Afrique Australe, la vie sauvage au fil de l'eau

Both abundant and generous, both rare and forgotten, water shapes the landscapes of Africa. The animals are in permanent search of this source of life. It allows them to drink, but also to feed, clean food, play, cool themselves, and even to meet. In the south of the continent, southern Africa has a wide variety of ecosystems. From the flooded areas of the Okavango Delta, from the dry savannah of Etocha to the Namib Desert, wildlife has developed along the water. From fine gouttelettes to cataractes rugissantes, the Zambezi River offers a spectacle in southern Victoria. Every second, 9,000 cubic metres of water fall from a height of 100 metres to a width of 1700 metres, marking the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Air currents swamp the rocky fault and cause water droplets to fall back in dense fog onto the river banks. Seen from afar, it is the earth's bowels that seem to smoke. This continued rain allowed the development of a narrow strip of tropical forest. Rising up the river to the west, from the confluence with the Chobé river, it crosses a wet savanna landscape. This is home to a rich wildlife that comes down to drink on the shore in the late afternoon. This is where the savannas find the 100 litres of water they need daily. The anatomy of their tubes does not allow them to suck up liquid to the stomach, so elephants use it like a syringe. The generous flow of the river has allowed the maintenance of large herds which constitute the greatest density of elephants in all of Africa. Despite a weight of up to 6 tons for the males, the pachyderms swim perfectly well. This gives them access to protected islands where food is plentiful. The river water isolates their pantry, but it also allows them to clean the food. They thus get rid of the moles of earth attached to the roots of the rose trees. Just to reverse things, their ferocious appetite prevents the flooding of the river. It is always in groups that they begin the journey of return. The younger ones swim just behind the adults so they can lean on their backs in case of need. When you have a natural tuba, the plungée is just a party de plaisir. To harvest 150 kg of vegetables a day requires 15 hours of time. So once the land is reclaimed, the meal continues. The 100,000 muscles of their prehensible trunk are used to pick up, shake, grab, pull and even peel food. The buffalo, on the other hand, graze on the grasses that grow in the wet land along the river. They feed mainly at the end of the day and at night. The great eagret travels the flooded plains to find small fish and crustaceans. But the waters of the river are home to many other species. At night, all eyes turn to the west. In the distance, the sun will soon be setting in the marshes of the Okavango Delta. Recently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, one of the world's largest wetlands covers an area of 15 000 km2. At the start of the dry season, the rains that had fallen a few weeks earlier in Angola swelled the Okavango River and made their way into the plains of Botswana. But due to an elevation of the terrain, the flow is now blocked in an immense basin and no longer reaches the sea. The water spreads everywhere, irrigating a vast area of the Kalahari desert before it dries up. Fortunately, this annual flood does not form a deep lake, but a multitude of marshes interspersed with islands that have appeared over the years. In fact, apart from the flood period, the termite quarries have time to be built on the land. The birds take advantage of this natural perch and reject the seeds into their feces. As they germinate, the roots creep into the underground galleries until they reach the damp subsoil. During the following flood, the alluvium clings around these earthen mounds and ends up as former islets on which more and more vegetation grows. So, for centuries, it was thanks to termites that the ground rose a few meters, splitting the river's arms and forcing the water to spread wider into this providential oasis. In the morning, the temperature is barely positive. The animals seem to be stuck in a certain torpor. While baboons spend most of their day on land, they climb trees to sleep in a sheltered position. The palm trees have the advantage of being inaccessible even to leopards and providing a copious breakfast. Giraffes take advantage of the morning coolness to feed, reserving the hottest hours for rumination. Their long, graspable tongue allows them to grasp the leaves of acacia trees while avoiding thorns. If they find juicy vegetables, giraffes can go without drinking for three or four days. They remain very cautious before undertaking this dangerous operation. A predator in the lurch would have quickly jumped them in the neck. Elephants don't have the same problem since they bring water to their mouths and not the other way around. Not far from there, a female lycaon guarded her son terrier. She waits for the return of the hunt of the rest of her pack who should come regurgitate some meat so her young ones stay buried underground. It's not the water