The Maasai Mara has been abuzz with activity over the past week, and the Big Cat scene has been no exception. With the first of what is believed to be the short rains falling on the parched plains, the herbivores are becoming restless in anticipation of the first new shoots of grass sprouting over the coming days. The situation has been very bad, particularly for the poor hippos, many of which have been seen in the middle of the day, in temperatures of up to 35°C, frantically scrabbling for a few shoots of dry grass. We have counted quite a few hippos dead, either on plains or near the river. The vultures and hyenas are, of course, having a feast.
Lions
The lions too have rarely had it this easy to bring down prey. The prides close to the rivers have taken to hunting those hippos too weak to fight them off. We have also seen a few gazelles coming down to the river to quench their thirst in the remaining pools, and getting stuck in thick mud. The lions then literally walk up to them and take their pick. Realising this opportunity, one clever female from the Ridge pride moved her cubs close to a pool just north of Mara Intrepids/Explorer and laid in wait for the animals to come to them. She has so far killed several gazelles and a zebra in the same spot.
There was some dramatic action on the night of January 8th, when the Olkiombo and Ridge prides met along the Talek River just behind Mara Explorer. There ensued a serious territorial fight that saw one female from the Ridge pride killed. We believe this was in fact a revenge mission, because last year the Ridge pride killed a female from the Olkiombo pride. The cause of the conflict are undoubtedly two brothers from the Ridge pride, which have been moving in on the Olkiombo females in recent weeks. Their chance came when the two dominant males from the Olkiombo pride disappeared south, for reasons unknown, giving the brothers a chance to oversee both prides. Although the situation may work out well for the two males, it has created a great deal of animosity between the prides’ females – the results of which have already proved fatal.
Leopards
Bella, our main leopard star, was seen throughout the past week, as was the Kissinger female with her sub adult cub. Chui, Bella’s male cub, has stayed away from his mother for a month now, which we see as confirmation of the beginning of his adult independence. He is not seen as often as his mother, which is typical of male leopards.
Ntito, Bella’s previous female cub, has also been seen in the past week, albeit irregularly. On January 15th, she killed a zebra foal just in front of the dining area at Mara Explorer, much to the excitement of our guests, who had to abandon their lunch to witness the drama. When we went to check on the scene later, we found another two dead zebra foals at the same spot. Unbeknown to us, Ntito had established a regular hunting spot right underneath our noses!
Zawadi, meanwhile, is said to have given birth very close to Olonana Camp.
Cheetahs
Kike the cheetah came and settled near to our camps this week. Although this was a welcome development for our guests and guides, it was unfortunate to see her without cubs, confirming our suspicions that she has lost yet another litter to the lions at Bila Shaka. The three male cheetahs were also seen this week, as was another female towards Lookout Hill.
Be on the lookout for more Big Cat news in next week’s Cats’ Cradle – exclusively through the eagle eyes of the guides and guests of Heritage Hotels! And remember: please send us any news of your own cat sightings, to pkirui@mitsuminet.com.
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