Week 336 (29th January to 4th February 2010)
327 plays yo-yo and annexes the Breeding Centre
Seeing as there is no way other than the male’s reactions towards the females to show whether they are pregnant or not (if they mate again then obviously the females are not pregnant) and there is also no logic in wasting time whilst waiting the full 105 days to find out if any cubs are born I had decided to let 327 play yo-yo between the females. To this end I unlocked the gate to the Grass Camp. Whilst I was doing so 327 appeared like magic and placed himself in such a position so as to have first access. There they both dallied whilst I explained to 327 that his presence in the grass camp was not required. After a while I was able to let Madonna into the Grass Camp and 327 headed off to the shade in a huff.
Later the same day it was time to get Cathay and his nibs together. She was waiting at the gate whilst I dragged ½ a Blesbuck in for her on one side of the breeding centre and another ½ on the other side of the building for 327. I opened Cathay and she fell on her dinner. 327 hurried through Hope’s Corner without a check as he headed for the Quarantine Camp to join Cathay and of course DINNER. Upon arriving he first HAD to investigate before he could even contemplate eating. He totally ignored Cathay where she was munching and eventually returned to his own food.
The morning after I had let him into the Quarantine Camp 327 had found himself a niche in the Breeding Centre. The same afternoon and he was still resident inside. He then crossed over to the front mesh and snorted at me before lying down, with his back supported against the mesh, and much moaning, groaning and heavy breathing
The next day, whilst 327 was drinking at the trough Cathay came back in and rubbed her face on the mesh where I was standing whilst talking. She then left to have her drink and 327 took advantage of the opening to lounge at the mesh, keeping up a long and involved conversation. Every time Cathay came close he growled and snarled at her and she hastily retreated. He then got up to mark one wall and Cathay hurried over for a really close look and was peed on for her trouble. 327 returned to the mesh growling at Cathay whenever she came close.