Hi all,

Started the day trying again to run the cubs down from the nursery. They weren't too bad this morning actually, only one went walkies. Tigger still straggling at the back and was on the receiving end of some rough 'play' from the bigger white cub who is a bit of a bully.

After this and feeding the meerkats, Alex (one of the park's employees - the guy who takes some of the lions out to do tv documentaries and has been handling them for about 40 years, since he was about 10) took us out to the adult lions to help him and the vet perform some minor surgery on a couple. A few of them had absceses on their elbows from where they had knocked against rocks etc. Two of them had surgery today and we're going back tomorrow to do another three. It was really mad; we were standing right in amongst the pride, helping carry the ones that had been darted over to the vet, holding their legs whilsst she worked and then carrying them over to the recovery pen - all the time making sure the head of the pride , or any others, didn't pounce on you. A bit scary but huge adrenaline rush. Alex is amazing - he literally just walks amongst them with them nuzzling him like he was part of the pride. He said just to knock them on the nose if they came too close but honestly we were looking at each other thinking that knocking a 300+kg lion on the nose would do little to deter him and might in fact be counter productive! Anyway didn't need to put it to the test thankfully.

Once we were back I went down to man the giraffe station. All a bit quiet so spent some time with Purdy. She is my most favourite giraffe!! We shared an apple together. That might not sound like a big thing but honestly when a big gorgeous animal like that let's you get that close, physically and emotionally, it's just so special. Will remember it forever.
She knocked over a fence today when she was trying to reach for some of the small young shoots off one of the trees. V funny.

Took my turn on the gate and had a big long conversation with Alex and Jones about the state of the country and the politics of Zimbabwe. Really interesting to hear their take on things.

In with the cubs for the rest of the afternoon. Playing wiyh them always fun but they were particularly michevious this afternoon.

Ver tired tonight and another massive thunderstorm after a beautiful day which is so big you can't actually hear each other talk!

Night xx

• South Africa
• camp
• Lions