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.

[Double Tap]

Wow, that Lioness is in really bad shape. She might want to quit walking around with her dinner and eat it.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Beautiful story, Saber. And you've done a great job. I love the photos. So, bookmarked!

[Tennessee_Bob]

All I can say is that it's a good thing it isn't a lamb.

[Sabertooth]

Beautiful story, Saber. And you've done a great job. I love the photos. So, bookmarked!

Thanks, I think I can purr to that.

[Prodigal Son]

Good report and photos. I read the other article several days ago. Said after the lioness discovered that the male lion had killed her oryx she stalked around him roaring at him. Imagine the poor male. He had to be thinking "what?" with that look on his face that all married men have when they have somehow displeased the goddess when they thought they were doing something good.

[dighton]

. . . with that look on his face that all married men have when they have somehow displeased the goddess when they thought they were doing something good.

Never married, but have heard rumors to that effect.

[proud American in Canada]

so whose side are you on, given your name....? :)

[Sabertooth]

He had to be thinking "what?" with that look on his face that all married men have when they have somehow displeased the goddess when they thought they were doing something good.

And so on, to Eternity, as long as women of any species simultaneously reserve the right to change their minds, AND expect us to read them.

[Calpublican]

And so on, to Eternity, as long as women of any species simultaneously reserve the right to change their minds, AND expect us to read them.

And you see something WRONG with that? ;-)

[Sabertooth]

And you see something WRONG with that? ;-)

In the words of my ex-wife...

Don't... give... me.... LOGIC!

[GeronL]

So the Lioness has a screw loose?? Looking to adopt an Oryx after eating its mother? =o)