“It isn’t much good having anything exciting if you can’t share it with somebody“.
Winnie the Pooh.
This is NOT Winnie the Pooh.
This is Silas the Lion Whisperer. He is also one of the Field Guides at Tau Game Lodge
On this particular early morning drive, we were not too far from the camp when he stopped the vehicle, took his stick and strolled off down the dusty road.
We could see him the entire time he was out of the vehicle and nothing unusual seemed to transpire.
He strolled back and the slight smile on his face alerted me to the fact that he had spotted something.
Not saying a word to either myself or the two Italian guests in the vehicle, we drove a short distance to discover THIS…
The oldest lioness in Madikwe calling quietly in the soft morning light.
At 18, I am certain she has many stories to tell.
The missing upper canine is probably a sign of her age.
Some facts about lions.
A lion pride can be up to 30 individuals, depending on the availability of food and water.
A lion’s roar can be heard up to eight kilometres away.
Lions use urine to mark their territory, thus creating an invisible barrier that makes vagrant males cautious when entering territory that is not theirs.
Lionesses are caring mothers who will even take care of a neglected cub, allowing them to suckle and giving them a chance to survive.
She had killed a wildebeest just before we found her and her cub.
She was protecting it from scavengers (like jackals and Pied Crows) that had been attracted by the smell of the blood.
FYI. Lions will cover blood and entrails with soil to contain the smell that might attract other predators.
This particular female is looking after a cub while trying to keep it away from the dominant male in the area.
Perhaps not as big as their male counterparts, a lioness is still NOT an animal you would wish to tangle with.
Did you know?
The main differences between the males and females of this species are…
Male lions are much larger than females. A lioness is typically between 1.4 and 1.7m in length, while males are between 1.7 and 2.6m.
A lioness weighs between 122 to 181kg while males can reach up to 258 kg.
It is the toe beans that make this image for me…
Like many young animals they can be seen as ‘cute’ but they are vulnerable to being preyed on by adult males who are NOT their fathers.
When a new dominant male takes over a pride, it will usually kill all the cubs and inseminate as many of the females as possible to make certain that it is HIS bloodline that is continued.
The Legend of Ntshaba, the Lion of Thunder…not THIS particular male, but a typical myth about one of Africa’s apex predators.
Long ago, when animals still ruled the land, there was a mighty lion named Ntshaba, whose strength and courage were unmatched.
He was not just a warrior of great power, but a guardian of the land. His roar, deep and thunderous, could be heard from mountains to valleys, carrying a warning or a call to his pride across vast distances.
The animals said his voice could reach up to 8 kilometres away, shaking the trees and rippling the rivers.
Ntshaba was a protector, but his true strength lay not only in his mighty roar or his powerful frame but in his deep love for his pride.
The lionesses, his companions, were known throughout the land as fierce and dedicated mothers. Together, they raised their cubs with great care, teaching them the ways of the wild. Every morning, the lionesses would go out to hunt, leaving the cubs safe under the watchful eye of Ntshaba. He would guard the young ones, his powerful body always positioned to shield them from danger.
One day, a fierce storm approached the land. Lightning split the sky, and thunder rolled like the drums of war. The wind howled, and the animals feared the storm would bring destruction. As the storm raged on, the youngest cub, playful and adventurous, wandered too far from the pride’s shelter, drawn by the flash of lightning.
Seeing the cub in danger, Ntshaba leapt to his feet, his eyes blazing with determination. Without hesitation, he charged through the wind and rain, his muscles rippling as he raced to save the young cub. The storm’s roar was deafening, but Ntshaba’s voice rose above it all. He unleashed a mighty roar that cut through the noise like a spear through the air. His call reached the lionesses, who were far away but could hear it as clearly as if they were right beside him.
The lionesses followed Ntshaba’s roar and joined him in the rescue. Together, they found the cub and brought it back to safety, sheltered under the protection of the entire pride.
The storm passed, and peace returned to the land. The animals, once again, marvelled at the courage of Ntshaba and the dedication of the lionesses. They whispered among themselves that it was not only Ntshaba’s roar that could be heard from far away, but also the silent roar of a mother’s heart – powerful, protective, and ever-watchful.
From that day forward, Ntshaba’s legacy grew. His courage in the face of danger and the strength of the lionesses became stories told by the animals for generations. The lions were not just rulers of the land but protectors of their own, their strength not only measured in their mighty roars but in their care for each other.
Thus, the legend of Ntshaba reminds us that true strength lies in both courage and compassion and that a lion’s roar, like the heart of a mother, can reach farther than anyone can imagine.
ENOUGH!
A tender moment is shared between the mother and her cub.
In the bush, these fleeting moments need to be enjoyed by both animals and human visitors alike as they can end in a heartbeat.
One day I hope to be big and fierce, but until then I have the protection of my mother.
And if you have trouble believing that, then look at the size of the leg and paw in front of this cub.
African lions have been admired throughout history as symbols of courage and strength.
The roar of a lion can reach 114 decibels (at a distance of around one metre) and can be heard from as far away as 8km.
FYI: Live rock music (108 – 114 dB).
For humans, long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dB can cause hearing loss.
The loudest mammal? Sperm Whales, are regarded as the loudest animals on the planet and are capable of making sounds up to 230 dB.
An animal may perform the flehmen response when investigating sites of particular interest, like odours or tastes.
This behaviour during which the animal inhales with their mouth open and the upper lip curled to facilitate exposure of the vomeronasal organ to a scent or pheromone.
In this particular instance, the lioness to the right could have been it oestrus and this individual was smelling that.
As darkness descends, the roar of the adults in the pride close by can be heard calling to each other.
Lions are the only known cat species where individuals roar together – with even young cubs joining in with their mews.
Certain sounds are iconic to Africa.
The yelp of a Jackal as the sun starts to vanish.
The cry of the African Fish Eagle as it swoops over a body of water.
And the spine-tingling reverberation of the roar of a lion as it sets out on an evening patrol.
Did you know?
Lion’s eyes are 6 times more sensitive to light than humans. This gives them a distinct advantage over some prey species when hunting at night.
This is Africa to me…How about you?
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