that interests the lycans in the Okavango Delta, For these animals drink mainly the blood of their prey, but rather the abundance of herbivores. But some antelopes can be fierce fighters, such as the black hypogrague with their horns over a meter long. That's why predators tend to focus on the less powerful and more carefree juveniles. Croissant cobs live near marshes, usually grouped in harems under the guard of a dominant male. The place is appreciated, provided you remain vigilant. The crocodile of an island is never far away. The hero goliath has also understood that one can be a predator and be a predator himself. The numerous limicoles that feed on the marshes remain vigilant. Death can come from anywhere. Hippos, on the other hand, are afraid of sunlight. Yet it is on the land that they find the 40 kilos of vegetation they feed on each night. It's amazing how fast they can propel their two tons. In Africa, hippos are the wild mammals that cause the most human casualties, often to defend their access to water. Their skin is not able to breathe, they need to cool in shallow water, more or less submerged. They spend the day like this, clinging to each other, between hugs and shrugs, watching their territory from the corner of their eye. The males are concerned to defend the harem they have constituted. They challenge themselves by opening their mouths, up to a 150-degree angle, to expose their impressive teeth. The hippopotamus's growth hardly impresses the herd of shrimps that pay attention to its proximity. These antelopes endemic to the humid zones of northern southern Africa live in small communities of several dozen individuals. Very social, they rarely isolate themselves from the rest of the group, unless the appeal of the siesta is too strong. It's the time when most animals seek shade, and nothing moves in the savannah, crushed by heat. In terms of repose, the lions are experts. The cubs remain with their mother until they are about two years old, or shortly after she has had a new litter. The life of a lion cub is very threatened. If ever a new dominant male takes over the family, he will try to kill the younger ones who are not of his lineage. But this one's a de la chance. A child is unique, he must not share his head with anyone. Thanks to a mud bath that gets rid of parasites while protecting them from the sun, the phacocheres are now the only ones to be active. Their gentle position allows them not to lean their heavy heads too much when they scratch the ground in search of roots and bulbs. Le buccorfe du sud is heading for a point d'eau. It is there that he can find snails, frogs or small reptiles. Indeed, even during the hottest hours, the flooded plains attract many birds, The species are mainly echassiers such as African storks, ibises sacrées, egrets and fisheries martinis. The marabout of Africa, however charognard he may be, comes to see if there is nothing to supplement his diet. Even if he's not all alone on the coup. Not all chase hunters share the same hunting techniques. Those with sharp and pointed teeth, such as the egret and the heron, tend to remain immobile or to move slowly to surprise and harpoon their prey. On the other hand, the ibis, the spatula d'Afrique and the marabout prefer to ratisserie large and give it quickly the water table. Paradoxically, the only ones not participating in the fishing party are the eagle fishermen. Despite their massive appearance, elephants always move in great silence. They can go without drinking for three days. But in the Okavango Delta, the places to desiccate are thriving and the pachyderms are profiting daily. After being thoroughly desalted, elephants do not shy away from a shower, or even a real swim when the swamp is deep enough. If the fresh water awakens their enthusiasm for the game, it also provides them with an opportunity to strengthen their social bonds and to re-examine their hierarchical position. Thus, even at the age of 30 or 40, elephants remain grandchildren. Once the skin is wet, nothing beats a dust shower to protect yourself from sunburn and parasites. La trompe made this time office de pelle. Unfortunately, the life of elephants is not always so joyous. When the adults fail to defend them, the elephants sometimes fall under the lionesses' claws. They remain to feed on their prey for two days to enjoy it until the meat is no longer edible except for hyenas, vultures and other scavengers. However, the elephant tribe has not resolved to leave the place, which is somewhat worrying the felines. The relationship of these pachyderms to death always arouses mysteries, even myths in the case of elephant cemeteries. The fact is that these particularly intelligent and sensitive animals show respect for the remains of their dead. In visiting the elephant, does this young male not already proceed to a kind of homage? Elephants are renowned for their memory, but it is their entire psychic and emotional activity that is one of the richest and most complex in the animal kingdom. This last look as a last greeting says a lot about the grief that afflicts the elephant. Shortly after, the