15 August 2005
July 2005, Lucy Tallents reports from the field
It has been a severe dry season in Bale, and as the date for the start of the rains arrived and passed with barely a cloud in the sky, small mammals became more and more pushed for food. The grass rats scampered about on the surface, and the molerats extended their burrows further into the drying borders of the swamps. They provided rich pickings and the Kotera wolves grew fat and sleek, but paradoxically now that the rains have come, life will become harder for these efficient hunters. The grasses and herbs are green and luxuriant, and the rats can quickly eat what they need and scurry into the safety of their underground burrows once more. Jaaba, Labduu, Saragee and Biddiiqaa must become more cunning and patient to catch their prey, and they are often seen on their bellies, with tail held low and ears back, creeping towards an unsuspecting molerat, hoping to get within pouncing distance. Saragee remains on the fringes but occasionally sleeps with the rest of the pack, provided Biddiiqaa tolerates her presence. Jaaba and Biddiiqaa need to keep their pack healthy and cohesive: their neighbours' pups are getting old enough to join the territorial disputes, and Kotera will soon be outnumbered by Mulamu and Megity. They may be forced to retreat away from their neighbours as the skirmishes become fiercer and more frequent, back into the area which Doda occupied before they were decimated by rabies, but for the meantime they are holding their own, and the newly swollen waters of the Web River will help secure their borders against intruders.
# posted by Claudio Sillero @ 15.8.05 
