Is it safe to drink here?

The bushveld waterhole has to be visited. How frequently, depends on the thirst. Every species has its rhythm for making the trip. Size, speed, vigilance, number in the herd and defence capability of the species influence the probability of leaving alive.

The smaller mammals will nervously drink and move away quickly to eat elsewhere. The elephant may leisurely select appetising branchlets, not overly concerned with safety… and trample some shrubs and trees, extending the clearing that benefits potential victims.

The drier the season, the fewer the waterholes where all have to drink and the bigger the opportunity for the carnivore to use the spot as a restaurant!

Because they all defecate here at some stage and because there’s moisture, the vegetation may contribute to obscuring visibility for the hungry killer to ambush the thirsty.