Life on the project

Sorry the posts have been scarce of late. Our group didn't go on the town trip last week and the internet on base is too slow to handle anything more than an email or two before we have to turn the generator off. Our group went back to general drive in the mornings and evenings this week and the other group switched back and forth watching the leopard on night shifts. That worked out really well for us as we were able to get a full night's sleep, see all the animals during the day doing great stuff, and watched the leopard for a little in the afternoon so the night crew would know where to find it. I'm trying to keep things straight - there were some big highlights but also a lot of daily work. Here goes:

Yesterday went to Kruger. All in all it was unexciting. We see more daily on base. But I'm glad I went and got an idea of the landscape (or at least a small part of it) and can check it off my list.
Two of the cheetah "cubs" on our reserve were darting and switched with two young males on another reserve. The cubs were at about 18 months and soon would have been kicked out by their mother to roam alone. And the switch allows for genetic diversity, which can me problematic with all these fenced, smaller reserves that prevent widespread movement. That was very cool to touch the cheetahs when they were knocked out and just be a part of this kind of wildlife management. I have photos of course...which will come later.
Saw a beautiful sunset from the top of a boulder, ate impala stew, watched Shiloweni eat an impala, saw the other leopard cub and more elephants, lions, snakes, etc!

This will be my last week on the project so I might not update before I go. After this I'll be heading to Cape Town to travel with Drew for 12 days, then to Namibia for an elephant project for 2 weeks. Then I head back early for my sister Stephanie's NJ wedding party. While I'm loving all I'm seeing, I'm ready to come home. I didnt think I'd miss the US so much...but I do :) Looking forward to the next month and a half though. So much more exciting stuff to see!!!!