There have been a few strange animal encounters – one from a long time ago and two in more recent history – that stand out in particular. Let’s look at the three craziest animal sightings on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Buffalo will occasionally venture into the higher regions of the mountain. They are drawn to the salt and other minerals on the rocks. Unfortunately, around 2009, this buffalo got lodged between boulders and eventually starved to death. When discovered by local porters, the body was very much intact and well reserved.The carcass was moved from its original position and put on display near the trail for passing hikers to see between the Third Cave Campsite and School Hut. It remained there for several years, becoming a highlight for those on the northern routes.
In 2011, a living dog was observed near the summit of Kilimanjaro. Antoine le Galloudec was peeing on the rocks when he spotted the thin brown dog wandering about. He was able to snap a picture using his cell phone.The sighting has raised questions surrounding why the animal was there and how it survived the freezing temperatures. There is no food for a dog at this altitude.A veterinarian who heard about the story stated that though dogs can survive cold temperatures, it was unusual that one would voluntarily go to such a harsh environment when the region below makes for a far better home. He noted that this dog could be rabid. However, a local guide stated that this dog might be the same one he saw spotted ten years ago at a lower Kilimanjaro camp.For those who are concerned about the dog and think attempts should have been made to rescue it, a dog who climbs to the summit can easily make its way down, if it wanted to. There are plenty of humans to follow and the paths down are well established.
Close to the western summit there is the dried and frozen carcass of a leopard. No one has explained what the leopard was seeking at that altitude.In 1926, climber Richard Reusch discovered a “freeze-dried” leopard at the crater rim of Kibo, at roughly 18,500 feet. The pastor suspected that the animal died somehow while chasing a goat, whose remains were found a few hundred feet away. Reusch cut part of the leopard’s ear off as a souvenir. The general location of the carcass is known as “Leopard Point.
THE MUMMIFIED BUFFALO
THE SUMMIT DOG
In 2011, a living dog was observed near the summit of Kilimanjaro. Antoine le Galloudec was peeing on the rocks when he spotted the thin brown dog wandering about. He was able to snap a picture using his cell phone.The sighting has raised questions surrounding why the animal was there and how it survived the freezing temperatures. There is no food for a dog at this altitude.A veterinarian who heard about the story stated that though dogs can survive cold temperatures, it was unusual that one would voluntarily go to such a harsh environment when the region below makes for a far better home. He noted that this dog could be rabid. However, a local guide stated that this dog might be the same one he saw spotted ten years ago at a lower Kilimanjaro camp.For those who are concerned about the dog and think attempts should have been made to rescue it, a dog who climbs to the summit can easily make its way down, if it wanted to. There are plenty of humans to follow and the paths down are well established.
THE FROZEN LEOPARD
Close to the western summit there is the dried and frozen carcass of a leopard. No one has explained what the leopard was seeking at that altitude.In 1926, climber Richard Reusch discovered a “freeze-dried” leopard at the crater rim of Kibo, at roughly 18,500 feet. The pastor suspected that the animal died somehow while chasing a goat, whose remains were found a few hundred feet away. Reusch cut part of the leopard’s ear off as a souvenir. The general location of the carcass is known as “Leopard Point.
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