Jonathan & Angela Scott, Nairobi (2026)

06/05/2026

Sorry Lipstick - it's Blackie! Thanks everyone for letting me know - as they say "more haste less speed!" Blackie of the Topi Plains/ Ridge Pride - back in the day - with a male waterbuck. Not sure if he had surprised the waterbuck but that is a large and formidable animal for him to catch - if he did.

27/04/2026

Happy Birthday to my Darling Angela - to Angie - who opened my eyes to another world - one of unconditional love and generosity - of gratitude for each new day, come rain or sunshine. Who confronts adversity with extraordinary courage. My inspiration ❤️

27/04/2026

Happy Birthday to my Darling Angela - to Angie - who opened my eyes to another world - one of unconditional love and generosity - of gratitude for each new day, come rain or sunshine. Who confronts adversity with extraordinary courage. My inspiration ❤️

25/04/2026

Imagine the sense of wonder for Grandson Theo - all 1.5 years old of him - when the resident male giraffe came towering to a standstill opposite us overlooking the Mara River, as we enjoyed a feast of a lunch at Governor’s Main Camp - a property - that Angela and I have called our base for so many years. A second home no less. This particular giraffe is a much loved and admired feature in and around camp, unafraid and relaxed as he goes about browsing the luxuriant riverine vegetation. Giraffe are known for their non-vocal ways - we have, however, heard them making explosive spittle-spraying grunts when defending themselves or a calf from attack by lions - but in this instance the bull paused to “sneeze” with dramatic effect, much to Theo’s delight, who tried to reciprocate with sneezes of his own. Angela, Mum Tori and Father David - and I - had never seen anything quite like it. The ever present watchmen/askaris made sure everyone stayed safe, calm and respectful. What a safari we enjoyed at Governor’s, happily ensconced in their magnificent Family Tents for 3 memorable nights. As we say “the Mara always delivers” throughout 50 years of witnessing its miracles - and so does Thank you to our dear friend Deputy Director of Tourism and Wildlife for making our visit possible for his generous help in recording a new video narration for an upcoming reflection on just what makes the Greater Mara the precious corner of Eden, allowing people from Kenya and all over the World to enjoy a safari of a lifetime 🙏❤️ and thank you to our great supporters .01

22/04/2026

Celebrated our 34th Wedding Anniversary on 26 March in Serengeti Namiri Plains not far from Barafu and Gol Kopjes - thank you - then for three glorious nights in their spectacular Family Tent with son David, wife Tori and 1.5 year old Theo for a glimpse of the 50 years on from when I first saw them in 1977 - and all the other wonders that make the Mara such a spectacular safari destination. Then celebrated my 77th Birthday today at home in Nairobi surrounded by Family. Bliss ❤️

22/04/2026

I never thought I would get this far!!

77 years today after wondering if I could reach the 42 years of age that marked the end of my beloved Father Gilbert Scott's life when I was 2 years old. He died of an inoperable brain tumour, and though I never knew him, he was my hero - a decorated soldier who survived the beaches of Dunkirk, and served throughout World War 2 in the Royal Engineers. He was then appointed the Senior Architect and Surveyor to the Grosvenor Estate in the UK, and employed in that role until his death. My amazing Mother, Margaret Scott, then sold up in London and moved us - elder brother Clive, older sister Caroline and myself, onto a small farm - Cuba Farm - in Berkshire, located between Maidenhead and Cookham. Farm life was the genesis of my love of Nature and all wild things, nurturing my lifelong love of drawing, art and eventually photography.

Meeting my beloved Angela was the most pivotal moment in my life, more than I could ever have hoped for. She is the light of my life and my soul mate. We, and our son David, his wife Tori and our 1.5 year old Grandson Theo (visiting from Santa Fe) just spent 3 idyllic days at our old haunt Governors Camp Collection in Masai Mara, savouring their amazing Family Suites, and reconnection with The Marsh Pride of Lions that we first started following their story in 1977. Thank you of Wilderness and Governors Camps for the gift, and old friends Safarilink Aviation for their generosity. And a huge thank you to stills photographer and videographer - do check out his beautiful work. We then flew to Diani on the Kenya Coast for 3 nights with our daughter Alia Bellamy and Grandson Michael, who is in his final year at Banda - what a star!

