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Desert Lions
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Credits: Grehard Skeenkamp photography
Kalahari Desert Storm.  *This image is copyright of its original author
 
@epaiva :
About #107: these photos are taken during the grassy season of the Kalahari desert, I presume ? It's a little bit amazing to see such a black-maned lion (first photo) in a such environment where the camouflage possibilities are lesser than in the savannah. Because a big black mane doesn't go unnoticed... (12-25-2017, 11:53 PM)Spalea Wrote: @epaiva : @Spalea I really don´t know the season when the picture was taken, remember that Kalahari is a desert, Kalahari Lions are very famous because many of them own Black manes. 
Credits to: African Journal of Wildlife Research.
Posted on 9 January, 2018 by Africa Geographic Editorial Kalahari lions: Research sheds light on population  *This image is copyright of its original author © Derek Keats/FlickrLions are threatened across their natural range, and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) straddling South Africa and Botswana is a stronghold for the species. A research project, conducted during 2013-2015 and published in April 2017, resulted in a population estimate of 246 (237–256) lions (most precise of three count methods) in the southwestern sector of KTP, which is higher than previous estimates. Summary A 30% population decline and 80% range reduction over the past 20 years has resulted in there being fewer than 20,000 wild lions remaining in Africa, across 65 natural populations. Ten of these natural populations are considered strongholds – and KTP is one of these ten strongholds. Small populations of animals that are subjected to high rates of human persecution, such as Africa’s lions, have a greater likelihood of extinction, and so understanding trends in population size, age and sex is important. Previous research over the preceding 40 years suggested a relatively stable Kalahari lion population of 517 lions in the entire KTP, but research in 2010 off a small sample suggested a male bias of 56%, compared to previous research reflecting a female bias of 58%. The aim of this research, therefore, was to reduce uncertainty as to population size and key variables.  *This image is copyright of its original author © Derek Keats/FlickrThree methods of counting were utilised, producing the following results: 1. Mark-recapture: 246 (237-256) lions 2. Track indices: 242 (176-307) lions 3. Registration study (after removing known deaths): 250 lions The report includes a detailed discussion about each of the three methods, including shortcomings and inaccuracies. The full report: African Journal of Wildlife Research, B. Otto Beukes, Frans G.T. Radloff, Sam M. Ferreira.: “Estimating African lion abundance in the southwestern Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park”  *This image is copyright of its original author © Derek Keats/Flickr
Lions have adapted to hunt seals and seabirds in Namibia, study finds
Desert lions learning to hunt marine life to survive Skeleton Coast’s harsh conditions Niki Rust Mon 28 Jan 2019 10.04 GMTLast modified on Mon 28 Jan 2019 15.53 GMT Shares
483  *This image is copyright of its original author A lioness feeds on a Cape fur seal in Namibia’s Skeleton Coast. Photograph: Flip Stander/Namibian Journal of Environment Lions in Namibia have turned to hunting seabirds and seals in the face of scarce food resources in the desert landscape, research has found. The desert lions, which are found exclusively within the country’s Skeleton Coast region, are the only lions known to target marine life. Among the creatures they have been recorded eating are fur seals, flamingos and cormorants. The conservationist Flip Stander, the author of the study published in the Namibian Journal of Environment, said the discovery showed the big cats have learned diet adaptability is key to survival in this unforgiving terrain. The Skeleton Coast spans the coastal backbone of Namibia and is the driest place in sub-Saharan Africa, receiving as little as 5mm (0.2in) of rain a year. The desert lion’s usual prey of oryx and ostriches are thin on the ground there. The neighbouring ocean, however, is rich in life, sustaining nearly 1m Cape fur seals that breed on the shoreline, and a multitude of seabirds.  *This image is copyright of its original author FacebookTwitterPinterest A lioness carrying a cormorant Photograph: P Stander/Namibian Journal of Environment Stander explained “lions have to be resourceful by hunting a range of different prey species in a wide variety of habitats in their home range”. Seals are prime targets for these big cats, being slow to manoeuvre on land and rich in fat.  *This image is copyright of its original author Sign up to the Green Light email to get the planet's most important stories Read more While this is not the first known record of lions feeding on marine life in Namibia, such rare behaviour has not been documented for decades. “In 1985, an adult male lion was seen feeding on a beached pilot whale,” said Stander, but the behaviour was eliminated along with the lions. Desert lions became locally extinct in 1990 due to persecution from livestock farmers. However, by 1997, a pride returned to the area and numbers have been increasing ever since. The area now sustains approximately 130-150 lions. The first time lions were recorded feeding on marine life since returning to the desert was in 2006, where lionesses were observed eating a seal. Then, in 2017, a lioness in poor condition was spotted hunting cormorants, while others were seen hunting flamingos and teals. Stander said he has observed lions foraging in intertidal areas, so it is possible their diet could expand to other marine life such as shellfish, crabs and sea turtles. As 2019 begins… … we’re asking readers to make a new year contribution in support of The Guardian’s independent journalism. More people are reading and supporting our independent, investigative reporting than ever before. And unlike many news organisations, we have chosen an approach that allows us to keep our journalism accessible to all, regardless of where they live or what they can afford. But this is only possible thanks to voluntary support from our readers – something we have to maintain and build on for every year to come. The global community of readers financially supporting The Guardian is growing every day. When asked what motivates them to support our journalism, many tell us it’s because they believe we can be a force for positive change. They want to join the global collective of Guardian readers with a shared vision for the future of independent journalism, and for a more hopeful world. Our reporting has more impact when there are more readers behind us – a growing, diverse community providing inspiration and resource for our vital work. It means we can keep our journalism open to everyone, around the world – so that it’s free for those who can’t afford it, and supported by those who can. There really is strength in our numbers. The Guardian is editorially independent, meaning we set our own agenda. Our journalism is free from commercial bias and not influenced by billionaire owners, politicians or shareholders. No one edits our editor. No one steers our opinion. This is important as it enables us to give a voice to those less heard, challenge the powerful and hold them to account. It’s what makes us different to so many others in the media, at a time when factual, honest reporting is critical.
