Elsa the Lioness
This is the most famous lion to ever walk on this planet. Her life was very short but she left a mark that will be there for many centuries to come. Elsa came in to the life of George and Joy Adamson in 1956 with her two sisters 'Big One' and Lustica when George was forced to kill their mother during one of his game drives. Later on, 'Big One' and Lustica were taken to the Rotterdam Zoo in Netherlands. Elsa remained in the care of the Adamson. A relationship soon developed and she was more of a domesticated pet that a wild lioness. Joy Adamson was closer to Elsa than anyone else and their relationship was that of equals. Joy Adamson was determined to teach Elsa how to survive in the wild and she gave it her all. With a lot of setbacks, she managed to teach her how to survive in the wild.
Elsa's life was documented in many books and films earning her world recognition and fame. When she was three years old, she brought three cubs of her own to show the Adamsons. This was an emotionally charged moment as the Adamsons hugged and embraced Elsa and her litter. They named the cubs little Elsa, Gopa and Jespah. The four later returned to the wild but they kept in touch with the Adamsons. Elsa's life was suddenly cut short when she was only five years old when she succumbed to an attack of babesiosis, a blood disease that mostly affects the cat's family. Her remains were buried in the Meru National Park.
Elsa's story shows us that there is more to the wild animals than we care to know. They too have a compassionate and softer side that we can relate to if only we take time to understand them; those animals too need love, care and affection, that we humans can coexist with them and still respect each other. Let us all will to do all we can to make this a better planet for all animals.
Owen Kenya Safaris is an operating company based in Nairobi Kenya. Handling Safaris to all Tourist destinations in Kenya and Tanzania and Uganda. We are specialized in Airport transfer, car rental, camping Safaris, luxury lodge Safaris, mountain climbing hotels and lodge bookings, International and domestic air Tickets. For more information on tour packages in East Africa and Africa in general contact http://owenkenyasafaris.com/
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The Lion's Cubs
After a hundred and ten days, a female lion gives birth to up to four cubs at a time. The cubs are very tiny and usually weigh around 1.2 to 2.1 kg. They are born blind though the eyes open up after a week. After a day or two, they can start crawling and walk after three weeks. The mother normally gives birth in isolation and the cubs are hidden in caves, thickets or reed beds. The only contact they have with the outside world is the mother. The mother also isolates herself from the rest of the group and hunts alone close to the cubs. At birth, the cubs are in grave danger of being preyed by scavengers such as jackals, hyenas, leopards and eagles. Buffaloes stamp the cubs to death if they happen to come across them.
The mother moves the cubs from one hideout to another several times in a month to avoid scent building up in one place therefore attracting the enemies. It does so by carrying them one by one by the nape. After two months, the cubs after are introduced to the pride. At first, they are shy and lost around the other family members but after some time, they get used to the group. If the other lionesses have cubs of their age, their survival chances are increased as they are not dominated during meal times.
Older cubs normally dominate them during meal times and they risk death through starvation. If the females have had cubs of their own, they are more likely to tolerate the new cubs than those who have never had cubs before. Male lions too have mixed feelings when it comes to bringing up the cubs. Some do not mind them and are okay with the little devils playing with their mane and tail while others cannot stand them.
Owen Kenya Safaris is an operating company based in Nairobi Kenya. Handling Safaris to all Tourist destinations in Kenya and Tanzania and Uganda. We are specialized in Airport transfer, car rental, camping Safaris, luxury lodge Safaris, mountain climbing hotels and lodge bookings, International and domestic air Tickets. For more information on tour packages in East Africa and Africa in general contact http://owenkenyasafaris.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emmanuel_Njuki
All articles under this author name are my work too.
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