This Week at Angama #381

During a drive into the heart of Amboseli National Park, we were treated to a thrilling sighting: a mother cheetah with five healthy cubs. This is a powerful sign of hope for a healthy cheetah population in the region.

Cheetahs are among Africa’s most vulnerable big cats, facing threats from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and dwindling prey. Spotting a mother raising five cubs in the wild is rare. Cheetah cubs have a low survival rate due to predation and environmental pressures. The fact that multiple cheetah families are being reported in the area points to a promising trend for the long-term stability of this iconic species within the ecosystem. 

Elephant tusks are vital tools that serve numerous purposes throughout their lives. While all African elephants have tusks, males typically grow much larger because they need them to perform tasks beyond digging and stripping bark. They are also required for fighting. The size of tusks helps to display their strength and assert dominance, especially during musth.

Females don't need to display their dominance the same way, and their tusks are more for self-defence and practical tasks like digging for water or uprooting plants. Some older female elephants, however, can grow long, elegant tusks, usually slimmer than males.

Seeing such mature females with impressive tusks is a positive sign of successful conservation efforts and protection from poaching. Far from being mere ivory, tusks are essential tools, weapons, and social symbols that play a crucial role in elephant survival and shaping their ecosystems.

In 2020, the Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE) recorded a remarkable baby boom, with over 200 elephant calves born, significantly higher than the usual birth rate. This surge in births was attributed to a combination of favourable weather conditions and effective conservation efforts. The abundant rains of 2018 and 2019 led to lush vegetation and plentiful water sources, creating ideal conditions for elephant health and reproduction.

Encouragingly, this positive trend appears to be continuing. In the current season, numerous elephant calves have been spotted during game drives, signalling another strong year for elephant births.

A great white pelican in flight is a breathtaking sight. With its massive wingspan reaching 3 metres, we watched as it soared towards Mount Kilimanjaro. The pelicans' large, pale bodies contrast beautifully against the blue sky, while the black flight feathers on their wings create a striking pattern in motion.

Sometimes you can find these giant birds riding thermals in large numbers, gracefully with minimal effort. As they glide, their long necks tuck back with their bright yellow-orange bill leading the way.

Blooming Acacia seyal trees dominate the Amboseli-Kimana Sanctuary corridor. Their blossoms attract wildlife like the gerenuk and the elusive lesser kudu. These antelopes are remarkable at camouflaging. Their distinctive vertical white stripes mimic shafts of light filtering through the canopy, blending seamlessly into the dense vegetation. Naturally shy, they prefer thickets and avoid open areas, making sightings rewarding for the keen-eyed observer. 

We continued through the corridor, with a fantastic view of the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the savannah. Framed perfectly, a young giraffe stood at the bottom surrounded by acacia trees.  

Several elephant bulls are currently in musth, including this remarkable 36-year-old male named Per. Sporting an impressive set of tusks, Per has made his way from Amboseli National Park into Kimana Sanctuary in search of a mate. Exuding confidence, he moved with swagger, and his deep, resonant rumble echoed across the plains. As he roamed, he frequently paused to dust himself, while the steady stream of his pungent-smelling urine, a key sign of musth, marked his powerful presence. – Robert Sayialel 

It was striking to spot a dark chanting goshawk one quiet day. It sat quietly on a branch, observing its surroundings. Usually, you only see this bird perched like this, but you rarely get to see it hunt. Luckily, Guide Johnny and his guest Mr Doggett were in the right place at the right time.

As Mr Doggett focused his camera on the bird, it suddenly darted down, locking onto something in the tall grass. Quickly, it grabbed a blind snake with its sharp talons and flew to a nearby tree, where it settled to enjoy its catch out of sight. It was a fantastic sight, a perfect example of the goshawk’s speed and skill. 

Male cheetahs often form coalitions, a team effort that boosts their chances of survival. By sticking together, they share the responsibility of watching out for danger and defending each other. This teamwork also allows them to go after bigger prey than a cheetah can handle alone. They work together to stalk and surprise their prey from different sides, increasing their chances of success.

These close bonds are kept strong through grooming and acts of affection, whether after a meal or during early mornings when it’s still cool. You might find them huddled close, just like these two.

True to its name, the black-chested snake-eagle has a dark chest. Its head, back, and wings are blackish, creating a bold contrast with its nearly pure white lower breast and belly. It also sports a banded tail and yellow eyes.

Though mostly solitary by day, these magnificent eagles prefer to hunt, perch, and fly alone outside of breeding season. Like many eagle species, they form a strong, monogamous bond, often pairing for life. They return to the same nest site yearly, reinforcing their connection through elaborate courtship rituals, including dramatic aerial displays, to strengthen their pair bonds. 

The Border Pride’s cubs look especially adorable, and Mr. Dogget managed to capture all the litters together in one frame that made it clear the cubs differed in age, although the age gap isn't that vast between them. The Pride usually descends from the hill under the cover of darkness to hunt, and if you’re an early riser, you might catch them making their way back across the savannah toward their hilltop rest spot.

The older cubs are kept separate from the younger ones to prevent accidental injuries during play, as their rougher play can unintentionally harm the smaller cubs. It’s still tricky to determine the number of males and females in the group, but we look forward to watching them grow and develop into a strong, thriving pride. 

A leopard’s eyes speak volumes, a silent language that captures the essence of the wild. They can reveal calm, curiosity, tension, or intent in a single glance. They are a canvas of emotion, revealing moments of peaceful serenity or sudden tension at the sight of prey or the approach of a rival — the subtle shifts in their gaze, from soft and contemplative to piercing and focused.

For a moment, the mystery lifts, offering a glimpse into the mind of one of nature’s most elusive predators.

We were lucky to witness the Border female leopard with a freshly killed Thomson's gazelle. At first, she lay beneath a tree, but just minutes after we arrived, she gracefully climbed up with her prize and resumed feeding. It was a powerful scene: She devoured the kill and then moved effortlessly through the branches before settling into a higher perch — a perfect spot to rest and keep watch. — Rio Marvin