Karula National Park (Karl II and Kaia)

[Madli]

Now we can't see anything! They placed the moss right in front of the eggs.

[Madli]

11.42 Kaia rolls the eggs. A pip is visible on one of the eggs.



I have guests coming today and I can't be available all the time!! AT THE MOST EXCITING TIME!!

[marika.solo]

... I have guests coming today and I can't be available all the time!! AT THE MOST EXCITING TIME!!

I am sorry Madli , it happens to me repeatedly - when there is the egg laying, when they hatch, ... often on those days I have no access to the internet and/or I am busy with other "things" like my grandchildren

[Madli]

Karl brings more materials:
11.46 Moss

11.47 Karl stands over Kaia and listenes carefully. He pokes Kaia gently..I guess he wants to see if the chick has hatched Kaia doesn't stand.


11.50 Camera zooms in.
11.51 And out again.

11.57 Karl arrives with more moss.

[Madli]

12.05 Zoom in again.
12.08 Kaia stands up, 3 eggs visible, no other movement. Eggs are talking plus a louder chirping.

12.56 There are still 4 eggs visible, but one of the eggs has a big hole and a piece of shell is moving on top.
so the chick isn't out yet..




So still 2 eggs talking

[Madli]

13.27 DANGER!!! Kaia stands up in a threatening pose!
She steps and stands on the eggs. I think Kaia crushed one of the eggs Now there's a big crack in it but hopefully the chick didn't get hurt...


13.35 Only now Kaia sits back on the eggs.

What might have caused such a strong reaction?

13.37 She still clatters the bill and puffs her feathers while sitting on the eggs.

[Madli]

13.39 Kaia stands up- still 2 eggs talking. Thank God!! Seems like the danger is over for now.

13.43 Kaia stands up again- still 4 eggs. She quuckly rolls the eggs and changes her position.

13.48 I hear thunder...

[Madli]

13.27 DANGER!!! Kaia stands up in a threatening pose!
She steps and stands on the eggs. I think Kaia crushed one of the eggs Now there's a big crack in it but hopefully the chick didn't get hurt...

Kaia indeed stepped on the egg, causing it to break more. I heard a shell cracking sound. The hole gets bigger and I can see the chick moving and open its mouth several times.
Zoomed photos:

1. At the moment when Kaia stood up.


2. She stepped on the egg with bigger hole


3. The hole is now bigger and the chicks mouth moves, gasping air.

[Madli]

14.55 Chick is moving in the egg. A big portion og the shell is broken. It is now also raining..


15.02 The egg shell is almost cracked in half!

[Madli]

15.36 The egg is almost fully cracked. The top of the shell is moving with the chick.


15.41