Ewaso Lions

Category: Lions | Date: Mar 09 2009 | By: ewasolions

A few days ago I was tracking Lguret, the lion we radio-collared a month ago, when I found him walking in some saltbush plains watching a buffalo in Samburu National Reserve.  He was with his brother Loirish.  They came across a giraffe and showed no interest in him, but then appeared to be very wary of a buffalo that was in the vicinity of the area.

Lguret, the radio-collared lion, ignoring a giraffe and watching a buffalo

Lguret suddenly started moving off quickly and I turned around to see why.  The buffalo was running towards him and Loirish!  The buffalo sped past me and the lions scampered up into Koitogor Hill for safety.  Lguret went one way and Loirish the other.  The buffalo did not give up  -he chased Loirish up some rocks and I lost sight of Lguret as he fled in fear.  The photos below show what happened.

Buffalo chases Lguret

Buffalo gives up on Lguret and looks for Loirish

Buffalo comes back for Lguret after chasing Loirish

The chase continues

Loirish jumps to safety high up on some rocks

This is the second time I have witnessed a serious buffalo-lion chase here in Samburu.  The first was in September when 3 buffalo chased Uni and these very same males.

Tags: Buffalo, Collaring, Giraffe, Lions, Samburu

2 responses so far

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

11 responses so far