Week 329 ( 11th - 17th December 2009 )
Cathay gives birth and 327 is a dad (for the first time EVER)
Cathay is due to give birth any time this week and every day we waited for signs that her birthing is imminent. None of the usual signs were obvious there was no restlessness, no excessive licking and cleaning, no disproportionate amounts of scent marking and no loss of appetite – nothing to show us when we could expect the little bundle of joy. Instead she was calm and relaxed; she even appeared to enjoy Madonna’s company, although she totally ignored TigerWoods. In the middle of the week Cathay noticed our arrival and began walking towards where we were standing, about half way she caught sight of Madonna and immediately changed direction towards her; Madonna waited for her sister at the gate and they greeted one another with a chuff and together they both paced stopping to rest after a while.
It was only on 14 December that she gave some indication of imminent birth when she became a little bit more restless and appeared to be searching for the right place to give birth; even considering the cabin that 327 is so fond of. I first noticed her walking about in the trees near the small cabin and whilst I was watching her she made many forays half way into the cabin; inspecting it from all sides and sniffing around the opening. She then had a good look at the thick bushes and tangled branches near the cabin before she meandered off to the other side of the camp – seemingly satisfied that she had found the perfect place.
The next day the two ladies kept one another company but as soon as she saw TigerWoods approaching she sprayed all the bushes in the vicinity and continued to do so whilst he hung around and only lay down again once he had passed.
On 16 December Cathay was lying peacefully in the trees near the cabin. She paid us little heed and even ignored TigerWoods as he passed her on his way to the annex. She was drooling and her teeth were chattering – babies are on the way. I am certain that she is going to give birth today. As we arrived with her food in the afternoon Cathay raced up to the gate and hovered around in great excitement. Suddenly, the cry of a cub broke the silenc