I just got an email this morning from the manager of Satao camp which I'll share with you. To understand what he is talking about, there are about 100 impala (I counted about twenty babies when I was there two weeks ago) which make camp their home. They are out in the bush all day, but come into camp around 4:30 - 5:00 p.m. as protection from lions. The note didn't explain whether it was another male that had killed him (which I presume) or perhaps a lion and I have written asking for clarification on this.

"the King of the biggest group in history in Tsavo of Impala female is dead. He has lost his last fight and the killer is walking through the Camp. There is absolutely no order anymore. Nobody is around and they are all scattered all over the Camp and they don't know what's next.

The good thing is, that we had some nice rain, which means there is food where ever they now have to go. It was an absolutely terrible afternoon (yesterday) and that's why I had to tell you this morning.

All the Elephant have left. And the only happy ones must be the Hippo."

Thus the news is sad regarding the impala buck - thus effecting his entire harem but extremely good news for the rest of the wildlife who will now have food and hopefully more waterholes to use for the next few months until the short rains.

oh sad....
but the KILLER - doesn't he become the successor automatically? i assume the boss lost his last battle with another male????

Pippa:

That is what I am assuming also until I hear from Kenya.

Some of the younger bucks (who possibly might have killed an older one) don't yet have the leadership capability. My guess is that is what is probably happening. I'll let you know if I get a further update.

Hi Jan,

Kings last fight.

I was seating on the Veranda of the Bar together with Geraldine and Flavio.

On the roof of the Restaurant was a little Tumbiri warning and I stood up and had a look and told him, what the bloody hell are you up to, up there. I am sure there is no Cita around her.

At the same time lots of male Impala where jumping around in front of the Restaurant with there white Tail high up and spread out.

Now we new that something is wrong and one of the Waiter (Haroun) just came walking and told us that a Impala is dying behind the Bar.

I am up in a flash and back there, where in the Bush I can see two big male Impala fighting. One second latter one is down on his side and we can see one hole in his chest and one on the side. He is bleeding badly all over and must have some more injury.

While the Impala on the ground try franticly to get up the Killer strikes again and hits him badly in the back. At this Point we all throw sticks and stone towards the guy and he walks of but only a few Meter. In the mean time the wounded one got up and run for safety back to the staff quarter, where he next to the Maintenance is dying about 20 Minutes latter.

If I would have listen to the Tumbiri a bit better, maybe we could have chased the Killer off in time. It show there is much more to learn and that I have to pay more attention to what they say.

Today morning I saw two female Impala walking around. All the 11 Baby and all their Mothers are nowhere to be seen. The same for the rest of them. I am telling you there is a big mess in the Impala world and it is not looking good. The Killer has destroyed the biggest Impala Group organised by one great guy. I was watching him many hour and I always admired his skill, how he new them all so very well and all there movement. If one tried to get away to have a quick one with a guy waiting under the old Tamarind at the water hole, he got her back she had not reached half the way. Many time I told a Tourist, when one of the female tried to get away, look,look how he is going to get hereback and he sneak quickly around a Bush or a Tent just to stand in front of here on the odder side five second latter. You see, you see smart guy I use to say.

And I am still very sad and I gone be upset for some time to come because as more I am thinking of him as more I find out how bloody good he was in what he was doing. Great guy.

Thanks for helping on the Lake Natron disaster, as we would not have made enough bull----- by now.

The rain we had was not that much as you thought. No water holes got filled. Yesterday at 18oo hour three different groups came to drink. All together 34 Elephant. No VIP.
It is the first rain in August since 4 Years.

thanks jan for sharing this sad story with us!
can comprehend how the guy must be feeling blaming himself to not have interfered earlier......
hopefully the herd comes to terms and gets a strong leader soon!

regarding the rain:
we also had night rain showers in august in the mara.....very unusual weather is just going nuts. hate that kind of unreliablity.

Thank you for sharing the story with us.