Lions of Sabi Sands

[criollo2mil]

(11-07-2023, 08:52 PM)BA0701 Wrote: Video just dropped on Painted Dog, saying they believe it is related to TB.

so I wanted to add that I have seen comments (and heard) regarding the TB component and suspicions.

the first comment I will make is that its almost a foregone conclusion that over 90-95% of the lions in the region have been exposed to TB. in most cases it simply lays dormant as the Lion's immune system maintains it suppressed.

TB ususally manifests in lions with compromised immune systems...what compromises them comes in many different forms....old age is very common factor.

in the case of S8, I have been told by some...that he apparently (I myself do not have first hand knowledge this happened) had some type of incident w a Buffalo and was seen with swolen face and at least one guide said he had lost canines.

the thought here is that the incident triggered an immune response but that it also allowed the TB to overtake his body.

I am no expert...i had a (maybe naive perspective) that TB takes a long time to hurt a lion and especially a strong one like S8.

after the two Talamati Lionesses died of very similar rapid decline, I may be thinking differently. and MAybe TB could really take on a very aggresiv eform and kill rather quickly.

i do know from a good source that both lionesses were tested post mortim and indeed tested positive for TB (but that isnt particularly a surprise) since like i mentioned, their estimates say 95% of these lions would test as such.....in their cases, what I have never had clarified is 'what triggered" if anything the TB response and the rapid decline. both lionesses seemed quite healthy until very very near their deaths.

from what I have gathered in discussion from authorities,,,if/when S8 dies, they will likely do an extended test (abive and beyond their typical protocol) to identify toxins or other pathogens in his system to maybe identify a more definitive cause...if they do so, it would be because there has now been three lions from this same family that have died in a rapid rate. maybe just maybe their deaths wont go in vain and they can get to the bottom of what could be at play...mitigate it for the others. Reply