'Nyama!!'

It's been an interesting week on the Wildlife front for the Lower Zambezi. At the moment it's 'Quelea' season, so the locals spend their time travelling from island to island, rummaging through the reeds, raiding nests for chicks. Just last week, there was a woman killed by an elephant on one of the islands near Nyakasanga. It's hardly surprising considering the fact that i heard this morning that they were in fact burning the island. Something I don't think an elephant would appreciate??
This morning brought news of another attack. Mr Jackson Zindoga arrived to 'request assistance' to go and search for the body of a fisherman who drowned 0n Friday when his canoe was overturned by a Hippo. Why they wait two days before coming to ask for help I have no idea? Especially considering that in those two days, the body could be anywhere between where it happened to 50km down-stream. So, No!! I am not spending my Sunday traipsing up and down the Zambezi looking for a floating body.The sad thing about all of these attacks is that besides the fact that they could have easily been avoided and the animals are in no way at fault, they will still be shot! And not because they are so-called 'man-eaters' or 'demonic-creatures'. They'll be shot because of their meat.

The neighbour has a similar problem. Baboons are trashing his bananas and regardless of how many times he tells the authorities, they do nothing. But let him tell them that there is a hippo in his plantations and they'll be there in a flash to 'crop the beast'. Or let him take matters into his own hands with the baboons and they'll arrest him for poaching. Go figure?

Still on the subject of all things wild, lunch time snoozes will never be the same after Friday. I don't think there is any ruder awakening than a 3ft lizard crashing around your room. The pesky thing came right in through my door and then got a fright when I sat up. In all the panic he managed to get himself up on my desk in an attempt to push his way through the gauze on my window. But we eventually managed to show him the door and everyone escaped unscathed.

The evenings have been just as interesting with the return of the castor-oil beetles which have forced us to retreat to the kitchen for dinner. The Gerbils have also been up to their usual tricks in 'Mukuyu' but they haven't got bold enough to attempt another toothbrush heist yet.

Quite keen to hit the river this afternoon for a spot of afternoon fishing and maybe we'll get a bit of a sunset now that the rains seem to be coming to an end. It better be good cos I've got to do the outdoor education thing for the week so won't get any time on the water till at least Friday.

Who said life down here's boring??.....;)) The Commodore