Kenya the fabulous; Wild dogs of Laikipia; Malaika the show-stopper;Fantastic Mara Toto and Who said cheetahs are not seen too much in the Mara?

[madaboutcheetah]

 

Thanks @@twaffle and @@Safaridude

 

What a whacky week this is ...... Just saw a facebook update from Entim camp - their guide saved Malaika's 5 cubs by getting out of the vehicle and physically shooing away a Hyena clan that was after them and got help from other guides too ........... Mara! you either get it or you don't!!!!

 

 

Hmmm. I am against this sort of intervention. I have opined extensively on this in other threads. How mad would be "@madabouthyena" about this?

 

 

I'm going to be a hypocrite right now and say this ...... In the Mara, there are so many instances of human pressure on cheetahs - why not, help them here. Does it off-set? ........ Bear in mind, the most idiotic thing was done by the KWS in 2007 - One of Honey's cubs were injured and KWS darted Honey to treat the cub - eventually ended up killing her!

[Safaridude]

Start darting those idiotic drivers who hassle the cheetahs… that's a better solution.

[madaboutcheetah]

I agree!!! They really must do something about the number of camps and lodges in the mara ......... I saw one or two new ones that popped up! Some French camp"melting Pot" the more recent addition.

Edited October 30, 2014 by madaboutcheetah

[madaboutcheetah]

A quick introduction to Malaika and her cubs ....... Having spent so many hours with them; it's easy to get emotionally attached and hence they are in my prayers for long term survival. They waited it out on this mound for a while as they were able to see Lazy Lions out in the horizon across the look out plains .... once they moved into the bushes, they were on the move again ..... Speaking to Dr.Elena of the Mara Meru project, apparently Malaika had a litter in March or so this year - but, her den in Paradise plains/Rhino Ridge area (?) was so Lion dense that she was not successful. Let's toast to a successful future to this litter..........

 

Maybe one trip, I will make it a point to visit a Hyena den and spend sufficient time to feel the same? Atleast at Kwando, there always seems to be one!

Edited October 31, 2014 by madaboutcheetah

[SafariChick]

Loving the report! Hoping I will get to see Malaika and her cubs (bigger!) when I'm there in February

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks @@SafariChick ......... I do hope you will see them in February!!!

 

I did manage to find an image or two of the lazy "Handsome" who is Mohawk's Coalition mate...... Duo better known as, "The Double Cross Males" from the famous landmark.

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks @@SafariChick ......... I do hope you will see them in February!!!

 

I did manage to find an image or two of the lazy "Handsome" who is Mohawk's Coalition mate...... Duo better known as, "The Double Cross Males" from the famous landmark.

[michael-ibk]

Lovely pics of Malaika and her cubs! I really hope they make it as well, and against what my head tells me about intervention like with the hyena incident mentioned above, my heart says they should get all the help possible in order to survive.

 

About the hyenas ... there IS a den with young ones near Governor´s, and watching the babies there was wonderful.

[madaboutcheetah]

Some images captured in the middle of the day ..... Those big Skies with the wide open spaces - Heaven!!!

 

I'm not a huge birder, but, anytime I see a Ground Hornbill feed I need to get one of these tossing shots!!!

[madaboutcheetah]

While Malaika was taking a snooze with the cubs; we drove around the Look out/Sand River area a little bit to explore the area (esp the Sand River) - have lots of scenic shots on my iphone that needs to be edited

We came across who we think maybe one of Notch's sons (?)

[madaboutcheetah]

Flashback FEB, 2012

 

I'm glad I met Dr.Elena from the Mara Meru Cheetah project, as I plan to send images of these cheetah (Side profile with the legs; both sides) to her to see who exactly they are and if they've been seen recently ........ I'm hoping to start a thread soon to see how Safaritalk members can pass on images to help the project.

 

[Zim Girl]

Love the shot of the 3 wildebeest grazing in post 59.

