july 22 updated

July 22, 2016 

Another early morning today!  

Had to motivate the Land Rover again!

The moon was out for a while after the sun came up.

We started out again checking the traps and cameras.  We were able to see zebras, giraffes, and wildebeests grazing first thing too!  The zebra are very naughty!  Yesterday we watched them chase some warthogs around. This morning they were chasing baboons.  

 

Serious props to Lovisa!  She didn’t think she was going to be able to touch the meat to bait the traps…after one trap she was a pro and was ok with it!  Ally, not a fan of rotten meat in the morning!

The cattle on Ian’s farm checking out the land rover

I’m on top of the world!!

Looking for some of the collared animals that were released in the area.  They have such a huge home range the chances of us being able to pick them up are slim to none though.

Still making the scent trail!

Zebra chasing the warthogs

We came across a dead female wildebeest, poaching was an initial concern but the owners of the property said they have been watching her for a little while and she was not doing well.  

This is one huge tick!!

She was covered in ticks!!

Her incisors were extremely worn down.

Is anyone surprised that I’m the one there touching and looking at the dead animal…opening it’s mouth…looking at ticks...and anything else!!  A necropsy was performed on her to make sure there was nothing wrong with her, other than old age.  The animal was then cut up and meat was given to workers on the farm.

There are guards on one of the properties at night and during the day because of the poaching problem.  The downfall of that is though, that with several hundred acres to patrol, and one guard on a bike, how quickly can they get from end to end?  But they do what they can to protect the animals.  The police don't do much about it. They have other priorities so the chances of them responding, between the stay aways, lack of transportation and cost of fuel, are not good.  

Most of the vehicles here are diesel. It is cheaper for them and they are longer lasting and sturdier.  

One final hike before we leave!  Good bye Matopos!

We are back at the orphanage!  Checked all the traps and cameras this morning!  Another group of volunteers will be back on Wednesday.  Having a bar b q for Ryan's birthday tonight!