Lions of Sabi Sands

[Duco Ndona]

Its tough following animals this close and it can be difficult to remember that we are not watching a Disney movie. But nature at its rawest.

Humans are rather spoiled in our easy and long lives so we forget that for animals this isn't some form of right or entitlement. But a price for hard work, taking risk or avoiding them. When a cub is born, we immediately assign a future to it. A female cub is going to be a great hunter and lots of cubs herself. While a male cub surely is going to be a great king, destined to rule lots of prides and coalitions in the near future. 

In reality 80 percent or so of them dies or disappears in the first few years. Whether we named them or not. So that's a lot of disappointment and sadness to build up. While those that do make it are build up to such legends that it attracts a lot of fanboyism. People arguing how this or that coalition is going to rule supreme and kick the others asses. Even when there is little reason for them to fight in real life.  

And then there is the discussion of human intervention. Lots of people expect the reserves to give their favourite animals preferial treatment.
Saving them rather than letting nature take its course. Even if the impact on nature itself is vastly negative. Everybody wants the guides to shoot some poor impala so their starving lion can feed. But you never see anyone arguing to stop that same lion later when he is killing a leopard or cheetah. Cheering even if its a Hyena. Conspiracies run rampant and things can turn toxic fast. 

Luckily things here are quite civil. Facebook and Youtube on the other hand are quite a filthpool at times. I can easily see that a youtuber already dealing with his or her emotions on the topic itself gets overwhelmed when something big happens. And just decides to quit. Reply