Archive for January 18th, 2001
Day 15
We started the day by changing the bandage again on the wounded cheetah. He knew what was coming as soon as he (the cheetah) saw the dart gun - clever animals, and the poor thing must have gone through this about 15 times now - and started hissing, spitting and growling in fury. The wounds are healing well, and the doc is quite optimistic.
During the procedure two writers arrived at the surgery, intent on compiling information about the doc for a book on major figures in animal rehabilitation and conservation. I left, so he could be interviewed.
Our afternoon drive with Tyse gave me my very first sight of buffalo since I have been here. At last! And, as these things usually turn out, I did not see just one but a whole flipping herd of them. There must have been at least 40 or 50 of them, wallowing in a water hole. I was quite intimidated when they started advancing, sniffing us out - they really are huge, and their massive horns look particularly effective up close!
Tyse showed me how to make rope out of a particular plant leaf, the roots of which are also edible (a swiss-army plant!)
We had a party tonight. A big fire, loud music and plenty of beer! For some reason I ended up challenging Quentin, who must be about twice my weight, to a ruck - it was just one of those nights.