Lions of Sabi Sands

[BA0701]

(11-08-2023, 02:05 AM)1ofCourage Wrote:

(11-08-2023, 12:30 AM)BA0701 Wrote:

(11-07-2023, 10:59 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote:

(11-07-2023, 10:45 PM)Ttimemarti Wrote: Just like blondie he was fine then the nwaswitshaka males attacked him and that was his downfall

Blondie had limping and weight problems since early 2019.

Since we know that TB causes sharp, very painful, protrusions to develop on the bones, causing some animals to develop limps, and otherwise becoming less mobile. Blondie may well have been battling this dreaded disease for quite some time.

So many lions are plagued by TB and die an early death.  Their bones and teeth are their life.  S8 was everything a male lion could be and had cubs with incredibly beautiful eyes. He seems very unfamiliar with weakness in general and the extreme pain that accompanies this cruel disease.  He wants to live, dragging himself down to the water, but felt no better for it or perhaps did not drink at all. Some are saying his symptoms are consistent with rabies.

You are so right, about so many things, in regards to the scourge that is TB, to S8, and what an incredible, and successful, male lion he is. I am not sure how anyone could possibly hold him in anything less the the highest regard and respect. The fact that he continues to fight, in the face of such pain, and feeling as sick as any creature can, is only further testament to this. I don't believe it is rabies, he appears to be drinking plenty of water. When rabid creatures even attempt to drink their body uncontrollably rejects it, often violently. He is not exhibiting this behavior, you can see that his tongue is making contact with the water, from the ripples, and his body is not convulsing as a result, he is not violently pulling away from the water, he continues to drink. I do not, personally, believe this is rabies.

TB was also not my first assumption, or even my second, but I must trust the vets on the ground, not only do they know much more than I on the subject, they are also on the ground and witnessing what is going on first hand. If they say TB, then unless, or until, I hear different, that is what I must believe is going on. S8 has had that black spot on his front right shoulder for quite some time. I am not sure if the black spot disease is part of TB, or a separate disease altogether, but that spot showed up quite some months ago. Reply