This Week at Angama #371

While on a safari along the banks of the Mara River, guest Oliver Olsons captured something unique this week. Lions from the Greater Mara chased a zebra, which tried to escape by plunging into the river — only to be caught by the jaws of crocodiles.

As they fed on the carcass, they drifted too close to a pod of hippos, who are highly territorial and sceptical of anyone who invades their territory. Unaware at first, the crocodiles continued to thrash and tear the zebra into chunks.

It wasn't long before a dominant hippo, agitated by the chaos, stepped in to show who was boss. Fueled by testosterone, he lunged at the crocodile — just missing it as the reptile used its agility to dart away.

The hippo walked towards the zebra carcass and tried to bite it, perhaps to move it from his territory. Hippos are herbivores, so seeing this behaviour is highly unusual, but when you only have large teeth to use, it happens from time to time. The hippo soon lost interest and eventually walked off — perhaps feeling he'd made his point.

After all the commotion, we were shocked to see a brave Thomson's gazelle decide to cross the crocodile and hippo-infested waters from the Mara Triangle to the Greater Mara, where the grass was greener. Crossing this river takes a lot of courage, but sometimes luck falls into place.

As a photographer, I know that a shift in perspective can transform a scene from ordinary to extraordinary. By positioning the camera behind one giraffe and using its legs and patterned coat as a natural frame, I drew the viewer’s eye straight to the giraffe in the distance.

This composition not only highlights the intricate markings on the foreground giraffe but also emphasises the vastness of the surrounding landscape. The result is a dynamic interplay between foreground and background that tells a richer, more layered story than a straightforward shot ever could. 

From a creative standpoint, the key takeaway is to look for unconventional angles that showcase your subject in a fresh light. Instead of capturing a giraffe head-on or from a typical vantage point, this photo invites us to view the savannah through a giraffe’s own silhouette.

By experimenting with framing devices, be it an archway, a window, or even another living creature, you can guide your audience’s attention, evoke curiosity, and spark a sense of wonder. Whether photographing wildlife, architecture, or everyday scenes, seeking out a novel perspective allows you to inject personality into your work and create an image that resonates with viewers on a deeper level. 

Baboons are remarkable primates whose early life stages provide a window into the intricate social structures and nurturing behaviours that define their communities. From a gestation period of around six months, female baboons give birth to single infants characterized by their black fur and bright pink skin.

The bond between mother and baby is immediately evident at birth as the infant clings to its mother. This vital survival tactic continues as the young one starts to explore its surroundings within just a couple of weeks. This close maternal care ensures that the baby not only receives protection but also the essential early lessons in navigating its complex world. 

Around five to six weeks, these infants begin riding on their mother’s back, gripping firmly with all four limbs, a significant step towards mobility. Between the ages of four and six months, while they gradually become more self-reliant, the mother's constant presence reinforces a secure base for learning.

Beyond physical growth, baboon infants learn the vital art of communication and the social cues required for life in a troop. With lifespans reaching up to 30 years in the wild, these social interactions and early life experiences pave the way for a well-integrated life within a troop, where protection and social learning are paramount. —Rio Marvin

Guests and members of the Angama Amboseli team had the rare privilege of witnessing a remarkable moment in Kimana Sanctuary. Osunash, one of the resident male lions and the elder of the two, had his tracking collar removed. Amboseli Guides alerted the Big Life Foundation after noticing the collar was causing him significant discomfort. At Angama, we deeply value the well-being of the wildlife we coexist with, prioritising their health and safety. 

Osunash was once a notorious troublemaker, frequently raiding nearby bomas and preying on livestock. This growing tension with the neighbouring communities of Kimana and its surroundings seriously threatened him and the Sanctuary’s delicate balance.

So, to prevent further escalation, the Lion Guardians, in partnership with Big Life, fitted him with a tracking collar. When he wandered too close to the villages, patrols guided him back to safety — reducing the risk of human-wildlife conflict. 

The strategy worked. With Male 263, Osunash gradually stopped preying on livestock and began hunting wild prey, especially warthogs. Ongoing monitoring helped reinforce this behaviour, and he now survives entirely on natural game. However, as Osunash thrived, he also grew in size, and the once-secure collar became too tight, causing irritation and wounds on his neck.

After careful discussions with the Lion Guardians and Big Life Foundation, it was decided that his collar would be removed for his well-being. The teams will continue to observe him closely to ensure he does not revert to his old habits, but Osunash is now free of his collar. 

Male 263 and one of the females observed the entire process intently, as we soon discovered they had been together just moments before Osunash was darted. Both lions appeared well-fed and in excellent condition. Male 263, in particular, displayed clear signs of mating behaviour, closely following the female’s every move. 

As we drove through the corridor to Amboseli National Park, the blossoms of the acacia mellifera were a stunning sight. These flowers are known as the wait-a-bit thorn or 'Ngoja Kidogo' in Swahili, meaning 'wait a little'. Stretching across the entire corridor, these trees are in full bloom, and as the rainy season continues, their flowers will soon give way to fresh leaves, transforming the landscape.

It was a mesmerising moment to witness a pelican’s graceful take off. With its expansive wings outstretched, the bird used a series of powerful wingbeats while skimming across the water’s surface, each thrust sending water into the air. Its webbed feet pushed off in quick bursts, creating just enough momentum to break free from the lake’s calm embrace.

The pelican’s wings caught the air currents as it gathered speed, lifting it smoothly. A nearby hippo watched as the pelican moved with surprising skill through their shared habitat.

As we continued to explore Amboseli National Park, a pair of crowned cranes were working together, the adults guiding their chicks, teaching them how to forage for insects, small reptiles, and seeds. Their tall stature and distinctive golden crowns provide a visual beacon for the young birds, who rely on these cues to stay close.

Even as the chicks grow more independent, crowned crane families maintain close bonds, with both parents protecting the brood from predators and harsh weather. This cooperative rearing strategy will ensure these chicks have the best possible start in life.

One of the most heartwarming sights was this family of giraffes gathered in a tight group, with three calves in the centre. The male gently groomed each youngster, showing the care these majestic creatures offer their offspring. Using their height, the adults stay alert for danger — just as the females did here. If a threat appears, they instinctively place themselves between the calves and the predator, ready to defend with powerful kicks. This watchfulness helps the calves grow and thrive under their family’s guardianship. —Japheth Supeyo