Week 339 ( 19th - 25th February 2010 )
Hulooo joins King Henry and Princess in the Mini Camp
On 21st February we introduced Hulooo into the same camp as King Henry and Princess in order for her to get to know her future mates and still have her brother’s protection should she need it. Once Hulooo had arrived in the camp and was investigating the pole shelter king Henry came over for a closer look. Hulooo ignored King Henry and focused all his attention on the uprights of the shelter - licking, gnawing and rubbing himself against them. After he had finished lavishing attention on the poles he sprayed them copiously. Only then did he become aware of King Henry who was sitting behind a bush. Hulooo walked towards him anxious to get to know him without a fence separating them, King Henry was immediately on the defensive and lashed out at Hulooo who just bounced away. Hulooo walked off and King Henry followed. This continued for half an hour until Hulooo became tired and lay down. King Henry then approached him cautiously and when Hulooo didn’t lash out at him he became braver and eventually the pair touched noses and chuffs were exchanged. Princess had also in the interim gathered her courage together and came forward. Ants in his pants forced Hulooo back onto his feet and he discovered Princess a short distance away. Princess immediately felt threatened and went on the defensive roaring and lashing out every time Hulooo came near. It must also be said at this stage that there was not an ounce of antagonism in Hulooo and he desperately wanted to make her acquaintance. But no matter how he tried he was always confronted with five sharp claws and self-protective roars and not once did he retaliate, he just backed off hastily. Eventually he realised that he was getting nowhere and he left her to climb on top of the breeding box. Some time later he climbed down from the box and he and King Henry walked circles around each other. The atmosphere in the camp when I left was one of cautious acceptance.
The next day both King Henry and Hulooo came over to the fence and as soon as they became aware of each other they walked in circle around each other – watching each other out of the corners of their eyes, careful not to present their backs to one another. Hulooo is quite at home in the camp with the pair and has no further interest in Princess. On the whole the atmosphere in the camp is one of cautious acceptance.