This just in from The Great Lion Project diaries...

Posted by James Whiteman on 6th Jun 2013

This just in from our friends at The Great Lion Project:

"We've had an exciting few days here on The Great Lion Project, with lions, elephants and honey badgers being some of the highlights!

On Saturday in Mahoed Clearing, the team saw two honey badgers running around like crazy, as well as a genet in the Nyala tree. The honey badgers also seem to like base camp as in the last 2 nights we had visits… one of them came very close to Koos' house before disappearing again into the bushes.

Sunday was an amazing day for sightings. On the afternoon drive the team saw Acacia the lioness and her cubs on Rhino Ridge; Acacia was being shy but the cubs were as curious as ever! The team also got radio tracking signal for the elephants in the dark and when they went to investigate they found the elephants in Galon Dam, splashing around and having a refreshing bath after sundown.

Koos also took volunteers on a bush walk on Sunday. They were out in the bush for an hour and a half in an effort to help with anti-poaching patrols. Not only did they see a rhino, but they also saw 2 elephants and discovered a wildebeest carcass that seemed to have been killed by lions!

On Monday afternoon, the volunteers were very lucky as they have had a great visual of a caracal that was sitting in the middle of the road! He was very relaxed, and spent a few minutes watching the car, inquisitive and happy to be admired before slowly walking back into the bushes...amazing! It is so rare to see this beautiful small cat.
This morning's drive was filled with fabulous visuals! Volunteers have seen 4 of the big five! The drive started with a visual of a small group of rhinos. While looking for lionesses Selati, Matumi and Mica, volunteers saw eland, kudu, giraffe and some nice birds of prey.

The radio signal for the girls was between Tankview Main and Willie Cutline, and Sabrina had to off-road for about 400m to get a visual of them. The eagle-eyed G-J also discovered a wildebeest kill that the lionesses just made the night before… Selati, Mica and Matumi were fast asleep after the great meal - they didn't even move their heads when we got to see them!

The game drive ended with the sighting of 2 male elephants fighting just a few metres from the car and leopard tracks (it is a pity we couldn't have a visual!). This afternoon's drive will focus on Acacia and Mbhurri, who is walking a lot on patrol around the reserve in these past days…"

For more information, including how to join The Great Lion Project, click here.

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