Beware the Warthog

 

Being from the Eastern Cape we all know that there are areas where you have to be very careful driving at night.  Unlike our friends in the Big Smoke it's not robbers and highjackers we have to be careful of, but rather Kudus.  These big antelope jump fences up to 2 meters tall and come and browse on the side of the road after dark, often jumping into the road and colliding with cars when they get startled by the bright lights.  Because of this Kudu warning road signs is a regular sight on the roads of the Karoo Heartland.

But lately, a new sign has stuck its head out.  A Warthog warning sign.  Now warthogs don't jump fences, for that their legs are way too short.  But they do burrow underneath and they can often be seen on the side of the R75 road towards Graaff-Reinet from Port Elizabeth.  Hence, Beware of Warthog signs. 

For some reason, I just want to sing, "Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase. Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze..." when I drive past them. Go figure...

A face only a mother can love

Its amazing how you get to interact with the animals at game reserves not just from on top of a 4x4 but somethings also face to face.  At a recent visit to Pumba Game Reserve I was walking along the walkway to the rooms at Pumba Water Lodge when I passed this warthog grazing about 2 meters away.  He looked up at me, snorted (as if to let me know I'm in his space and not vice versa) and watched me carefully shuffle past and speed up just in case he decided to come after me.  I didn't want to turn and throw him an ugly insult at the time, but that's really a face only a mother can love.

Warthog

Why am I posting a picture of a warthog. And not even a good picture at that. Let me tell you why. I have had this picture in my "to be blogged" file for ever waiting for one or two pictures to join it in a "Random ... theme" post or something likewise, but alas, nothing seems to fit in with the poor dude. Its been calling out... crying out actually, to be posted. So I can't handle it's whining anymore and decided to allow it to have its way. Here it is... Warthog.