[Marks]

I'd be really interested in a cheetah project thread. I have some shots of a female and cub that had come into the reserve from MNC in 2012 that I'd like to submit, too. She was just called MNC Female at the time iirc; would be neat to see where she ended up.

 

The last few posts were great. I find the intervention debate endlessly fascinating. I often see writers/filmmakers justify it in the case of Mara cheetahs in particular, due to their population status. Can't help but feel badly about the hyenas, though.

[Kitsafari]

@@madaboutcheetah following this report very diligently and taking notes on who to look out for in February too.

 

Handsome looks older than his brother, but I love how he crosses his paws. Lovely shots of Malaika's cubs. May we see them all grown up in Feb!

Edited October 31, 2014 by Kitsafari

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks @@Zim Girl @@Marks and @@Kitsafari

 

I shall start a seperate thread re the Mara Meru Cheetah project - they do appreciate images for their data base from any year(even really old ones) and any part of the Mara and possibly even the Northern Serengeti because the cheetah can easily cross the Sand River (usually very low) onto the other side.

 

@@Kitsafari - I do hope you see Malaika and cubs - but, there shall also most likely be a whole new cast of characters that may pop up in Feb.

Edited November 1, 2014 by madaboutcheetah

[madaboutcheetah]

Can't get enough of "Them big Mara Skies" ; Stormy big skies here!

Edited November 1, 2014 by madaboutcheetah

[madaboutcheetah]

Meet Rani the cheetah ......... I have never encountered a cheetah feed in the open plains like this -

 

We had hung out with her all afternoon about two minutes from Mara Toto in a little woodland vegetation. She seemed interested, but, restful. She finally took off late in the evening into the woodland and out the other side ....... There was no chance of us capturing the chase or kill, unfortunately. Infact, it took about 10 minutes to locate her as we had to cross one of those shallow river crossings to get to the other side.

 

We only know this is Rani via the Mara Meru Cheetah project as Dr.Elena was over the moon when she viewed my photos on the camera display monitor - Rani hadn't been spotted in several months (possibly up in the escarpment?)

[madaboutcheetah]

Btw, Rani was born in 2008 to the famous Shakira.

 

When you feed out in the open like that - there comes trouble! ......... The circle of life!!!

[michael-ibk]

Awesome sequence, Hari!

 

"The Rani" ... Love that name. (Only Dr. Who fans will understand. )

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks @@michael-ibk ....

 

Life goes on for Rani ............

 

We spent the entire following day with Malaika and cubs at look out - guides from Mara Plains did mention that Rani was very much still in the immediate vicinity. We made a half ditch attempt on my final morning - weren't able to track her down, unfortunately

Edited November 1, 2014 by madaboutcheetah

[Safaridude]

Great skies!

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks @@Safaridude

 

Murphy's law strikes again ala 2007!!!! I think I mentioned earlier that the two Coalition Cheetah brothers just came into the OMC as I was driving to the airstrip ........ We did get word each during the previous days that they were somewhere between Lemek and Mara North Conservancies (I did not want to go there as Malaika and Cubs were a priority). Would you know it - the've been in the OMC for a few days now and killed a Wildebeest ..... Just saw it on the GPC page.

 

This reminds me of 2007, where the then Cheetah brothers (Blood brothers) came into Lebala the same evening I left!!!

Edited November 1, 2014 by madaboutcheetah

[marg]

@@madaboutcheetah Murphy! On our first trip, last camp Duba Plains, last day the lions made a kill. The next morning the Duba Boys arrived. We were heading home and missed them.

[graceland]

Great shots Hari of the hyena and cheetah. At least she got an "amuse bouche" as the hyena got the main. Skies are lovely as well. Really enjoying your trek around the Mara.

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks @@marg and @@graceland ....... Oh yes, the famous Duba boys!!! Possibly the longest reign at the top for Male Lions?

 

Here's Malaika and her cubs .......

Edited November 2, 2014 by madaboutcheetah