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Lions from Botswana
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Dereck Joubert: " One thing we’ve learned is that in order to understand how an ecosystem works, you need to look to the top predators – and here, that always means lions. They drive habitat dynamics in these grasslands to such an extent that investing in their conservation amounts to so much more than just single-species preservation: it’s a way of protecting entire wild landscapes that shelter countless species – and an opportunity to harness substantial economic benefits for local communities, too. (This clip is from ‘Big Cat Odyssey’. To find out more about the film, follow the link in the bio.) "
Seyms_Brugger: " ☆ Not Welcome ☆
A Lioness shows in no uncertain terms that this young male is not welcome close to her Cubs. While the male was part of the pride, he was reaching an age where he would soon be kicked out of the pride by the dominant male, due to him almost reaching sexual maturity. This was photographed in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa."
Beverly Joubert: " The exuberance of youth! These two muddy cubs hardly paid us any heed as they pounced and stalked in their drenched playground. Even at this age young lions seem to target the necks of their siblings – a playful manoeuvre that will one day develop into a deadly strike. "
" The KING of Chiefs Island! "
Beautiful and powerful male intensively focused... 
A great old king!
Sekekema. Credit: Amanda Tatham  *This image is copyright of its original author
Beverly Joubert: " This young males’s gaping mouth and exposed teeth may look aggressive, but he’s actually yawning not growling. These big cats often do this when they are getting ready to move. Much like stretching helps awaken tired muscles, yawning is a basic neurological function that helps wake up a sleepy brain. "
Beverly Joubert: " Cats are famously curious by nature and that rings true for Africa’s largest felines as well, especially when they are still young. Lion cubs show an eagerness to explore their habitat and everything from a leaf to a locust becomes a potential plaything for the youngsters. It’s this curiosity that can sometimes land the little cats in trouble if they stray too far from the pride or are left on their own when mom heads out to hunt. But they soon learn their boundaries and grow in confidence as they stalk and pounce their way to adulthood. This cub was content to lie still and observe, peeking over his brother’s head, absorbing every sight and sound. "
A male lion on a territorial patrol at DumaTau Camp,Linyati, Botswana
Credit:- Peter and Ondine Chadwick  *This image is copyright of its original author
Another incredible close-up of a male lion at DumaTau Camp, Linyati, Botswana
Credit:- Peter and Ondine Chadwick  *This image is copyright of its original author
Robynne Kotze: " Looking forward to the weekend like this male was looking at his next potential meal ?
Very grateful that despite the world chaos I have still been able to make it out to wild places. I think now more than ever people have started realizing the value of nature and open spaces and how good it is for the soul. In the words of Henry David Thoreau “All good things are wild and free”" Patroling... Robynne Kotze: " Finding the lions in the Okavango is not always easy - even if some of them are collared! See the holes in the Miscanthus grass in the top picture? There's a whole pride - male, females and cubs - resting in those tunnels. After spending hours trying to find them, the pride male Mufasa appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, until the noises in the grass from the females and cubs gave away their hiding place. The damp soil underneath and the thick canopy of shade created by the 7ft high grass provide the ideal cool microclimate for escaping the October heat. Ever wondered where swamp cat sleep? This is it. " Robynne Kotze: " Meet two of the oldest males in our study - Tinkerbell and Brutus. These are the males of the six-wheel pride, and they cover a massive area of about 700 square kilometres. These two old boys are between 9 and 10 years old, and their scarred faces prove that they have fought to keep their place! After hearing their calls almost every night from one of our normal camping sites, it took us two years to set eyes on Tinkerbell for the first time. Tracking is extremely difficult in the floodplains, as once the lions go off road their tracks disappear in the couch grass making finding the lions a matter of luck more than anything else! Luckily, that's where the collars help a great deal in following up on an animal that covers such a large area, with very few roads! "
Robynne Kotze: " Today is World Lion Day! ?
Lions and other big cats have captured the imagination of the world for centuries. They have the ability to invoke strong emotions, and this has certainly been the case for me. There is no better feeling than sitting around the campfire or lying in my tent at night and listening to a lion’s booming call, or the joy of finding lions while out in the field and just being able to spend time in their presence and watch their lives unfold. I feel a strong sense of purpose that I am in the right place and that this is what I was born to do. But the place for lions in this world seems to be shrinking. There seems to be less space, less prey and more conflict as the human population grows. We need to work together to ensure that lions still have a space in our world, not just in the savannas, but in the hearts and minds of people. Living with lions can be tough, and while not everyone will love them, if there is one thing that I’ve learnt it’s that benefitting from lions through jobs created by tourism or conservation initiatives can go a long way in creating that space in hearts and minds. So often the cost of conservation lies with those who live with lions, but it is EVERYONE’s responsibility to cement a space for lions in the future. How can you contribute to lion conservation? Travel with companies that give back to lions, visit places that give back to communities or are community run, consider donating to funds that support lion rangers and community guardians. Follow our project page @tkpp_wildcru today to see how people feel about lions! "
Beverly Joubert: " There are few African animals that command as much admiration as male lions. Bold and stately, they often stride through the grasslands as though aware of their stature. Their battle-scared faces framed by a flowing mane, wearing the marks of a lifetime of territorial skirmishes. Sadly, the big cats are in trouble. Numbers have plummeted in the last century and many populations now face extinction. Male lions are of particular importance as they are often targeted as trophies and their removal can have devastating effects on pride life and genetic diversity. To protect these cats, we need to protect their homes and create safe havens where the species can thrive.
Huge contributors to this conservation challenge are the rangers who are tasked with safeguarding lions, putting themselves on the frontlines even in the harshest of conditions to ensure the big cats are given a fighting chance at survival. This #WordLionDay, please take a moment to consider the men and women who risk so much to protect Africa’s most iconic predators. Link in the bio if you want to help."
Pie_aerts: " Happy World Lion Day!
I’ll never forget my first night in Africa, right in the middle of the Okavango Delta, when only a single sheet of canvas separated us from a roaring lion. A moment that has forever been etched in my memory, sending shivers down my spine straight into my soul. Or that other first time, when I witnessed a big male lion singlehandedly kill a wildebeest, or the first time another lion walked past our vehicle, just inches away, making brief eye contact before walking off. After all those years of photographing around the world, nothing ever made me feel more alive than being in the presence of the King of Africa. But their future looks bleak. With only 20.000 left in the wild, out of a staggering 200.000 just decades ago, we are currently witnessing the demise of a true icon, the decease of the most majestic animal that has ever walked the earth. I know its wishful thinking, but when every person on earth got the opportunity once in their lifetime, to spend a full week in the African bush, in the presence of these majestic creatures, I’m sure their future would look promising. Do you want to support lion conservation this #WorldLionDay , then visit @printsforwildlife and get yourself a beautiful print. 100% of the proceeds are going to @africanparksnetwork . They are currently protecting lions in 11 parks under their management. Your support will have a direct impact on the future of these incredible cats. Swipe for a full set of amazing encounters over the last few years. What’s your favorite image? "
Lisa Antell: " World Lion Day 2020!
Celebrating the beauty and glory of wild lions. Will humans allow them to live and thrive in protected habitats? Or will we ignore their imminent peril and ceaselessly pressure them and hunt them down? " |
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