Following my
last blog on Rubondo Island’s small wonders, I was yet again lucky to visit
this “Jurassic Park”. Unfortunately,
it was work related but nevertheless I did have plenty of opportunities to
explore the lakeshores by the Rubondo Island Camp on boat every evening.
This time
the spotted necked otters (Lutra maculicollis)
captivated my fascination. Otter is derived from old English and Indo European
root words that also gave rise to the English word for water. Fisi maji
or "water hyenas" in Swahili. They are usually found with slim
bodied, short legs, white markings on underside of neck and chest, webbed hands
and feet, claws on all four limbs & long tapering tail slightly flattened
top to bottom. Their fur offers superior insulation. Otters do not have blubber
as seals do to keep themselves warm. Otters are near sighted thus adopting
themselves for underwater vision. They have long whiskers (vibrissae), which
aid in finding fish in musky waters.
They were not that difficult to find. As they say patience is the
virtue. I was blessed with sightings of females with offspring; adolescent
groups and male groups were also seen in a stance of 4 days. I was not that
fortunate to get clear photographs whilst on board, as the evening waves on the
shoreline tend to be fierce. Although I did get to draw a quick sketch, while enjoying
the sightings.
Once again, it is small wonders like these that make Rubondo such a rewarding place
for me to visit. I cannot wait to get back and explore.
Akil Halai – 1st July – 5th July 2015
