BIG CAT DIARY - New Series Starts 5th October

16th October 2008

BIG CAT DIARY

Sunday 05th October, Big Cat Live starts again at 6.10pm on BBC One
Make sure you tune in next week for Big Cat Diary Live which promises to bring you the big cats closer than ever before! Following on from the live webcams, daily videos and field reports there's a week of live television beamed directly from the heart of Kenya's Masai Mara game reserve. Two new presenters, journalist Kate Silverton and local Masai guide Jackson Loosetia, will join Simon King, Jonathan Scott and a supporting cast of crocodiles, hyenas, wildebeest, hippos and of course the cats!

Jonathan Scott & Exodus
Less well known than his dedication to the well being and survival of the big cats of the Masai Mara Jonathan Scott also has a genuine passion for Antarctica. In November 2008 Exodus are delighted that Jonathan will be joining us on a remarkable expedition with some extraordinary experts on board.

In the wake of Shackleton: An Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia Photo Charter
The expedition will be led by Paul Goldstein, an award winning wildlife photographer and Polar expert. His unlimited energy and enthusiasm is infectious, and those with a passion for wildlife and photography will be richly rewarded. Jonathan and Angie Scott have done almost 20 expeditions to Antarctica and recently Harper Collins have published their groundbreaking book on the ‘South’. Approachable and very generous with their time, they will bring plenty on board.

News update (16 Oct 08)

Today was a day of concern for all cheetah lovers. Vehicles were out early looking for the much put-upon Shakira. After her harrowing ordeal last night her absence this morning led most to the conclusion that her final three cubs had been killed and she had fled the carnal scene. At 5.25pm I received a call from the Big Cat Live chief spotter saying she had been found just 500 metres from our camp. All three cubs were fine and gambolling across the burnished oat grass at sunset. Should we be so concerned about one celebrity predator when so many animals (and people for that matter) in this country suffer. Well yes, we should, she brings income to this precious reserve and to have seen her suffer from lions, hyenas, fellow cheetahs, leopards as well as the loss of two offspring I think permits an excusable level of emotive indulgence. More tomorrow ...

Previous update (08/10/08) from our man in the Masia Mara - Paul Goldstein
Currently Exodus clients staying at Kicheche Migration Camp with Paul Goldstein have had their own Big Cat litter - in the space of two days they have seen LIVE, not on TV, 'Shakira' hunting twice, posturing on termite mounds at surise with her brood and several intoxicating lion hunts. They have also had exceptional leopard sightings, one with a young cub and one hunting in the middle of the day. This is all done without dozens of spotters and TV crews, just with outstanding local guides. They seem to revel in the early starts and long days yet the rewards have been staggering. Most have booked to come again next year, they can catch the terrestrial show on iplayer upon their return or the inevitable highlights on You Tube, however their best moments were recorded on their 'own' cameras, burnished into their own memory mainframes for ever.