Ewaso Lions

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Watching A Giraffe Give Birth!

Category: Reserves | Date: Mar 05 2009 | By: ewasolions

I was very fortunate yesterday to witness something very special.  I had gone out just before noon to collect some lion scat in Samburu National Reserve, when I drove around the corner and saw a new baby giraffe drop from its mother.  I drove over cautiously, grabbing for my camera.

I watched for 2.5 hours as the newborn opened his eyes, tried to stand after falling more than 10 times, being cleaned and licked by his mother and also welcomed to the world by other female giraffes in the area.  It was a very special scene and definitely one of the highlights of my years in Samburu.  Below are some of the images of this extraordinary event.

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The newborn just after its birth

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Giraffe baby trying to stand

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Giraffe baby falling over as it tries to stand

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Baby giraffe wobbly on his feet

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Baby giraffe stands for the first time

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A male giraffe comes to check out mother and baby

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Mother cleans baby

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Another female welcomes the newborn

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Mother licks baby

Needless to say, I forgot all about collecting the lion scat!  I found both baby and mother again this morning and he’s doing really well.  2 jackals came close to him and he watched as they jumped around and ran away.

Its tough times for young prey at the moment.  The river has been dry for months and there is not much food around.  And lions are everywhere!  This baby survived through his first night surrounded by 3 lions so I think he is a real survivor!

I am off now to go and find the lion scat… I hope its still there!

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11 Responses to “Watching A Giraffe Give Birth!”

Paul, on 05 Mar 2009

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! That is amazing. Your photos are incredible.

paula, on 05 Mar 2009

What a wonderful post Shivani - boy you are charmed this year! Well done and …grrrr Yes I’m even more jealous of you now! Can we name that baby?

afromusing, on 05 Mar 2009

so so cute. I absolutely love Samburu…thanks for the great blogging and the pics. Would love to know what you decide to name the baby.

ewasolions, on 05 Mar 2009

Thanks for your comments! I’ve been thinking the very same thing over the past few hours - that it would be great to name the baby. I was thinking of a simple name “Ewaso” because he was born practically in the river (the river here is called the Ewaso Nyiro - meaning The Brown River). What do you think?

I’m also going to find out what “survivor” is in Samburu language and get back to you! I think that would be a good name for the newborn.

ewasolions, on 05 Mar 2009

So, Survivor in Samburu language is Lopok (if its a male) and Napok (if its a female). I like both names…. now I have to go out and find out whether it was a male or female newborn!

What do you think of the names?

Nicole, on 05 Mar 2009

What a wonderful post thank you so much! It is great to see new life in Samburu, a place I think I left my heart in! Your pictures are phenomanal thank you so much for sharing.

Nilanga, on 05 Mar 2009

A definite vote here for Lopok or Napok depending on the baby’s gender!

Christine C., on 05 Mar 2009

All I can say is wow…

and wonderful name choices!

sauwah, on 06 Mar 2009

me too!

ewasolions, on 06 Mar 2009

So, its a male! And we’ll name him Lopok.
I hope to post a few photos of his first days in Samburu soon.
Thanks for all your comments!

afromusing, on 09 Mar 2009

Another vote here for Lopok (if its a male) and Napok (if its a female)
really cool stuff you are doing.

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