Lion activities
Saturday 1 June 2024
Orphan Lionesses
Dramatic weather conditions that ranged from sandstorms, heatwaves to thunderous rain storms, had an impact on the research and monitoring activities. The Orphan lionesses braved the conditions by regularly crossing over the dune-belt between the Hoanib Floodplain and the coastal region.
Orphan lionesses crossing the dune-belt
Rainclouds building over the Hunkap gravel plains
Rain shower on top of the Brandberg - - - - Large water pools blocking access to the Hoanib Floodplain
Elephants utilising the western water pools.
Searching for the Hoanib lions
Xpl-108 the “Torra” lioness
The monitoring and research into the behaviour ecology of the lioness Xpl-108, following her mating with Xpl-107 “Mwezi”, and then her movements between the ocean and inland before giving birth 3 months later, continued with the same intensity. Several hundred hours of night and day observations were invested, during a very difficult period. This commitment enabled the first observation of a single male cub at the age of 26 days.
The behaviour of the lioness Xpl-108 was recorded as she attended to the male cub and searched for food, either by going to the ocean, or by hunting terrestrial prey inland. As the cub grew stronger she started taking him on longer trips and moving him to different lairs. Both the lioness and the male cub remain in good condition. The balance of nature often appears to correct the mistakes made by humans.
Xpl-108 with single male cub of 5 weeks
Xpl-108 searching for prey along the upper Koigab area
Brown hyaena visit the area where the cub was hidden
Lioness Xpl-108 produced sufficient milk to raise a healthy male cub
Xpl-108 feeding on a Cape fur seal before returning to her cub 35 km inland
Lioness returns to suckle her small cub
Lioness moves small cub to different lairs / hiding spots
Lioness and small cub cross the main road after visiting the beach during the night
