Watchful Eyes in Camp

August 07, 2008

There was a lion in camp this morning. That's all, you need to know nothing more.

OK, I'm lying. You know me, I want to share all my good times with everyone. There is a lion named Otjiwa (pronounced "o-gee-wa"). I used to call her "Obi-Wan" because I couldn't pronounce it well. It means something in one of the local languages, something like "beautiful." She hangs out with another cat, "Yoda." I gave her the name from her huge ears and the fact that I called Otjiwa "Obi-Wan." Anyway, they both must have been using their Jedi mind tricks this morning because they were a few feet away from me without me knowing.

It's funny, everything that we could see showed that she must have been in this one bush beside my tent — just like Brutus's vantage point but the opposite side of camp and much closer. It was perfect for them to watch everything that I was doing in camp. Every morning as I come out of my tent, about an hour before sunrise, I say "Good morning Erindi!" Partly because I'm crazy and talk to no one a lot, but partly to make sure I don't surprise anything dangerous in camp. Like a lion! Then I take a few steps towards this bush that the lion was in without me knowing and I take my morning bathroom break. If it wasn't dark I would have been looking her right in the eye.

I slowly, half asleep, move towards the fire pit to start the fire for my morning coffee. At this point I lay flat on the ground with my back to the lion to blow my ambers from last night's fire to start one for this morning. This is possibly the worst thing you can do to any large predator, lying flat. Even a cat that wasn't hunting you to start with, if you take a position this vulnerable, it can cause it to kick into hunting mode and let instinct take over. Not Otjiwa, not my girl. She is awesome! She stayed in the bush, much like Brutus had done from a further distance the time before. She just sat there and watched me make coffee and welcome the morning.

It wasn't until the film crew showed up that she was startled by their vehicle. She ran away from behind camp. As they came to me to tell me that there had been a lion right behind me, we looked across the camp to see that she was still hanging around looking at me. I walked over to her and started to talk to her. She got a bit nervous because of there being so many other people around and she slinked off. As the guys started the engine to see where she was going, Yoda came out and growled at them, just to say "Hey! I'm over here. Don't run me over!"

What an awesome experience. These moments of lions calmly just hanging out with me are so meaningful to me. It's really a great description of why I like having relationships with wild animals and particularly these lions. They wanted to be around me. Not to eat me, not to kill me, not as a threat — just to be curious and interested. Just like me to them. I love just sitting and watching lions. It's possible for me to think that some lions, like Otjiwa and Brutus, love sitting and watching me. Awesome!

It's funny, as I write this I am doing two things. I have fed the birds my leftover pup, which is an African food made of corn. I do this most afternoons while I drink my coffee. I sit with my bird book and try to learn the names of some of the birds that come around.

The other thing is that I am hearing conversations in my head that I always have with two of my best friends and one of their fathers, who is also a good friend. My buddy Maur always calmly and intellectually asks me "What would you do if that lion just snapped?" I would explain to him that animals rarely if ever just snap and it's my job to pay attention as a behaviorist, to understand the signs that the lions will give me before they become aggressive. My other buddy Miles would ask me "Are you sure you can do this project?" I would tell him "Yes, I'm confident." That would be enough for him because he is confident in me. My buddy's dad Sam says the same thing to me every time I am about to do one of these types of projects: "Be smart and stay safe." I would tell him that "I will.". So guys, I'm sure you are reading. I'm studying these cats intensely and paying attention to everything. I'm confident and I'm being smart and safe.

See you soon.

