WARNING LONG POST
I know I haven't caught up on my blogging but I needed to be somewhat current on my blogging. Rewinding back to Christmas day 2010 I got a HUGE surprise. Blake already knew what what going to happen, but I had no idea. Blake said he needed to check his email. He said come sit by me and see what Al had to say. Al is Blake's boss. Just thinking Al was wishing us a Merry Christmas. Blake continues reading Al's email. Again completely shocked as I now read it. Tears came streaming down my face. It was a gift. This gift is one of the nicest things any one has done. I have no idea how we will ever pay Al back. But this gift was a trip to South Africa. Yes you read that correctly, South Africa. It will be a trip of a lifetime.
Blake's brother Kevin said if Blake was to ever go to South AFrica, he was going too. We all set out for South Africa. Ready or not Africa here the Stoker's come.
Fast forward to July 2011.
Day 1, 2, and 3 - July 7(thurs), 8 (fri), and 9 (sat)
We set out leaving Utah at 5:30 am Thursday, 7 July and arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa 5:00 pm Friday, 8 July. I told Blake it feels like ground hog's day. It felt like the day never even changed. Finally, we left Johannesburg and arrived at Al and Margie's place 5 hours north of Johannesburg.
This place is beautiful. No words can really describe it. Nor is it anything I imagined.
Day 1, 2, and 3
Leaving SLC, UT
Getting cozy on the first flight. I don't know what it was but probably nerves, but I couldn't fall asleep. I went to bed about 12:00 am (midnight) and had to be up at 3:30/3:45 am. Needless to say I didn't get much sleep. On top of that Kennedy woke up 2:30 am. Fortunately she went back to bed and woke up my mom said at her normal time.
While on the first flight I made Blake have his picture taken. He didn't like that too much.
We had a layover in Washington D.C. We had to change gates and ride this thing to our other gate. I thought when we were taking a corner the thing was going to tip. But we survived.
As we boarded our flight on South African Airlines there was those airline magazines. You know like the Sky Mall mgaizine trying to sell you all those crazy gadgets and what not. Well, this one was a South African version. We were reading the do's and don't's. Here is one of them.
Also, on the flight they said no sleeping on the floor. Now you know they have to say that because someone must have tried it. I would agree the thought has crossed my mind. The floor is probably much better than those airline seats. They also said I could't have my blanket on me while taking off or landing and the shades had to be up during take off and landing. Odd.
Blake in his cool socks provided by the airline, which I thought was cool. They also provided toothpaste, toothbrush, and sleeping mask thing to cover your eyes. The food was also delicious. We had three full meals. On American flights, I think we are lucky if we get a package of peanuts and half of a soda pop.
View of the clouds.
View from the tail of the plane.
Our stay at a Bed and Breakfast in Johannesburg Friday night.
Driving to Al and Margie's
Finally arriving at Al and Margie's.
First off arriving at Margie's we saw what happens when a vehicle and a hippo meet. Needless to say the truck was totaled and the hippo died. Those on the farm said the accident happened early morning. Something like 3:00 AM. If some of you remember seven months after being married, Blake hit a moose. As you know a moose isnt a small animal nor is a hippo. But Blake can relate to the driver of the truck. It is like hitting a brick wall. You would think a hippo would have survived being hit since it is such a huge animal. But the truck killed it. They said cops came from everywhere. In addition so did some of the local black people. Also, by the time we got there, there was nothing left but some skin and a few bones from the hippo. Al and Margie told us people come out of the wood works for free food.
First off arriving at Margie's we saw what happens when a vehicle and a hippo meet. Needless to say the truck was totaled and the hippo died. Those on the farm said the accident happened early morning. Something like 3:00 AM. If some of you remember seven months after being married, Blake hit a moose. As you know a moose isnt a small animal nor is a hippo. But Blake can relate to the driver of the truck. It is like hitting a brick wall. You would think a hippo would have survived being hit since it is such a huge animal. But the truck killed it. They said cops came from everywhere. In addition so did some of the local black people. Also, by the time we got there, there was nothing left but some skin and a few bones from the hippo. Al and Margie told us people come out of the wood works for free food.
