SANParks.org Forums

Brown Hyena

At first I thought brown hyena but think aardvark hunched position eating.

Got it!

KG's remote controlled Christmas present!

Lappetfaced vulture?

Aardvark .. long pointed snout. Very dark but seems the right size and shape.

Wonder how long KG is going to leave us hanging here ....

Shape of an aardvark, colour of a brown hyena, could it be a mutation?? brownvark???

Maybe not Aaardvark. How about Porcupine without its quills?
(I'm thinking porcupine mainly because of the head shape and body colour.)

I go for very dark/dirty Honey badger.....maybe he/she found some non-red mud somewhere

Guys I've changed my mind on this . It is not an Aardvark , and in fact it is not a mammal at all . It is a large raptor , either a vulture or an eagle .Its obviously quite dark - do Verraux's Eagle occur there ? His wings are slightly spread , and he is probably eating his prey .
In both pics , it is facing away from the camera .

That's why my guess is "Lappetfaced Vulture". I don't think that Black Eagle occurs there. I think that in the second photo it is actually facing toward the camera, but its head behind the shrub (eating something). But a raptor - I'm certain.

No,no not a raptor, look at 2nd picture,to many legs. Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me, but I still say BH or aardvark.

Stoffel , I also thought of Lappet Faced Vulture , but the " leggings " are thick and black , and thats why I would favour a Verraux's . Yes , it does not generally occur there , but it could be a rare visitor , and that may also be why KG had to consult his books to make sure .
Also , facing the camera , a Lappet's bare face and neck should probably be visible .
The " protrusion" on the right side , is clearly a slightly spread wing while he hunches over his meal .

Look carefully at the background foliage... the pics have been taken from the same view point and the creature has moved quite a bit away from where it was in the first pic. So I don't think it is feeding or covering its prey.
Also KG did say he had to consult his books to ID this "animal"

Me I'm still but the shape, size and curved back etc, still make me think porcupine

Also still sticking with porcupine ....

KG - put us out of our misery!!!