This Week at Angama #368

As the first light of day gently broke over the Mara Triangle plains, a breathtaking scene unfolded: a trio of elephants silhouetted against the fiery orb of the rising sun. Their trunks reached skyward in a quiet greeting to the dawn, with the warm glow reflecting off dew-kissed grass.

In a dramatic scene of predator versus prey, a determined lioness from the Egyptian Pride zeroed in on a buffalo lumbering through the tall grass. Despite the buffalo’s colossal frame and mud-caked hide, the lioness lunged forward, her powerful muscles rippling as she closed the distance.

With clouds of dust kicked into the air, each party tested the other’s resolve — horns lowered, the buffalo stood firm, and for a split second, it appeared the lionesses might gain the upper hand. Yet the buffalo’s strength prevailed, forcing the lionesses to pivot away to avoid a devastating blow.  

This brave pursuit by the lioness gained further meaning when Guide Robert and his guests later discovered the entire pride gathered with additional cubs.

It now appears that they have two separate litters, kept apart to prevent the playful older cubs from inadvertently harming or even fatally injuring their younger siblings during their play fights. 

Shujaa, one of the older male leopards in the Mara Triangle, made a brief but memorable appearance this week. He typically stays hidden, emerging only during the Great Migration when his vast territory, stretching along nearly the entire Mara River from the main crossing to the Purungat Bridge, comes alive. Guide Robert and guests waited patiently as he stirred from his nap, only to vanish quietly into a nearby forest.

Ostriches take a team approach to parenting. They lay eggs in a shared nest, with a dominant female (the 'major hen') and a male taking charge of incubation and protection from predators. Once the chicks hatch, multiple pairs help raise them, forming what looks like a nursery flock.

The adults keep the young safe, teach them to forage, and guide them across the savannah. This cooperative care lasts for months, with many chicks staying with the group until they’re about six months old and ready to fend for themselves.

Recently, we witnessed a rare sight — two leopards sharing a tree, clearly a mating pair. The restless and weary male tested the female’s interest, but she stayed calm and unresponsive. Among big cats, the female sets the pace, leaving the male with no choice but to wait. Eventually, he climbed down and disappeared into the bushes, making us wonder where he came from. Initially, we suspected he might be from the Serengeti, but recent events have made us question that theory.

Rangers reported that the well-known border female had made a kill and left to fetch her two cubs. As they neared the carcass, an unexpected intruder appeared — the same new male, still trailing the female with mating intentions. In a swift, violent move, he attacked, forcing the mother and her cubs to flee. Tragically, amid the chaos, he managed to seize one of the cubs and kill it, while the remaining pair escaped only to be separated in the frantic rush. 

Western banded snake eagles live in woodlands, mainly along rivers, but they avoid dense forests. After watching hippos in the Mara River, I spotted this unfamiliar bird of prey perched high on a tree. Guide Wilson explained that he hadn't seen the black-crested snake eagle in a few years, which suggests they might be migrating but tend to perch for long periods, making this a rare sight.

Nestled atop the rugged Out of Africa kopje, we found this vibrant agama lizard perched confidently as we went for a photoshoot. Known for their remarkable adaptability and striking colouration, these agile lizards are a common sight on rocky outcrops. They spend their mornings and afternoons basking in the warmth to boost their metabolism and display their vivid hues during territorial push-up displays.

With their bright blue and red accents, dominant males assert their presence by engaging in head-bobbing and tail-waving rituals, while more subdued females and subordinate males remain camouflaged against the stone.

Guide Robert and his guests also came across the unusual bare-faced 'go-away bird', a grey turaco marked by a distinctive crease and a predominantly white head and breast. This species is typically found in savannahs, woodlands and shrubby cultivated areas. —Japheth Supeyo

The Diederik cuckoo is a small, strikingly coloured bird found across sub-Subharan Africa. Males have a glossy green back, white underparts, and distinctive white wing spots, but females are slightly duller with more brownish tones. Both sexes of this species have a red eye ring and a slightly curved beak. They feed primarily on insects, especially caterpillars, as seen in the photograph.

A unique characteristic of most cuckoos is that they practice brood parasitism, meaning they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds like weavers, bishops, and finches. This reproductive strategy ensures the cuckoo’s dependency and survival of its species without the need to care for its young. The female watches for a host bird to leave its nest, then quickly lays her egg. Their chick hatches faster than the host’s eggs, often pushing out the others. The unsuspecting host parents raise the young cuckoo as their own, even if it grows much larger than their species. 

Of the nineteen ostrich eggs we featured last week, only eight hatched. A few days later, just seven chicks remain. Both parents play a crucial role in caring for the young for several months. When we approached the family, the male fiercely defended his young with powerful kicks and aggressive displays while the female led them to safety. Despite their parents' protection, many ostriches do not survive to adulthood due to predation. However, they rely on their speed — being fast runners from an early age — and their ability to blend into their surroundings for survival. 

The butcher bird is a species of shrike found in East Africa. It is recognizable by its contrasting black-and-white plumage and long tail, which enhances its elegant appearance.

The long-tailed fiscal is a highly territorial bird often found in small groups or pairs. On a safari in the Sanctuary, we found this male performing a courtship display, including chirping and sometimes offering food to the food.

Elephant tusks are elongated incisor teeth made of ivory that grow continuously throughout an elephant’s life. Tusks serve different functions, from foraging, digging, defensive fighting and lifting or moving objects.

Some elephants naturally have shorter, curved, or no tusks due to genetic variations. Mutations can cause them to grow unusually — twisted or uneven —while early-life injuries like cracks, breaks, or infections may also lead to irregular growth. Though these differences don’t always impact survival, they can affect feeding, defence, and interactions with other elephants.

Always a star and a must see for Amboseli visitors is Craig, who never dissapoints. His gentle demeanour, never skittish of agressive, allows you to enjoy his gagantic presence. –Robert Sayialel