There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
--- Peter Broekhuijsen ---

  Who's been to India
Posted by: Pckts - 09-25-2016, 07:18 PM - Forum: Vacations and Holidays - Replies (65)
Since my African adventure has come and gone it's time to start planning my next one. Next on the list is India for a tiger safari then maybe Bali to finish. I'm looking for any advice or information you guys have. For the safari location I'm thinking Tadoba, kahna or maybe Corbett but I really want to go somewhere that guarantees me a tiger sighting and Corbett may not offer that type of guarantee.

Also, Bali isn't set in stone, if there are any other locations near there that you guys recommend, I'd love to to hear about them as well.
Print this item
  Your wildlife experience in Kenya, Africa
Posted by: sanjay - 09-22-2016, 07:31 PM - Forum: Vacations and Holidays - No Replies
The purpose of this thread is to tell people of WildFact forum about your visit in different national park and wildlife reserves of Kenya, like Masai Mara, Tsavo, Nairobi etc. If you have ever visited these beautiful place please share your experience, photos, videos with other people and inspire them to visit it.

Rules:
1. You are not allowed to post visit of unknown people, you can only post your, family, friends and relatives photos and experience.
2. Do not post images and video from internet. Only post images and videos which belongs to you and taken by you during your visit.
Print this item
  Your wildlife experience in Tanzania, Africa
Posted by: sanjay - 09-22-2016, 07:21 PM - Forum: Vacations and Holidays - Replies (29)
The purpose of this thread is to tell people of WildFact forum about your visit in different national park and wildlife reserves of Tanzania, like Serengeti, Tarangire, Crater etc. If you have ever visited these beautiful place please share your experience, photos, videos with other people and inspire them to visit it.

Rules:
1. You are not allowed to post visit of unknown people, you can only post your, family, friends and relatives photos and experience.
2. Do not post images and video from internet. Only post images and videos which belongs to you and taken by you during your visit.
Print this item
  Old Wildlife Documentaries
Posted by: Shardul - 09-20-2016, 09:59 PM - Forum: Wildlife Pictures and Videos Gallery - Replies (5)
I have a fascination with old wildlife documentaries, those made in the 80s and 90s, that would have amazing narration and story telling, along with exciting footage, something that i miss from modern documentaries.

I have been searching for some of these for some time now. If anyone have any links to them, I would greatly appreciate.

1) Documentary on Bardia National Park, featuring footage of the legendary giant bull elephant Raja Gaj and his rival Kancha. People say Raja Gaj was never captured on video, but I remember seeing it in this documentary, because that is how I came to know about this giant.

2) Documentary on Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan - This documentary showcased the immense natural beauty of this country, along with footage of a young male tiger trying to ambush a wild water buffalo.

3) Documentary on Bandhavgarh National Park - Shows Charger's arrival on the scene and Banka's last days, before Charger took over completely.

4) Documentary on Ranthambhore - Has the footage of Chenghis stalking deer from the grass and attacking and killing deer in the lake.

Please also feel free to share any documentaries that you have links to or been looking for.

Let me start of with the one on Nagarahole (kabini)




Print this item
  Hyena and relatives
Posted by: brotherbear - 09-13-2016, 02:23 PM - Forum: Prehistoric animals - Replies (13)
http://www.eartharchives.org/articles/rh...predators/ 
 
Dinocrocuta gigantea, a hyena-like predator was one of the biggest and strongest carnivores to stalk the ancient grasslands of China. Its bite was strong enough to crush bones and it dominated its contemporary herbivores. One fossil shows us that it was clearly unafraid to take on animals much bigger than itself: Tooth marks in the skull of a massive tusked rhinoceros.

*This image is copyright of its original author
Print this item
  The Cave Lion (Panthera spelaea and Panthera fossilis)
Posted by: tigerluver - 09-10-2016, 01:10 AM - Forum: Pleistocene Big Cats - Replies (432)
The Cave lion (Panthera fossilis and Panthera spelaea)

*This image is copyright of its original author


Phylogeny: 

The cave lion's place as a true lion has long been debated. The most recent genetic analysis places the lineages as its own unique species, which is however, part of the lion clade.

*This image is copyright of its original author



Within the lineage, it is uncertain whether there were two species of cave lion or just a single, evolving lineage. Some authorities classify Panthera fossilis and Panthera spelaea as distinct species (Sabol 2011; Sotnikova and Foronova 2014), while other assert a chronological, evolutionary relationship (Marciszak et al. 2014)

Temporal range:
The earliest occurrence of the more ancient cave lion, Panthera (spelaea?) fossilis have been dated to 700 kya. However, a more recent genetic study dates at least Panthera spelaea stem group to an earlier date of emergence, around 1.89 million years ago (Barnett et al. 2016).

