Feeding Time!

Today the weather has been rubbish, it poured down all last night and into this morning although by the time breakfast came it was only a light drizzle but still it was enough to make the tracks too muddy to drive on so we were all a bit confused as to what today would have in store. This morning we all met as normal at 9.30 to be told that we would be going into the rehabilitation centre and feeding the big cats, so this includes the lions, tigers, white lions, and cheetah. Firstly, we had to go down to the workshop and prepare all the meat; the cow had been donated to the reserve by a local farm and although it was already chopped up, we had to remove it from the plastic storage bags as well as take the tag out of the ear. The smell was probably the worst bit about this although I am sure, for the big cats, it is the nicest smell in the world. All the meat was on the back of a tractor which we would use to stand on to throw the food into the enclosures. As we approached the rehab centre, all the cats were pacing and making noise at the excitement of a tasty meal being delivered. We started by feeding the lions which were not too

bothered by the new food as they were fed yesterday by the student vets so after giving them their bit, we moved on to the tigers who were pacing up and down waiting eagerly. When the food went in, they started arguing over it and the male won, this was the case with most of the cats, all except the white lions who were so affectionate when we chucked the food in and the male even took some food over to the female lion which was so sweet! The family of normal lions kept trying to get some food, but the male kept chasing the females off so although it was kind of sad, I managed to get a great picture of the 3 of them all just looking longingly at the food although eventually he did let them all go eat as well. Turns out their favourite part of the cow is the udders as every enclosure we chucked an udder in, that was the only bit they were bothered by and would argue over/drag away. It was a pretty cool experience to watch although I did feel for them a bit as there was no stimulation to hunt, they just get it given to them and to me, I don’t feel as if that is the best rehabilitation programme.

Once all the cats had been fed, we were told we would be walking around the perimeter of the reserve on fence patrol to ensure all

the electric fencing is intact as well as no holes either in the fence or under where the animals might have tried to dig their way out. Although this was meant to be an activity, with 30 plus people it felt pointless and more just like a hike. It felt like they were just trying to find stuff for us to do by this point as they had not planned on it raining, although we only done this for about an hour till lunchtime. Lunch today was so good; it was some type of pasta with meat and I liked it so much that I ended going up for seconds; it reminded me a bit of the meaty pasta that they do in Pizza Hut. At least I am eating well here as I can’t promise everywhere, I will be getting 3 meals a day, to be honest I feel like at the minute it is a luxury.

We were given this afternoon off, so it meant comfy clothes and nap time for me as some things just don’t change, one being how much I like to sleep despite being on the other side of the world. It felt so nice to put my comfy clothes on after spending the morning with my clothes rubbing my sunburn on my back. Yesterday, when I discovered the sunburn, I did not have any after sun with me so ended up going fully outdoors and using an aloe vera plant leaf as a substitute which worked really well despite being sticky but today, I have actually got proper after sun so at least it is more convenient for those people putting it on my back. Yesterday, virtually everyone got burned on their backs which was so bad especially as everyone put on sun cream, but I guess as there was no shade and we were bending over a lot, our backs just got all the sun light.

They have just lit the log fire in our apartment which is mad as although it is colder than it has been, it is still around 17 degrees; I can’t deal with the heat inside, so I have now come outside with the monkeys to chill instead. It is so peaceful out here, a place where you can really relax and breathe.

Today we finally got our Kwantu uniform which consists of a t-shirt and hat, so we have agreed to all take a group photo tomorrow with us wearing them before we all go our separate ways on Friday, well a couple of people leave on Sunday. It is crazy to think that after Friday I will not be together with everyone again especially when we have experienced and shared so much together so far. This weekend there is another excursion so some people will be leaving Friday and not return until Sunday evening - there is one coach going to Plettenburg Bay, another going to Jeffreys Bay and finally, one going to Port Elizabeth. I have decided not to go anywhere this weekend though and save my money as I have already been to Plettenburg Bay and next week, I will be visiting the other two places as they are on the garden route plus it then means I can keep Stine company as she cannot go on the weekend due to leaving Sunday. We are all about to curl up on the sofa's in our pyjamas and watch Anchorman so I will go and spend the evening relaxing before an early night as I need my energy ready for the school visit in the morning.