THE JOY OF MOTHERHOOD

[PHALANX]

Masai Mara, Keekorok lodge.(some time ago)

 

The Lioness was moving slowly towards the bush, she was pregnant, and so was her sister who was following a little way behind her. Judging by their size they were not far from giving birth. The first Lioness approached a large area of bushes, then choosing carefully she settled partially into an opening which was to the right of the walk way at Keekorok lodge, her sister chose a similar spot but to the left side of the walk way.

They had made good choices, there was plenty of cover here, and being relatively close to the Lodge other predators would hopefully keep their distance. They must have been here before as they were not phased in the least by the excited tourists above them.

They had chosen spots about 50 meters apart but within view of each other. For us it could not have been any better and we would be able to check on them through out each day of our stay.

They gave birth within 24 hours of each other, both having two cubs. We managed to see one pair of cubs a few days later when we saw them through the opening in the bush, they were stumbling around presumably looking for mother who was resting close to the opening. The other Lioness was more wary, she was half in & half out of the bush where she gave birth. The Askari had seen her cubs earlier that morning.

Before we left, both Lioness's had moved their cubs to new locations.