Things at Thanda are always wild and wonderful, while I'm writing this I'm still enthralled about what we saw on Game Drive a few days ago.
Last week on drive, just before sunset, everything was quiet and serene, we were watching general game grazing peacefully on one side, and impalas calling their lambs on the other side, making sure they didn't stray too far , as you never know what may be lurking behind the next bush. There were also some Zebra's, Wildebeest, Kudu and Warthog keeping themselves busy under a large Schotia Tree, on which there were a number of bees, insects and a variety of birds. The light was also so spectacular that all the guests had a hard time choosing what animal to photograph.
While conversing with the guests at this calm sighting, we suddenly heard this squealing sound of a piglet. We looked towards the long grass, and at first only saw a cloud of dust, but then a baby warthog came running out onto the road. We all expected to see something following it out of the grass, but instead the attack was aerial.
A large shadow descended fast from above, swooped down and we were able to see that the attacker was a Martial Eagle, the one that was sitting on the Schotia Tree earlier. It hooked the piglet with its sharp talons; the piglet let out its last cry and then was motionless as it was lifted up by the eagle. The rest of the animals looked as confused as we did, I think it may have been because they were expecting to smell or see a ground enemy so that they could sound their alarm call, as the attack was from above they were not able to do so.
Soon everything was back to normal, it was just another day in the African bush...
Last week on drive, just before sunset, everything was quiet and serene, we were watching general game grazing peacefully on one side, and impalas calling their lambs on the other side, making sure they didn't stray too far , as you never know what may be lurking behind the next bush. There were also some Zebra's, Wildebeest, Kudu and Warthog keeping themselves busy under a large Schotia Tree, on which there were a number of bees, insects and a variety of birds. The light was also so spectacular that all the guests had a hard time choosing what animal to photograph.
While conversing with the guests at this calm sighting, we suddenly heard this squealing sound of a piglet. We looked towards the long grass, and at first only saw a cloud of dust, but then a baby warthog came running out onto the road. We all expected to see something following it out of the grass, but instead the attack was aerial.
A large shadow descended fast from above, swooped down and we were able to see that the attacker was a Martial Eagle, the one that was sitting on the Schotia Tree earlier. It hooked the piglet with its sharp talons; the piglet let out its last cry and then was motionless as it was lifted up by the eagle. The rest of the animals looked as confused as we did, I think it may have been because they were expecting to smell or see a ground enemy so that they could sound their alarm call, as the attack was from above they were not able to do so.
Soon everything was back to normal, it was just another day in the African bush...
Sandiso Shabangu - Field Guide