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.
Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana. This elephant spent a few minutes at the waterpoint, a few meters from a bush where lions were sleeping. He smelt them, walked to them and chased them! He finally stopped where the lions were lying. Then, a game of intimidation started between them! "
Valentin Pacaut:" When you feel exhausted and you could sleep anywhere!
Okavango delta, Botswana In Moremi Game Reserve, I saw a very interesting opposition between a lioness and an older one, probably her mother, or another female of the pride. One wanted to move in a direction, and the other one on the opposite way! For about 30 minutes, it was as if none of them wanted to give up! This young one, on the picture, was rolling in the dust, ignoring the older one calling. She saw the elephant dung, lied down to rest and used it like a pillow for a while! Finally, the youngest gave up and followed the older lioness. "
Okavango delta, Botswana Around 7am, nearby Xakanaxa. This lion is part of a coalition of two males. We heard them roaring all night long, hopefully found them in the early morning and followed them for a while. This one found a branch and started to play with it for a very long while! Don’t forget that lions are big cats! "
Valentin Pacaut: " This young lion is part of a pride of about 12 lions. That summer day was really hot, and they spend the day, with belly full, laying down in the shade of the river shore! "
Beverly Joubert:" A careful crossing. As floodwaters rise in the Okavango Delta, lions must adapt to an increasingly wet habitat. Areas that were once dry and easy to navigate quickly become drenched, forcing the big cats to wade into deep water as they patrol their territories. Okavango lions have adjusted to this unique lifestyle and are ever-aware of the threats that may be lurking below the surface. Crossings are usually cautious affairs ... better safe than sorry. "
Jens Cullmann: " ‘A day in a Lion’s sex life ’ ... Don’t get too exited people, this pair is only doing what is necessary to maintain the pride alive. Lions will mate for sad 8 second sessions that are finished before you can say ‘Welcome to Africa and have a nice day’ …over …. However, they will repeat the procedure every 20 minutes over two days, which sort of compensates …Anyhow, more about lions love lives later. . "
Valentin Pacaut:" Young lion cub hugging its mother
Okavango delta, Botswana Early in the morning, we met two beautiful male lions and a female. After a while, one male and a female moved away in the grass, along a path that I finally followed. What a surprised when I found the rest of the pride, with cubs! This young lion cub was playing with another one, and then came by its mother seeking for comfort. "
Valentin Pacaut:" Young mum and first lights
Chobe National Park, Botswana When we saw this lioness, she was with a cub, less than one month old. The day before, we enjoyed sunset with her, and came back the next morning for the first lights. Hopefully, she was still around! "
Valentin Pacaut:" Lions shapes in the morning light
Chobe National Park, Botswana This day was one of those days in the bush you don’t forget. All night long, we heard hyenas calling nearby our campsite. We got up very early, and left the camp just before sunrise. We went along the river, and to go back where we left a pride of lions the day before, on a buffalo kill. From far, we saw the shapes through the grass, no so far from the kill. I just had to drive a little further to totally enjoy the sighting: lions going down to the river to drink!"
Jens Cullmann:" ‘What does a lioness get after mating for 8 seconds with the king of the pride? Baby lions ? !’ In a previous post I mentioned some of the mating ‘rituals’ of lions; check it out if you are curious about the 8 second rule ?. "
Yes 8 seconds... But often after several attempts of mating, because the fertility level isn't at a high rate at all. Being the apex predators they nevertheless can do nothing but that during 3 or 5 days.
Dereck Joubert:" Watching a new wild generation grow and develop always brings with it a great sense of hope … but also those anxious considerations about what kind of future lies ahead. A new analysis of endangered species released this week paints a heart-breaking picture: more than 500 species of land animals are now on the brink of extinction – and likely to be lost within just two decades. The warning could not be clearer: we are facing our final opportunity to act if we are to prevent our planet’s life support systems from failing. "
