I was pleasantly surprised when I came across a coalition of five cheetahs 2 km from the Kilaguni lodge airstrip in Tsavo West National Park. I have driven through this park over a dozen times in the last 4 years and the only cat I have ever saw was a leopard in Ngulia. But the group of cheetahs below (possibly a family) below was announcing loud and clear that Life is back in the Tsavo after the devastating drought that killed many animals particularly grazers like hippos and buffaloes. Like you may have seen in my earlier posts, even elephants died too.

When paying for my entry at the Mtito gate, I got curious when I saw an announcement by KWS informing visitors about the stench from the decomposing carcasses in the park. I understand Mzima spring was the worst affected. Though I didn’t get enough time to go there, I am sure it is time KWS removed that announcement as thing has since changed since the rains (El nino) started about 6 weeks ago……… if the photos below are anything to go by.

Five cheetahs crossing the road majestically oblivious of excitment they had caused.

24 giraffes, a dozen zebras and a troop of baboons all within a 200m X 200m space!!

Two zebras grazing 200m away from the cheetahs

Iregi Mwenja

Wildlife Biologist

Technorati : Carcasses, Cheetah, Conservation, Drought, El nino, Elephant, Hippo, Tsavo West, flooding