Kilimanjaro Lion Conservation Project

Category: Lion-watching | Date: Jul 06 2008 | By: Seamus

Yesterday we saw Nemasi stalk and kill a young Fringe-eared Oryx, on the plains a few kilometres from camp. It was around sunrise, and this is how it happened:

Nemasi was watching a few adult Oryx,, about 400m away, to the east. We noticed a very young oryx walking towards Nemasi from the west, at about 150m.

Nemasi noticed it too, and turned around. She walked slowly though the long grass.

Suddenly things became very bad from the oryx’s perspective. Nemasi launched herself and gave chase, from about 60 metres. For about 10 seconds or perhaps less the oryx zigged and zagged through the long grass, desperately trying to avoid the ineviatable. This photograph shows the oryx in the last few seconds of its short life.

Unfortunately we didn’t see or photograph the pounce, but arrived on the scene shortly afterward. Six-love to Nemasi the lion this time. Game, set and match.

The cubs arrived before I drove up, and didn’t waste any time. This one has a face full of oryx blood.

Technorati : lion kill, lion research, lions, maasailand, oryx