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Dead Lion Discovered in Buffalo Springs

Category: Lions | Date: Nov 03 2008 | By: ewasolions

I had just left for Nairobi on the 28th of October when I received a call from the rangers at Buffalo Springs Reserve that a lion had died about 40 metres away from the Chokaa Gate, early that morning.

When I heard this, my mind thought of it having died as a result of conflict with humans.  Yes it was conflict…however not with humans.  This lion had been killed in a fight with another male lion.  Apparently, he had fought with a male and bloody injuries covered his entire body.  It seems that this maneless male had died after he broke his neck.

I received photos of the dead lion and am trying to identify who he was.  Unfortunately, as you can see in the photos below, his whisker spots were covered in blood and also cut up quite a bit.  His ears also have many cuts however these could have been caused recently.   I’ll keep you posted on who the lion could be.

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Dead lion in Buffalo Springs

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Lion that died during a fight with another male lion

The rangers have called me daily saying they are hearing the lions all night, every night since the day of the fight. It seems the male who fought with this one is still around.

Thanks to Chris Leadismo from Save the Elephants for the photos

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11 Responses to “Dead Lion Discovered in Buffalo Springs”

Paul, on 03 Nov 2008

That’s incredible! Any clues what they were fighting over?

ewasolions, on 03 Nov 2008

Hi Paul,
According to the rangers at the gate, they seemed to have been fighting over a female who was with one of the males that day. The fight took place very close to the rangers gate and they heard and saw pretty much everything. I wish I had been there!
Shivani

Dana-Phoenix Arizona, on 03 Nov 2008

Always so sad to see photos like this. If this was an older lion, are there many “maneless” ones your area?

ewasolions, on 03 Nov 2008

Hi Dana,
There are now 3 maneless males that I have identified in the area. 2 are part of a coalition of 3 who I first saw a few months ago and one maneless 6 year old has been around for more than 2 years now.
Yes always sad to see dead lions or any dead wildlife, but I am glad this male did not die as a result of humans.
Thanks for your comment,
Shivani

sauwah, on 04 Nov 2008

i wonder he was one of the three males you told us about earlier in your previous update. wow! loosing one’s life for a female in heat? that male was very brave or foolish. we all know how cranky males are when mating. so who was that killer male? was he from that area? by the way, how’s nairboi ? i mean the economy and the people?

ewasolions, on 04 Nov 2008

Hi Sauwah,

That is what I am worried about -that it could be one of the new males. I am finding it hard identifying him from the photos I received. It may need to wait until I am back in Samburu when I can clean up the whisker spot area as much as possible and have a close up look then.

I think the male was definitely from that area and the killer male too. Unfortunately the rangers only heard the killer male and didnt get a good look at him, so we may never know the culprit.

Nairobi is ok…the economy predictions are not good so we will see what happens. I am currently in the Uk (freezing)… I arrived a few days ago and shall be here for 4 weeks in university before returning to Kenya and Samburu.

More from me soon,

Shivani

Ewaso Lions » Year in Review 2008, on 22 Dec 2008

[…] We had a few carnivore deaths during the year.  One male lion was killed by another during a fight in October.  Also, a zebra killed a cheetah in June which was very […]

Henry, on 19 Feb 2009

Hey, this is sad to see, a question to you.

Do males lions fight like this often? And in your personal opinion, not that i want to see two animals fight or kill one another….

but in your opinion if a big male lion with a mane or without a mane fought a siberian or a bengal tiger, who would win and why?

Thanks!

ewasolions, on 19 Feb 2009

Hi Henry,
Thanks for your question. Yes male lions do often fight with each other - whether its over females or a territorial dispute.
I believe that if a male lion fought with a tiger, that lion would lose. Tigers are bigger than lions and tougher!
Shivani

Henry, on 19 Feb 2009

Are you sure? I have seen many accounts of lions killing or defeating tigers.

There are also videos, of them fighting, in captivity (dont know why) and normally in all the videos the tiger ran away after losing all its energy fast trying to get past the mane.

I think you picked the wrong animal. I hope if you dont mind to let you know more info on why lions would win.

Of all people to choose the lion i would think it would be someone that seems them almost everyday.

Besides, tigers are not that much bigger, they may have 20 kg weight over lion.

Thanks though.

sergio, on 12 Mar 2009

tiger would lose. they are slightly bigger on average, but lion have a “lions heart” and better fighting abilities, ’cause they fight regularly, often like here, on death, and they would not die starving if injured, because of their pride - on the other side tigers are lone hunters and it’s not best option for them to risk injuries in fight, so they would try to avoid dangerous confrontation if they can. you can compare that situation with situation with pitbuls and some other, bigger but less fight oriented dog - lion is better fighter, tiger is better hunter, and that’s all…

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