Thursday, April 9, 2009

Lion Kings


I saw the same pride of lions each day, either at the beginning of the day as they were resting from their active night, or as they were beginning to stir at the end of the day. During the day, they move around about as much as my lazy cat at home!

This lion pride was made up of two brothers, several females and about six adolescent (teen-age) lion-cubs. Lions in Africa are struggling against a type of illness called "feline tuburculosis," and in the photo below you can see that one of the males is sick, all skin and bones. Ranger Landon explained that this male could no longer hunt, but was still able to keep up with the pride as it moved across its territory. But when he can no longer move at their pace, the other lions will leave him behind and hyenas would likely get him.

Scientists are working on a cure for feline tuberculosis, but so far there is no treatment.

It was quite sad to see such a beautiful animal struggling like this one was. Life is not always easy for animals in the wild.






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