Are You Also Passionate About Seeing The Big Five? How About Adding A Giraffe To The Number?

LION FEED. A cute little “tall pony” with knobbly knees, shortly before it became a lion’s breakfast.

SAFE HAVEN. A carefree giraffe enjoys a siesta near the nameplate of one of the Sabiepark houses.

Lofty comrades

While we were waiting at Loeriebos on the reappearance of the obstinate lions that Sunday afternoon, two fully-grown giraffe walked past, slowly, directly to the scene of the slaughter. Could it be the father and mother of the little long-necked victim, to say a final farewell?

The lofty ones remained for a few moments near the heart-rending small heap of bones and tufts of skin – leftovers of the day-long feast of the lions. Then they purposefully tore themselves away from the scene. With measured strides, they went deeper into the bush. Further and further away. Their necks erect as always. Heads held high. They did not look back. Their probable pain touched our hearts.

Perhaps we were romanticising the whole episode. Perhaps the two were not even related to the victim, or were unaware of what had occurred. A sombre feeling, however, took hold of us. Something one could not wish away. Like death in the home of family or good friends.

Some people are passionate about seeing the Big Five. Tokkie, however, is convinced that there should also be a Favourite Five. One should be just as passionate about those that bring regular (emphasis on the “regular”) pleasure, she believes. From a Sabiepark standpoint, that would mean the five favourite visitors to your homestead. Animals with a “presence”, to whom you would like to say you are pleased that they had come. She sat down and listed her Favourite Five: from lofty giraffe to tiny bushbaby, and, in between, zebra, warthog and duiker. She did not wish to tie herself to naming a personal best beloved.

I can well understand her hesitancy. It is extremely difficult to choose. As far as I am concerned, three candidates run neck and neck in positions one, two and three: giraffe, duiker and bush-baby. Zebra come fourth. Warthog a distant fifth. I feel guilty towards the kudu bull that we could not fit him into the top five. What a self-assured animal, with such a stately bearing! The only disqualifying factor – only just – is his aloofness. A kudu bull is somewhat of a snob. He usually keeps his distance and does not give the impression that he would like to become better acquainted.

The giraffe qualifying as one of the big five

Physically, the giraffe is clearly head and shoulders above the other four on Tokkie’s list. He also heads all other animals of the veld. In fact, if size was the criterion, and tourists the adjudicators, the giraffe would probably qualify as one of the Big Five. But it is the trophy hunters, not the tourists who – rightly or wrongly – make the deep-seated classification. To them the most important factor is the degree of difficulty in slaying the victim. On that score the peaceful animal does not figure.

It may seem strange to the uninitiated that one should have such a great affinity for the giraffe with its imposing build. What, then, is the reason for this bond? The deciding reason must be the “tall horse’s” friendliness to man. When you meet one in Sabiepark, it always exudes warmth. Its message is clear: “I am interested in you and in what you do.” It’s attitude makes one feel good. Giraffe are true aristocrats of the veld. If you suddenly encounter one, it remains standing and sums up the situation. It seems inquisitive; does not just make off in any direction like the run-of-the-mill inhabitant of the bush. That placidness is captivating. It makes you realise that it is blue blood which decides its equability and dignity. A giraffe deserve to be treated with respect.

And, oh, those soulful looks from under the long lashes! How it promotes long and intimate eye-contact. Spontaneously, one assumes the friendly old giant has something on its mind. You wish you could speak giraffe language and have long conversations. An alternative would be to scratch a message in the ground – if old Lofty had only learnt to read and write. A fast b-mail (bush-mail ) in the road could have read: “Dear old Lofty, please bend down that we can have a chat”.