We saw some tree frogs hibernating. You might think that is odd this time of year. But you have to reminder South Africa is in the southern hemisphere and it is their winter right now. Lots cooler than I anticipated.
After we got settled we had a true African dinner -- Kentucky Fried Chicken - KFC. haha
After dinner James, Margie's farm manager had to do feed the baby Cape Buffalo. Margie said it would be okay for Blake, Kevin, and me to assist in feeding the baby cape buffalo. So far I think this has been the coolest part of the trip. WOW! Who can say they have done that.
Kristin
Blake
Kevin
Day 4 - July 10 (sun)
Sunday was a slow day. Nothing much happened. We helped in the morning with James (Farm Manager)drop some grass hay and LaCern (aka alfpha/hay) to the Cape Buffalo. Blake and Kevin did most of the work while I watched or took pictures. Even in Africa, I don't haul hay. Nor does Blake get out of hauling hay in Africa. My dad usually asks him to go get a few hundred bales every now and again. While feeding all the animals allowed us to see more of Margie's property.
Kevin in the Back and Blake
James and Kevin
Lead Bull of the breading heard. He has broken off
his horns (boss) in a fight. Once then are broken, the boss
never grow back.
Kevin
Young Bull with LOTS of good breading potential.
Lone wildebeest. It is getting older and they tend to
become a solitary animal.
Animal heads from the hunting party the couple of
weeks before we got there.
The hydes from the hunting party.
A giraffe's foot. It is bigger than my hand. The animals that are harvest are cleaned and
prepared for taxidermy work. However, they have to remain quarantined for minimum
30 days so diseases are not transfered to other places. From there the animal go to
the taxidermist and are raw prepared for shipping, or the hunter can have the animal
finished and then shipped to the destination.
Day 5 - July 11 (mon)
Monday life resumed. People were back to work and life was happening much more than on sundays here. Blake, Kevin, Al, and Margie's son Wayne (hunting guide) headed out bright and early. They left about 6:00 AM. In the meantime, I slept in. If you talk to Blake or anyone else they would say I sleep a lot. What can I say, I am fortunate to have the Lindsay sleep gene as we like to call it. I can sleep any place, any time, and position.
Moving on. Monday was an eventful day. While I was still sleeping Blake had his first harvest. He took a Waterbuck. Hunting here in Africa is very different. Which I will explain in tuesday entry. Only because I experienced it. At 7:28 AM Blake took one shot and that is all she wrote. When they got back to the house they measured the bull. It scored 30 plus inches one side and 32 inches on the other side. When Wayne was done totaling all the areas of measurements the bull scored over 71 inches. Over here in Africa they have a different scoring system. There is a Gold, Silver, and a Bronze. Blake's Waterbuck scored in the Gold category. Al said that is VERY good. He mostly only sees the Waterbucks in the silver category.
Blake and Wayne (the hunting guide)
Blake
Kevin, Al (Blake's Boss), and Blake
When I eventually rose from the dead, I got ready and had some breakfast with Margie and Pops (Reggie who is a family friend). While I was getting ready Margie went to her LaCern field where the totaled truck was for clean up crew to remove it. After that we headed into town.
Going into town was really no different than going to the store for us. Just a little longer drive. Margie got gas first. They have gas attendants here. Which I think is nice. I remember when I was a kid when we had gas attendants in the states. Also, when we were in Brazil picking Colton up from his mission. While in town, we stopped by some shops to see if there were any good sourenviors. I saw some cool beaded and wired animals. I am thinking about going back to get them. I am a mission to find a cute doll to take back to Kennedy.
By this time Blake and company came back with the Waterbuck to prepare it. While they were cleaning it, the bullet did not exit and Blake got a another sourevinor. Once they got it all done, the crew had lunch took a small break and headed back out. After the afternoon hunt was over they came back empty handed. Kevin however did get some great pictures.
