Massive Update (Part two)

This is the second part of the massive update I have been requested to do. It may not be as long as the first as i'm set to go hunting Impala with Nathan. Should be interesting!

The week after our triumphant return from Vic Falls was more or less the same as most other weeks. At one point I went out into the bush with Carlos, a man who had grown up in Miambo game reserve and knows EVERYTHING about the bush. While in the bush he was kind enough to teach me trapping and hunting. Its quite complex but i've got a nack for it. I enjoyed learning it and hope to have more one on one lessons with him when he returns from leave.

This week we were lucky enough to have Keith the vet grace us with his presence (There are only around ten qualified vets in all of Zim). For the entire week we put aside the regular activities and darted, tested, and observed many of the lions at the breeding program. On Weds we travelled to the Dollar Block reserve and transported six female lions to Antelope Park. The ride was very long and all of us volunteers were squashed in the back of a pickup down bumpy rural roads in 100 degree heat...but other then that it was epic.

Everything went smoothly until the last lion, Ashanti, was darted. She only recieved half a dose at first and ten minutes later recieved the other half. She was fast asleep throughout the testing process and remained as such until she was jolted on her way into the transport crate. One of the guys with us, Bazz, was inside the crate and helping to pull her in when she was jolted and her eyes snapped open. He proceeded to let out a stream of curses and dive out of the crate. At this point she sat up and we joined Bazz in his cursing as we struggled to push a mostly awake lioness into her crate. I must say, pushing on a fully grown lionesses backside as she sits up and looks at you will give you a massive jolt of adrenelene. Most of us were still shaking five minutes after it happened. We managed to successfully push her in and close the door before she did any damage, thankfully.

Everything went smoothly on the return trip and the six girls are now happily in their new enclosure at Antelope Park.

Thus ends the massive update.

Without further delay or ranting, pictures!




One of the girls at Dollar Block dozing off after a darting








There were two other lions, Simba and Sliwani, at Dollar Block. These are significantly bigger then the largest lion at A.P. and are set to be transported as soon as the paperwork is in order. The boy in this particular picture is Sliwani and he was not being too friendly towards the girls.






This is Teddy, one of the boys at the breeding program of A.P. He is by far one of the most intimidating and beautiful lions that is here. His eyes and mein are particularly impressive.