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When we resight Mac he is typically in the vicinity of breeding herds although not in their midst, unless they have stopped to rest or drink. He can search most efficiently for cows coming into oestrous by following behind the herd and scanning the signs they leave behind or by visiting places where they will congregate such as water holes.
If he picks up the scent of a potential mate he will then catch up with that herd and start moving from individual to individual to ascertain who is coming into heat and when.
As he walks, Mac is also advertising his presence and status. While in musth he dribbles urine almost continuously and as he walks he is laying a pheromone trail. This message decays over time and so provides other bulls in the area with notice of the fact that Mac was here, in musth, and also some indication of how recently.
So Mac's perception of the world differs quite substantially from ours. He is moving through a sea of scents and while we are looking for his potential mate and rivals he is sniffing for them. More on Mac's movements next week when we hope he will be closer to finding a mate.
Best wishes,
Steve
Further Reading:
Next report: Mac on the Move Week Six
Last report: Mac on the Move Week Four
Save The Elephants is the organisation that Steve and Michelle Henley work for.
More on the news that South Africa have lifted the ban on elephant culling.