How do guides use scent clues?

Safari guides watch for scent signs to learn where animals have moved. They look at territorial musk, bits of urine, and fresh dung. From those clues, they can guess how long ago wildlife passed through a patch of land.

When the air feels heavy and smells strongly of musk, that can point to a male elephant in musth. He may be moving around and checking the area. Another tell-tale sign is predator urine. A fresh, sharp odour can suggest where a leopard has been.

These trackers use the smells with care. Doing so helps them find animals that stay out of sight in dense brush.