Its a WILD life....
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BunnyHugger
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Re: Scariest Moments in the Wild
Another "scary moment" I had was back in 2008. We had done quite an extensive trip to KNP from Skuks, via Tamboti, Balule and Letaba, to Croc bridge.
Bones (That would be LE v2's sprog) was all "Krugered out" and wanted to "chill" in camp and I had heard of an impala in a tree I wanted to go check out. I mean don't impala like know that climbing trees has a 100% mortality rate for the species. Note to Impalal, climb a tree and spotty is going to get you for sure. Ok, its a fact.
Anyway, as much as I could gather from a rather blonde young lady, was that the S25 seemed to be the accepted road for this animal to be hanging around. Off we went, LE v2 and myself, in search of an idiotic impie. We both had quick pit stops before we left and decided it wouldn't be too far so we didn't need things like coolers and cold drinks. After a long time at low speed looking into the tops of every tree above knee height, we didn't find the silly tarty impie. Some time later, we came across a Buffalo and at frist I thought it might be a herd, but turned out to be only two of them. We stopped (Yeah, sightings were really scant so this was quite a sighting) and took some pics. After a mexican standoff for about 20 minutes, the buff decided to move on. Only these tarty things decided that the road was as good a place as any to wander along.
By now, I was feeling the need for a call of nature and not wanting to give up the search, I decided to start the engine and move along the rod behind our intrepid dugga boys. Bear in mind that we now were traveling along in first gear at engine idle speed so maybe 8 km/h. The buff moved ever so slowly left of the road and even this did not inspire me to try and edge closer. (Dugga boys have been known to do weird and not so wonderful things.)
Eventually, the call was getting to be rather urgent and the two guys had only moved sufficiently far enough left for me to maybe squeeze past. Not nearly enough room for me to be brave so still we hung back. After still more time (and floating molars), they had now moved a bit further left and I felt we maybe had a chance. So I tried to get passed. Only when we were still about 10 m or so behind and as far right as I could go (and still be on the road) one of them turned suddenly and started a charge. You know that feeling when it feels like your blood turns to ice? You don't? Ok, well it does when you are faced with the prospect of an aminal that weighs the same as your car and has horns your car doesn't have, (unless you're RP and you have a blue set mounted on the radiator grill and matching blue scrotum hanging from the back bumper) and said mad amnal is charging at you.
Instinctively, I hit the accelerator and the car, once again lost traction for a bit and then shot forward out of harms way. I think we laughed all the way to Afsaal.
It was a fair scary moment that was.
Bones (That would be LE v2's sprog) was all "Krugered out" and wanted to "chill" in camp and I had heard of an impala in a tree I wanted to go check out. I mean don't impala like know that climbing trees has a 100% mortality rate for the species. Note to Impalal, climb a tree and spotty is going to get you for sure. Ok, its a fact.
Anyway, as much as I could gather from a rather blonde young lady, was that the S25 seemed to be the accepted road for this animal to be hanging around. Off we went, LE v2 and myself, in search of an idiotic impie. We both had quick pit stops before we left and decided it wouldn't be too far so we didn't need things like coolers and cold drinks. After a long time at low speed looking into the tops of every tree above knee height, we didn't find the silly tarty impie. Some time later, we came across a Buffalo and at frist I thought it might be a herd, but turned out to be only two of them. We stopped (Yeah, sightings were really scant so this was quite a sighting) and took some pics. After a mexican standoff for about 20 minutes, the buff decided to move on. Only these tarty things decided that the road was as good a place as any to wander along.
By now, I was feeling the need for a call of nature and not wanting to give up the search, I decided to start the engine and move along the rod behind our intrepid dugga boys. Bear in mind that we now were traveling along in first gear at engine idle speed so maybe 8 km/h. The buff moved ever so slowly left of the road and even this did not inspire me to try and edge closer. (Dugga boys have been known to do weird and not so wonderful things.)
Eventually, the call was getting to be rather urgent and the two guys had only moved sufficiently far enough left for me to maybe squeeze past. Not nearly enough room for me to be brave so still we hung back. After still more time (and floating molars), they had now moved a bit further left and I felt we maybe had a chance. So I tried to get passed. Only when we were still about 10 m or so behind and as far right as I could go (and still be on the road) one of them turned suddenly and started a charge. You know that feeling when it feels like your blood turns to ice? You don't? Ok, well it does when you are faced with the prospect of an aminal that weighs the same as your car and has horns your car doesn't have, (unless you're RP and you have a blue set mounted on the radiator grill and matching blue scrotum hanging from the back bumper) and said mad amnal is charging at you.
Instinctively, I hit the accelerator and the car, once again lost traction for a bit and then shot forward out of harms way. I think we laughed all the way to Afsaal.
It was a fair scary moment that was.
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Jillinflorida
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BunnyHugger
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Re: Scariest Moments in the Wild
Let's just say that the car needed a valet service.Jillinflorida wrote:I probably wouldn't have needed the facilities after that...
Oh, and I have learned that the aminlas don't seem to like red cars much. Especially the Ellies, Rhino and Buffs.
