The Ideal Trophy

Out of the entire lion population, the number of remaining adult male lions is considered to be around 5000. A mature male lion, aged 4–8 years, is the “gold standard” for a successful lion hunt. Weighing about 180 kg and standing about 1.2 meters tall, these broad shouldered, magnificent cats are the most sought after trophy. Estimates for hunting are difficult to confirm, but numbers as high as 500 have been reported for lions killed legally each year in hunts. The ramifications of their loss in the overall lion population are far-reaching. When you unpack the numbers it becomes abundantly and frighteningly clear that the death of a single adult male lion can have a devastating impact on overall population numbers.

The Pride

A young male lion will leave his pride some time after the age of two and begin a challenging life as a nomad. As he grows stronger and older, he will seek out new territory, and eventually, a pride of his own. Male lions will often form a coalition with one or two others in order to increase their chance of success in challenging for territory. By the age of four or five, they might become dominant pride males. A lion pride can be made up of as few as three or more than forty individuals. An average pride may be closer to fifteen. There will be one, or often two, dominant males. In a large pride there could be as many as a dozen adult females.

The lioness are generally related and in many cases, stay with their pride for life. Depending on the number of breeding females, there will also be a brood of cubs. A lioness may give birth to up to six cubs, but an average litter is three. The pride lionesses of breeding age will often have their cubs at the same time because this allows the cubs to nurse from multiple Moms.

The Sad Story of Lion Math

In the name of ego, sport and power, a trophy hunter takes aim with a high-powered rifle and kills a young male lion. (One lion dead.) This male, with his full mane, is the protector of his pride. Once killed, the pride becomes vulnerable. His coalition partner will be left to rule on his own. The threat from younger nomadic males looking for their own territory will often end in a fight to the death for this pride’s remaining male. (Two lions dead.)

For the sake of argument, let’s say the pride is twenty lions, including six adult females. Consider four of the females have an average of three young cubs. The first thing an incoming dominant male (or males) will do is kill the pride cubs. (14 lions dead.) However, a lioness’s first instinct will be to protect her cubs from rogue males. She will be fierce and in the process of defending her family she may sustain life-threatening injuries or die. Male lions will not waste their energy protecting another bloodline–they are hardwired to start their own. As long as a female has cubs she will not go into estrus. Killing her cubs resets her reproductive cycle and she will soon be ready to mate.

From the killing of one male lion for a hunting trophy the subsequent death toll for this pride could result in the loss of fourteen to eighteen lions.

Between the years 2003–2013 there were an estimated 10,000 legally obtained hunting trophies of African lions. It is little wonder then, that the overall populations have plummeted. It is currently estimated that trophy hunters legally kill between 500–600 lions a year (IUCN estimate). Apply the above scenario to only ten percent of these kills and the potential loss is staggering.

The odds are not in their favour.

“A world without the distant roar of lions at dawn, as the mists start to lift, is too terrible to contemplate.” –Dereck Joubert

Travel with me Virtually!

Thank you very much for visiting my website. I support myself as an artist solely with my photography and writing. If you enjoy the content I create and share,  please consider supporting me on KO-FI.COM  Joining the Armchair Wanderers or The Wild Bunch will give you access to exclusive member-only content-including behind-the-scene safari shenanigans live from my travels. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and for promoting passion.

Cheers!

NJ

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In the 1960’s, Kenya was home to over 20,000 black rhinos. By 1980 there were less than 300 black rhinos remaining. Thanks to dedicated anti-poaching teams, education programs, and habitat protection, the numbers are rising. Today, Keyna is estimated to have more than 900 black rhinos, and 255 of those live under protection in Lewa.

On my recent visit I was delighted to see strong numbers of both white and black rhinos. The highlight, however, was meeting a resident black rhino named Elvis. My encounter with Elvis was highly unusual. Black rhinos are not known to be laid back and so, when Elvis dropped by to have a scratch on our bumper, it was indeed a surprise! But Elvis has a very special background and his casual approach to the truck was friendly and relaxed–albeit, a little itchy!

Meet Elvis!

