Is that a giraffe? When hikers encounter wild animals

 

Animals with young ones can be aggressive. Photo from nature-reserve.co.za.

It’s been a while since I was last here. Not because I didn’t have content or I am now bored with this space. I’ve been snowed under and do not carry that as a badge of honour. In fact, I despise not having time to do the things I love, such as hiking, and sharing this space with you. My love for nature is known, and one of the lessons I learnt from nature is always to embrace the season I am in.

Something I may not have shared before is that I respect nature and try as far as humanly possible not to disturb it. But I constantly find that the human being in me has a lot to unlearn. Without failure, I need to be more conscious of what I know and believe. I believe that much like I would not want anybody or anything intruding into my personal space, I should accord other living things the same respect when I enter their habitat.  

I love hiking in South Africa because on most trails, there’s always a surprise waiting. There is always something, whether it’s a hum of a flowing stream, a thunderous drop of a waterfall, or various bird calls. Sometimes you may be startled by a fleeing antelope, while a rustle of the leaves may be from one staring at you. While this may be a breathtaking experience for others, it may be intimidating for some who may not know how to respond.

Be responsible

As a hiker, your primary responsibility is to ensure minimal disturbance to wildlife, which is attained through actively protecting the environment from pollution, including noise pollution. You are also responsible for your personal safety, so you need to know the basics.

I am sharing this because I recently behaved irresponsibly and was lucky to escape unharmed.

Be prepared

I cannot overemphasise the need to research a trail you intend to hike. A colleague shared how scared they were when they encountered zebras on a hike. This was because they had no idea there were wild animals in the nature reserve. If you know there are animals, you may want to take your binoculars to view them, even at a distance. Also, stick to the designated trail and avoid walking where you might startle them or even step on the slithery ones.

Reduce the noise

Most people go hiking to unplug and get away from the noise. This tells you that nature is all about silence, meaning the inhabitants there will not appreciate noise either. So, ask yourself whether you need that speaker! While it is understandable that when walking as a group or a pair, you can’t be completely quiet, keeping it down is not only respectful towards the wildlife whose habitat you are visiting, but by so doing, you will be showing respect towards fellow hikers, too.

Keep your distance

The era of social media content means some hike in areas known to have small game, only for the content. I must admit I looked like one of those content creators recently, where it almost ‘ended in tears’ as they say.

I was with a friend who was baffled by the appearance of a giraffe in front of us. I must admit, I cannot get enough of the regal presence of these gentle giants. I cannot look at their strut and not be taken to the runway; their elegant strut and the deliberate sway just melt me. While my friend stood in awe, trying to determine whether the towering structure was real, I saw it and immediately took out my phone and started clicking. The excitement that enveloped me at the sight of this regal being made me forget the importance of admiring silently. At that moment, I forgot that while these beautiful animals are generally peaceful, I’ve seen them kick their attackers hard.

Before the charge...

My biggest mistake was telling my friend to get closer so I could capture her under that stupendous structure. Even as the giraffe started moving, the awestruck being in me didn’t sense any danger. As synchronicity would have it, a ranger was walking a few metres ahead of us. As he heard our excitement, he warned us to move away, as the gentle giant was now charging. Even as I ran, I felt that flight needed capturing. That led me to write this piece, hoping to give you some nuggets to stay safe around animals. This is just for you to understand that while most animals may not be dangerous, that may change once they feel attacked or sense what they perceive as danger.  

Giraffe

It only makes sense for me to start with the gentle giants since they are the reason I had to pen this.

You are likely to spot a giraffe nibbling on leaves at treetops; in that case, you can admire it at a distance without causing unnecessary noise. You may also be fortunate to see it strutting its stuff, more like a dancer in slow motion. However, remember that getting close for a picture moment may not be such a good idea. The advice from the ranger was that they do not like cameras. If you stand still, it may stare at you for a while to assess the safety. The advice is to stand still until they relax, then you can proceed quietly.

Zebra

The noise issue cannot be overemphasised because no one can predict how a startled animal may react. My experience with these striped beauties has been nothing but pleasant. And as I’m writing this, I am reminded of the many times I’ve clicked and clicked without considering how that may affect them. And I’m talking about back in the era of those cameras with bulky lenses (I am that person). The advice here is to look at any signs of irritability and avoid agitating them. If you need to, just do your thing and let them be.

 The striped beauties... from a distance

Wildebeest

I must confess, wildebeest tend to unsettle me, generally because of how they seem to love running with their heads down. While it is said that they typically don’t attack humans, they may when they are made to feel unsafe. They are also reported to be territorial, meaning they may perceive humans as trespassers.  I have an experience of a seemingly enraged bull at one hike. We couldn’t tell if there had been a prior incident, or the bright pink top that one hiker was wearing agitated him. We were almost held hostage as we were supposed to cross over to the other side, where it was. It took a while before he decided to leave, finally letting us continue our hike.

Photo from Kruger National Park website.

Antelopes

Maybe I should mention that wildebeest is considered an antelope, although I treated it separately due to its distinct features and behaviour. Antelopes come in different shapes and sizes. Most will dart away as soon as they spot humans. They are said to be shy, but many predators see them as their hearty meal. Human beings also hunt them in legalised and classified hunting areas. So, we must understand why they bolt away at the sight of humans. This also means there is a slim chance that you may get very close to them, but if you do, appreciate them quietly.

Regardless of where you encounter them, they are quick to dart off.

The ostrich

This is the largest bird in the world, and they are unmistakably tall, curious and intimidating, mainly due to their build and sprinting capabilities. Information from the International Fund for Animal Welfare suggests that ostriches are an integral part of the ecosystem as they control the rodent populations and spread the seeds of the many plants they eat. However, it is essential to note that these birds can be bold, inquisitive, and defensive, making them dangerous. While they do not fly, they can run very fast, and apparently, their kicks can be lethal, even capable of killing a lion or human being with a single blow. They are reportedly even more dangerous when protecting their nests or babies. The key here is to stay out of their way at all costs, and if they happen to be close, avoid doing anything that may evoke a reaction from them.

The fastest runner of the bird species. Photo from A-Z Animals website

I did not include all animals you may encounter, but the rule is the same. Also, please do not try to feed wild animals.

In the end

We are blessed to have hiking spots that allow us to come close to wild animals; that is a privilege. Let each encounter be a reminder of the importance of preserving the beauty of nature for more generations to come. Let us also remember that in the same way we are protective of our children, so are animals of their offspring. Animals will do whatever it takes to protect their nests and young ones from perceived danger.  When you understand animal behaviour, regardless of whether your encounter involves the evasive antelope, the nervous wildebeest, the striped beauties or the regal and tallest of the mammals, you will appreciate each moment fully while staying safe.

Remember: It is their habitat. You’re just an uninvited visitor! Give them some respect!

Td