Physical Range:
The entire upper half was essentially the domain of this large predator.
 
*This image is copyright of its original author

From Ersmark et al. (2015).

Appearance:
Scientists have been fortunate enough to find preserve hairs of the species. Their coat was thick and of a red to brown hue. 


*This image is copyright of its original author

From Chernova et al. (2016)



*This image is copyright of its original author


Males likely lacked the manes of the modern lion (Panthera leo) present today based on Pleistocene cave art. 

*This image is copyright of its original author


Habitat:
The cave lions have been restricted to open habitats for essentially the entirety of their existence (Meloro et al. 2013). 

*This image is copyright of its original author


Size:
The largest of known cave lions have bones that are up to 20% larger, and often even more robust, than that of an average modern lion. Such would indicate that the largest of cave lions exceeded 300 kg. 
Fossils of note are a 470 mm from Mladec, Czech Republic (Panthera spelaea), a 465 mm ulna from Mosbach 2, Germany (Pantherae fossilis), a c. 192 mm metatarsal 3 from Chateau, France (Panthera fossilis), c. 475 mm skull from the Urals, Eastern Russia (Panthera spelaea), and a 485 mm skull from Chateau, France (Panthera fossilis).

Diet:
Bocherens et al. (2011) found cave lions to be very of reindeer (Rangifer rangifer). Some lions may have specialized in taking down young cave bears as well. 

*This image is copyright of its original author



Sociality:
A famous cave painting from France possibly shows a group of cave lions.

*This image is copyright of its original author


However, a dietary study has suggested that cave lions were likely solitary due to prey preferences.
Print this item
  Marine Reptiles of the Past
Posted by: brotherbear - 09-06-2016, 03:44 PM - Forum: Prehistoric animals - Replies (32)
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/tetr...book-Share 
 
Between the later part of the Triassic and the very end of the Cretaceous, the seas of the world (and some of its rivers, lakes and estuaries as well) were inhabited by the remarkable group of swimming reptiles known as the plesiosaurs.
Print this item
  For or against zoos?
Posted by: Sully - 08-21-2016, 09:32 PM - Forum: Debate and Discussion about Wild Animals - Replies (8)
Zoos. A controversial topic discussed thoroughly by many with both sides having very valid arguments which are well known. So I present a very simple question, are you for or against zoos? Or stuck in a cross road? Please explain your choice below.

For a bit more insight into the perspective of each side: http://animalrights.about.com/od/animals...t-Zoos.htm
Print this item
  The Congo Lion
Posted by: Pckts - 08-21-2016, 02:43 AM - Forum: Lion - Replies (50)
The Congo lion or Northeast Congo lion (Panthera leo azandica), also known as Uganda lion, was proposed as a lion subspecies from northeastern D.R. Congo and western parts of Uganda.


The lion sub species is the The Northeast Congo Lion (Panthera Leo Azandica)
Transcript of Northeast Congo Lion
History
The Northeast Congo Lion has been around since 120,000 years ago, which was when scientists estimated that the lion subspecies had diverged from a common ancestor. They now live in the Congo, but it is unlikely that they had originated there.
Northeast Congo Lion
(Panthera Leo Azandica)
Coloring
As with other subspecies of lion, these lions are typically one solid color; a light brown, or a form of goldish yellow. The coloring gets lighter as it descends from their back to their feet. Male's manes are a darker shade of gold or brown, and their mane is noticeable thicker and longer than the rest of the fur on their body.

"Basic Facts About Congo Lions." Defenders of Wildlife. N.p., 20 Mar. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.

Bradford, Alina. "Lions: Facts & Information." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 02 Oct. 2014. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.


*This image is copyright of its original author


*This image is copyright of its original author


*This image is copyright of its original author


*This image is copyright of its original author


*This image is copyright of its original author

Tree Climbing Lions of Uganda

*This image is copyright of its original author

Tree-climbing lion, Ishasha sector of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.

(Photo Copyright © Alexander Krivenyshev, WorldTimeZone.com)

More on the Tree-Climbing LIons in Uganda

*This image is copyright of its original author



The Real Lion King: Photographing a Regal Male Lion in Uganda


*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

I recently spent a few days in Kidepo Valley National Park, a remote reserve in the North of Uganda that borders South Sudan and Kenya.


