nature

Two moments in Namibia we will never forget ::

Before lunchtime, off the road, a lioness devouring her dead prey. She was closing her eyes and panting hard.

We realised when she stood up... she was pregnant & the hunt plus pigging out must have tired her out.

We reversed the car & were shocked. The skin of the zebra were flapping desolately in the wind. The rangers we spoke to back at our camp said the kill happened around daybreak & they had been there the whole morning.

We came across this scene just after daybreak on the third day in Etosha National Park. I was so affected by it that I couldnt stomach breakfast after that.

First we saw a herd of impala scuttle across the road at great speed. Another car was opposite us along the road so we both stopped. I turned & saw a lone impala lying on the ground, then he got up & limped across the road, with a herd of 10 jackals nipping at his hind legs. They bit the bloody legs and circled him while he continued limping slowly, trying to escape. The 2 cars were just facing them & we couldnt do anything.

I was screaming at F who insisted we couldnt interfere with nature. "Please horn! Frighten the jackals away!" Finally he pressed but the jackals stopped for a moment, then continued at the impala's heels. Eventually he collapsed in the grass, while the jackals surrounded him and probably ate him alive.

That's nature for us i guess.. I just wish it could be easier?

This is a part of the world we live in, something which happens everyday, as sure as the sun rises. It made me realise once again, how insignificant our battles & gripes can be, compared to the vastness of our earth and its inhabitants.