Seasonal floods
Saturday 20 March 2021
Zebra predation
The two Orphan lionesses have avoided Leyland’s drift despite a concentration of prey animals in the surrounding area. There are currently low numbers of gemsbok and other prey species utilising the lower Hoaruseb river. The lions have instead pursued prey to the north and south of the ephemeral river. During the night of 17 March 2021 they killed two adult Hartmann’s zebras during a single hunt 3km west of Leyland’s Drift.
Lionesses rest in the shade of granite boulders
Lions searching for prey on the gravel plains
Two Orphan lionesses on the gravel plains south of the Khumib river
Two lionesses play next to research vehicle
Hartmann’s zebra captured by lions west of Leyland’s Drift
Lappet-faced vultures
During recent months big congregations of Lappet-faced vultures have been observed feeing on carcasses at the Möwe Bay Cape fur seal colony. As many as 77 individuals have been counted at the colony. A camera-trap mounted at Ganias spring on the gravel plains 27km east of Möwe Bay has captured many of the same vultures observed at the seal colony. At least two marked individual have been recorded (photos).
Lappet-faced vultures at Möwe Bay Cape fur seal colony
Marked Lappet-faced vultures drinking at Ganias spring
Rain and Flash-floods
Most afternoons have seen a buildup of cumulonimbus clouds to the east that inevitably dissipates towards the late afternoon. Even though the rainclouds do not reach the far western parts of the desert, downpours occur in the catchment areas of the major ephemeral drainage systems that can result in flash floods. Following two days of towering rain clouds visible from the Skeleton Coast National Park during the late afternoons, the Hoaruseb river came down in flood on the morning of 19 March 2021.
Elephant bull feeding in the Hoaruseb river before arrival of the floodwaters
Buildup and dissipation of cumulous clouds over the Hoanib river catchment area
Buildup of cumulous clouds over Purros on 18 March 2021
Floodwaters reach the lower Hoaruseb river at 10h00 on 19 March 2021
Floodwaters reach the dunes of the lower Hoaruseb river
