Ewaso Lions

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.

The newborn just after its birth

Giraffe baby trying to stand

Giraffe baby falling over as it tries to stand

Baby giraffe wobbly on his feet

Baby giraffe stands for the first time

A male giraffe comes to check out mother and baby

Mother cleans baby

Another female welcomes the newborn

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!

Tags: Birth, Giraffe, Lions, Samburu

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