THAT TIME OF YEAR

This morning was the start of day 3 at my work experience at Phinda. I set out with ranger JP and tracker Pat to see if we could find some buffalo and follow up on a cheetah that had been seen the day before with a kill on the airstrip.

Soon enough we found our buffalo but unfortunately the cheetah had moved off his / her kill and had disappeared into the bush only leaving footprints and an impala carcass. However luck was on our side with another guide being able to find a different cheetah on a kill in the Zuka area. We observed the cheetah for a while and then she was discovered by an impala. This impala continued to annoy her until she decided to get up and move. As she began walking JP moved the car to a better viewing spot, but while driving he pointed out the first wildebeest calf for the season. He said that the calf was born no more than a few hours ago. It could barely walk and still had a small piece of the umbilical cord attached.

It was amazing to see the first calf of this season and we are looking forward to more soon.

Posted: Phinda by Craig Gunther, Date: 3 December 2011