Are you a person who enjoys visiting the zoo or a zoo? And do you like to see animals from afar and maybe dream of the day when you can see them in their natural environment? If so, we invite you to take an East African safari and share the wild and dangerous experience of capturing some of the animals that today live in many parks and zoos around the world. .
We are fortunate to be able to accompany a government approved hunter who currently has a relatively "small" job to do: 12 elephants, 5 rhinos, 30 zebras, 15 wildebeest, 27 giraffes and many other animals of the plain. The trip to this region will take about three months and, of course, a lot of preparations are underway to ensure its success.
During this time, we will, so to speak, "live in difficult conditions" and therefore need adequate camping equipment as well as food, kitchen equipment, first aid kits and of course spare parts for our Land Rovers and trucks. This includes the springs, axles and a lot of tires. We also need to make sure that we have the right clothes: the usual light overalls (khaki to blend in with the surroundings), a sweater for the night (which can get cold even in Africa) and boots to protect the feet from snakes. , Soldier ants and many other dudus (insects) who seem to take great pleasure in biting us. A suitable hat is also necessary for protection from the strong African sun.
After making all the necessary preparations for us and the herd, we must not forget about the animals we want to catch. Adequate enclosures must be in place to accommodate animals when captured and of course they must be given food and water when captured.
Before the start of our safari, our host "discovered" the game on his plane, so we have a good chance of finding the animals we want.
Reach the sphere of influence
Our 20th anniversary is made up of mechanics who feed and care for the animals, a lovely crew of eight and us. We are truly a sight when we tremble and collide on varied terrain. Some of the roads we drive on are good enough, but other times the trail feels more like a dry riverbed than a highway.
It is the dry season and therefore our caravan throws a huge cloud of dust which spreads far behind us. How thankful we are at the end of each day to wash away the dust that collects in our eyes, ears and noses! How nice it is to walk around the fire at night or just sit still after being thrown and ridden in our vehicles all day!
One of the most common noises in the plains of East Africa is a strange hissing sound. It is a strange sound to a stranger, but our host explains that it is caused by the wind blowing through the seeds of the tower dug by the insects. This, along with the crickets and grasshoppers, as well as the leopard's cough and the lion's roar, bring us unforgettable memories of our trip.
Finally we arrive at the place where we set up a semi-permanent camp and where the animals are registered as soon as they are captured. In many zoos far from their African homeland, they have to gradually get used to the local food to prepare for a new home.
The record
With each passing day, the sight and noise of animals around the camp increases as the enclosures gradually fill up with prizes. As catching animals can be very dangerous, no inexperienced person can follow them. But they will love to hear about the many experiences and dangers we tell you about at camp.
Have you ever imagined chasing a rhino or a spark with your foot, running over unfamiliar terrain, squirming, turning around, dodging the many bushes and anthills (which if you meet them could be a disaster) and trying to lasso? ? or lasso? The cave? Once caught by the neck, hunters must quickly scratch the animal's paws and loosen the neck cord. Failure to do so can result in injury and even blindness in some animals. Or how do you try to grab a zebra or a giraffe by the tail while walking?
The animals to be captured are carefully selected so that they are neither too old nor too young. The young people need a lot of care and an old animal never adapts to the new life and the new diet. Therefore, middle-aged adult animals are what we are looking for. Opinions differ on the most dangerous "catch". Some consider the rhino to be the worst; others, the elephant and most agree that the buffalo is a formidable, treacherous and unpredictable opponent. According to our host, the elephant is the most dangerous, because when we are caught, our choice must be separate from the herd, which is not an easy task when many "aunts" and their mothers are closely monitored. .
The day will come when our order will be completed and we can begin our journey home. To most inexperienced people, it seems like the end of the story. For animals, however, this is just the beginning.
Adapting to a new way of life
Over the next thirteen weeks, our pets will need special attention, as we gradually pull them out of native foods such as alfalfa, oats and barley. During that time, they have to get used to the small cages that transport them to different destinations. This is achieved by bringing them closer and closer to the cages with their food, until the animals finally come in and leave freely and without fear. At the end of the quarantine and acclimatization period, the animals seem to be happy with their new way of life and ready to be taken to their new homes, where they will bring joy and happiness to young and old, maybe you. Also!