troupe decided to leave the place. At sunset, as the temperature drops, the limicoles enter the scene. The triple collier rainbow arpent the banks of the marshes to search for insects and invertebrates. The white chases also demonstrate a determination without fail, while the van armé seems primarily concerned with his toilet. An old man arrives with his usual discretion. The water is not deep enough to drink, but he just needs to dig a basin in order to submerge his toilet. Male elephants sometimes live in solitary or small groups of singles. But it's important for them to position themselves hierarchically with the other males. To make acquaintance, tactile communication is the best. If the newcomer does not try to put his horn in the mouth of his congenere, it is because he does not recognize himself as dominated. They must then measure their strength and size. Face to face, it is he who pushes the other back or who manages to raise the head the highest who will be recognized as the winner. It is remarkable that this fight is being waged without real violence. Pachyderms do not seek to hurt themselves and therefore avoid, as far as possible, to injure themselves with their defense. La joute is purely sporting. The confrontation ends when one of the two protagonists recognizes his defeat and turns the tail. Thus settled the conflicts in the delta of Lokavango. The day ended as serenely as it had begun. Further west, moving away from the area of influence of the waters of Lokavango, the humid environment gives way to a more arid savannah, typical of the Kalahari. The central plateau of Namibia, with an average altitude of 1000 metres, has a relief of hills. In the southern summer, during the rainy season, the rainfall fills the bed of some rivers in the country before evaporating at the return of the dry season. Fortunately, some of this water infiltrates into the soil and crosses the rock before flowing back to the valley. This water is sometimes enough to maintain small oases of life. Trees protect from wind and sunlight. They are the most sensitive plants to drought. At night, the little inhabitants of the valley come out of their den under the rocks. It's amazing to see an animal so outstretched in a tree when it has no claws or tails. But the damant benefits from a great capacity for adaptation. And faced with a rather arid climate, he has learned to look for food wherever it is found. It can fill its stomach very quickly, so as to limit the time it stays outdoors, because its predators are numerous, on the ground as in the air. In the neighboring palm tree, the cri du touraco concolore seems to want to chase the intruder. But in reality, this bird is only interested in the nectar of flowers and fruits. In these arid regions, certain water points are developed by humans to help the local fauna survive. This support is invaluable, especially for the leopard which loves to come and quench its thirst at sunset. It's, for this little solitaire, the opportunity to regain strength before leaving, perhaps, for another night of hunting. Car, encore plus to the west, the drought of the Pan d'Etocha is implacable. In this hell of heat and dust, zebras and antelopes drag their hooves painfully to the shores of a dried-up lake. The wind carries their tracks, but they all seem to be heading for a specific point. From generation to generation, they follow the same route, to a mysterious Eldorado, a providential source. Here, the water that overflows from the depths of the earth has the power to gather the animals. It's the only water point for several dozen kilometers around. Herbivores find something to drink, and predators, necessarily, something to eat. In this season, the zebras of the plains feed on dry grasses, even roots. There is nothing else to put under the tooth, so does the nomadism, always hoping that the grass will be greener elsewhere. If the singer spends long hours with his head dressed to watch his prey, the ostrich, she, remains the beak in the sun. This female, recognizable by her plumage, is brown, and picore essentially des végétaux. But don't be afraid to swallow a few insects if the opportunity presents itself. Very regularly, prudence leads her to raise her eyes up to two meters in height. Capable of running for several minutes at over 50 km/h, she knows she can escape many felines. We still have to detect their camouflage in time. The ostriches can go without drinking for several days, sometimes losing up to 20% of their weight due to dehydration. These large marcheses can travel several dozen kilometers to reach a water point of which they know the existence. Not proud of his impeccable black plumage and his pink legs, the male shows the example soon imitated by his court. The operation is short-lived, because these ladies are eager to return to the mountain. When they are not at ease, they watch the shore from the front. Indeed, there has just arrived the kind of individual who never passes unnoticed in the savannah. The black rhinoceros, which is the second largest land animal after the elephant, is rather active at night and evening, but