Spots!

Leopards leapin' in the trees. This is a pair that is likely together because it was mating time. They were hanging out in the grass for a while, then were very kind and hopped up into the tree for us to see them better.

Stripes

Zebras on the Ngorogoro Crater Rim! Zebras also migrate long distances like wildebeests. They depend on the rich volcanic soil in the Gelae Plains, north of Tarangire in order to produce good milk for their babies. If the migration corridor gets cut off, like what is happening in Mtowambu because the city is expanding, then there will not be anymore ungulates in the northern plains.

Bush Dogs

Here is a video of a parent successfully foraging for its offspring! We saw this Golden Jackal crossing the road, then looking around. Its pups finally all came out of hiding from all directions and pounced all over their lunch.

It keeps going...

I have lots of elephant footage. A juvie trumpets at us!

Elephants

More!

Tarangire National Park

There are tons of elephants in Tarangire National Park. We were lucky to see so many, and so close. However, there is a great threat to them - poaching. It sorta seems like that went out of style in the 80s when ivory was banned. But, the ivory trade has made a huge comeback, and it is at the expense of these animals. In 2012, 2 dozen elephants have been killed, just in the small Tarangire area. There is very little being done to prevent poaching, and unfortunately game meat is cheaper than buying beef or goat from Maasai herders. Here is a recent article about the poisoning of some elephants: http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Tanzania+battles+elephant+poaching/-/2558/1395686/-/chq1yxz/-/

Here are some elephants that we saw in Tarangire:

Smallest Antelope

The Dik Dik is one of the smallest antelope in Africa. They live in the underbrush, hanging out near tall bushes. In the video you can see one scent marking at the with scat. Also, and the end of the video the other is scent marking using a gland at the corner of its eye on a blade of grass. Dik Diks are usually monogamous.