Various sides of the different properties. Giraffe in the back.
Blake and Al just finding his Waterbuck.
Wayne and Blake
Blake and Wayne's Tracker Ferrison
Day 6 - July 12 (tues)
I decided to get up early and go with the guys. It always seems that I am the only girl. Someone could read into that wrong. When I would pack into the backcountry with my dad and his friends I was the only girl and might I add at the time the only one under 25. As far as being the youngest I am. I am however moving further away from 25 not closer.
Along our Safari we came across this beautiful male giraffe. I think this is truly the prettiest giraffe I have I ever since. It was your normal spotted lookin giraffe, however his spots were dark brown. Not the usually light brown. With the male was a baby. Unfortunately, the baby was recently separated from it's mother. These two giraffe that we saw were separated from a single female standing on the opposite side of a fence. Recently there was a fight between this dark male giraffe and another male giraffe. But they were fighting over the electric fence. During their fight, they broke the fence. When the owners fixed the fence they were unable to herd the mother and baby back together. Now the mother giraffe and the baby hang out besides each other along the fence. Not to worry that the baby isn't with his/her mother it is weened. It is typically normal for a mother and her offspring to be with each other 3-4 years.
Nyala
Bull Giraffe and Baby Giraffe. This is the dark male I was talking about.
Al lost his hat.
We traveled on. By this time it is 7:30 and from what happened the day before Blake had already taken down the waterbuck. The animals I have decided are not early birds. Or maybe I have jinxed Blake and Kevin not sure. Finally about 8:30 Wayne and company spotted an impala. A few minutes later Blake was besides the impala having his picture taken.
Before
After
Let me tell you what. When they are taking pictures of a hunter and an animal this is a production. I did not know so much work went into having a photo. I chuckled. I said what are you doing. Wayne replied "making the shot perfect" as his moves a blade a grass.
Kevin set out on a zebra but missed. He was quite frustrated with himself. They tracked him forever to me it seemed like. Unfortunately, zebra 1 Kevin 0. Kevin I think tried one more time without any luck came home empty handed. Not much happened the rest of the day. It was quite slow.
Look close they have no shoes. Talk about dedication.
Wayne and Kevin
Yes, I am cold.
Eland
White Cow Rhino and Calf
(Since it has taken so long for me to post our Africa trip, we found out in November 2011 that
these two animals were poached. The poachers found the calf, but they never found
the cow. The landowners found her the next day.)
Same White Cow Rhino
Check out how long her horn is.
Also another sad note to the poached rhinos, is the poachers shot another pair of cow and calf rhinos a couple of days later. In addition, the cow rhino was pregnant. The landowner lost a total of 5 rhinos to poaching.
Day 7 - July 13 (wed)
Wayne was taking Blake and Kevin to a new place. This hunting preserve was closer to his house in Hoedspruit. Wayne asked Al if he could meet his at one of local gas stations. I was on the fence of whether or not to go. I did not want to be a pain. I don't love hunting. I support it yes, but hunting myself is a BIG NO. I decided to go. How many times does one get to go on African safaris? Not many. The leaving time for today was 6:00 am. Getting up this early for me has been rough, which I think it somewhat odd since that is about the time I get up for work every day. It must be hard because I know I have the option of sleeping in.
We meet up with Wayne and headed off into the sun rise. I didn't see much of it. My eyes were more generally focused on the backside of my eyelids in true Lindsay fashion. Today Blake was a mission for Kudo and a Wildabeast. Kevin was on a mission for a warthog, zebra, or impala. Lucky for Kevin it was his day. We finally had saw a kudo. To bad for Blake because they were females. At least we knew they existed. One of a the groups of kudos that we saw was a mother and it's baby. We figured the baby to be only a few months old. All baby animals are so cute. After that about an hour and a half into the safari, Wayne spotted a warthog. Kevin was on that. Next thing I know I heard a gunshot and the truck was off to pick up Wayne, Kevin, and Blake. The posing of the warthog for the photoshot was set. Pictures all around.
