12 Jan, 2009

Young lions indulge in playful antics, but are wary of their father, who shows little tolerance towards his progeny.

Today was one of those unforgettable days here in the Nxai Pan National Park in Botswana. It all started with a glorious sunrise characterised by deep reds and moody clouds, which set the scene for the day.

It was still dark when we came upon two lionesses (Panthera leo) drinking from a pool of water formed by rain that fell during the night. Close by were two young and playful cubs, no more than four months old.

We could hear the females contact calling in a southerly direction before slowly heading in that direction with cubs in tow.

It wasn't too long before we realised where they were headed. Up ahead was a large male lion feeding on a zebra. This male must have sired the cubs, and although he was somewhat intolerant of them, he did not harm them in any way.

While indulging in playful antics, the cubs were careful not to venture too close to this particular male.

Rarely have I seen a pride of any size look as healthy as this small one, and with such minimal scarring. Their coats looked immaculate and there were no signs of any ticks, something that most lions have at least a few of.

Aside from a barely noticeable scar on his upper left cheek, there was only one other superficial mark on the large male. The lionesses too showed no battle wounds except for the mother, which had a small notch out of one ear.

The cubs have yet to be weaned so they did not engage in any real eating apart from a brief moment when one of them started tugging on a section of hide.

After a while the lionesses escorted their cubs into a nearby thicket where they remained for the rest of the morning.

– by Nick Fenn, Earth-Touch crew © Earth-Touch

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