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Starting the morning with my first walk with Paza and Penya who are 15 month old cubs. Paza was born in South Africa and relocated to Antelope Park along with Laili. Paza is slightly taller and darker than Penya - both gorgeous cubs. During our walk one of the researchers on site, Rae, was taking the monthly measurements of each of the lion cubs paw prints in the sand. A slow process trying to get the cubs to walk in the sand and in a straight line. Penya is quite switched on to the process and playing hard to behave. A slow stroll through the park with the cubs rubbing themselves against me a few times - so cute.
Off to the stables for taking off the polo horses night blankets and some grooming - I must admit I was a little nervous around these big horses, especially as they all congregate around each other, ears pulled back and a little feisty. Once I felt a bit more comfortable around them, they were actually well behaved. The polo horses were too big for me but in the next paddock was a small grey/silver foal, so soft and placid - I think she was enjoying all the attention I was giving her. Sadly, the little foal doesn't have a name as she's not one of the foals from the breeding stock - the main stallion "got it on" with one of the wild horses. I think she's lovely and said they should call her Rosie. She'll be Rosie to me and I'll sneak her up some apples when I can...
It was lovely to have a bit of relax time after lunch as my next activity was research of the Ngamo pride at stage 2 of the rehabilitation program which started from 1545. Soaking up the glorious sunshine sitting on the newly constructed deck overlooking the dam, reading my book - ahhh....
As we are loaded into the back of a caged cruiser, we set off adjacent to the park where stage 2 is located. The morning research group had already reported that the pride had made a kill last night - zumptious zebra! It didn't take long to spot the pride with Milo (the beastly male), the # lioness' and the 4 cubs all plumped bellied and tuckered out under the shade of the trees. There was one lioness that came from behind the bushes with the remnants of the rib cage and sat gnawing which caught the attention of one of the cubs, who waddled over for some more feasting and making little cub noises. Along came the others for another chew on rib. The zebra kill was actually approx 50m away as we followed (in the safety on the cruiser) a lioness with the 4 cubs in tow - 2 of which sat on some rocks looking adorable. When watching them with cameras poised it's like they are looking straight back at you. I'm really pleased with most of my shots of them.
The big boy lions from the breeding program commenced their call across the park with Milo roaring back. I can see why lion roars are so deep, watching Milo his roars coming deep from his belly and bellows back up the hill letting the other lions know he's there. While we couldn't get the best view of Milo, as he was sitting or lying down, he does have an impressive, dark mane and dark tuft of hair on his lower belly. The rest of the pride were all out to it after their big fed.
Returning back to camp a few of us enjoyed a beery, so aptly called "lion lager"...
A fabulous day with the highlight being the Ngamo pride.
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