Week 365 ( 20th to 26th August 2010 )
More on 327
Friday morning he paced square circles in the Breeding Centre for a while and tried to catch my feet through the gap underneath the mesh. He then went outside and lay at the gate watching Madonna eat. He spent the afternoon lying against the box outside flicking his tail. Dr Van Heerden arrived early today and darted 327 who rushed around shaking himself so much that he dislodged the dart. His condition has improved to such an extent that the dose was not as effective as the previous treatments. Instead of falling asleep after 6 minutes today he took 9 minutes and even then he was still very much awake. The vet administered another dose of antibiotics and vitamins and then brought him round. Within minutes 327 was on his feet and walking around, albeit with hind legs that didn’t altogether do as they were told. Round and round he walked chuffing at Madonna whenever he caught sight of her through the gate. The vet left some medication and a vitamin B compound to be given to him twice a day, starting tomorrow evening
Saturday morning I opened the drop-gate allowing him access to the Quarantine Camp and he quickly availed himself of the invitation just in case I changed my mind. He crossed over to Madonna and traded a few chuffs with her, and then he crossed to the other fence and did the same with Cathay and TigerWoods. He then found his way back to the pole shelter which he sprayed copiously before setting off to investigate the rest of the camp. By the afternoon he had completed his initial tour of the camp and busied himself with pacing Catkins fence and keeping Madonna company. As I stopped he made his way into the breeding centre to wait for his dinner and medication. He consumed all the meat I fed him and then got stuck into his dinner proper, finishing his leg before I left.
On Sunday morning he had been pacing with Madonna but as I arrived he hurriedly made his way into the building to wait for breakfast and submit to close scrutiny. He guzzled his Wildebeest steaks as fast as I could produce them and when they were finished he sat looking at me for the rest. When he saw that there was no more he went out into the outer portion and stood up against the mesh to see if I would change my mind. I didn’t and he stalked out muttering under his breath. He was already in the building when I arrived with his dinner and medication and waited patiently whilst I cut the meat up and inserted the tablets. He had no problem eating all I had to offer and graciously accepted what was left on the leg. He carried the leg into his box and proceeded to finish it off.
As I arrived at the facility on Monday afternoon he scurried into the building well aware that he was about to be fed. When I didn’t go in immediately he popped his head around the door to see why I was taking so long about presenting dinner and muttered and moaned something about hired help. He again devoured all the little pieces of meat containing his medication and then stood around staring at the rest of the Wildebeest leg. I gave that to him and he carried it into the box and gnawed contentedly for the rest of my visit.
The rest of the week followed much the same pattern, he is again permanently hungry and no food goes begging.