The Hoaruseb Pride

2004 - 2011

Chronology of observations on the Hoaruseb cubs during 2008

September

28 Sep 2008: Lions return to Hoaruseb River. The lionesses and cubs returned to the Hoaruseb River today, after spending 15 days in the southern mountains and on the Feldspar plains towards Sima Hill. During the 2-week period they did not drink any water, but were successful in killing a number of oryx. On arrival in the River the cubs encountered a newborn elephant calf. They were inquisitive, but the calf’’s mother made sure that the lions kept their distance.

23 Sep 2008: Surf & Turf. Whilst the Hoaruseb females and cubs continued moving further south into the rugged terrain leading up to the Hoanib River, the male (Xpl-44) returned to the Hoaruseb River on 19 September. He followed the course of the riverbed westwards, all the way to the coast, and spent a day on the beach.

23 Sep 2008: The lionesess and cubs finished their last oryx kill on 21 Sep 2003. They continued moving south and have spent the past two days amongst the granite boulders just north of Sima Hill.

19 Sep 2008: After resting for two days the lions continued moving south onto the Feldspar plains. Early on Thurday morning the lionesses killed an oryx.

19 Sep 2008: Feldspar plains. After their last kill the Hoaruseb lions continued moving further south and onto the Feldspar plains, where much of the BBC documentary "Desert Lions" was filmed. At 05:52 on 18 Sep 2008 the lionesses caught an adult female oryx. Without eating they walked 12 km, back to where they had stashed the cubs earlier that night, and returned to the carcass with the cubs in tow.

17 Sep 2008: Hoaruseb lions move out of River. The females killed another oryx on the 15 Sep 2008 and they have subsequently not returned to the Hoaruseb.

16 Sep 2008: The lions ate the entire oryx in one night. The following morning the adults left the cubs in a rocky outcrop and moved into the mountains, but they returned in the afternoon.

The cubs resting in a rocky outcrop	Xpl-37 calling for the cubs	Xpl-38 suckling her cubs

15 Sep 2008: The two lionesses left the male and cubs in the River during the early morning hours on the 14 Sep 2008. They were successful and caught an oryx 17 km south of the River. Without eating anything they walk all the way back to the River and led the male and cubs to the kill.

12 Sep 2008: After eight days the lionesses killed an adult oryx. After they had eaten the carcass the lions returned to the Hoaruseb River.

12 Sep 2008: Hoaruseb lionesses successful. During their third excursion Xpl-37 & 38 killed an adult oryx in a wash 7 km south of the Hoaruseb River just before sunrise. They went back to fetch the cubs and led them to the kill. After they had eaten the lions returned to the River where Wilderness Safaris were able to observe them for almost an hour.

11 Sep 2008: Babysitter. Surprisingly the male stayed with the cubs for several days while the lionesses were out hunting. The lionesses returned at 01:30 this morning. There was much rejoicing, but the lionesses had clearly not been successful. They were tired and hungry, and Xpl-37’s paws were bleeding from the long distances they covered over the mountains. If conditions remain this difficult there is a good chance that the cubs may not survive.

9 - 11 Sep 2008: The male (Xpl-44) spending time with the cubs whilst the lionesses were hunting.

10 Sep 2008: Hoaruseb lionesses struggling. The Hoaruseb females are forced to travel fast distances in search of prey. They have left the cubs in the Hoaruseb River with the male (Xpl-44). These photographs were taken 28 km south of the River and they have not yet been able to catch anything.

9, 10 Sep 2008: The Hoaruseb lionesses move far south of the Hoaruseb River in search of prey.

7 Sep 2008: Hoaruseb lions stretched. After an extensive search I found the Hoaruseb lions when they returned briefly to the River. The cubs were in a good condition, but the lionesses were lean - they are clearly struggling to find and kill prey animals. After they spent a day resting in the River, I followed them into the mountains as they searched for prey. But I soon lost them due to the rough terrain.

5 Sep 2008: Video clip of Hoaruseb cubs. View a short video clip of the Hoaruseb cubs - intrigued by the forces of gravity at a steep river bank.

Video clip: hcubs_bank.mov (00'51 / 416 Kb)

(Download QuickTime to view video)

5 Sep 2008: Hoaruseb lions disappear.The lionesses and cubs moved south of the River into very mountainous terrain. Despite an extensive search over the past 28 hours, they have disappeared without a trace.

Image of a lion spoor under water.	Searching for the Hoaruseb lions 20 km south of the River.

4 Sep 2008: Images of the Hoaruseb lions.

3 Sep 2008: Spiny lesson. The Hoaruseb cubs came across a porcupine early this morning. It was probably their first encounter with one. The lionesses watched tentatively as the cubs harassed and played with the porcupine for almost an hour. Eventually the lionesses lost interest in the game, and when they moved off, the cubs followed.

	2 Sep 2008: Night observations. The Hoaruseb lions are now regularly moving into the mountains in search of prey. They do, however, return to the Hoaruseb River every few days and tourists still see them. But at night they venture far into hills. They killed an oryx in a narrow gorge, 14 km south of the Hoaruseb, on 31st Aug and returned to the River last night at 23h15. I located the male (Xpl-44) on 1st Sep and downloaded the latest data from his GPS collar.