South Africa Wildlife | Goshawk and francolin | Wildlife sightings in Madikwe Safari Lodge

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Madikwe Safari Lodge

Madikwe Safari Lodge is situated in the heart of the richly diverse and malaria-free 76 000-hectare (187 800-acre) Madikwe Game Reserve – one of South Africa’s biggest wildlife sanctuaries. Famed for Operation Phoenix, the world’s largest game translocation exercise with the introduction of more than 8 000 animals, Madikwe’s diverse geology and broad mix of habitats allows a wide range of African wildlife to flourish – including the Big Five, cheetah and a thriving population of wild dog.

Goshawk and francolin

While returning to the lodge after morning game drive we came across a Pale Chanting Goshawk that flew out of an acacia thicket. After closer inspection we found a freshly killed Natal Francolin that the hawk had just killed. We then backed off and the hawk returned to feed on the francolin. At first the hawk tried to carry the francolin up a nearby leadwood tree but was not strong enough to fly with the francolin in its talons. It then decided to drag the francolin into some thick bush where it could feed at leisure and not be detected by any other predators.

Posted: Madikwe Safari Lodge by Paul Warner, Date: 1 July 2007