Panthera leo – the African lion, is one of the most, if not the most, majestic animals in the world and I am lucky enough to live amongst a family of seven beautiful lions at the Tshukudu Game Reserve.
Lions are known to be the most sociable of big cats and that is true of the family at Tshukudu, regularly seen roaming the land, resting or making a kill out in the open – the sightings have been incredible! Just like on my drive today, where I spent the entire afternoon with the male and female having a chill after a big feast!
The male’s presence so domineering and captivating, with his huge mane that encircles his neck so “king-like” and the female so peacefully laid beside him – her light yellow-brown coat gleaming in the South African sun.
The male has such a wise character which probably comes from the fact that he is 14 years old – this is old for lion years! Normally, male lions in the wild only live to approximately 10 to 11 years old due to younger, stronger and healthier males that would overrule and take his female. No wonder this guy is so smug! We have what’s termed as a “closed system” here at Tshukudu which means we can keep our male lion until he dies of natural causes.
The male and female have five endearing, extremely playful, fluffy cubs, three being males and two being females, that are now one year old. They are still too young to go hunting with mum and dad but have already started picking up the stalking and hunting characteristics by stalking or hunting each other or their mum and dad – I could spend a whole day watching this, they look so cheeky as they pounce!
With a little more confidence, the cubs have even started stalking the game drive vehicles if we get a little too close, as if it was a group of kids playing in the garden. In about a years’ time they will be hunting for themselves – so for now its practice in the playground.
Seeing a lion kill its prey, is just indescribable! They kill mostly large zebras, waterbuck, kudu and even sometimes a buffalo! As the Tshukudu family have seven hungry bellies to feed both the mum and dad hunt in order to kill an animal large enough. Watching the dynamics of them making a kill is exciting enough, but then seeing the family sitting down for their meal after, is just as mesmerising – the male eating first, followed by the cubs and then the female last.
Some photos were captured just recently at the Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa of two lionesses who extraordinarily took-down a fleeing antelope in mid-air!
It’s safe to say that lions are one of my favourite animals and having the opportunity to see them at such close proximities is a dream! I was just reflecting on this as the drive today came to close and as we pulled back onto the road en route back to the lodge…..the family of seven were casually strolling side-by-side without a care in the world in front of us – a united strong force!
Carnivores and Conservation 