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Lions from Botswana
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Dereck Joubert: " While it's by no means a common behaviour, tree-climbing among lions is not as rare as was previously thought – though bulk and size do tend to get in the way of lofty aspirations. Stacked up against the slick arboreal agility of the leopard, there is definitely some finesse lacking here. "
Beverly Joubert: " A playful lion cub scrambles up a termite mound against the dramatic backdrop of a leaden Okavango sky. At this age, young lions have boundless energy paired with an insatiable curiosity which drives them to investigate and explore. It's a vital part of growing up. The cats must figure out their boundaries and learn how to navigate their habitat. The adorable stalking, pouncing and playfulness that makes cubs so endearing to watch are all precursors to a life of hunting. This cub couldn't resist clawing his way to the top of a termite mound to gain a height advantage over his siblings. The right vantage point can make or break a hunt – maybe one day this young cat will be able to apply today's lesson. "
" Photo by @russ_wildlife || One of the most impressive male lions I have ever seen, I came across him and his brother sleeping but that moment he stood up I was speechless, hands down the biggest lion I had ever seen! "
Robynne Kotze: " Three young males in our study area, aged between 4 and 5 years old, materialized out of the long grass on a beautiful November morning at the end of last year. They were extremely relaxed and settled down quite close to the Land Rover. This gave our vet the perfect opportunity to dart, and we managed to collar the largest of the three, now affectionately known as Rufiji. Once young males leave their natal areas, they can travel vast distances in search of new territories. This young lion will be part of our investigation into into how far young male lions disperse out of the western Okavango Delta. "
Robynne Kotze: " Today is #WorldWetlandsDay, and what better place to work than one of the largest freshwater inland deltas, the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Not only is the Okavango Delta a vital source of resources and water during the dry season in the Kalahari Basin, but it is one of the continent's most important lion conservation units, and one of only six places in Africa that still supports a viable lion population of over 1000 individuals. "
Beverly Joubert: " He started it! Like scolded school children, these cheeky lion cubs endure a stare-down from mom. This will not be the last time that she’ll have to to discipline the youngsters. Lions sleep for up to 20 hours a day, reserving their energy for nighttime prowling. But cubs sometimes work to a different schedule and can be overly boisterous while the rest of the pride try to snooze. I'm sure moms can relate to being rudely awoken by a toddler – it usually ends in growling! "
Beverly Joubert: " Lions in concessions like Duba Plains and Selinda in Botswana have grown comfortable with the presence of tourists – they barely pay any heed to the clicking of camera shutters. But cubs are a different story. This youngster paused mid-play, momentarily distracted and intrigued by a pair of human spectators. His curiosity was short-lived though and the cub quickly returned to his boisterous games. A tired mom was hardly roused by the youngster's roughhousing – patience is one of the first lessons lionesses learn! "
Valentin Pacaut: " A Meeting with the King
Heard the coalition of those three lions roaring all night long, less than 1km away Finally found the dominant male, this one, and then the two others "
Valentin Pacaut: " Lion from Okavango, Okavango delta, Botswana
7.00am, in Moremi Game Reserve, after a long rainy night, as he was lying in the wet grass, this lion suddenly saw waterbucks ahead. He stood and started to walk slowly in their direction. "
Dereck Joubert: " Happy #InternationalWomensDay … It seemed apt to mark this important date with a few words by @beverlyjoubert. “If I sense a slight because I am a woman – or against another woman – I rise up like an angry lioness.” We salute the strength, courage and wisdom of women all across the globe today. And to the women guardians protecting our planet’s fragile and precious ecosystems, may you continue to rise up and fight for what you believe in. We thank you and stand by you. "
Beverly Joubert: " As the early morning sun douses the landscape in golden light, a distracted lioness falls victim to an adorable attack. Photographing lions requires a good measure of patience. These big cats snooze for much of the day leaving little to capture but the occasional flick of a tail or an upturned paw. But when roused from their slumber by hunger or an exuberant youngster, sleeping cats are quickly transformed into picture-perfect predators. It's a privileged to be able to capture moments like this – a playful attack that will become one of many as this young cub quickly learns how to fend for itself. "
Beverly Joubert: " So stark is the contrast between day and night in the African bush, it's almost as if the setting sun reshapes the landscape into an entirely different world. Daylight is the domain of the grazers that fill their bellies under bird-filled skies, but the night belongs to a different guild of creatures. Lions are at home in the darkness. These big cats often prowl and hunt in the coolness of the night, using it to their advantage. Cast against the orange glow of a spotlight, the outline of a male lion is unmistakable. He will patrol his territory, periodically bellowing a reverberating roar into the night air sending a message to any rivals: this is my turf, enter at your own risk. "
Dereck Joubert: " Events unfolding all across the globe right now are bringing some important lessons into sharp focus. No matter which part of the world you call home, this is our collective wake-up call: humans and nature are part of one interconnected system … and when we harm healthy ecosystems, when we damage biodiversity, we all suffer. So what can we do? We’ve found ourselves reflecting on the years we spent making ‘Tribe vs Pride’ … embedded within its narrative was a very honest look at the future – and a hopeful message about coexistence and the great potential we all have, no matter where we come from, to adapt to a rapidly changing world and to shift our behaviour in the face of unprecedented threats to the species we share this planet with. "
Extract of "The last lion" movie by Dereck and Beverly Joubert...
" The King of Kings, the ruler of his land finally dies. Father Time doesn’t care for your stature. Death waits for no one, and when it’s your turn to leave, he is swift about taking you. " |
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