Female Kudo and baby
The tree took Wayne out
Proud Kevin and Wayne just after he got the warthog.
Al, Kevin, Blake, and Kristin
We were headed back to the lodge area to have the warthog processed why the guys continued hunting. On our way pay Wayne spotted a nice impala. Wayne, Blake, and Kevin were off. This time instead of Kevin being the photographer, Blake was. A few minutes later the shot sounded and a photoshoot all over again.
This little guy was lucky. Look close something had a taste test.
Kudo before
Wayne and Blake during
Kristin and Blake after
This is the one animal Blake wanted most. This Kudo is what a hunter would consider as non-typical. The Right spiral is tightly wrapped and the left spiral is loose. Because of this Al was set out to have Wayne find Blake another one. I am so glad we only saw this one. I didn't need two of these in my right now. I dont even know where we will put the first one.
Wildebeest on the run.
Margie was headed into town and wanted to know if I wanted to be picked up. I said yes. We went to the grocery store and then back home. The hunting party stayed out.
While the hunting party was out, Margie was preparing a great meal. You would think that one would be happy with all the animals already taken. Al wanted Blake to get a wildebeest. Well, Blake got him alright along with some ticks. The hunting party though was way late for dinner. Blake shot the wildebeest, but didn't take it down in one shot. He had to shoot it again. By the time the thing stopped and they tracked it, it was well after dark. In the dark they took their photos again. But in the background Blake said he could hear the lion sounding off. Which if I was there, I think I would have peed my pants. Since all the bullets Wayne and Blake were carrying were used on the wildebeest no other bullets were available for just in case. They moved rather quickly getting things cleaned up. The most important thing is the wildebeest was not left nor did it suffer.
Just another day hunting in Africa.
Day 8 - July 14 (thurs)
Today we all took it easy. The guys decided to do an afternoon hunt since they got back so late last night and yesterday was such a long day for them. Al wanted to take us to their rehabitation center called Monholalo. This is a center where the nurse back to health posioned, hurt, and raised animals in homes. In Africa the people fight the same things we do in the states poaching, posioning, etc. I often forget that everyone lives in a bubble. I don't mean the bubble in Utah of not being exposed to other cultures. Cause we do. But when I mean bubble, I am talking about how life exists outside our daily lives. People wake up go to work and do the whole rigamore but it is somewhere else, New York, Japan, South Africa, Brazil, etc. Going to the rehabitation center reminded me of just that.
When you go to the rehabitation center they take you on a tour. You get up close, personal, and educated with all the animals. First, on our tour we saw a cheetcha. This cheetcha came to the rehabitation center as a baby. Because of it's close contact with humans which in most cases with all the animals we saw, it can not be fully rehabiliated into the wild. We got to pet the cheetcha and get our picture taken.
Blake and Kristin
Kevin
Next we saw the hyena. Not to be mean these are one ugly creature. Since this animal is SO wild we didn't not pet or get our picture taken with it. The female was the only one to survive out of a 13 that were poisioned. Hyenas are obvisously viewed as pest. The center does have a male and female in hope to bread the two.
The third animals were the wild dogs. I learned that most often people confuse the wild dog with hyena. They only have males in the center since they bread very rapidly in quantity. They have roughly 13 - 16 babies per litter. I would die if I having them all at one time. I am glad I have only one at a time. While as far as I know. I guess one could always have multiples. I keep my fingers crossed I don't. (also this is not considered a hint in any way shape or form). These animals are expensive to keep at the center. Their diet requires fresh meat every 2-3 days. They can't eat rotten meat like the lions, hyenas, and etc. These dogs are on the move. They travel quite the distant in one day.
