There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
All three brothers and the whole Ximungwe pride were seen this week, although not all together. The brothers started off their week by covering a lot of ground and giving some impressive roaring displays in the mornings. With the mornings getting fairly chilly now we could even see the mist on their breathe. They did however split up when Sataan found a Ximungwe lioness in oestrous and proceeded to spend the rest of the week courting her. By the end of the week the other two brothers had also split with Makhulu choosing to go it alone and Skoro choosing to stay with two Ximungwe lionesses and the smaller cubs.
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
The smaller cubs are becoming quite adventurous and spend most of their time tackling each other or pestering their mother, who doesn’t always appreciate it. Their antics have been providing us with hours of entertainment and we hope there will be some more cubs on the way to take over from them as they are growing quickly.
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
The older cubs are still being kept away from the pride by their mother. At the age of 9 months it would be expected that the cubs would be a permanent part of the pride by now. Even so we are still seeing them regularly, and as with their younger siblings they are still providing some good entertainment. One night we found the mother and one cub lazing in the road but could not find the second cub. It was a heart stopping moment as we presumed the worst, only to be reassured by a soft call coming from up in a tree close by! We watched as the youngster uncomfortably balanced himself around the branches and then laughed as he half climbed half fell out of the tree.