DOUBLE TROUBLE: TWO PANGOLINS DERAIL OUR OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE
Words and images by: Christopher Buchan, Student
Our afternoon drive was meant to be used for 4×4 training, but as things often go in the African bush, plans have a way of changing unexpectedly.
The drive began as usual. We were heading to a particularly sandy intersection to put our 4×4 skills into practice. Each of us would have to intentionally beach ourselves in the thick sand and then use 4×4 (and diff-lock if absolutely necessary) to get out.
En route to our destination, we passed the southwestern part of the plains near camp. As we drove along, excitedly chatting away, we suddenly heard a rustling in the nearby grass. As one, we turned to investigate the sound and *gasp* saw a pangolin!
Our driver slammed on anchors and reversed, while Hugh, one of our instructors, radioed the other vehicle that had gone ahead. We were given permission to exit the vehicle for a better look – a rare exception made only for pangolin sightings.
As we stood admiring this amazing creature, the other vehicle joined us. After everyone had their fill of observing this unusual animal, we waited for a lodge vehicle to arrive before continuing on our way, hoping to salvage our original plans for the afternoon.
When we reached our destination, we discovered that one vehicle’s 4×4 gear shifter was broken, meaning we’d all have to use the other vehicle. We decided to go in pairs, with one person driving out and the other driving back. I was set to go first with another student, supervised by Hugh.
So off we went. The other student went first, managing to beach herself and then power through the sand using “L4”. We carried on down the road looking for a place to turn around, when I heard something moving through the bushes next to me. I instinctively looked over and… pangolin!
Yup, there was another pangolin, even bigger than the first one, less than 2 km from where we saw it and not even an hour later.
To cut a long story short, we never got to do our 4×4 training that afternoon. The other students joined us and we decided to have coffee nearby. By the time we had finished, it was too late to continue with the training, so we headed back to camp. When I went to say goodbye to my little “walking pine cone”, it opened its eyes and raised its head as if to say farewell.
This double pangolin sighting was truly one of the most amazing experiences we’ve had (so far) during our time in the bush.
