Modern Weights and Measurements of Wild Lions

[Pckts]

(08-25-2022, 03:17 AM)Pantherinae Wrote:

(08-24-2022, 07:15 PM)Pckts Wrote: Just to add to my last comment…
What exactly changed from the time Smutts and Hamilton were capturing their lions to now?

Why is it these Private reserves make claims of the largest “Wild” Lion weights ever yet there are now less Lions, prey and land for these Lions to roam freely compared to Smuts and Hamiltons days?

Why has there never been a Lion from free ranging E. Africa to obtain these weights, let alone multiples? E. Africa has far more prey, far more large prey, the highest lion population on earth and better protection.

Well there has been a 250 kg lion in Timbawati and the Black Dam male was described as being bigger than the 250 kg lion, by a person who darted both animals. and now we also know of a group if 5 males between 230-240 kg in Kruger who hadn’t been feeding in the last two days, are all of similar size or bigger than the largest lion Smutts and Hamilton weighed there. And this happend decades ago so not that much has changed. 

One of the reasons why lions from private reserves grow bigger is because many of the lions brought in has Namibian or Kalahari genes or directly brorught in from those places. 

Regarding the 300 kg cat it was described as being a wild lion, this from people working in the reserve or having spent a considerable amount of time there. Having spoken to Rob personally he is careful in giving weights and not to exaggerate the size of the lions. When you get more than one source telling about this lion we cannot ignore it. Dismissing it’s accuracy because he couldn’t remember the details correctly because it happend a considerable amount of time ago is just silly, obviously he remembers that he witnessed a lion of around 300 kg and yet still be a bit fussy about the exact weight and every detail. It just strengthens his credability imo, 

Also there is a 272 kg male lion from East Africa on an empty stomach. Shot for attacking humans out of hunger not because he killed cattle. Him after a big meal would be over 300 kg. 

The lions from most of these private reserves provide for themselves. there are probably exceptions, but Lions in places like Madikwe, Addo Elephant park, Tswalu, Phinda etc for sure do. And based on the statements made around the lion in question his reserve is the same.

Neither of the “sources” were there and have relayed that clearly. 

We’ve already gone over these numerous times. None of them are reliable other than the 272 kg male who was a notorious cattle killer. Regardless of stomach content or not, he’d been growing fat on cattle for months.

Lastly Namibian lions are no larger than anywhere else so their genetic influence wouldn’t change lion size nor is there any reason they’d be inserted in any of these reserves. A few here or there mean nothing when comparing all Lions living in S. Africa. Reply