This is the last blog I wrote for the volunteer newsletter, about an exciting drive on Wednesday evening! :)
Once in a while, after being privileged enough to see something particularly spectacular while out on a drive, Stratton will turn to us laughing and say, “Only in Naboisho.” Last night was one of those nights.
“Did you ever think you would see a lion stalking a serval???” he asked in disbelief. “Cause I never did.” It sounds crazy. Seeing it was even crazier.
Our initial goal on this evening drive was to find Jemjabe and Shukunye. We planned to check up on them and their five cubs that evening. I guess you could say we succeeded.
We spotted the serval first. She was hunting for mice, crouched motionless next to a bush that we presumed was no less than a mouse superhighway. She was perfect. Servals are gorgeous, Egyptian-looking cats with big ears, yellow fur with black spots and stripes, and delicate faces. We had seen one serval already, and were terribly excited to get the chance to see another one.
We tried multiple times to leave her behind and continue our search from the lions, but we just couldn't tear ourselves away. All of a sudden, we looked up and saw none other than Jemjabe and Shukunye themselves, just across the stream from where we were treating the serval like a celebrity.
Our delight turned to worry when the serval turned to cross the river right next to the lions. Neither lioness would hesitate to kill a serval if given a chance, and we couldn't believe our eyes when, not long after she crossed, Jimjabe went into stalking mode.
We couldn't see a thing. Stratton turned the car around and drove around to the other side, warning us to hold on to our seats. There was no sign of either lioness or serval.
With nothing else to do, we turned to drive away, consoling ourselves with the fact that, if something had happened, the cubs would have been in on the action too. They had stayed where they were, but underneath we were all still worried.
The story almost ended there. But then, as we were driving off, there she was again! We snapped photos and compared broadside shots…it was the same serval, safe and sound, and way out of reach of the lions. A fairy tale ending, and a great conclusion to a rather dramatic evening!
Once in a while, after being privileged enough to see something particularly spectacular while out on a drive, Stratton will turn to us laughing and say, “Only in Naboisho.” Last night was one of those nights.
“Did you ever think you would see a lion stalking a serval???” he asked in disbelief. “Cause I never did.” It sounds crazy. Seeing it was even crazier.
Our initial goal on this evening drive was to find Jemjabe and Shukunye. We planned to check up on them and their five cubs that evening. I guess you could say we succeeded.
We spotted the serval first. She was hunting for mice, crouched motionless next to a bush that we presumed was no less than a mouse superhighway. She was perfect. Servals are gorgeous, Egyptian-looking cats with big ears, yellow fur with black spots and stripes, and delicate faces. We had seen one serval already, and were terribly excited to get the chance to see another one.
We tried multiple times to leave her behind and continue our search from the lions, but we just couldn't tear ourselves away. All of a sudden, we looked up and saw none other than Jemjabe and Shukunye themselves, just across the stream from where we were treating the serval like a celebrity.
Our delight turned to worry when the serval turned to cross the river right next to the lions. Neither lioness would hesitate to kill a serval if given a chance, and we couldn't believe our eyes when, not long after she crossed, Jimjabe went into stalking mode.
We couldn't see a thing. Stratton turned the car around and drove around to the other side, warning us to hold on to our seats. There was no sign of either lioness or serval.
With nothing else to do, we turned to drive away, consoling ourselves with the fact that, if something had happened, the cubs would have been in on the action too. They had stayed where they were, but underneath we were all still worried.
The story almost ended there. But then, as we were driving off, there she was again! We snapped photos and compared broadside shots…it was the same serval, safe and sound, and way out of reach of the lions. A fairy tale ending, and a great conclusion to a rather dramatic evening!