2011-10-28 – Masai Mara N.R.

After yesterday’s heavy rains, the Olare Orok river was flooded and impossible to cross. We then stayed on the west side of the park, and I am very thankful to the full river because we found a fantastic Bat-eared Foxes’ den, with at least eight tiny pups, not more than a month old. Some could hardly stand up but were still keen to come out of their holes and play, or try to get milk from their mother. The sky remained overcast throughout the day, and it was good as it kept the animals active for longer than usual. In the late morning the Lioness Joy and her five cubs from the Marsh was up on the Topi plains. They had just caught four tiny Warthog piglets from a hole, and the cubs were eating. It is beautiful to see Joy taking care of her sister’s small cub, along with her own four, especially in these hard times in the Marsh, without males to protect them. Later in the day, a Wildebeest kill attracted a host of creatures eager to feed on them, from Hyenas, to Jackals and three species of Vultures. And of course the Lions, White Eye and a young male, who didn’t find much to eat but were nonetheless refusing to give up the remains to the Vultures.