Varty guesses that perhaps Julie is coming into estrus and exhibiting mating behavior — a particularly dangerous time to deal with a cat. Ron might be feeling even more competitive toward other males (i.e., Varty) than usual.

"The closest we came to being taken out by these guys was when she was in estrus," Varty recalls.

The cats' behavior fascinates him. They're quick to anger, he says, but they don't hold grudges. Their moods are like the lightning that sparked the fire we just now notice on a distant hill, far across the flat, grassy karroo.

Varty compares the risks of hands-on work with "wild" tigers-in-training to being a jet pilot: "I can't assume that just because my last flight was safe that this one will be too," he says. "You can't get complacent. If you do, you're in trouble."

Varty has logged countless hours with these cats, accompanying them on 300-plus hunts in the hopes of teaching them to be "wild." His favorite memory illustrates their fickle natures. Varty was following Ron, who was hunting and in hot pursuit of an antelope. Varty took a bad spill, sending his camera crashing to the ground. After delivering the suffocation bite to the antelope — but before helping himself to one tasty morsel — Ron trotted back to Varty's side and licked him on the face.

A large-hearted gentleman, indeed.

Ron went back to his kill and began gorging himself. When Varty approached, camera repaired and rolling, Ron snarled, as if to say, "Back Off!"

Now, Ron and Julie seem no worse for wear, having settled their earlier dispute. Ron grooms himself and falls asleep. Julie lies relaxed in the grass, about 25 yards away.

<< Previous Dispatch | Next Dispatch >>