Week 257 ( 25th – 31st July 2008 )
A week of interesting events
25th July 2008 - Cathay and JenB were chasing each other around whist Jix was inside the breeding facility looking out; but before long was also outside pouncing on his brother whom he caught in a head lock, JenB; twisted and turned under Jix and eventually had him on his back. Each of them having scored some semblance of a victory took off after Cathay who had left to chew a bone. Eventually at 16:30 the final stage of the great tiger shuffle could begin; 327 is now housed in a 3ha section of what was a 4ha camp and Madonna has 1ha to call home. Having received full cooperation from both 327 and Madonna I could direct my attention to feeding. What a feast it was; everybody could sleep with a full belly; having celebrated their housewarming; and still have leftovers in the morning.
26th July 2008 - 327 was lying near the gate and was in the mood for conversation, so I asked him what he thought of his new pad; I think he likes it; judging from his long drawn out mmmmmm followed by a snort. Madonna had been inspecting her birthing box from afar but gave no comment.
27th July 2008 - 07:45 TigerWoods was hiding behind the wildebeest carcase; feeding; with only his tail left lying around to betray his position. Now and again he would look up; lick his lips and continue feeding; his ears pulled down flat to prevent them getting dirty against the inside of the ribcage. After he had finished eating he “covered” the carcase with a few blades of dry grass then ran around the carcase, patted it twice; ran to a shrub and back to the carcase; pawed more grass closer then lay down in the shade; silly boy! The cubs were playing on top of the blesbuck carcase; growling in a show of strength then JenB got down to the serious business of pulling its tail. Hulooo was walking around his enclosure with a bone dangling from his mouth and TigerWoods was watching the world go by over a bush. 17:00- TigerWoods was eating again.
28th July 2008 - 327 was lying by his water trough but followed the pick up down to the 40ha gate and all the way back again; I caught sight of Madonna stalking him, crouched low to the ground; ears flat and whiskers forward. At 16:00 Cathay finally had someone to talk to, TigerWoods was keeping her company as she paced and the cubs were sun tanning on the roof of the pole shelter. Once the gate to the breeding centre had been opened; the cubs made a B-line for the breeding box; playing as soon as they were inside; grass flying in all directions. After having swept through the place like a hurricane they left to go and bug their mother and catch the last few rays of the sinking sun.
29th July 2008 - Everybody was up early this morning; lying waiting for the sun to rise and melt the ice on the water troughs. 327 and I went for a jog down to the 40ha gate and back; I don’t know if he was game for the run or if he thought I had food secreted in my pocket. Shortly before sunset TigerWoods came up to join Cathay and Madonna for an afternoon chitchat, Cathay has also become more restful now that he is a regular caller. Hulooo’s stomach is so full he can hardly budge but call for attention he must. Cathay went to check on the kids leaving him rolling in the dust. 327 and Madonna were telling each other the latest gossip. Jix saw his mother approaching and sank down into a crouch; as she drew closer he wiggled his bum and CHAAAAARGED!!!!!!!
30th July 2008 - 327 had rediscovered his pantry taking out the remains of yesterdays meal at 16:20, all the while complaining bitterly about the naked state of the bone; but never the less spent some time chewing; at the same time the cubs were also chewing on bones in an equally dismal state. Jix had his back-bone in the outer section of the breeding facility and JenB had lugged his ribcage onto the bed in their section; the silence was deafening; no bickering. At a later visit the cubs were both lying on the bed; JenB was trying to sleep but had to listen to Jix talking to me in chuffs; sniffs; snorts and high- pitched mmmms.
31st July 2008 - . By 10:05 Hulooo had finally finished stuffing his face leaving only bare bone. Madonna was dragging her food around trying to find the perfect place to eat; failing in this objective she left it in the middle of the enclosure and joined Cathay and the babies for conversation in the sun. TigerWoods had vanished and 327 was still in the thicket. I tried to engage the tigers in conversation but it seems that their ears are inclined to malfunction once their tummies are full.