Elvis was the third or fourth calf born to Mawinga (translated: Cloud) in the Lewa Conservancy. Sadly, Malingwa was blind and unable to defend her claves, she lost them to predation from lions and leopard. With rhino numbers under such pressure, losing calves was tragic for all involved. So, when Mawingu gave birth again, the park rangers removed her calf and raised him by hand to ensure his safety. They went on to raise another 4 or 5 of Mawinga’s calves over the next decade, until she passed away.

The Early Years for Elvis

Elvis (and his subsequent siblings) was well cared for, but he was not treated as a pet. His caregivers took him for daily walks in his future territory. They made regular visits the dung sites of the resident wild rhinos–the ultimate communication hub! Think of these piles of poop as the social media network of the wild rhino population. The chemicals in dung and urine communicates important information to other rhinos. Here, Elvis would sniff through the droppings, familiarize himself with the community comings and goings, rub his feet through the dung heap and leave his scent to introduce himself to his wild cousins. Ensuring scent is circulated is a very necessary part of preparing a rhino to return to a wild community.

At about the age of four, Elvis was successfully re-introduced to the wild and began his life as a young male black rhino. But for several years after he would return to see is Ranger friends, wandering right through the home of Ian and Jane Craig, the founders of the conservancy. On one special occasion he made an attempt crawl right into bed! To hear Jane tell the story, the bed collapsed under his weight and Elvis just lay there, moved the blankets around with his horn and created a little nest to enjoy a nap. Apparently, it has been years since he has returned. As the dominate male in his territory, he is quite busy marking his scent and keeping track of his females.

An Itchy Elvis

We had stoped to watch Elvis walk along the worn path seemingly heading down to the waterhole. But he  decided to take a small detour for some self-cares! Clearly unconcerned about our truck and recognizing our ranger, he approached the back end to take care of a little dry skin that was bothering him. For the next minute or two he very casually began to run his horn and forehead over the back bumber! For a rhino, his movements seemed quite gentle. But when an animal that can weigh up to 1400 KG gives himself a little scratch, well, it does put the suspension to the test!

While seeing our familiar ranger and truck posed no threat to him, he casually approached to give himself a scratch! But as is always good practise, no matter how relaxed or familiar a wild animal might seem, it is best to move our of their way. In our case, we did to want to startle him by jerking into gear and abruptly ending his massage, so we just slowly rolled a little froward. This proved to be just enough to divert Elvis to the other side where he could continue to wander the path down for a drink and a nice rub in the mud!

We continued to spend time with him for an other 20 minutes as he drank, scratched and surveyed his kingdom! This was definitely a rhino encounter I will long remember. Thank you Elvis–long live the King of Lewa.

One more thing…

Thank you very much for visiting my blog. I support myself as an artist with my photography and writing. If you enjoy my content and would like more, please consider supporting me on KO-FI.COM  Becoming a member of the Armchair Wanderers or one of The Wild Bunch will give you access to exclusive member only content-including behind-the-scene safari updates from my travels. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and promoting my passion.

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Lion Mating

Female lions will start mating at about 4 years of age, while males begin closer to 5. Breeding is not seasonal with lions but the females in a pride will often be synchronized in estrus. Much like her feline cousins, a lioness coming into heat will advertise her readiness with sent marking, calling, rubbing on objects and rolling around on the ground. She will engage in a lot of display and she will also be defensive and scrappy.

“She rubs against the male, presenting her posterior with tail raised invitingly, but when he makes a bold approach, she turns upon him spitting, scratching and yowling. The next moment she writhes on the ground at his feet or invites pursuit.” –Richard Estes, Author, The Behaviour Guide to African Mammals

The Big Finish

Male courtship behaviour usually entails lots of head rubbing with the female, urine spraying, licking his genitals and patiently following her. When the lioness is ready and presents, the male will try to grip her neck before mounting. Once he mounts, copulation is generally completed with a few thrusts.

“Immediately afterward, the female screams, or snarls, and often twists and hists out at the male, who jumps back growling.” Within a few minutes courtship is resumed.” The Behaviour Guide to African Mammals, Richard Estes

Gestation is 14–15 weeks and the typical litter is between 1–4 cubs. She will find a well-hidden, bushy area to have her cubs and will keep them sequestered from the pride for over a month, moving them often to keep them safe. When she eventually rejoins the pride, she will share the mothering duties, nursing her own cubs and those from other lionesses in her pride.

