Lion Cub Duty

Friday our team was on cub duty. This work entails making baby bottles in the morning n hand feeding the lil' cubs. It, like every other was an amazing experience! We then missed breakfast, but we didn't go completley hungry though as Melissa n Laura made us toast + we had a few other scraps that were left. All in all, it was worth it as we won't be bottle feeding that same schedule anymore because they are getting too big. The only bottle feeding now will be 8:00am n when we have guests for cub interaction. Lunch was pretty good actually n good thing we ate before our next chore of taking the meat n dead chickens out of the freezer to thaw for the next feedings. Fowl is foul. In the afternoon we had guests to monitor. I love the looks on their faces! Even though I can't understand what they're saying, their expressions say it all.
We cleaned the gremlins pen, which at one point about 20 lions got loose, (not my fault, by the way)but, shortly after, surprisingly, they all came back. These are medium size lions.
At 16:00 hours Jill, one of the owners, took us to see the newest additions to the cub club! They were born the day before n the day of our arrival. They were so small n cute! Mommy of one of them almost came through the enclosure at me. A lil' scary at times, but, I tried not to let on(!)
Then off to feed the chickens n meat to the cheetahs n bigger lion cubs, n we also introduced larger pieces of meat to the littlest cubs. They took to it very well.
Then dinner n called it an early night.
Oh, and lots of rain.

A Day at Ukutula

Cell wouldn't work last night so...Yesterday...we began the day fetching another dead cow, then on to the dead chickens. Those cow are extremely heavy, but those chickens smell so foul that I'll take a dead cow over the chickens any day. The ride in the back of the truck wasn't so bad yesterday as it was dry at least, even if it does smell bad from cleaning out the lions cages. Played with the tigers again till lunch. Laura went to town with other volunteers, n brought us back some supplies for our room for when we miss our next meal. Richard went n delivered the cow we fetched to the lions.
We had lunch, which was not bad n our team had kitchen duty yesterday so we haD to clean up n set up for dinner. We played the waiting game for a bit n around 17:00 we went for a walk with lions in the bush down to the watering hole so they could go for a swim. It was a beautiful thing!
Back for dinner after that n then onto the bar for a proper send off for the Germans that just left about an hour ago. We played the Adams Family Game, (can,t tell you how though, it's a secret.) n then they had wanted me to see the Genie.(Long story)
Retired after that n actually had a good nights sleep.

Our 1st Work day with the lions!

Ok...so excuse me if I seem short sometimes as I'm doing this on my blackberry n it's not that easy. I pd for toggle to laptop, but they forgot to tell me it didn't work in gsm (?) mode.
Today...8:00am, (SA time)had breakfast n went straight 2 work cleaning out the lions pens, then off to get rid of the goodies we collected, old poo n bones n such, to the bone yard. This is still on the property as the property is approx. 800 acres, n is a hugh hole in which they dump everything n burn it. While some of us do this, the rangers n some others play bone baseball. It was a hoot! Can't wait to sho you pic's! Then we collected sand, Then off to fetch dead cows 4 the lions. These were at other farms around the area. We brought them back to Ukutula, (the place where I m) n came to lunch, late, needless to say, I now get what they mean you have to eat when u can around here.
After lunch, straight off to feed the teenage lions n the bigger ones. WHEW! We were exhausted. I then played with the baby bengal tigers. Yes, they tore me up, but, I survived. They are much rougher than the lions They let go after that so off to regroup n take a much needed nap. Thank God I woke up in time for dinner. WE have a food plan though as we are going to get a ride out of the bush sometime soon, go to town, n get supplies to keep in our room for just such an emergency. We do understand why everyone is so skinny now! Hey, I could always stand to loose a few lbs so I'll survive.

Lion Cubs!

I can't begin to explain the feeling of being with these baby lions and cheetahs.
This is truly one of the most fascinating moments of my life! Even with the lil' babies attacking you, you can't help but to love them. Tomorrow we work with the rangers. There were 3 new cubs born between yesterday and today, 2 brown cubs and 1 white one. Another surprise was the delivery of 2 7 week old bengal tigers! I must sat they're a lil' more rough than the lions though.

Union Building

I'm @ the Union Building now. Very cool to be walking where Nelson Mandella has walked.

I'm in Atlanta, GA airport right now awaiting my next flight. I've got an almost 5 hour layover, taking off at 19:45 & will be on the plane for the next 15 1/2 hours after that going straight to South Africa.
Sad news, it does'nt look like my friends Bob, from Dublin, Ireland, & Anton from the UK will be able to meet on time & possibly, not even at all. The volcaneo in Iceland has an ash cloud that is covering most of the UK at this time & shows no sign of blowing over anytime soon. BUT, we're still keeping our fingers crossed & hopefully they will make it to the project. They will be missed.

Farm Daze...

Began my day with breakfast at "Howell's", great food & excellent company! My daughter, Crista, & grand daughter, Myla took me out before I leave them for awhile.
Stopped by my friend Tracey's house after that. I needed to drop something off & wondered if we could do one of our walks together. Tracey lives on a farm with horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, & kids. Today she decided I needed to help with the farm animals before we did anything as it would be a great experience for me before I left for Africa to take care of baby white lions. Does she really think I needed the experience??!! Really though, it was great fun! (plus I do love riding them :-) ...)
Later, Michelle came to help me pack the camera case. This was a very calming experience for me! She also suggested I take a photo of it all in the end so when they rip it apart at the airport, I'll have a clue as to how to put it all back together again. Good idea.
Tonight, time with grandson, Mark, & in the morning, Myla for the day then I'll pick up grandson, Mason for the rest of the afternoon.
In the evening, dinner with the inlaws.
Friday.....I pull it ALL together!