Whilst observing a pride of well-fed lions dozing in the sand of a dry river bed, one of the females began showing signs of discomfort; sitting up, walking around, lying down again, trying to make herself comfortable. A disbelieving audience watched spellbound as moments later she went into labour & delivered two cubs in quick succession, with barely a ten minute interval between births!
The Lioness, having early memories of game drive vehicles, was accustomed to, and therefore comfortable with, the Landrovers in the vicinity. The customary strategic & disciplined movements around the animals ensure the visitor’s presence is unobtrusive. She completely ignored her human audience, whilst only showing aggression towards one of the females from her pride who ventured too close to the newborn cubs. Once it was apparent that the birthing process was over, the rangers, with their guests, quietly withdrew, and in accordance with MalaMala’s policy of not viewing young cubs, will not approach the den site for at least a month.
The lioness was quite clearly unconcerned with the vehicles’ presence as she began giving birth. To have started moving away from the sighting at that moment would have created a disturbance potentially dangerous for the lioness and her cubs. Up to that point no disruption or annoyance had existed”, a ranger at MalaMala explained. “However, from this point on, it is the young cubs that must be considered. Our policy is to leave them alone for at least a month, after which they may be viewed from a distance by one vehicle at a time. Viewing also depends on circumstances during the next few months – if for example the den site is in difficult terrain where too close an approach is required, the area will be out of bounds.”
This once in a lifetime oppurtunity was viewed at: www.sunsafaris.com/malamalamain.html
Here is a Video of the rare occurence:
