THE STORY OF “BEN” THE ELEPHANT

ONE QUIET MORNING AT BUMI HILLS SAFARI LODGE ON LAKE KARIBA, ZIMBABWE…..

THERE APPEARED AT THE STAFF VILLAGE WHAT LOOKED LIKE AN ELEPHANT HAVING DIFFICULTY WALKING AND SEEMED TO BE IN TREMENDOUS PAIN.

ALTHOUGH THERE WAS MORE COMMOTION AS PEOPLE GATHERED TO SEE HIM, HE LAY DOWN AND RESTED.

WITH A DEGREE OF URGENCY, A VETERINARY SURGEON DR RICHARD HOARE WAS CONTACTED, AND WAS FLOWN IN FROM HARARE ON A SMALL BUSH PLANE.

AFTER A BRIEF ASSESSMENT HE ANAESTHETISED THE ELEPHANT, AND GAVE THE WOUND A THOROUGH INSPECTION AND TREATMENT.

IT APPEARED HE HAD A GUNSHOT WOUND ON HIS UPPER SHOULDER

AND TWO HOLES IN HIS EAR, BELIEVED TO BE FROM ANOTHER SHOOTING INCIDENT.

A RADIO COLLAR WAS FITTED TO BE ABLE TO FIND HIM TO MONITOR HIS RECOVERY.

WITH HAVING ADMINISTERED THE NECESSARY DRUGS AND TOPICAL OINTMENTS TO SPEED UP RECOVERY THE REVERSAL DRUG WAS GIVEN.

SINCE TREATMENT BEN HAS NOT STRAYED FAR FROM THE LODGE AND HIS OVERALL LOCOMOTION IS IMPROVING

FOR THE PURPOSE OF IDENTIFICATION THE QUESTION WAS WHAT DO WE NAME HIM?.

WITH THIS IN MIND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HOUSEKEEPER NAMED BEN GANYA HAD SPOTTED THE ELEPHANT AND HAD REPORTED IT.

BEN GANYA IS FROM MAREMBERA VILLAGE IN MOLA, A SMALL SETTLEMENT WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE BUMI HILLS.

HE HAS BEEN WORKING AT BUMI HILLS SAFARI LODGE SINCE 1979.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The crocodile eating Lion of Bumi Hills

The “Bumi Boys” seen yesterday, along the Bumi Hills Safari lodge shoreline.

Having naturally dispersed from their parent pride in Matusadona national park on lake kariba, these two young males have made it a regular incidence along the Bumi Hills Safari Lodge shoreline, where they frequently kill and eat large crocodile.

“Dinner for two”

Lion kill crocodile

On an african safari most guests get to see some amazing wildlife sightings and some will experience the “most unique” and not often seen.

This large crocodile had been killed and eaten by the resident lions in the area. Measuring 13ft 6″ is the length of a medium size fishing boat

With an ever decreasing supply of game, the lion in the Matusadona, Bumi Hills area have adapted their prey to include the Nile Crocodile.

Puncture marks can be clearly seen in the throat area. The Lion kill by strangulation using their powerfull jaws to block the air intake.

Safeguarding his meal from the awaiting vultures.

 

Sunset on Lake Kariba

Some say “the setting sun in Kariba, Zimbabwe are some of the most spectacular sunset’s in the world”. These pics taken yesterday evening while having a sundowner just off the Bumi Hills foreshore.