sometimes the thirst does not wait. The animal is not known for its good character, the antelope, tels ce bubale, are kept at a distance. The rhino is short-sighted, but very sensitive to odors. This one has spotted something that intrigues him. The presence of a second congener is somewhat annoying for this solitary animal. So, I must make him understand that he is not welcome. The intruder does not seek the fight, but the insolence to continue drinking. Rhinos rarely fight without a valid reason. Most often, they're content with a charge of intimidation. The intruder quickly realizes that his opponent is not very sharing and makes a sign of submission. The honour is safe, the problem is solved. The L'oryx gazelle, on the contrary, is an animal more sociable. If one of the females strays from the herd, the male will quickly send her back to graze with the others. When the afternoon heat becomes too intense, the animals take refuge in the shade, like this calao. Its magnificent yellow beak can reach 20% of its global size. Sans doute reppu, un guépard se repose. It is not possible to rest. If he is fast at the run, this feline is not very powerful at the fight. That is why, when he kills a prey, he hides it under a bush, Then it starts eating what it can before the arrival of other predators. Generally, he doesn't take the risk of confronting the scavengers. An injury would handicap much too much at the race. If it is well fed, the cheetah can live a few days without being hunted. There's plenty of time to go to the bathroom. The guépard is a species classified as vulnerable. The great uniformity of its genetic heritage makes its reproduction increasingly difficult. Fortunately, that didn't stop him from sleeping on his ears. It's not Corrie's play, looking for insects and small reptiles. I'm going to risk disturbing him. This bird is the biggest bird in Africa, But that's no reason to take unnecessary risks. The impalas are one of the favorite prey of the cheetah who can catch them in the run. These very social antelopes live in groups of about fifty individuals, mainly females and their young, Around which a few males regularly turn. The social security system is based on the principle of equal treatment. which can sometimes transform into joints in males, I'm not going to say that I'm not. A leopard observes the scene from afar. Maybe he's trying to pick his prey. All like this rough-hewn brown, great amateur of reptiles, But it is not indifferent to the ways and places of its searching squirrels. The two rodents live under the threat of so many predators They should always stay close to the entrance of their terrier. They know that in case of inattention, The Chacal à Chabrac would make only a bite. Giraffes have all the leisure to admire the sunset. Thanks to their heads positioned at five meters in height. Their long neck contains no more vertebrae than most mammals. These are simply longer. Once you're thirsty, The giraffes will look for a less visible place to lie down And ruminate a part of the night. They will benefit from this sleep by cumulating five-minute sleep phases. When they do not chase, The hyena is tacheted for the habit of signaling itself by important vocalisations. She's also in contact with her group. A hyena alone is never very brave. Like everyone else, she avoids being in the path of a rhinoceros. She's being stalked by a jackal. Who no doubt hopes to be led to a carcass. The black rhinoceros is distinguished from its white cousin Not by its colour But by the pointed shape of his upper lip Which allows him to feed on branches. It is called de noir as opposed to au rhinocéros blanc. This last one has a very large lip. hence its name de blanc which comes from the English white I'm not sure I'm right. Qui means large. In hearing the distant roar of a lion, The hyena prefers to retire. The adult rhinoceros has nothing to fear from the wild. But a mother with a little son will tend to be suspicious. Especially since this one seems more playful than prudent. Victim of an absurd hunt for the imaginary powers of his horn, The black rhinoceros has seen its population drop from 70 000 to 4 000 individuals in just 40 years. It is therefore today in danger of extinction. Excellent climber, the leopard has a habit of resting in the trees in all discretion. When it catches a prey of sufficient size to feed it for several days, He can lift it on a branch to protect it from lions or scavengers. Leopards have a great capacity for adaptation. This enables him to occupy different environments. It exists as such in a large part of Africa, from the Sahel to the Cape Province, The Commission has not yet adopted a proposal for a directive. When she is not accompanied by a child, which is at least two years old, The female leopard lives alone. She takes care to mark her territory, This is as much a way to protect him as it is to inform a man of the state of his hormonal cycle. Twice as massive as leopards, lions also have more range. Sometimes it's even a young man from the previous year who watches the new generation. While their mother is away hunting. This