The Wednesday sparkles

It was supposed to be a normal field day last Wednesday. And it was, except for some moments that made it slightly more interesting than usual.

It began with lions. Just as we left the car, roaring arouse from the environs. A closer look revealed its whereabouts – three big black-maned males were calling from the other side of the river, having a good overview of their kingdom, displaying their power. We stood there for a while admiring them through the binoculars, so mesmerized that we almost didn’t notice a lioness walking towards us. However, before we could decide whether it’s safer to retrieve to the car she already disappeared into the bushes, avoiding us smelly humans.

So we started field work, retrieving cameras and measuring visibility around the experimental plots. Soon the barking gnu was around, as always, telling us we’re not welcome on his sacred land and we should damn get out of there. He keeps a safety distance from us, but insists on his cause. It made me wonder.

When I first met the gnu I thought he was just upset with us because we took over his lunch spot, walked over his favourite resting place and invaded his privacy in general. But usually a gnu would just walk away and find a new place that suits it. The reason for that particular gnu to stay there, barking at us, had to be more personal.

And then I saw it. A skull, bleached and old, yet beautiful. The skull of his beloved, the one that was taken away from him before they could they could together chase the warthogs, party with zebras and stare at the full moon, hoof in hoof. So he stays there with her, with the memories and sorrow, waiting for them to come back and show him the way to the constellation where she awaits. Anyone else visiting their gardens is not welcome.

We kindly hurried up with work and left him and his grief behind.

After arriving to Mbuzane, I had a fascinating conversation with another researcher. She was telling me about her work - about rhino defecation habits and extracting smell from objects like their dung. I learn that the same substances found in their poo are used in food industry, just in different proportions. In other words, you can re-create rhino poo smell by using food flavours they use in production of, for example, Pringles. Good to know.

Still processing the thought, I see Sporro, the Jack Russell terrier living at Mbhuzane camp, walking proudly towards us, carrying something in his mouth. Maybe a dead bird, or a toad? No. He was bringing us a pair of testicles. Our reaction must have discouraged him as he embarrassingly lowered his head (still holding his treasure) and left our giggling group, confused by our disapproval and disappointed by our ungratefulness.

Freshly impressed by those bizarre moments, I almost forgot how that day had started. But as the sun went down the three lions started roaring again. Meaning they stayed at their viewpoint for the whole day.

Either they were too lazy to move or they couldn’t come to a decision of where to go fetch the next meal – the hopeless gnu or the juicy carrion around our camp…