Lions of Timbavati

[Biscuit1998]

Hi all,

I have recently been in the Timbavati on holiday. 

I was horrified to see that a large group (approx. 7) of sub-adult lions in the Western Pride have not eaten in 3 weeks; their bones are jutting out and they can barely move, yet they remain under near-constant observation by tourists in vehicles. The two adult females and large sub-adult male have left the Western Pride, leaving these younger sub-adults under the control of an elderly, disabled male. Whilst on a game drive, I observed land-owners in the reserve callously saying that the sub-adults "wouldn't last". There is also a severe shortage of blue wildebeest in the reserve and an alarming overpopulation of impala. Further, the presence of a coalition of 4 large males (the "river pride") nearby almost guarantees that these Western Pride sub-adults have no chance of survival. 

In light of the fact that the WP's dominant male was trophy-hunted back in 2018, this looks to me like a serious conservation failure on the part of the reserve. Intervention appears necessary. 

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Reply