young lion seems to give as much attention to the cubs as their mother would. But he can't feed them. But fortunately, every female of the clan can participate in feeding and maintaining the cubs. This solidarity is very rare among the Fenians. But lions have a sense of sharing, while respecting a certain social hierarchy. When a prey is killed, the male dominant, if there is one, eats first, Following the lionesses who led the hunt, and finally the lions. But this morning, this tribe thinks more of sleeping in the sun than hunting. Nature being well made, the sleep of some makes the tranquility of others. It's just the hour when the big coudou begins his breakfast. This magnificent antelope would be an easy prey for the lionesses, Despite its twisted horns which can reach a height of 50 metres. Since it does not run very fast, it carefully inspects the surroundings before grazing. The springboks can let themselves be captured by their meals, Because there will always be a member of the Horde to give the warning. Very well adapted to heat and drought, This gazelle finds the most moisturizing plants. But in the middle of the dry season, nothing beats a drop of water. When it does not rain for several months in a row, Resurgent sources are indispensable for the survival of animals. This water point is particularly popular this morning. A group of young people came to desist Before the affluence becomes too important. He is joined by an older male, followed by three females. It's one of the great powers of water. Its presence has a social impact on the lives of animals The Commission has already made a number of proposals to this effect. Gnous, grand coudous, springbooks and impalas share the site in showing a polite indifference to other antelopes. Each drinks as he pleases, then leaves room for the others. Nevertheless, when two herds of zebras flock together on either side, It's starting to squeeze a little around the water point. But always without animosity. And when there's no more room, we attend the sage son tour nearby. In short, harmony and respect remain. At least, until the arrival of the elephants. When they are discharged en masse and at the point of charge, The pachyderms are sure of their effect. Everyone soon understands that elephants are not the type Wait until you're thirsty. The bar is temporarily privatized. There's something to excite the younger ones. A second flock, led by an authoritarian matriarch, The Prime Minister has to leave. On se bouscule un peu, sans trop d'agressivité, I was just trying to get a little more aggressive. Trying not to step on the little ones. Everyone has to manage their frustration. For animals with such a high water requirement, more than 100 litres per day, It is essential to recover these few cubic meters of precious liquid. And to say that at this very moment, a few hundred kilometers from there, Other elephants are bathing happily in the Cavango water. Only a couple of intrepid phacochères Try to sneak discreetly between the paws of mastodons. It's a pain in the ass. For them, as for the other antelopes who patiently near the source, I'll have to settle for a dust bath. Always more to the west, l'eau becomes even rarer. The rivers remain dry almost all the time. Only animals know how to find water. They can still survive here, like the desert elephants. They learned to detect the water table under the sand of the lit des rivières. These little flocks also benefit other animals. such as baboons or the rare springboks and oryx The Commission has already made a number of proposals. Then comes the Namib desert. It's the oldest desert in the world. 60 million years of uninterrupted drought. Gradually, as we approach the Atlantic coast, La Rocaille has made its place in the sand. The vegetation is trying to take a last life. Then surrender and disappear. It is the kingdom of red sand, all in curve, The dunes move with the wind. Before the ocean, it's already the ocean. Sand, dust and wind make a landscape worthy of another planet. A vestige of another epoch, Some sun-dried trunks testify to the presence of water. 600 years ago, a river momentarily diverted here Before the advance of the dunes blocks the arrival, Forming then an ephemere marsh. Since then, life has almost wrapped itself. But the weather in the desert is full of surprises. In the morning, a cold, humid air from the ocean meets the hot desert sand. This fog allows some plants to grow, That's enough to feed the oryx that survive here. Some insects know how to collect and drink this moisture from the air. They are a rehydrating meal for small reptiles, such as this endemic gecko and other chameleons. Thus, it is enough with a few drops of water, however small they may be, For life to appear and create an entire ecosystem. On these remote lands of southern Africa, Where the climate seems so hostile, The fauna shows imagination and a beautiful determination to live. From the flooded lands of the Okavango to the arid sands of the desert, The courage of animals motivates us to preserve the fragile balance which supports the prodigious wealth of wildlife.