I turned to my brother Rodney, who was standing nearby, and asked, "What have you done to upset the monkeys?" He replied with a chuckle, "It wasn't me! I thought it was you." We exchanged a knowing glance, and I sensed that something was amiss. Rodney suggested that the monkeys might be reacting to the presence of a leopard or caracal. I beckoned the student group to quiet down and observe, sensing that we were on the cusp of a valuable learning experience.
As we lifted our binoculars to study the monkeys' behavior, I instructed the students to gather as much information as possible from the surrounding environment. "Take in the bigger picture," I advised. "Where is the noise coming from? How many monkeys are involved? From which trees are they calling out? Where is the sun? Which way is the wind blowing?" I encouraged them to absorb every detail they could in a short span.
Next, I asked them to narrow their focus to each individual monkey, observing their body language, vocalizations, and gaze. "Where is he looking?" I prompted. Finally, I instructed them to zoom in on what the monkeys were looking at. Rodney pointed out that the monkeys seemed to be directing their ire at something near a Rhus tree on the opposite river bank.
With our attention now fixed on the opposite bank, I guided the students through the same exercise once more. "Repeat the process," I said. "Take in the broader view, then narrow your focus to exactly where the monkeys are looking. Be aware of movement, the flick of a tail or twitch of an ear." It was as if we were tuning into a hidden frequency, and suddenly, the air was electric with anticipation.
And then, in a flash of fur and stealth, a Caracal (Felis caracal) emerged from behind the bush, its powerful jaws clamped firmly around the neck of an adult Vervet monkey. The students gasped as the caracal dragged its prey away, seeking a quieter spot to devour its meal. The moment was nothing short of magical.
As we watched the drama unfold, I declared, "Today's lesson starts now. Get your camping chairs and gather behind the Land Rover. We're going to delve into the world of spoors and tracking, and I'll show you that there's more to it than just a footprint in the soil." The students nodded eagerly, their faces aglow with excitement, as we embarked on an unforgettable journey into the realm of wildlife tracking and observation.