Reg. No. 98/18384/08 (a Section 21 Co. not for gain)

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LION PHOTO PAGE

Most photo's can be enlarged by double clicking on them.

Please note that these photo's are the property of the photographer and may not be used without prior permission.  Photo's taken with a 500mm zoom lens.  Photo's were taken over a 4 day period.

One of the two male lions in Marloth Park, the dominant male, found a few weeks earlier mating with one of three lionesses. 

Feeding on a carcass in Lionspruit.  This carcass was from a Zebra that had to be put down after it spend some time with a snare.  Tendons were torn and the experts informed us that no recovery was possible as gangrene was already in the advance state.

The photographer of these photo's stumbled upon the carcass, one afternoon at about 15h00, after observing vultures in Lionspruit and decided to wait patiently. (That was day 1)  All that arrived before the gates closed at 17h00 were vultures.  On day 2 and as soon as the gates opened at 08h00 I returned to the carcass.  Only vultures were flying about and sleeping in nearby trees.  

On day 2 at approx. 14h00 one male, the dominant male of Lionspruit arrived. 

 From the looks of his full belly it did not look like he was very hungry.  It was extremely hot and he tried to move the carcass into shade, which very little existed. 

 He opened the belly of the Zebra and removed only the liver and kidney's and went to rest in what little shade existed.

Needless to say once the carcass was opened the vultures tried to get closer and the lion was not impressed.  All throughout the day and into the night he called for the females but unfortunately they never arrived.  It is believed that they could have been relaxing in the reeds next to the river or maybe had a kill of their own somewhere else.  Lions can hear the calls of members of their pride, depending on the circumstances, for up to 19km far !   When I arrived at Lionspruit during the morning of day 3,  it was obvious that only part of 1 x  hindquarter was eaten.  By day 4 (or feeding day 2.5) the head, neck and parts of the front quarters were left.  The lion gorged himself and was the only one feeding on this Zebra.  When well and truly gorged he was forced to lie down and rest, respiration during this period 88 per minute.

During this period his only enemies were the vultures, which forced him from his much needed rest.  Getting ready for an attack on vultures.... note the expression and flattened ears..

the charge...

claiming the prize

I returned later the afternoon and the carcass was gone, so was the lion and the vultures.  No drag marks were found and most folks were dumbstruck by the disappearance of the carcass.

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For more on the lion's of Marloth Park and a detailed account of the "visitors" visit the Marloth Pages of the Lion web.

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Last modified: September 17, 2001