The fourth animal we got to visit was a 17 month old baby black rhino. She was so cute at a whopping 1000 lbs. She came to the center because she got stuck in a mud bog in Krueger National Park. Since rhinos can't crasp their arms around each other the mother was unable to retrieve the baby. The baby was stuck for 3 days. The staff said if she was coming your way to get out of the road. They really cannot zigzag very well. They only move is a straight line. Al had quite the close encounter. He was talking with a gentleman from the US from New York. Al said he eyes got really big and the next thing he knew the rhino was at his feet. She took a jab at him. It was kinda scary at the moment, but funny later on. It just goes to show you how wild they still are.
Kristin and Blake
Kevin
The fifith animal we saw was the honey badger. They were funny. They were dancing and twirling around doing all kinds of tricks. I am guessing this enclosure had a cement bottom since they burrow. Badgers typically are a noctural animal. Both of these came to the center because people were raising them as pets. I don't think those people were in their right mind or never read a book on badgers, or watched Discovery Channel. The center put electric wiring around the tops of the enclosure because they would push and pile rocks that were in the enclosure in order to escape. As they piled the rocks in order to climb over the wall and get out. Our guide said he put the male badger back in 5 times in one day.
The next two animals we saw were the Caracul and another spotted cat. Again these two were raised by humans, being feed the wrong diet, and then the humans so learned these animals could not be domesticated. The spotted cat the center has a breading program. They have the cat raise the baby like it would as if they lived in the wild.
Caracul
The next few pens we saw were various eagles and a black ground hornbill. Several of the eagles had hurt their wings from flying into electric wiring that carry power or other human causes that the eagle have not yet and probably will not adjust to.
Ground Hornbill
Vulture
Finally we got to the last couple of enclosures. We were maybe 3 feet away from a female and male lion. The female got caught in a snare and the male once a again humans were trying to raise a wild animal. The female was spaded becaue the center would not be able to afford to pay to feed a litter of lions. She even showed us her big smile. The male is about 13 years old. The last lion they had at the center they had to put down for old age. He lived to be about 24. The typical wild male lion lives to somewhere of the age of 7-15. The last lion by far out lived his life expectancy.
The last animal we saw was the lepard. Man are those pretty. This lepard was roughly 13 years old and the center expects him to leave till about 25.
I have learned so much on this trip. It has been very educational. The Hoogle Zoo will be quite boring when we go to take Kennedy. Being so close where here in the rehabilitation center or driving around on the hunting safaris. It will never compare. This trip has been TRULY AMAZING. I am so thankful for the great people that I am able to experience this with. I am only missing one person and that is Miss Kennedy. Hopefully we can save our pennies and bring her back one day.
The guys all went back out the hunt in the afternoon. I stayed back. This is what they saw.
Al giving Kevin an atta boy. Kevin harvested the second thing he wanted to get the most on the trip.
A zebra. I refused to let Blake shoot one. They remind me too much of a horse.
But he says the next trip he will be getting one. We shall see.
Don't get got by this bush.
Preparing the Zebra for the photo shoot.
Blake, Kevin, and Al
Wayne and Kevin
After hunting Wayne took Blake and Kevin to the lodge where normally the guests stay.
Randon Pictures at Margie's House
This is a camelon. This little fellow we never got to see turn to green. He must have been quite mad is what we were thinking.
Day 9 - July 15 (fri)
This is one day Blake and Kevin did not hunt. Al and Margie took us for a drive to Margie's daughter's house 3 hours south of Margie. The trip took longer than 3 hours because they wanted to take us to some cool tourist attraction places.
Before we left we were able to see about 50 yards from us a pod of hippos.
Headed to Syliva's place.
First on our stop was sourenvior shopping. Since Blake and Kevin have been hunting there hasn't been much time for it. When we have gone to town there have not been many things that are good reminders of sourveniors. Margie was our negotiator. She did a fantastic job. We got our stuff for 50% off. We should have probably gone lower. But we got some cool stuff.
The next several places were stops that are not your typical tourist attractions. There are a few little shops from some of the local black Africans but nothing else. No restrurants, no big sourvenior store, no information booth just the sites.
