Ewaso Lions

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Identifying The Mystery Males

Category: Lions | Date: Oct 02 2008 | By: ewasolions

After the fight between Nabo and the new males, I returned to camp to try and figure out who these new lions were. It was hard to photograph them during the fight because of their nervous disposition and the fact that they kept hiding in bushes. I was also not sure whether there were 2 or 3 males.

However, I did have a few photos and decided to try and compare these with the photos I had of the 3 males I had seen in West Gate Community Conservancy (see Real Lions 3). I didn’t think these would be the same males but I didn’t know of any other 3 males in the area, so it was worth a shot comparing the photos.

So, what do you think? Are these the same lions?

male-in-west-gate.jpg
Male lion in West Gate

male-1-in-samburu.jpg

Male lion during fight with Nabo 13 days later (in Samburu)

male-2-in-west-gate.jpg

2nd male in West Gate

male-2-in-samburu.jpg

2nd male in Samburu

3 Responses to “Identifying The Mystery Males”

Jeremy R., on 02 Oct 2008

I can’t tell.

sauwah, on 02 Oct 2008

these might be the maneless males. but can’t tell whether the two are the three you spotted earlier. they look alike; but can’t really have a good look at their whisker spots. isn’t this the way one can identify a lion from another? ears are alike and so are the manes. size too. too bad you cannot communicate with animals like those animal psychic. that would be a trip! talking to animals.

ewasolions, on 03 Oct 2008

Hi Sauwah,
You are indeed correct. These are the same lions and the best and most accurate way of identifying them is by looking at their whisker spots. Since I did not have good photos of their spots, I used their nose patterns and ears and temporary scars. See my next blog which I will post in a few minutes.
Shivani

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