Water Wars

I had an Italian couple that requested a photographic safari and I decided to start out a little earlier than usual to capitalize on the beautiful light afternoon safaris had on offer. Leaving the lodge, we decided to head to a waterhole called Ingwe Manzi (meaning Leopard Water in Zulu), as it houses two hippo bulls. With the benefit of winter chances were good that they were basking in the sun providing us with some interesting shots. What a decision this proved to be!

Arriving at Ingwe Manzi, we found the two bulls out of the water as anticipated. They were definitely not basking. These two were having an altercation. Two bulls facing off, snout to snout! While I was still approaching and getting into the best position they started their brawl. The bigger bull fiercely forced the younger bull into the water with the younger bull desperately marking his territory by defecating and sprinkling his dung as a show of defiance.

The fight was shorter than expected and the large bull forced the younger bull out of the water. We noticed a gash on the younger bulls side. The larger bull enforced his dominance by refusing to let the younger bull back in the water, leaving him to lick his wounds in the hot lowveld sun.

We were about to continue our quest when we noticed a group of about eight elephant bulls heading down to the water. ”Oh good “I thought, “more testosterone. This ought to make things interesting!”

They came down and in typical Elephant fashion claimed complete control of the waterhole. They rolled and played in the muddy water. Two bull elephants then started jostling for a position at the water and our sighting ended off on the same note as it started. Bulls with too much Testosterone, trying to teach each other a lesson!

Darren Roberts-York

Photographs taken with a Nikon Coolpix P510