Once upon a time, the sandy deserts of Arabia had them (and I don't know why the Romanian flag is being shown): https://archive.org/stream/naturalistsli...+of+arabia, https://archive.org/stream/wildbeastsstu...the+desert
But it's worth mentioning that not all of Arabia is a sandy desert, with its coastal sides in the east, south and west being rather mountainous, including the Hijaz (https://web.archive.org/web/200711121323..._Lion.html). An ancient legend has it that an Imam who was a descendant of Muhammad met a lion north of Medina in the Hijaz (https://www.al-islam.org/articles/infall...h-al-mufid), which is known to have had leopards (http://www.catsg.org/fileadmin/fileshari...Arabia.pdf), and the Arabian lion apparently went extinct in the middle of the 19th century: http://www.catsg.org/cheetah/05_library/...Arabia.pdf Ancient Yemeni or South Arabian relief showing both the lion and leopard attacking prey, in the Walters Art Museum: https://art.thewalters.org/detail/76505  *This image is copyright of its original author Lion pictures from Saudi Arabia: http://saudi-archaeology.com/subjects/lion/  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Apparently, there's even ancient Greek literature on the Arabian lion: https://snarla.wordpress.com/2007/08/31/arabian-lions/ “The lions of Arabia”, wrote Agatharchides, “are less hairy and bolder. They are uniform in colour just are those in Babylonia. The sheen of their mane is such that the hair on the back of their neck gleams like gold. …the leopards are unlike those found in caria and Lycia. their bodies are large, and they are much better able to endure wounds and pain. In strength, moreover, they surpass the others by as much as a wild animal does a domesticated one.” Interesting video which also shows the leopard and cheetah:
Kalahari Lion
King of Nossob, displaying the elegance of the body and the powerful muscles under the smooth skin. Book Hunters if the Dunes The story of the Kalahari Lion (Fritz Eloff)  *This image is copyright of its original author
Kalahari Lions
Book Hunters of the Dunes The Story of the Kalahari Lion (Fritz Eloff)  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Phisical abilities of Kalahari Lions: To what extend is a lion prepared or able to run at full speed after its prey?
Lions are built for power not speed, their heart are relatively small (significantly smaller than that of a hyena) and the ability of the heart to provide oxygen to the muscles and to cope with the fast movement is limited. George Schaller, an expert of lions says the average distance of lion's charge during a hunt is 30 metres, under excepcional circunstances, especially in long grass it may chase its prey for as far as 200 metres, but then the lion will give up the chase. The Kalahari Lion has its own set of norms, I have seen a lioness stalk a gemsbok across a large pan for 800 meters, at intervals she would sit or run slowly, with her body close to the ground, when her prey eventually started running she charged at full speed for 550 metres only to find the terrified animal escaping her with bewildering speed. I also saw a lioness stalking an aardvark that was digging up an anthill, she charged and chased it for 110 metres, when sudenly the aardvark turned sharply, deep grooves in the sand showed how the lioness had braked and had to chase it for 240 metres before she could catch it, she then had to share it with two males. Book Hunters if the Dunes The story of the Kalahari Lion (Fritz  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
@epaiva :
About #119: very interesting account ! But may I ask you at what time (approximately) of the day did you witness these two long pursuits by the lionesses ? At broad daylight it would seem me almost incredible... Your two first photos show two beautiful lion's bodies, really 0% body fat, strong shoulders... |
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