On our trip in June 2012, we came across a Rhino (wont mention where) that took a distinct dislike of the red chariot. He was quite some distance in an open grassland and the body language suggested that if we hung around or any length of time, he would charge. Having seen a few Rhino already, we decided to end the obvious agitation we were causing and moved on. Not so much a scary moment, but one which dictated that we give the poor chap a bit of much wanted space,
Another pretty scary moment was traveling along a sand road at about 20km/h. There was something in the road which caught my attention and I was pretty much focussed on the 'thing" when I heard Hunny shout "look out!" Not knowing what the situation was, I just jammed on the brakes and turned the steering wheel left.
Turns out a Rhino was coming at us at speed from the right of the car. I don't know if it wanted to cross the road or what, but the sudden noise of tires losing traction on the sand changed it's mind very quickly. I saw it as it changed direction and headed back into the bush.
It just goes to show how one must always be extremely vigilant in the wild and to be prepared for anything. It would have been rather funny watching an insurance assessor's face as I related the story if we had connected with the poor beast and it would have been terrible for both the animal and ourselves.
Luckily, we didn't have to do any of that explaining.
Its a WILD life....
Hello All.... 
So I am not sure if this has been done before, I checked and couldn't find it on the forum anywhere
But, I was thinking of creating a thread, where we can share our wild tales. My gorgeous wife bought the book 101 Kruger tales, and I cannot seem to get enough of it...
I also know that so many people on this forum have so much to share and have extraordinary tales to share.
As children and even now, I have been privy to be part of some exciting and life threatening moments in the bush, and would love to share these tales with you 
... I am not great writer, but am sure I can get the message across... Please share your tales and let's all be part of your unbelievable journey! 
So my first tale takes place in the Kruger at Thsokwane... One day while enjoying an early morning brekkies, we heard one hell of a commotion. When we turned we saw one of the biggest male baboon's I have ever seen (even to this day, I still cannot remember seeing one as big), and he was on a path directly towards us. My father in that instant, knowing it was too late, told our whole family to sit dead still. We didn't need any couching, and remained where we sat. The baboon was showing major signs of aggression with the fangs exposed etc. Suddenly a ranger on his bike appeared and tried to get between us and the baboon.
The baboon turned his full attention to the ranger and ran at him. The ranger with no other defense, threw his bike at the baboon. What happens next still makes me go ice cold. The Baboon caught the bike and proceeded to throw it back at the ranger, except it went about three times the distance that the ranger threw it, going straight over the rangers head. The baboon was then quickly on top of the ranger, clawing and biting. Thankfully another armed ranger appeared and shot a couple of shots in the air, which distracted the baboon. The attacked ranger was quickly taken to the Skukuza doctor, where he recovered fully.... The baboon was put down a few hours later, after another similar incident. It was found that he was injured in a fight with another male, and was trying to survive by getting into the dump at Thsokwane, but kept getting disturbed by guests and and ranger alike!
To this day, I am very fearful of a baboon!
So I am not sure if this has been done before, I checked and couldn't find it on the forum anywhere
But, I was thinking of creating a thread, where we can share our wild tales. My gorgeous wife bought the book 101 Kruger tales, and I cannot seem to get enough of it...
I also know that so many people on this forum have so much to share and have extraordinary tales to share.
As children and even now, I have been privy to be part of some exciting and life threatening moments in the bush, and would love to share these tales with you ... I am not great writer, but am sure I can get the message across... Please share your tales and let's all be part of your unbelievable journey! So my first tale takes place in the Kruger at Thsokwane... One day while enjoying an early morning brekkies, we heard one hell of a commotion. When we turned we saw one of the biggest male baboon's I have ever seen (even to this day, I still cannot remember seeing one as big), and he was on a path directly towards us. My father in that instant, knowing it was too late, told our whole family to sit dead still. We didn't need any couching, and remained where we sat. The baboon was showing major signs of aggression with the fangs exposed etc. Suddenly a ranger on his bike appeared and tried to get between us and the baboon.
The baboon turned his full attention to the ranger and ran at him. The ranger with no other defense, threw his bike at the baboon. What happens next still makes me go ice cold. The Baboon caught the bike and proceeded to throw it back at the ranger, except it went about three times the distance that the ranger threw it, going straight over the rangers head. The baboon was then quickly on top of the ranger, clawing and biting. Thankfully another armed ranger appeared and shot a couple of shots in the air, which distracted the baboon. The attacked ranger was quickly taken to the Skukuza doctor, where he recovered fully.... The baboon was put down a few hours later, after another similar incident. It was found that he was injured in a fight with another male, and was trying to survive by getting into the dump at Thsokwane, but kept getting disturbed by guests and and ranger alike!
To this day, I am very fearful of a baboon!
If you wish your merit to be known, acknowledge that of other people.
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Flutterby
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Re: Its a WILD life....
Great idea for a new thread! 
Wow Inyati...what an amazing story!
That would put anyone off baboons! 
Must delve into my memory banks for some stories.
Wow Inyati...what an amazing story!
That would put anyone off baboons! Must delve into my memory banks for some stories.
Re: Its a WILD life....
I think I started it off with one of the more "tame" tales I can remember.... EISH, what we would do for a "holiday", relaxation they called it... 
If you wish your merit to be known, acknowledge that of other people.