This Week at Angama #372

Cheetahs continue to be a spectacular sight in the Triangle, delighting visitors with their presence. This week, we encountered these two males, who have established their territory in the northern part of the Triangle, ranging from Maji ya Ndege to Kichwa Tembo airstrip.

According to Dr. Elena from the Mara-Meru Cheetah Conservation, these individuals migrated from the Serengeti in Tanzania and are currently identified by their codes, M154 and M155, as they have not yet been officially named. Traditionally, rangers and Maasai Mara guides assign names to wildlife based on their behaviour, appearance, and other distinctive traits.

During this sighting, M154 and M155 were quietly enjoying their successful male impala kill, but their feast soon drew the attention of scavengers. Taking turns keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings, the cheetahs eventually abandoned the remains, allowing vultures to move in and claim their share. 

In other cheetah news, we found the three Siligi males near the border moving lazily between patches of shade. They appeared well-fed, suggesting they had recently enjoyed a meal and were taking it easy. With the short grass in this area, there is an abundance of prey for these three and other predators.

Oribi is a small, elegant antelope found in sub-Saharan Africa, thriving in open grasslands and savannahs. This graceful grassland antelope is known for its agility and sharp eyesight, and it is well-adapted to avoid predators. Standing about 20-25 inches at shoulder height, Oribi has a tawny brown coat with a white belly, throat, and chin. They have a distinctive black tail and white eye-ring, and males have short, straight horns. 

Grey-crowned cranes lay two to four eggs, which hatch after 28–31 days of incubation. Thereafter, both parents take turns incubating the eggs. Newly hatched chicks are covered in soft, brownish-down feathers.

Unlike many other birds, the chicks are precocial, meaning they can walk and follow their parents within hours of hatching. At around 2–3 months, the chick will develop its iconic golden crest feathers, and by one year, the magnificent bird will closely resemble its parents. 

The golden hues of the sun stretched over the Mara Triangle, casting a warm glow across the plains. The young Owino male lion moved swiftly through the tall grass, his powerful strides filled with purpose. As he walked, he let out deep roars and marked his territory, spraying scent on thickets along the way. 

His journey led him past Makaburini, where he suddenly halted, his gaze locked onto a massive African cape buffalo trailing behind its herd a few kilometres away. Instinct took over as the lion transitioned from a brisk pace to a stealthy stalk.

Each step was precise — one wrong move and his hunt would end. However, he had overlooked a crucial factor — the wind. Blowing in the buffalo’s direction, it carried the lion’s scent straight to his intended prey.

The buffalo, now on high alert, stopped in its tracks, sensing danger. The lion, just metres away, launched into a chase, but the tables turned instantly. Instead of fleeing, the buffalo stood its ground, staring down its pursuer with unwavering defiance.

In a flash, the buffalo charged, sending the startled lion retreating into the grass. We followed the defeated predator as he climbed onto a termite mound, scanning the plains. His hunt had failed — but now, he was already strategising his next move. — Robert Sayialel

As dawn broke over the corridor leading to Amboseli National Park, Guide Salash steered his vehicle through the rain-soaked tracks, the sky still heavy with the promise of more downpours. His guests, eyes wide and cameras at the ready, were excited at the prospect of reaching the park before the morning light faded. Little did they know the drama that awaited them along the muddy path. 

They first saw the mother giraffe in the distance, her long body moving nervously across the drenched savannah. She was agitated, pacing and swinging her neck. As they approached, Salash noticed shapes flickering nearby—hyenas and two jackals. In the middle lay a heartbreaking sight: a baby giraffe, caked in mud, still. Likely born during the rain, it had struggled in the slick terrain and slipped in the mud or succumbed to exhaustion. It was clear that life had left it.

Now, nature’s cleanup crew had gathered, driven by instinct and hunger. The hyenas had already begun to feast, their powerful jaws tearing through the baby giraffe’s remains. They snarled and snapped at one another, each vying for a better position at the carcass. The jackals hovered at the periphery, darting in and out to snatch small morsels whenever the hyenas let their guard down.  

Soon after entering the Park, they spotted a cheetah mum with three grown cubs. This family is different from the one previously seen with five grown cubs. It now appears the Amboseli is home to two thriving cheetah families. If both continue to do well — and at least three males and females between them — this is a positive sign for the cheetah population.

A few hours into Amboseli’s vast marshlands, we stumbled upon a heartwarming scene: a towering matriarch dusting herself in a gentle cloud of sand while her newborn calf, barely a few days old, wobbled at her feet. The calf appeared mesmerised by its mother’s every move, its trunk reaching tentatively for guidance and reassurance. Though still shaky on its legs, it was clear the young elephant’s spirit was already strong.

Meanwhile, the mother, with ears flared and trunk swinging, stood watchful and protective. A captured moment of the fierce devotion to motherhood and the promise of new life in the heart of Amboseli National Park. 

While driving through the Sanctuary one afternoon with Guide Salash and his guests, we encountered birds of prey. A martial eagle was perched on a dead acacia tree when she lost her balance while fluffing her feathers and tumbled from the branch in a rather amusing mishap.  

Unfazed, she quickly spread her impressive wings and took off as if to hide her brief moment of clumsiness. Soon, she settled on another branch where her juvenile chick was waiting, offering a captivating glimpse of both a fully grown eagle and its developing offspring. The stark contrast in their wingspans was remarkable.  

Above, an African fish eagle observed the scene, poised to descend and gather nesting materials. Yet she seemed content to avoid confrontation with the larger, more dominant birds nearby. 

As we returned, we spotted a brown snake eagle perched near the Lodge. Recognising the inherent threat posed by birds of prey, a vigilant lilac-breasted roller took swift action to defend its nearby nest. Displaying remarkable bravery, the roller repeated mock dives at the eagle, even daring to swoop just above its head to drive the predator away. 

In the dappled light of the afternoon, an amethyst sunbird flits gracefully among vibrant aloe flowers just outside the Photography Studio. Its long, curved beak slips easily into the tubular blossoms, drawing out nectar with precision.

This clever design gives it exclusive access to energy-rich food and makes it a master pollinator—every sip helps the aloes reproduce. Perched lightly on a slender stem, its brush-tipped tongue dances into action, benefiting both the bird and the bloom. 

It's not every day you see a female buffalo mounting a male, but this unusual behaviour could’ve been a clear sign that she was on heat. While male buffaloes typically initiate courtship by pursuing a receptive female, sometimes a female will mount the male first to make her intentions unmistakably clear.

Buffaloes are highly social creatures, and cues like scent, vocalisations, and physical gestures all play a role in their breeding rituals. In this instance, the female’s bold move likely served as a way to test the male’s receptivity and strength before allowing him to mate. 

When the female becomes receptive, she often stays close to her chosen male, nudging or rubbing against him to signal her readiness. If he reciprocates, a brief courtship follows, ultimately leading to mating.

In the Sanctuary, the resident herd continues to thrive, evidenced by its growing numbers. They face minimal predation since our local lions tend to go after easier prey like warthogs, which are also abundant here. — Japheth Supeyo