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Once we had everything arranged, permission from SANParks to track Mac continuously through the Park, recording and night vision equipment loaned from the BBC, our field equipment and food etc. we set out to catch up with Mac. We found him around midday in a dense Mopane thicket and although we were at times no more than 30m from him we couldn't see him. We could track him with the radio transmitter embedded in his collar, hear him and even on occasion smell him, but we couldn't see him. When he was last seen, 10 days ago, he was already showing the signs of coming into musth: a “proud” posture, swollen temporal glands and dribbling urine. It was the distinctive smell of the dribbling urine that we were now picking up. Still, although we couldn't see him it was great to be around him again.
On two occasions this afternoon we found other lone bull elephants, one of which was also in musth. Later on, when the sun was setting we also saw two wild dogs,
Once again thanks for the loan of the equipment!
Best wishes,
Steve Henley
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