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That is very interesting! I would like to hear more about it!Is there anybody who can confirm this, and maybe tell us why Lions wouldn't eat from a carcass killed by lightning?

Hi Bennie, long time no see! Hope life's treating you well?
Joep, thanx for sharing... Indeed a mini Serengeti!
Bundi, very interesting indeed.... We spend all day there, with only Marabou stork joining in the feast, along with a few skittish jackal. No sign of any lions/ hyena, so perhaps some truth to that story.... Will hopefully be able to confirm by tomorrow night. I am also chatting to the rangers in the morning, so could perhaps share some more info.
Must tell you though, that the stench is becoming hectic... Downwind from the carcass- unbearable, and bound to get worse!

Carnivores do not usually eat "cooked" meat. This my SO learned from a ranger in Pilanesburg when they happened to come across the carcass of a giraffe which had been killed by lightning a year earlier.

Dear Ralph,

Thanks for your last message. Could you send me a few pics of the elephant?

Kind regards.

JOEP (joep.stevens@sanparks.org)

@ Pops: Rodger from Tsendze also mentioned this.... Apparently no lion will touch an animal killed like this, although Hyena will sometimes scavenge from the carcass...
Hi Joep! Will e-mail you pics soonest. Unfortunately signal at Tsendze not to good, but we will visit Mopani today to download and post a few photos.

Hi guys! Just a quick update.... It's been raining throughout the night, area getting much needed relief. This morning the carcass decay quite obvious. Small tear in stomach, lots of fluid loss with smell overwhelming... No large predators or scavengers, apart from vultures, jackal and marabous.
Spoke to Section Ranger Joe Nkuna, what an interesting guy! Extremely knowledgable, friendly and helpfull... He confirmed that decay/ rot usually takes 5-7 days for a carcass this size. He expects lots of Hyena activity from tonight, so if you are in the area, perhaps a night drive would be an option? He also confirmed removal of tusks for storage in Skukuza....
Spoke at length about their anti-poaching campaign, and the major onslaught this year on Kruger's Rhino. He believes in being pro-active, and covers a HUGE area with limited manpower on a daily basis. The removal of snares forms a large part of their daily patrols...

The fight against poaching is truly a major challenge, under sometimes very difficult/ dangerous conditions. These guys need all OUR support to win this war! More importantly, our Government's full support, dedication and commitment. Harsh and severe punishment if caught, and unforgiving ACTION is needed!

Goodness me not a "breathe in the bush" moment. Poor ellie

We visited the waterhole every day on our recent visit. We left the area on the 1st Jan after the first storms.

The waterhole was like a Serengeti movie experience. There were just masses of animals. We watched a very amusing encounter between ellie and lion. Also had my first Lichtensteins sighting.

Ralph, great to see you around.

Hi MM! Great to ”see” you again....
Despite the frenetic vulture activity, we manage to see Tsesebe, Lichtenstein's and Roan around Tihongonyeni... Also a huge herd of buffaloe! Quite spectacular...

Thanks for the daily updates Ralph!
and also a big for ranger Joe Nkuna!

Thanks for the updaste Ralph! If only Vultures, Marabous and Jackal are scavenging on that poor Ellie, it is going to take some time before it is finished. Or not?

Hi Elsa! Nice to see you...
Hilda, once the hyenas get in on the action, carcass should be finished chop-chop (or should it be ”chomp-chomp”). The heat will also speed up rot and decay.... Currently in Balule (absolute HEAVEN!), so no further updates. Will post pics as soon as I'm back in the concrete jungle of Gauteng.... (Around the 9th).
Kindest regards, Ralph.

Thanks for the updates Ralph.
Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Hi Ralph, enjoy Balule! I don't wish your trip to end, but I am looking forward to all your pictures!

Hi guys!
As promised, i have a few pics to post... However, due to the nature of this event/ incident, some may be very graphic and explicit. Please be warned, not to scroll down if easily offended or sensitive...
Regards, Ralph.

As we turned the corner, approaching Thihongonyeni Waterhole, we were shocked to be greeted by this... A very sad and disturbing moment!


RvV 20130102-IMG_9401x2 by Ralph vV, on Flickr