Beware of Wild Animals In Lusaka

On January 1, Barb and I went to Munda Wanga, the animal sanctuary in Lusaka.  These are rescued animals who are eventually turned back into the wild. Can you see the Cheetah under the sign?

It was an inexpensive way for two volunteers to get up close and personal with the animals who live in Zambia.  Since I didn't get to see Zebras or Lions on the safari in Chobe National Park, I was very happy to get the snaps of these beautiful animals, albeit behind wire fences. 

The Zebra who was MIA at Chobe Safari

Of course the Warthog, aka PUMBA, delighted us.

The camels were a surprise but they were rescued.  Someone tried to introduce them as work animals  but the Zambians did not take to them.  As you may already know, they are very useful in Sahara region of Africa.  Just shows you how large and varied the continent is.

Where ARE we?  What is this greenery?

Then we came upon this poor tortoise on his back with his soft side under the hot African sun and watched to see if he could right himself.  After observing another turtoise (sibling?) give him wide berth while passing him, I thought WWZD (What would a Zambian Do?)  So I went looking for and found a long bamboo pole to reach him over the barrier and flip him upright.

Rescued tortoise.  Can you see the mud on his shell?

He stayed withdrawn for only seconds before taking off to Mama Tortoise who was sunning herself on a nearby rock.  You can actually see clumps of mud on his back from his struggles.  I tried to upload a video of his attempts but it is too large a file for our system.

Sun bather

Then we proceeded to the cafeteria and botanical gardens which are also housed in Munda Wanga.

The first thing we checked on upon arrival at Munda Wanga was the availability of eating crocodile for lunch only to be told that they sold out the day before.  When we came back to order later, we learned that there was ONE crocodile steak.  Hopefully, it wasn't one of the rescued crocs we had just visited.

Sibling Rough housing