The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is fast becoming a favourite destination for wildlife-seekers from Southern Africa and beyond. And it's not hard to see why. Home to some of the continent's most prolific wildlife, many an unforgettable animal encounter has been had in this arid park. Michele Nel and her husband are the latest on the list of lucky tourists to have experienced some incredible animal action in Kgalagadi. Courtesy of the Wild Card blog, here's a sequence of extraordinary images that showcase the sighting of a lifetime. Michele Nel recounts the story below ...
This sighting took place on our very first morning in the park. We had overnighted in Augrabies and had driven straight through to Urikaruus. The next day we were ready to leave as soon as the gates opened. It was freezing and an effort, but we would later find out that it was worth it. A special surprise awaited us.
Part 1: Tug-of-war
Just before the turn-off to 13th Borehole we saw a few jackals running across the riverbed. The next minute we spotted two cheetahs with a kill on the side of the road.
I was frantically taking photos, stressing about the fact that it was straight into the sun. Once I realised that the cheetahs were not going to abandon their kill I calmed down and spent a few minutes thinking how best I could photograph them.
Arrival of a brown hyena
Soon after, my husband, announced in a very excited voice: ”We have company!”
What excitement. We just knew we were in for something special. A brown hyena was running towards us! I snapped away through the windscreen. The other two cheetahs frantically grabbed a few more mouthfuls.
And the brown hyena came closer. We held our breath. What would happen now?
The hyena ran straight up to the kill and claimed ownership. All three cheetahs stood back as if they had no idea what to do.
Was this it? Were the cheetahs just going to stand there and let the hyena take their kill? Was this the end of our sighting?
Kalahari feast
While the hyena tried to drag the kill away one of the cheetahs moved in. At this point we began cheering for the cheetah!
There was a bit of a tug-of-war but the cheetah lost.
The other two moved in but they were not very brave in their attack. And the hyena decided it was time to get stuck in. That seemed to irritate one of the cheetahs even further so a bit of a tussle followed. Again the hyena won.
We were also puzzled: surely three cheetahs could take on one hyena? Through all of this the hyena tried to drag the kill away. The cheetahs tried to regain their breakfast but gave up very easily. It looked as if they were unsure of what to do.
The hyena picked up the carcass – intent on taking it away. But again the cheetahs moved in and the hyena dropped the carcass and gave chase.
We wished the cheetahs would combine forces and attack the hyena but that never seemed to happen. One cheetah would have a moment of bravery and the other two would watch.
Eventually all three took a breather. The hyena was very engrossed in the carcass and after finding the liver, ran off to eat this delicacy. This gave the cheetahs a chance to move in and reclaim their kill.
The black-backed jackals were not far off and moved in to grab the stomach that had fallen by the wayside.(At this stage I felt that my stomach was about to fall by the wayside as well!).
Another jackal moved in but it was obvious he was a junior. It was interesting to watch how he cowered to his elders and acted very subserviently. After a while he was allowed a morsel or two.
By now the thief was having a difficult time trying to hang onto his stolen goods. Fifteen jackals had moved in and we all know how cunning they can be!
Images and text by Michele Nel
Story source: Wild Card blog