Lion pictures and videos

[Fredymrt]

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Written, and photographs by, Sam Hankss

Bush tales: Half-blind lioness takes down giraffe for cubs
Posted: January 5, 2018
 

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The half-blind lioness with the giraffe kill © Sam Hankss

In the animal kingdom, motherhood is probably the hardest job. Bearing the young, giving birth and rearing the young into individuals that are capable of surviving into adulthood is fraught with difficulties. Even for a lioness. The risk of hyenas, male lions and other dangerous animals killing the cubs is high, with over half of cubs being lost within their first year.
I have recently become a guide in the Greater Kruger at Roamer’s Rest and have discovered that we have a lone lioness in the area with three one-year-old cubs. We have had numerous sightings of her in recent weeks and have discovered that she is also blind in one eye, as if motherhood wasn’t hard enough!

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Feeding on the giraffe throughout the night © Sam Hankss

Over the Christmas period we discovered that this lone lioness had successfully hunted and killed a giraffe. A feat of great risk which demonstrated great ability and ingenuity, that even a pride of lions may struggle to do. One kick from the giraffe and it could have ended in the lionesses death, and therefore the cubs would perish. Life is always in the balance in the bush.

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Two of the cubs with the giraffe carcass © Sam Hankss

So how does a lone lioness bring down a giraffe? It appeared that the lioness chased the giraffe up and over a ridge which had a steep decline on the other side. This caused the giraffe to trip and come crashing down to the ground, where a bite to the back of the neck paralysed the animal instantly.

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Full bellies for the lioness and her cubs © Sam Hankss

For four days the lioness and her three cubs feasted upon the carcass, gorging on the meat before coming to drink at the waterhole in front of the lodge. When not eating or drinking the lioness was standing guard, protecting her kill from the influx of vultures and jackals that had come to steal a piece of flesh.

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Trail camera trap of the lioness with her cubs drinking © Sam Hankss

Once the carcass was finished, the lioness and cubs moved further into valley with full bellies and sleep on their mind.

I wonder what may occur in the next fascinating chapter of these lions?

*This image is copyright of its original author

Taking a break from eating © Sam Hankss

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