Reconstructing a python skull

After finding the second python carcass on the reserve that was either killed by leopard or our wild dog pack, we decided to take on the task of reconstructing the skull. I was the most difficult jigsaw puzzle I have ever attempted! A big thank you to Tom Starr for all his help expertise and patience. It is not entirely to scale but certainly not just one heap of minute bones anymore.

With the high density of pythons on Zimanga and the recent death of at least two, we are keen to determine whether or not our wild dog pack is predating on them. This is considered a very rare behaviour and may be of considerable interest - fingers crossed we catch them in the act!

Ester van der Merwe,

Base Manager

GVI Zimanga

Reconstructing a python skull