.
(Mugoro pride lioness hungrily watching the herds race by, Screenshot credit: Gabi Hossain, safariLIVE, Mara Triangle)
MUGORO PRIDE
12 August
These lion have got their hunting strategy down to a fine art. Under the cover of darkness the lions approached a large and none-the-wiser herd of wildebeest. When the time was right the cats raced in and absolute pandemonium ensued! Stampeding hooves thundered in every direction as the panicked wildebeest tried to escape. The lions took full advantage of the confusion, chaos and inky blackness of the night resulting in numerous kills.
(Egyptian Goose lioness resting in the morning sun, Screenshot credit: Gabi Hossain, safariLIVE, Mara Triangle)
EGYPTIAN GOOSE PRIDE
14 August
One of the lionesses from the pride found herself what she thought would be an easy meal. An unfortunate member of the migration found itself stuck belly deep in thick tacky mud courtesy of the unusual August rains. The lionesses waded through the saturated, sticky earth and attempted to retrieve the terrified wildebeest. After a few minutes of frustrated fidgeting about the wildebeest, the lioness decided it was either too much effort or simply became bored before loping off into the darkness.
(Salt Lick lioness makes her first kill of the day, Screenshot Credit: Linda McCaslin, safariLIVE, Mara Triangle.)
SALT LICK PRIDE
16 August
A particularly amorous lioness flirted relentlessly with one of the fat flat males adoring the Salt Lick marsh with his presence. He however, was more interested in getting his beauty rest. The romantically spurned lioness then set her sights and energies on the slow moving and unaware wildebeest herds surrounding them. She and her 4 sisters initially picked off an old and limping member of the migration before moving on to more challenging prey. Less than 30 minutes later there were four fresh wildebeest carcasses and four less wildebeest in the Great Migration itself.
(Musketeer cheetah coalition take a moment to regroup before enjoying dinner, Screenshot credit: Gabi Hossain, safariLIVE, Maasai Mara.)
MUSKETEER CHEETAH COALITION
15 August
The five cheetah brothers were ambling through their territory scent marking and investigating everything they could. But there was no hiding their true intention, once they spotted the herds in the distance, their slow relaxed amble turned to focused and precise stalking. Once in range one of the brothers exploded into action, accelerating a full pace towards the intended target. Once the initial take-down had been made the other four members race to his aid. With all five of the cats on the adult wildebeest it was just a matter of time before the antelope breathed his last breath. The cats tucked in and gobbled as quickly as they could before they attracted any unwanted attention.
Louise, very nice job with new Cat Report. The maps are just wonderful. Thanks for all the hard work getting this together!