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.
(08-12-2024, 06:33 PM)RookiePundit Wrote: I don't think the wound itself is not as bad as it looks, I concur that the issue is, it might get easily infected. In addition 4 curious cubs might add to the discomfort.
I am on the side of not intervening. This is natural, sucks for the impacted individuals, but even if this eventually leads to Ntsevu pride becoming weaker and possibly eventually die out, it would be natural outcome of lion dynamics then. Or we might get another bounce back against odds story like with last Othawas. Strictly speaking intervening and potentially changing the outcome of this injury might eventually lead to Ntsevus outcompeting a rival pride (or other unforeseeable events) and thus undirectly stacking odds against other individuals intraspecific and interspecific as well, not just for prey species but for other predators as well. Overall Sabi Sands lions population is not currently in crisis, at least numbers wise, with abundant of cubs and established coalitions to protect them (not always being good at it) with sense of stability. Ntsevu bunch for me is easy to root for, I hope both the lioness and subsequently the little guys make it, but if it come to the the worst scenario, that litter has a sibling, many half siblings and different sorts of cousins in both Kambula and Ntsevu prides so there is no valid reason to protect them specifically as there is no indication this is caused by humans.
Couldn't agree with you more.
Speaking of lion populations in crisis, is that why vets intervene in the Masai Mara?
I don't follow Mara lions dynamics but my impression is they readily intervene veterinary there which improves individual lions longevity/helping them keeping their hierarchical status, thus creating new and new stars (they name lions too) to draw attention to which also makes it that there is less vacant spaces to fill for the new generation and there is then more competition and conflict, which draw attention as well (some lions fans follow african lions for the lion warfare aspect of it for the most part). So in the end they are indirectly pitting those individuals against each other for one reason or another.
But as I said I don't follow Mara so I might be unjustly simplifying things and for sure Mara and Kruger ecosystems and even lions themselves are different.
Thank you for responding, my friend. I have always been curious about the Mara situation but there doesn't seem to be much info on that available online