Lioness has now Developed Unusual Fondness for Oryx

Daily Nation ^ | January 26, 2002 | MUGUMO MUNENE

[Sabertooth]

The lioness that stunned the world recently by adopting a baby oryx in a wildlife sanctuary is now trailing herds of the same species.

Wildlife experts from the Samburu National Reserve believe that the lioness, in complete contrast to its own nature, has developed unusual fondness for the oryx species – which it would ordinarily make a meal of.

The national reserve's warden-in-charge, Mr Simon Leirana, said the lioness, which has since been named Larsen has been going hunting and has since the death of the baby oryx managed to kill and feed on a warthog and an impala. "We have been monitoring Larsen's movements and most of the time during the day, she is trailing Oryx groups," Mr Leirana said.

The lioness puzzled wildlife experts, game watchers and villagers in Samburu after it struck a friendship with an oryx calf, escorting and protecting it around the game reserve for 15 days. The calf was attacked and killed by a lion which Mr Leirana says is old and toothless. "The big debate in Samburu now is whether we should intervene and assist in conserving this most unusual lioness by feeding her, or just let nature take its course. Larsen has been kept on close watch since," he said.

Tourists and game workers had watched in disbelief as the lioness and the frail brown baby oryx walk side by side and lay down to rest – with all the intimacy of a mother and calf – at the foot of Koitogor hills, near the Serena Samburu.

Lions are voracious carnivores and commonly prey on browsers like antelopes, water bucks and zebras. The oryx is a gentle herbivore which survives on grass and leaves and spends much of its time dodging predators such as Big Cats, mainly by its speed.

The lioness sleeps for up to 16 hours a day and is active for only eight while the oryx spends 65 per cent of its time browsing. Lions rely largely on their sight while oryx survives by its sharp sense of smell.

The scimitar-horned oryx, Oryx dammah once inhabited the arid borders of the Sahara desert. Because of overhunting, the last wild oryx observed was seen in the late 1980's. Fortunately, this species has been bred in zoos and today small groups have been introduced into northern central Africa.

The oryx is a big antelope with beautiful black and white marks on its head. There are two other varieties, the fringed eared oryx and the Gemsbok. Both sexes have long, almost straight horns, the females being more slender.

Gemsbok, Oryx gazella, and range.

[Sabertooth]

[Sabertooth]

(((ping))))

[sinkspur]

Hey, did you see this?

Oh, sorry, I misread it.

[paul544]

Given that the lioness is so skinny, does this mean she did not hunt while they were together?

[ValerieUSA]

Nicely put together. I love the big cats.

[scouse]

If this is the same one I read aboutlast week; while the lioness slept along came a male lion and had the antelope for lunch. The lioness was powerless to stop it.

[Sabertooth]

Nicely put together. I love the big cats.

Yeah?

Shhhhh... My lioness might hear you.

[onyx]

LOL! I misread it the first time too! TOO FUNNY!

[Calpublican]

My husband and I had an encounter with a mountain lion in Northern Calif. a few years ago. It was an awesome experience. We were frightened and fascinated at the same time.

Re: This story. Wonder if this lioness lost a cub. The article doesn't say.

[ValerieUSA]

Tell your lioness to go wash her dirty paw before digging her claws into you....

[ZDaphne]

Nice human/animal interest story. You lion people are okay, Sabertooth.

[Sabertooth]

Here are the links to the other threads on this...

Lion and Lamb Lie Down Together in Kenya

The Lioness and the Antelope

The Oryx and the Lioness ........ (poem)

[jrewingjr]

Very interesting, Smilodon.

[Demidog]

Not a lamb.

[Sabertooth]

Are you a dog?

[Demidog]

If this is the level of accuracy that you are willing to accept in Bible prophecy then Jesus is most certainly the messiah.

[Sabertooth]

If this is the level of accuracy that you are willing to accept in Bible prophecy then Jesus is most certainly the messiah.

To be accurate, the paricluar passage doesn't pair the lion and the lamb...

Isaiah 11 (KJV)

11:6
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

11:7
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

11:8
And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

My comment on an earlier thread was... " Isaiah's oracle is not quite yet. "

[Demidog]

I think that those who refer to the lion and the lamb are referring to Revelations. This would be closer to Isaah. I guess we're now waiting for the lioness to go vegetarian and for a child to lead them.

[dighton]

Beautiful post.

[Sabertooth]

Thanks much... It was a lot of fun to put together.