The next stop on our travels was the beautiful view of 3 round top mountains and a man made reservior. The water was so blue. The canyon there the river entered into the damn was so cool. It is beyond words to describe. I was quite surprised of the lack of guard rails. The trail that we went on there were only 2 guard rails. There should have been more. Everything in between over the edge was straight down. I am a bit afarid of heights. I stayed back. Kevin got some great pictures.
Kristin and Blake
Kevin
I know I am such a rebel. Can you believe there were
no guards rails really to be found around all these cliffs?
Next on our stop was a place called Potholes. Before we entered we did some more sovenior shopping. This stop they did have a little place were you go buy some snacks, but not much more than that. Potholes is a place were two rivers converg. The canyon formations are so cool. From over all the years of water coming in and out it has craved some cool crevaous. This was in one river. The other river has some natural pools and the river seemed quite low this time of year. Which it probably should since it winter here. I wonder what it looks like when it the wet season. The landscape probably totally changes. As the two rivers come together there are a couple of waterfalls and looks like mysterious cavers where the water goes.
The next stop was lunch. We had some yummy pancakes. These are not your normal pancakes. There about the size of a plate that are rolled up with something in the middle. I a one with chicken in it, Blake has one curry of some sort, and Al has one with mince (hamburger). Margie had what I was eating and Kevin ordered an omelet.
The final tourist pit stop was was called Pilgrims Rest. It was little town that African Pilgrims would rest along their travels. This town was only about 1/2 a mile long. They still had some of the original out building. Reminded me of pioneer times when they would settle a city. At least what I picture in my mind of when the pilgrims came across from east to west in the United States.
The only bad part so far is I have got car sick several times. Needless to say I have slept the entire time while we have been driving. I feel bad cause I have missed out on the cool scenery and landscape. But for everyone's sake I think they appreciate me feeling good so I dont ahve any problems if you know what I mean.
Finally we arrived at Matthew and Sylvia's place. We had a very warm greeting and were shown to our room. We freshed up a bit and then had an amazing dinner. Sylvia is a WONDERFUL chef. Matthew also has a hunting and a photo safaris business. Syliva is the chef and Matthew is the guide for all their clients. We had sable lasgana. Not sure how it would taste but the sable tasted pretty much just like hamburger. I could not tell a different. We also a a side of garlic bread. It was super yummy. The way she made is was put some butter on the butter with fresh garlic and parlsey for garnish. If you are not a garlic lover probably not good. I think I will be trying something new the next time I make gatllic bread at home. For dessert we had a carrot cake with some cream. Not the biggest fan of carrot cake. This was delicisous. Margie's "neighbor" made it for her. She baked it in the microwave. Now I neew more receipes like this. I am suppose to be getting the receipe. Yum...
After dinner we called it a night so we good get some shut eye for another day of hunting.
Day 10 - July 16 (sat)
We didn't have to wake up quite as early. The animals here are a little slower in getting started. Reason being is we are now in the mountains. This area reminds me very mch little home. The trees and grasses are obviously different.
Before we started we had some hot chocolate and toast. While we were loading a few things Kevin and I feed the baby kudu that Matthew rescued from the bush in February this year. Cute little fellow. They are hoping that one day he will follow a herd or eventually go off on his own. They bottled feed him for a while, now he is just eating the natural grasses and leaves.
Kevin and Matthew
We all finally left to go hunting. Kevin shot all that he wanted to. So Blake was the only one hunting. We saw some wildebeest, blesbuck, moutain rebuck, clipspringer, dinker, and some bushbuck. Blake took a bushbuck. From the point he started hunting he basically shot whatever Al said to shoot. Not sure how that will all workout in the end, but it will get figured out.
Blake sighting in Matthew rifle.
A view from the top of a mountain of the truck.
Matthew, Kristin, Blake, Al and Kevin
When we came back from hunting we had a yummy breakfast. Omelet with toast, a yummy mushroon and tomato dish, fruit, and pancakes.
The little houses below is where all the hunting guest stay.
The pool, but July was too cold to swim.
It was winter while we were there.
Blake shot his bushbuck. This makes the fifth animal he has taken. Yeah, more new decoration.
