OMG.....

OMG what a day yesterday!! I can officially check off my life list "being charged by an elephant" We were out on ele research driving through the park when we suddenly hear behind us the trumpet horn noise of an elephant. He actually gave himself away because we had passed him and didn't notice him in the bushes. So this is where is starts to get crazy...he comes out on the road and faces us (see photo) and starts to flap his ears and walk directly towards us. David (previous post picture) moves forward a bit which seems to please the ele as he starts to turn into the trees again. In the trees though he still walks towards our direction and decides to charge our of the trees and towards us. Well David seems to have problems getting the truck into first gear so the ele is getting real close. So close that the ZWA scout has to shoot a warning shot in front of the elephant to make him stop. David finally got the car in gear and took off. Let me tell you that if our hearts would have been monitored it would have been through the roof.

Now story #2....I was not involved in this but too good a story not to tell. My friend Marie and Nick were out on one of the walks with the cubs when barreling through the trees comes 2 rhinos. Like elephants these guys can be very close before you actually hear them. As they turned around the 2 Rhinos were coming straight at them and were about 5 meters aways...that is way too close for an animal that size. Within the next few seconds one lion handler was up a tree, 2 others ran another direction, Marie and Nick hid behind a tree that a Rhino could snap with his tail and the scout was able to fire off a shot that made them change direction. Sweet mother....I think Marie nearly needed to check into the hospital with shock.

Even with these two events we laugh at them after it's over once the heart rate goes down.

Last night we all went out to 2 of our manger's house for a BBQ. It was really nice to be able to hang out for a night and laugh.

Cheers.....