Hyena Jackal hippo carc

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Geo: -30.5595, 22.9375

Out the gate and decided to check out what was happening at the Orpen dam. There was not much left of the poor hippo. The jackals and vultures were the ones on the scene. It is sad to see what is
happening to this dam. Since we have arrived here in this waterhole has been drying up. When we went there yesterday, there was one hippo left in the water. Think it was the mother of the poor hippo that got taken. Someone said this was the mother and she was afraid to get out of the water and will either die there or be taken by the predators. All of the fish (barbels) were flopping around and will probably die. Someone said they can dig down into the mud and may survive if the rains come.

Saw some nice game along the way., We had decided to go to Orpen and visit the picnic area and work on our stories for a while. BUT...on the way, took a side trip to our favorite waterhole area. We
pulled down to the view point and saw impala and zebra down on the sand. The impala began alerting and the zebra seemed nervous as well. We never saw what they were nervous about but think it could have been a leopard. They can be right beside you and you never see them!

Continued on toward Orpen gate. Saw two tawny eagles; one with something in his talons and would not share with the other one. Did a short walk at Orpen when we got there and stopped and visite d with a couple about possible places to see wild dog, cheetah and sable. Fixed lunch at the picnic area and worked on stories.

Saw some lovely nyala on the way back. Pulled down a side road where there were several cars. A
leopard had killed an impala and had eaten some and then gone off. These people were waiting to see if it would return. Must be staying at Orpen or right outside the gate. Since we were at Satara
continued on our way.

Had a quick dinner and went to watch the movie at the ampitheater. Called "Mortal Enemies" and was about the relationship between the lion and hyena. Pretty gruesome in places but understand why you roll the windows up around hyenas. Back to the camp where we had a glass of wine before calling it another great day!

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