For more lion photos, check out my lion photo gallery.

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(The images that follow contain difficult subject matter.)

A Lioness Nearing Her End

Midmorning we spotted an older lioness lying lifeless in tire tracks on the Luangwa riverbed. The sun was blazing hot and she most certainly had no energy to move. From her sharp hip bone and protruding ribcage, it was quite clear she was suffering and had not eaten for many days. Because she was at a distance, it was difficult to see her well, but her distress was painfully evident. As we drove away, I honestly did not think this girl would make it through the day. The fact that she was a mature female, ant least 12 years old — near the end of her natural life — did not make it any less heartbreaking. It is one of the hardest things about what I do — watching an animal suffering and knowing all you can do is respectfully bear witness.

Later that day, driving through the shadows of nightfall, we were alerted to activity down on the river bed. We arrived under darkness and positioned ourselves on the bank above. In the middle of the riverbed we were shocked to see the same lioness and she was in the throes of attacking a young elephant! They were at a fair distance and it certainly proved challenging to photograph under the fading beams of the jeep headlights.

A Young Elephant Fends for Itself

The elephant was likely between 1-2 years old and far too young to be on its own. Clearly separated from its herd, it would have a difficult time surviving. That did not stop the calf from putting up a heroic fight. By the time we arrived, it was evident that the lioness had already bitten off the elephant’s tail. She had the small trunk in her jaws, wrestling to hold on and bring it down. It was shocking to see such a young elephant all alone in this fight for life. However, it was equally painful to watch the desperation of this very weak lioness. She was clearly struggling to find the strength to hunt and live one more day.

The tenacious young elephant managed to use its bulk to its advantage, straddling the lioness as she was clinging to its trunk. The big cat was eventually too weak to hold on and found herself flattened. She was in a desperate situation under the weight of her feisty opponent.

A Battle of Life and Death Comes to an End

It took an enormous effort for the old lioness to pull herself free. When she finally managed to stand, the young elephant turned towards her, fiercely trumpeted and fearlessly chased her off!

Moments later, the emaciated big cat climbed the bank and came out right in front of our truck. She was panting heavily and clearly exhausted. We could see she had several teeth missing and her gums were bleeding.

No Winner in South Luangwa

My heart was heavy for these two fierce survivors. We had likely witnessed the lioness in her last attempt to feed herself. Her body was discovered the next morning. The elephant survived, although was clearly wounded. It was unclear how it came to be wandering on its own at such a young age and I knew in my heart it was going to have more life-threatening challenges ahead if it was not soon reunited with the herd.

On Life and Death and Bearing Witness

It is never easy to see an animal suffer,  but for one animal to survive, often, another must die. This is a fundamental part of understanding our natural world. It is a fundamental part of my work to document these difficult but natural occurrences.

Professionally, it is my intention to teach about the wildlife subjects I observe and photograph—all aspects of their lives. When I am working, I try not to turn my back on an animal suffering because it is uncomfortable for me. I very much try to hold myself accountable to bear witness. I show my respect to a life that is being taken by not turning away, and I say a silent thank you to them for giving their life so that another can live. I watch a predator hunt successfully and I feel gratitude that they are able to have another meal-especially if they have a family. This part of my work Is never easy, but I am committed to doing my best to hold both of these feelings in my heart at the same time. To honour both lives. I have learned more than I could have ever imagined by watching difficult sightings in the wild. It has been a great privilege to bear witness to all I have seen.

Thanks!
I appreciate you taking the time to look at my work. I support myself through my photography and writing. Please check out my memberships on Ko‑fi  My members have access to additional exclusive content, including behind-the-scenes virtual safari updates. I greatly appreciate your support. Thanks for your consideration.

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“If all you can do is crawl, start crawling.” —Rumi

What better way to bring in a new year than to celebrate some of the little lives I have been privileged to photograph in Africa. It is always special to watch young animals making their way in the world with exuberance and curioisty and I love the creative challenge of capturing their energy and innocence. They are endlessly amusing and I am aware of striking a balance between following their antics through the viewfinder and sitting back and enjoying the show. Either way, it is difficult not to feel joyful in their presence. They are so deserving of our respect and protection. We must not fail them.

Wishing you a peaceful year. Thanks so much for your continued encouragement and support of my work.

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