Posted on 03/15/2023 6:55:45 AM PDT by caww
The formidable head of a pride of lions has been killed in a vicious attack by younger rivals.
Bob Junior - named after legendary reggae singer Bob Marley - was an incredibly photogenic big cat and a fan favourite with tour operators and visitors, who have paid tribute to him online.
With his brother Tryggve, the 'coolest cat' in the Serengeti National Park had ruled his pride for more than seven years.
The lion, who was also known as Snyggve and who some believed relished his celebrity status, did not put up a fight when he was mauled by younger rivals on Saturday.
Tryggve is also believed to have been killed in a separate attack and a special burial is being planned by wildlife conservationists for the brothers.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
(Anyone who had to ask their self, "is she serious?" go have some more coffee)
Since the subject is the end of an African king’s reign…
I recall reading an account of royal investiture ceremonies in tribal Africa where the incoming monarch was presented a bowl of pebbles. Plunging his hand in, he seized a handful. The harvest was then counted and announced with each pebble representing a year of his upcoming reign. The implication being that, if he had not already died, measures would be taken (poisoning, IIRC) to remove him after his final year ended.
I imagine there was considerable discussion about how large (or small) the pebbles in the bowl should be…
I went to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli, and Lake Manyara twenty years ago. Nothing like seeing lions, elephants, and giraffes cut in front of your vehicle and not even paying attention to you.
Liberals, “Keeping lions in the zoo is mean”.
“Uneasy sleeps the head that wears the crown.”
The Serengti is not a Zoo.
Very...
“All glory is fleeting.”
I’m curious to know that when you visited there were the flies and insects a constant bother?
Shakespeare, Henry IV
Was going to post that.
Glad I scrolled down!
I’m curious to know that when you visited there were the flies and insects a constant bother?
I visited in early June 2003. It was just after the rainy season, before the dry and hot season, and prior to the rush of European tourists.
The flies and insects were not an issue for me because of being there in early June. But you should bring plenty of insect repellant and take the antimalarial pills and yellow fever vaccine as a precaution. Also make sure you are up to date on your tetanus shots.
If you are sensitive to sun burn bring lots of lotion. The sun can be brutal because of the altitude and lack of clouds that time of year.
It's possible he was ill with a wasting disease like cancer, or unable to hunt from arthritis. Animals can smell illness, and it makes the kill legitimate in their world.
he allowed a sibling male lion in his territory. I wonder if after loosing his sibling he just did not have any fight left...
The African animal preserves are like our National Parks. There are many rangers, mostly black Africans with skills and training, who interact with the animal population from whatever safe distance, and who will intervene in some circumstances with veterinary care, rescue from falls into holes or mudslides, entanglement in traps, etc. The keepers become very fond of the animals under their supervision. The funeral will be for their feelings.
I don't know about lions, but elephants are known for expressing grief and holding "funeral" observances of their own when one from their herd dies; and sometimes for paying condolence calls near the home or workplace of a human caregiver whose death they can sense, even from a distance.
One day, you’ve got lionesses bringing you back fresh zebra. The next, you’re trying to figure out how to eat porcupine.
The male helps bring down larger game, is a hyena’s worst nightmare, and wears himself out when the lionesses are in heat. Apparently, they will bite his balls if he’s not delivering, up to 20-40 times a day.
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