KAMCILLA PILLAY
Durban -
A seasoned wildlife photographer was treated to spectacular displays of teamwork and brute strength – all in one day.
Vryheid lensman, Romano Volker, had been visiting uMkhuze’s kuMasinga Hide at iSimangaliso Wetland Park on January 11 when he happened upon a tiny wildebeest stuck in the mud.
“Normally there is enough water in the pool, but when a herd of elephants come along and drink it all up, all that’s left behind is this sticky mud,” he told the Daily News after the park had sent out some of his pictures as part of a press release.
Some of the wildebeest had banded together to help the stuck-in-the-mud youngster.
“The mother and other members of the herd rallied around to nudge the baby free.
“It took some time, but they got the baby out. I have seen this in birds, lions, elephants especially. All animals care. It is awesome to watch,” said Volker, who describes wildlife photography as his passion.
Another of Volker’s great sightings at kuMasinga Hide was of a Woolly-necked stork playing tug-of-war with a terrapin over a frog.
“That was something I’ve never captured before,” said the photographer of 10 years, who travels to the park twice a month if he can.
“The two of them refused to give up and kept going back and forth. They tenderised that little frog, so I’m sure it went down well after that. The terrapin eventually won that battle.”