Comments

[scott quach]

Dave,you need to look at the big picture! Do you realize your ignorance is endangering lions? While you are filming this tastless show of yours, you are never in "real" danger are you? Try being out there with lions ALONE! Now, thats a film worth watching! What you are doing is playing games with lions for t.v. which will and maybe already has gotten lions killed. I know a little about film making, editing, cut scenes, bloopers etc, You only show what you want the people to see.How many times were you almost cat-chow, and they had to shoot the lion? not with the camera? my advise to you, leave the LIONS ALONE!You can't control nature, Who do you think you are? I no longer watch Animal Planet because of your selfish actions and stupidity. From Tacoma Washington ...Scott

[Kitty]

Happy birthday Dave!
Regards Kitty
Thanks for the possibility to meet you and your team!
It was my first time in Africa and my best holiday ever!
I hope Brutus is more friendly to you as last time :-)

[Megan]

Awesome, you are doing everything I hope to do with my life!
IF you read this and you can find my email address, I would love to hear the type of schooling and how you got to where you are today! I, myself, am an animal behavior major in my junior year at michigan state university.
Keep up the great work! I look forward to hearing what cool things you get to do next!! :-)

[Lisa Marie]

Whats been up since your last blog? Update us all when you get a chance! I hope you're well!

Lisa M

[Mary- Venezuela]

Hello, I hope that as such his project goes well ... lioness that so beautiful in his eyes can not see aggressiveness rather curiosodad transmitted, and its camouflage in the grass is perfect, if it remained there because they do not feel under threat by you .. as my grandmother said the animals recognize people who do not want to harm she felt comfortable with you .. I am sure that this sends is that for you ... take precautions anyway .. Post: beware of snakes and scorpions in their shoes like those places .. bye

[ISABELLA]

DAVID..

I ADMIRE YOUR ENTHUSIASM!!!

NEVER CHANGE, YOU ARE A GREAT PERSON. :)

KISSES & HUGS FROM MEXICO

TAKE CARE

[Lisa Marie]

Dave,

Thats amazing that you have learned to read these animals like you have. Im excited to see the show "A Season with lions". I admire your work!
I wish I had your instinct to read animals! I started scuba diving pretty recently and get scared to death to the point of almost breathing all my air on the surface because of what I might encounter on the bottom..haha. I don't know when those fish with sharp teeth are going to decide they want to try and eat me...or attack. On my 3rd and last dive I went on I encountered a school of about a dozen Barricuda..at that point the dive instructor took his new students to the surface. I haven't seen any shark yet but I have heard that lately there have been hammorheads at the site I dive at. So it would be nice to not be nervous and know what im going to encounter! How DO you not get nervous? I don't know if that related to lions but reading your blog made me think of it!

I love big cats! Keep up the wonderful work!

Lisa

[J]

It must be amazing to be able to view these animals up close. Although I must admit it, to me it is a bit scary. I am in Italy right now and I have been feeding a stray dog by the beach, and for the first time last night, while I was watching the sun set the dog whom I named scruffy sat next to me. He even let me pet him. I know it is nothing like you are experiencing, but the feeling was nice. It was nice to FINALLY have this dog trust me. I have to admit that I will be leaving in a couple of days to go back to the States and I feel bad leaving the dog here.
Any how, it is great that you are confident about the work you do. Just please dont be over confident, because in my experience that is when mistakes happen. You are an intelligent man, and you are probably one of the best at what you do... so please stay focused, and safe.

[Kim]

When you return to camp after your sisters wedding, how long should it take for the lions to get used to you again or will they be ok with it?

[KIM]

Hey Dave,
I'm very glad that there are people around you who ask you if you confident in this project and everyone in the past. I read your Blog and I keep thinking to myself "This Guy is either really dumb." (which I know you are not but the thought still comes to mind) or "This Guy is so dedicated and passionante; to his work and the lions and eduacting the world about them." I choose to believe the later. Good Luck try not to get eatting. Your and your Crew are in my thoughts and Prayers.
Kim

[Mah]

Hey I just found your blog, that's great...I don't even know if you read this, but I'm posting anyway...
I cannot see you on tv but at least I can read your posts...awesome!
Thank you for taking us on these beautiful adventures with you, you really do a great job!!
and as your fan, from now on I'll be following your new posts here..hehe..
oh, and update the pics and videos if you can of course...=D

see ya