I live everyday with a sense of the greatest gratitude for this life, and for Family and Friends who have made is such a joyful and fulfilling 77 years. Much love to all - Jonathan Scott Mara Predator Conservation Programme Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association Mara Triangle Abraham Joffe Acs Gavin Thurston Toby Strong Asilia Africa Kicheche Camps Rick Sammon Photography Rick Sammon Simon King Wildlife Gordon Buchanan Wildlife Filmmaker Charlie Hamilton James Photography Karen Laurence-Rowe Guy Combes Artist Shepreth Wildlife Park Liz Dams Chris Packham Mishi Bellamy

10/04/2026

An image that never fails to grab our attention: the lasting wonder of the “decisive moment.” Taken almost 50 years ago at a river crossing, when this bull wildebeest became trapped midstream - probably got a leg wedged tight among a crevice in the uneven rocky bottom of the Mara River. Made at a very slow speed on a tripod to give the sublime look to the rushing water, with the wildebeest’s head relatively sharp in contrast to the water, as it was unable to free itself and motionless at times. There was nothing one could do except to try and create something beautiful - sublime even - from the certain death for the trapped bull. It would not be long before the crocodiles put an end to his life. As Dr George Schaller so perceptively and compassionately surmised, “Nature has neither cruelty nor compassion. The ethics of man are irrelevant to the world of other animals.”

09/04/2026

40 years ago when there were 8 known packs of wild dogs in the Serengeti, and the Aitong Pack in the Greater Mara + occasional sightings of small groups of dogs - of the same s*x - emigrating from their natal pack, on the look out for the chance to find mates and establish themselves at a den. But sooner or later a rabies or canine distemper outbreak would occur - as we witnessed in 1979 what was then a small Aitong Pack - among the large domestic dog population accompanying pastoralists, and whole packs would become infected and die out. Inoculation campaigns have helped by vaccinating domestic dogs, but jackals and hyenas also act as a conduit for disease outbreaks from domestic dogs to wild dogs.

As far as we know, at present there are no reports of wild dog packs resident in Serengeti. Wild dogs struggle to raise puppies in areas with large lion and hyena populations, so an abundance of prey - such as in Mara-Serengeti - does not mean that wild dogs will thrive. They often lose their kills to hyenas - and lions are a potent threat to puppies, particularly once they are mobile enough to leave the safety of an underground den and follow the adults, with lions ambushing them when they pass through bush country.

Wild dogs have always been persecuted by humans, particularly farmers and pastoralists who have at times shot or poisoned wild dogs for fear of them killing small stock. And sometimes even Park Wardens have sanctioned the killing of wild dogs by Rangers and Professional Hunters, believing they were capable of decimating prey populations and reviling them for the manner in which they despatched prey. Neither reason holds today when we know much more about wild dogs and their role in the ecosystem

That said, in the 1970s and 1980s wild dogs were able to den at Aitong undisturbed by Masai livestock owners. There was plenty of wildebeest calves, impala and gazelles for them to feed on, so the dogs were not perceived as a threat. But in 1989 an outbreak of rabies decimated the Aitong pack, that at one point had 2 breeding females denning at the same time, contributing to a pack of over 40 individuals. Then the epidemic hit home.

09/04/2026

It’s all about seeing the detail - as well as the more obvious image in front of you if you want to complete the big picture. The magnificence of a male lion in stark contrast to the tiny flies clustered around the oasis of moisture surrounding his eye. It’s a waterhole in miniature, spotted by Angela who is always looking for something more - something different 🙏

08/04/2026

Toto - son of Honey, the amazing cheetah Mother who did everything in her power to protect Toto, drawing on all her experience in navigating the constant threat of lions and hyenas, the wrath of an occasional troop of baboons - and the potential danger of the ever watchful leopards hidden in the acacia and croton thickets - plus the jackals - and even the aerial threat of a martial eagle from high in the sky when Toto first emerged into the open with Honey. It is a miracle that a mother cheetah manages to raise one cub, although when Honey raised other litters she did much better in the more intermittent bush country. But sadly, in this instance, Toto perished, although we do not know how. What we do know is that not long after we finished recording Big Cat Week in August/September 2005, Simon King and his former wife Marguerite found Honey - but there was no sign of little Toto. He died young, but what an inspiration he was to Angela and myself - and not just over the time we followed his journey. He exemplified the wonder and joy in being alive - exuding courage and an indomitable spirit. He might have been small of body, but Toto was a Giant in character. Angela’s wonderful portrait captures that essence in timeless fashion. You can feel what everyone fell in love with - and why he retains such a powerful presence in so many people’s memories ❤️🐈‍⬛

Jonathan & Angela Scott

06/05/2026

27/04/2026

27/04/2026

25/04/2026

22/04/2026

22/04/2026

10/04/2026

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

08/04/2026

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