The Hoaruseb Pride
| Xpl-44 "Leonardo" | Xpl-37 "Morada" | 2004 - 2011 |
Chronology of observations on the Hoaruseb cubs during 2008
| Nov/Dec |
26 Nov 2008: Photos from tourist. Ms Silva Daus, of Germany, kindly sent these photos, taken during their visit to the Skeleton Coast in Septemner 2008. More photos can be viewed under Cruiser.
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25 Nov 2008: Weaning of the cubs. The Hoaruseb cubs have entered a new facet of their lives as the lionesses finally stopped suckling them. The cubs are challenging the weaning process, but Tawny (Xpl-38), mother of the two older cubs, is enforcing the new rule with controlled aggression (notice her facial expression in the two photos below - bottom right). Fortunately, large numbers of oryx have now started utilising the Hoaruseb River to drink and feed on the green vegetation. The lions have been able to catch prey regularly and they are all in good condition.
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21 Nov 2008: Vehicle problems in the dunes. Whilst following the lions into the dunes in the lower Hoaruseb River, the Cruiser unexpectedly ran out of fuel. On the third day of being stranded, Wilderness Safaris came to the rescue.
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18 Nov 2008: Hoaruseb observations continue. The situation in the Hoaruseb River is more complex (re: News report of 16 Nov 2008) and detailed observations have continued. The lionesses are hunting actively during the heat of the day, expending a lot of energy, without any returns thus far. Xpl-38, and possibly also Xpl-37, appeared to have stopped lactating, and neither lionesses allowed the cubs to suckle during the past 12 hours.
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17 Nov 2008: Hoaruseb cubs. Despite a few scars, visible on “Tan” and “Crimson”, the cubs are in good condition.
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16 Nov 2008: Conditions improving for Hoaruseb lions. On returning from the Hoanib, the Hoaruseb lions were observed for 24 hours. The lionesses hunted relentlessly, throughout the day, and they appear to be coping with the difficult conditions.
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| 8 Nov 2008: Lions loose condition. The Hoaruseb lions were located in the River, near the Amp’s Poort road. The numbers of wildlife utilising the riverbed remains low and the lionesses have lost condition during the past week. They are still lactating and the lack of a regular and reliable food source is taking its toll. Although the condition of the cubs has not deteriorated - they are still suckling - they have clearly not had a good meal for several days. The male (Xpl-44) stayed with the cubs whilst the lionesses were hunting. |  |
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4 Nov 2008: New video clips. View two short video clip of the Hoaruseb lionesses in the dunes and the cubs playing.
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