“So we have to decide - do we want lions or not? If we do then we need to work out how they are going to survive alongside people”
Jonathan Scott
Every time I head back to the Mara, I am always taken back at the size of lions. They are so much bigger than the other African cats and I am particularly in awe of the size of their paws and heads, alongside feeling the aura of strength that comes off them.
As with all wild animals, they don’t have it easy. I’ve always thought that out of all animals I’d most like to come back as a female lion. They’re the only cat that isn’t solitary, they live in family units that support each other. However, the males on average only lead the pride 2-3 years before being challenged by new and sometimes stronger males and this results in a period of flux where any young of the original males are at risk. It’s an incredibly hard time for the females.
Lion numbers are also suffering from human/wildlife conflict and a reduction in available habitat. The conservancies of the Masai Mara are one of the success stories, where numbers have stabilised or in some cases increased.
Mr and Mr Handsome. The two boys currently in charge of the Enkoyanai pride. We found the pride asleep that morning. After a while they woke up, sat back down, had a drink and then went back to sleep. It reminded me of my kitties at home!
Hanging Around. These female lions were well known for impersonating leopards and relaxing high up in their favourite tree. It gave them a great vantage point for hunting.
Grace. Whilst they may be big and strong, lions are also graceful as they pass through their lands.
Identity Crisis. When a lion cub doesn't know if it's a dog or a cat!
My Home. We found the two males of the Enkoyanai pride early one morning heading across the plain. It had been a noise night in camp, with the neighbouring Moniko pride calling all night (there are worse reasons not to get a good night sleep!) and the two boys were out patrolling their territory.
Water Baby. Mum watches over her cub crossing the river.
Ignoring The Alarm. Two sleepy boys!
Teeny. I love the comparison of the size of the adorable cub to mum's paws.
Blow Dried. One of the Enkoyanai pride. It's incredible how well kept these cats can be. He is definitely the prettier and less tough of the two boys.
Red Dawn. It was dark when we found the lions walking, and as the sun rose just a tinge of red started to develop in the sky. This shot was taken at 1/5th of a second, which allowed just enough light in to capture the red on the lion cub.
Twins.
Dumb and Dumber. Whilst it can look like these two are playing up to the camera, in reality they are having a Lehman response. They had just sniffed the urine of the female lions and this is the expression they make when they are taking in the smell and lifting their head. They are effectively testing the chemicals to see if the females are in season.
The King. We found the whole Enkoyanai pride walking down the plain towards the river before first light. The females and their playful cubs led the pride, with the two males following behind and keeping watch. This male made eye contact giving me a feeling of how strong and majestic he is.
The Protector. Mum keeping watch over her month old lion cubs.
Focus. The light was fading fast at the end of the day when two male lions appeared on the plain wondering what all the noise was. Hyenas had just pushed a cheetah and cubs off her kill and they were squealing for joy about their dinner, with the odd fight whilst they ate. This was taken at 1/6th of a second which has given the soft effect on the grass, whilst keeping the lion's head in focus.
On The Prowl. We found a pride of lions sheltering together in a rain storm late one afternoon. As the rain stopped, the light began to pick up and the lions started to move and headed off to hunt.
Brotherly Love. There is an incredibly strong bond between brothers leading a pride. They affectionately greet each other after a period of separation with gentle head rubs and cleaning, even if sometimes they were just sitting a few metres apart! They are highly dependent on each other, with the chances of being able to keep control of the pride from other males being significantly reduced if they went down to just one.
Majestic. Taken with the sun low behind the lion and lowering the exposure by a few stops.
On Patrol. One of the Enkoyanai pride out on patrol. It was good to see them awake!
Brothers In Arms. A portrait of the two males of the Enkoyanai pride.
Stormy Skies. This lioness was taking a break on an outcrop of rock right on the border of Tanzania. As the afternoon progressed, the skies darkened with a storm brewing.
The Lion King. Often the cubs know not to approach the males of the pride, who can be grumpy and far less tolerant than the females. This brave little one approached dad, but still knew he needed to take it slowly!
And Relax..... This female had two very young cubs that she was keeping in a den down by the river bed. It is a difficult period for her where she separates from the rest of the pride to give birth and doesn't return for several weeks in order to keep them safe and ensure her cubs are old enough to cope with the rough play from the older cubs. She will normally have to hunt alone. Her cubs are very vulnerable at this age and we had a scary moment when buffalo came close to the den.
The Crossing. The female lions quickly crossed the river but their cubs were a lot more reluctant to cross and needed a little "encouragement"!
Super Model. Simply a female in beautiful light.
Why Does It Always Rain On Me?