This giant was walking down the road six feet away from us.
Tembe Elephant Park is 75,000 acres. The park’s location is very remote, lying deep in the sand forests and wetlands in northern Tongaland. It borders between KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique. It’s in a transition area between tropical and subtropical climate, that’s code for rainy and humid AF.
This was a “working” stop for the KACF group. We helped in the relocation of three two-year old male lion cubs. They were being sent to another nearby reserve, and that reserve was sending back one older lion as an effort to improve the gene pool. The new lion will most likely mate with the cubs’ mom. This wasn’t your run of the mill tourist excursion! We felt lucky and privileged to be a part of it.
Please watch all the videos!
One of the lion cubs was collared a while back so the group could be located. That’s Mikael on the roof of the truck radio-tracking the collar via telemetry.
Katherine in the background is a Regional Ecologist. Jen, the Veterinarian, is holding the tranquilizer gun and darts. Both gave us a safety talk and a general run down on what to expect.
The barbed needles are 1.5 inches long.
A male nyala was shot for bait. It was chained to the sign, so the lions wouldn’t drag it away. A wild animal distress recording was turned on to lure in the lions. We waited till well past dark, but couldn’t coax them to the bait. The best guess was they recently ate and weren’t interested. We kept the bait and used it again the next day.
We left at 6am the next morning. It was raining and Mikael knew the group had moved. We drove towards the way they were heading and set up. Jen needed to dart the three young lions and the lioness. Watch the video below.
The nyala bait was chained to a small tree. It was so thrilling watching them come toward us!
The four wandered around in front of us crisscrossing the road for quite a while. At one point it appeared that they were leaving, but they finally caught the scent of the bait and beelined to it. The video records two of them being darted. The second one lets out a little roar. It was interesting that the two lions didn’t take off after the other two got shot, stumbled around and collapsed.
Twenty minutes after they were darted, Jen went out to check on them. Hoods were put on to cover their eyes.
Leo had his 458 caliber rifle ready, just in case. Once they decided it was safe they allowed us to enter the area.
They were very professional and careful not to harm the lions. After extracting the dart, an antibiotic gel was placed on the site to prevent infection.
Razor sharp claws, huge paws and big teeth and these lions aren’t even close to full grown.
Time was of the essence, the three cubs were loaded into the back of the trucks. Two in one bed, one in another.
Ready for transport
Jen is a badass and the two syringes at the back of her hat is a great look.
Soaking wet team photo with the lioness. She was staying at Tembe. After the picture Jen gave her a shot to reverse the tranquilizer that woke her up within 20 minutes.
The lioness waking up from her daze sporting the collar from her cub and no doubt wondering where her cubs were.
Drenched and heading back to home base.
After our “job” was done we spent the next two days going on game drives and seeing the beautiful country.
Rustic accommodations, this is the entire room. The showers and bathrooms were 40 yards away so there was a lot of urinating off the little porch at night.
Fun fact: Giraffes are not indigenous to South Africa. Tourists love them, tourists have money, so they are now established in South Africa.
A young herd of impalas, a wart hog, and a zebra in the background. These species are often seen together.
A termite mound. This is over 200 years old. The termites slowly build it using soil, termite saliva and dung. A queen termite can live up to 45 years!
Pronounced Zeh-bruh
Elephant print
Awesome elephant video!
Beautiful country
One of the big stretches of wetland
Wandering Jew flower, notice how the petals look like elephant ears.
The three cubs are now in a boma, a massive pen at their new reserve adjusting to the environs, soon they will be released. Tembe is still waiting for their new lion to be darted and transported for a hot release.
Nice work, Greg. Loved having you join us.
Thanks Dave!
OMG, those experiences sound absolutely amazing! Transporting lions and viewing elephants must have been such a surreal adventure. I can only imagine how incredible it must be in person. Your story has me completely in awe—can’t wait to hear more about it! 😊
Can’t wait to see you and do some trail therapy. So glad you saw the blog. I’ve been wanting to share all this with you. Miss you double M. ❤️ Amy
Wow!! Epic adventure!!
This is SO COOL!!! What a great adventure, thanks for sharing, videos were incredible. Keep it coming!
Will do Sergeant!
I’m so thrilled for you guys! Definitely not the typical tourist experience. You are so fortunate. An adventure of a lifetime!!!
Great commentary of the trip!!!
Awesome videos and pictures
Thanks Oscar!
what an adventure! The elephant video😍
what amazing memories you’re making!
OH MY GOD! This is incredible!! Absolutely thrilling…the videos are epic!
Keep it coming!
Mama Jean
Absolutely incredible, magical adventure you were blessed to experience, and to share with us! I cannot wait to hear the stories in person. Big love to you!
Great reading/seeing your blogs. Animals are fascinating!! thanks for sharing
My pleasure Berni!
I CANNOT wait to hear more in person!!! Unreal!
Excellent Blog, Greg! Great job.
Thanks Ray!
Wow, incredible & amazing! Thank you for sharing 🫶🏼