Blake and Matthew
For dinner we had some lamb curry with rice, and some cooling agents - cucumbers, tomato and onion, bananas, and fruit chutney. For dessert we had a citrus and custard.
Man Sylvia is hired for my house. But little ole Clinton is quite the distance to travel for a chef. Maybe she will share her receipes.
Saturday night was a long night. I think I must have eaten something that did not agree with me. The bathroom was my friend for part of the night. All was well in the morning. Blake was fine. But as fast as it hit, I would think food poisioning, but nobody else got sick. So I figured the lamb curry must not have agreed with me.
While Sylvia was preparing to bring out the dessert she had us come out and look at the moon and the clouds. This is one of the coolest views I have ever since of the moon with clouds. Kevin took some more great and amazing pictures.
I got up and took the morning a bit slow since the night time I didnt sleep so well. Sylvia cooked us some more breakfast. We had some scrambled eggs, toast, avocado, fruit, bacon, and sausage. I only ate a bit since we were headed back in a just a bit and did not want to have an incidents along the way home.
Again I slept the whole way back. We made a pit stop. At the pit stop we finally found a doll for Kennedy for her souvenior. We made it back home had a quiet dinner and then watched the movie Grown ups.
Preparing for another day in the Africa Bush.
Day 12 - July 18 (mon)
Margie and her son Wayne have been raising Cape Buffalo as part of a group to re-introduce disease free Cape Buffalo back into the "wild". The previous wild herds were all carrying diseases so the African began to getting rid of the species. However, people did not like the idea of completely getting rid of the Cape Buffalo, so the Government started this program that takes a diseased herd and then takes all the offspring to make a disease free herd. As part of this process the animals have to been tested every quarter. We just so happened to be here for the testing process.
Setting up for the tests
The vet getting the tranquilizer ready
Vials for all the Cape Buffalo that will have their blood drawn.
Blake holding the head of a Cape Buffal0 so it face is
out of the dirt to breathe.
Kevin
Rest in betweeh shifts. The would sadate only
four Cape Buffalo at a time in the pens.
This is the gun used to shoot
the tranquilizer at the Cape Buffalo.
It reminded me of a paint ball gun.
Margie's daughter Syliva.
Kristin
Margie's grand-daughter spraying
all the entrances where the tranquilizer dart
was. The spray is to prevent infection.
Cape Buffalo are very suspetible to infection.
Blake and Kevin
Margie
Not so sure how many vets you konw who carry a gun.
Sylvia and Amber
Al and Sylvia taking all the notes of which
Cape Buffalo have and have not been tested.
Kevin and Blake
When we got to the farm, Margie has a cow cape buffalo that they had been watching for the last month because by their calculations was getting ready to cav. Finally, the last day we were there she finally had her baby. This baby they figure is about 8 hours old. Man are they strong. They let the mom and baby bond for about 8 - 12 hours and then take the calf away to bottle feed it for the next few months. This is because the cape buffalo is such an aggressive animal. Also, I believe I mentioned before, they are taking new calves from a disease herd to a disease free herd to elimited the spread of the disease.
Blake helping give the calf a bath to remove any disease
that the mother may have passed after the delivery.
that the mother may have passed after the delivery.
Taking the calf to be with all the other babies. They do
keep the smaller ones separated for about 1 month.
Croc entering the river.
Croc sunbathing
Croc swimming.
Crocs sunbathing.
Looking down the river.
Al, Kristin, and Blake
They call him Stumpy. Look at the end of his tail. Part of it is missing.
This croc was resting near the bank of the river. From the truck to this
croc we were about 10-15 feet away. I am glad I was in the truck.
Herd of Waterbuck.
Family of Baboons.
Finally, the END!
By the time this post is making it onto the blog, it will almost be a year. What a wonderful trip and very thankful I had the opportunity to go. Al is a great man that Blake works for. I am in trouble because Kennedy is already talking about the next time we go to Africa that she is coming too. I hope we are able to go again and take her.
