WILDLIFE BLOG

During 2010, a new male lion appeared in the area, and ousted the existing pride male, an old boy named Slit (from a nasty injury that left him with a slit in his nostril). The new male was named Shaka, after Shaka the Zulu Chief who usurped his predecessor and was famed for his brutality. In fact, Shaka has been mating with the pride females almost continually since then, and hasn't had much time to show [...]

This genet provided the perfect pose, showing exactly why they are such efficient hunters. Just at home in the trees as on the ground, they emerge from the shadows in a flash and turn roosting birds, eggs, grasshoppers and small rodents into dinner.

Coming back from the park this morning, I stopped on the bridge to talk to the ZAWA scouts at the gate. All the while that I was standing there, I could hear Guinea Fowl calling frantically from the area near our access road. I rushed down there, knowing that the extended calls from the ground dwelling Guinea Fowl signalled a bird of prey - which seem to be their biggest fear - rather than any other [...]

A friend and I just enjoyed a fantastic trip up the Great North Road to Kasanka NP and Bangweulu Swamps. While both areas are famous for their birdlife, Kasanka is also home to the world's most visible popuation of the shy Sitatunga antelope, and the plains surrounding the Bangweulu swamps provide grazing for 100,000 Black Lechwe. The birdlife at Kasanka is astonishing, and we didn't have to try too hard to see lots of new species, [...]

It's a question that I've been asked regularly by guests over the last couple of years, and I think a question that I asked before I became a guide. The answer is usually 'no' but there's rarely an explanation as to why not! Because of the feathers? Because some birds clean the mouths of crocodiles so the reptiles respect all birds? I think crocodiles may take any water bird that comes too close, provided that it [...]

Almost the first game drive that I took this year, we found a Serval in the long grass near the old airstrip. Not commonly seen in this area, they are more at home in open grassy plains, which aren't in abundance here. Their huge ears and fantastic sense of smell allow them to hunt rodents in the long grass, pouncing on them from several yards away. They're also famous for hunting Guinea Fowl, sometimes jumping high [...]

Even at the end of March, it's still raining heavily several days a week. I don't mind too much as the showers bring a freshness to the air which has disappeared after a couple of days of hot sunshine. The leaden black skies look stunning as a backdrop to the fresh greenery all around. Birds are mating, insects are at their peak, and the park is lush and green. This Grey Lourie was enjoying the morning [...]

I came across this photo when I was going through some old images. Not too sure why, but I quite like it!

I came across this confident-looking male Waterbuck in the park a couple of days ago, and enjoyed the contrast of his dark coat against the red topped grass.

This Cookson's Wildebeest has been hanging around this area recently, which is very unusual since we don't tend to find them this far south. What is even more strange is that he is on his own! They are herd creatures and rely on the protection on the eyes and ears of everyone in the herd for safety, so I suggest this animal simply got lost and couldn't find his herd. He joined a herd of Zebra [...]

I'm not in the habit of taking photos of animals or birds that are simply portraits. I tend to look for 'wildlife in its surroundings' and photograph that instead. However, this Open-billed Stork was too tempting a prospect as it dried its feathers in the sun after a session of water bathing in the lagoon below.