It is difficult to describe the memorable and unforgettable experience of an African safari holiday even for a local, but especially for a tourist from the west. Kenya is the country widely referred to as the grand daddy of African safaris. This weekly Kumekucha special feature attempts the difficult task of recreating an African Safari Holiday Experience for you with fascinating stories, experiences and descriptions. Enjoy.
The Case Of Lioness Who Adopted Baby Oryx
This is one mystery, which experts still can't quite explain, that unfolded in Samburu National Park, Kenya.
A full-grown lioness adopted a baby oryx. Even more bizarre is the fact that the lioness did this not once, but on three separate occasions in a space of about three months.
Pictures of the strange and very unlikely pair seem like something straight out of some fantasy cartoon feature created by the well-loved Hollywood, Walt Disney production company. A lion walking right next to what would usually be a tasty meal for it of tender baby Oryx meat.
The incident was reported and monitored at the northern Samburu National Park in Kenya where tourists out on an African lion safari got a rare treat of an occurrence that defied the laws of nature.
Even more mind boggling were reports that in one of the adoptions, the lioness would usually allow a female oryx several minutes daily to feed the new-born calf. There were a number of incidences where the lioness fiercely protected the younger baby oryx from other hungry lions eager to make a meal out of her. But it was all a very exhausting affair and sadly the last calf the lion adopted was killed and fed on when the lioness was asleep.
The first of the baby gazelles that the lioness adopted was eaten by other lions after about two weeks. The lioness visibly showed signs of sadness, but it was not long before she adopted yet another oryx. However wardens had to take away that one when she showed signs of malnourishment. Obviously a lion can hardly suckle a gazelle.
Later in the year, the same lioness was seen with yet another baby oryx, the third one, of no more than three days old. So protective was the lioness that she usually became very aggressive when any human attempted to come anywhere near her "strange baby."
However while the lioness was asleep, a male lion ate "her baby." It is reported that the lioness was shattered with grief and went round roaring in anger.
Still, this incident of a few years back (read full report of the saga by the BBC here) is hardly the usual thing that one would encounter during an exciting African Lion Safari holiday.
Read more lion safari tales
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2 comments:
I am working with the National Geographic Society to make people aware that due to recent events the lions of southern Kenya are in imminent danger of extinction. I thought that readers of your blog would want to know of this potentially tragic happening.
NGS is working to protect the current remaining lions, but also to establish programs that will help the population grow and thrive well into the future. The key to protecting the lions is first to remove the economic incentive to kill the lions. These efforts involve creating a sustainable balance between local Maasai communities and lion groups.
The situation has reached a critical level. Unless something is done immediately, there will be no more lions in this part of Kenya, which would be a tragedy.
Please take a moment to visit www.NationalGeographic.com/Bigcats to learn more. There is still hope that we can protect these majestic animals, but we have no time to lose, and it is vital that word be spread among those who love not only lions but the beauty and culture of Kenya.
Good JOb! :)
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