*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

I hadn’t been in the Valley long when I met the resident male lion, a handsome chap known as “Spartacus”. It was late in the afternoon and the light was beautiful, but he was in long grass and I couldn’t get a clear shot. Over to my right was a beautiful kopje (a small hill) and I thought it would be an incredible shot if he sat on top of it. Well, he must have heard my thoughts because the next thing I knew, he was up and heading in that direction.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

I willed him to keep going and I was pinching myself as he started to climb. He sat himself down exactly where I had hoped and then looked at me with his regal gaze. I couldn’t believe my luck! It is so rare that a wild animal actually does what you want it to! In front of me was a scene straight out of the Lion King…

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

After I had the front-lit shot, I moved round to silhouette him as the sun went down behind the distant mountains. It was a thrilling welcome to the Kidepo Valley!

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

I didn’t see Spartacus again after this encounter, but the “Lion King” photo above went viral online.






A lion has been spotted in Gabon for the first time in nearly 20 years, raising hopes the animals long feared extinct in the country could be returning, conservationists said on Thursday.

Lions used to roam Central Africa in their hundreds in the middle of the last century. But the population has fallen sharply due to poaching and loss of habitat."


"Hidden cameras planted as part of a chimpanzee study in southeastern Gabon's Bateke Plateau have captured on tape a single male lion three times since January, said Dr. Philipp Henschel, Lion Program Survey Coordinator for campaign group Panthera.

"I couldn't believe it. As soon as I could, I went there to set up more cameras," he told Reuters by phone from Libreville, adding that a new study was being launched in the hope of finding more of the big cats.

Lions are known to live a few hundred kilometers (miles) away in Democratic Republic of Congo and Henschel said the animal could have swum across the Congo river, one of the world's largest, and traveled over to Gabon's savannah."

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-gabon-...I720150312

*This image is copyright of its original author

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/02/africa/gab...irst-lion/
Print this item
Thumbs Up Your wildlife experience in South Africa
Posted by: Polar - 08-14-2016, 07:27 PM - Forum: Vacations and Holidays - Replies (10)
Back in 2013, I've traveled down to South Africa to visit my mother's relatives for the summer vacation. Within my stay there, I went to the Rhino and Lion Game Park as well as a private owner's sanctuary. 

I was only 15 at the time, but that trip was definitely the event that got my interest in non-arctic creatures and thus, both the WildFact and Carnivora forums.

I will provide a few pictures of my visit to these two parks:
Print this item
Welcome, Guest
You have to register before you can post on our site.

Email:
  

Password
  




Search Forums

(Advanced Search)
Forum Statistics
» Members: 2,615
» Latest member: Sladoledar
» Forum threads: 1,215
» Forum posts: 168,840

Full Statistics
Online Users
There are currently 531 online users.
» 4 Member(s) | 527 Guest(s)
Binksm007, Gavskrr, Hello
Latest Threads
Excellent Wildlife and Na...
Last Post: Hello | 8 minutes ago
Lions of Timbavati
Last Post: Tr1x24 | 2 hours ago
Lions of Manyeleti
Last Post: NLAL11 | 6 hours ago
Lions of Sabi Sands
Last Post: criollo2mil | 8 hours ago
Nkhulu males
Last Post: Ngonya | 10 hours ago
Large male tigers from In...
Last Post: Ashutosh | 11 hours ago
Coalitions of Kruger Nati...
Last Post: lionuk | 11 hours ago
Tiger Predation
Last Post: Ashutosh | Yesterday, 11:42 PM
Other male lion coalition...
Last Post: T_Ferguson | Yesterday, 11:12 PM
Talamati/Msuthu Pride
Last Post: T_Ferguson | Yesterday, 09:50 PM
Wild carnivores and human...
Last Post: TheHyenid76 | Yesterday, 09:17 PM
The largest recorded Orca
Last Post: johnny rex | Yesterday, 06:48 PM
Lions from Botswana
Last Post: KM600 | Yesterday, 03:14 PM
Lion tales
Last Post: afortich | Yesterday, 10:38 AM
Kambula Pride
Last Post: afortich | Yesterday, 10:33 AM
About Us
Go Social     Subscribe  

Welcome to WILDFACT forum, a website that focuses on sharing the joy that wildlife has on offer. We welcome all wildlife lovers to join us in sharing that joy. As a member you can share your research, knowledge and experience on animals with the community.
wildfact.com is intended to serve as an online resource for wildlife lovers of all skill levels from beginners to professionals and from all fields that belong to wildlife anyhow. Our focus area is wild animals from all over world. Content generated here will help showcase the work of wildlife experts and lovers to the world. We believe by the help of your informative article and content we will succeed to educate the world, how these beautiful animals are important to survival of all man kind.
Many thanks for visiting wildfact.com. We hope you will keep visiting wildfact regularly and will refer other members who have passion for wildlife.

Forum software by © MyBB