Since we arrived too late to set traps the day before, we could get up leisurely. I am glad to be able to report that it looks as if the cold front has passed us, and the mercury has definitely climbed. After Sasha spoilt us with a fry-up for breakfast, we set out to test the radio collars.
This involved the other assistant, Sarai, and I running around in the bush, pretending to be elephant shrews while Sasha tracked us.
After being successfully tracked Sasha showed us around a bit. The game reserve is amazing. We didn't spot many animals in the thick brush, but the vegetation is lovely. I honestly don't think I've ever seen such a variety of trees and plants before. Thanks to the heavy rain this year, everything is lush and green, and due to the time of the year there is a variety of fruit decking branches.
On our way back to base we got caught in sand, and couldn't get free. The roads here are very rough and the field vehicle that Sasha's been assigned doesn't seem to have the pulling power one would expect from a large twin cab. After a trek to a high spot with some signal, we managed to contact the caretaker who kindly came and rescued by us.
When we got back we found a visitor guarding the steps to the kitchen! Although not fully grown, this little cobra was scary enough, thank you. Fortunately it mostly cooperated with us during its relocation, but it did leave us a tad nervous about where we put our feet.
Late afternoon we made our way to the first trapping site. Here us field assistants learned how to set up and bait the traps, before promptly practicing our new new found skills by putting down 50 traps each in parallel trap lines.
This involved the other assistant, Sarai, and I running around in the bush, pretending to be elephant shrews while Sasha tracked us.
After being successfully tracked Sasha showed us around a bit. The game reserve is amazing. We didn't spot many animals in the thick brush, but the vegetation is lovely. I honestly don't think I've ever seen such a variety of trees and plants before. Thanks to the heavy rain this year, everything is lush and green, and due to the time of the year there is a variety of fruit decking branches.
On our way back to base we got caught in sand, and couldn't get free. The roads here are very rough and the field vehicle that Sasha's been assigned doesn't seem to have the pulling power one would expect from a large twin cab. After a trek to a high spot with some signal, we managed to contact the caretaker who kindly came and rescued by us.
When we got back we found a visitor guarding the steps to the kitchen! Although not fully grown, this little cobra was scary enough, thank you. Fortunately it mostly cooperated with us during its relocation, but it did leave us a tad nervous about where we put our feet.
Late afternoon we made our way to the first trapping site. Here us field assistants learned how to set up and bait the traps, before promptly practicing our new new found skills by putting down 50 traps each in parallel trap lines.
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