Saturday, 9 June 2018
17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - WHITE HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus albiceps)
The White-crowned Lapwing, also known as the White-headed Lapwing, White-headed Plover, or White-crowned Plover, is a medium-sized wader that presents a striking appearance. Its upper body is adorned with a brown back, while the wings and tail exhibit a bold black and white pattern. The underparts are a clean white. The head is particularly distinctive with a grey base, a brilliant white crown, and a white foreneck. Adding to its unique visage are the yellow eyering, facial wattles, and legs. Both sexes and juveniles share a similar plumage, making them indistinguishable in the field.
When attempting to identify the White-crowned Lapwing, look for the unmistakable combination of its white crown, grey head, and the contrasting black and white patterns on its wings and tail. The yellow eyering and wattles are also key features that aid in its identification.
17-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, BOTSWANA - GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus Strepsiceros)
The Greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a woodland antelope found in Africa. Despite occupying such widespread territory, Greater kudus are sparsely populated in most areas due to declining habitat, deforestation, and poaching.
Greater kudus have a narrow body with long legs, and their coats can range from brown/bluish-grey to reddish-brown. They possess between 4 and 12 vertical white stripes along their torso. The head is usually darker in color than the rest of the body and exhibits a small white v-shaped mark that runs between the eyes. Bulls tend to be much larger than cows, and vocalize much more; they also have beards running along their throats and large horns with two and a half twists.
The range of Greater kudu extends from the east in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Eritrea, and Kenya into the south where they are found in Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Other regions where they occur are the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Swaziland, and Uganda. These antelopes live in mixed scrub woodlands and bush on abandoned fields and degraded pastures, mopane bush, and acacia in lowlands, hills, and mountains. They will occasionally venture onto plains only if there is a large abundance of bushes but normally avoid such open areas to avoid becoming an easy target for their predators.
Greater kudus are social animals that live in groups within their home areas. Females usually form small groups of 6-10 with their offspring, but sometimes they can form a herd of up to 20 individuals. Male kudus may form small bachelor groups, but they are more commonly found as solitary and widely dispersed individuals. Solitary males will join the group of females and calves only during the mating season. Home ranges of maternal herds can overlap with other maternal herds while home ranges of adult males generally encompass the ranges of two or three female groups. Greater kudus may be active throughout the 24-hour day. During the day, they normally cease to be active and instead seek cover under woodland, especially during hot days. They feed and drink in the early morning and late afternoon, acquiring water from waterholes or roots and bulbs that have high water content. When a herd is threatened by predators, an adult (usually female) will issue a bark to alert the rest of the herd. Greater kudus communicate using many other vocalizations, including low grunts, clucks, humming, and gasping.
Greater kudus are polygynous meaning that one male mates with more than one female. They breed at the end of the rainy season, which can fluctuate slightly according to the region and climate. Before mating, there is a courtship ritual that consists of the male standing in front of the female and often engaging in a neck wrestling. The male then trails the female while issuing a low-pitched call. Gestation takes around 240 days and calving generally starts between February and March, when the grass tends to be at its highest. Females usually bear one calf, although occasionally there may be two. The pregnant female will leave her group to give birth; once she gives birth, the newborn is hidden in vegetation for about 4 to 5 weeks (to avoid predation). After 4 or 5 weeks, the calf will accompany its mother for short periods of time; then by 3 to 4 months of age, it will accompany her at all times. By the time it is 6 months old, the calf is quite independent of its mother. Female Greater kudus reach reproductive maturity at 15-21 months of age while males reach maturity when they are 21-24 months old.
Friday, 8 June 2018
19-4-2018 NXABEGA LODGE OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - TSESSEBE (Damaliscus lunatus) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER
The common tsessebe or sassaby (Damaliscus lunatus lunatus) is the southern, nominate subspecies of Damaliscus lunatus, although some authorities have recognised it as an independent species. It is most closely related to the Bangweulu tsessebe, sometimes also seen as a separate species, less to the topi, korrigum, coastal topi and tiang subspecies of D. lunatus, and less to the bontebok in the same genus. Common tsessebe are found in Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), and South Africa.
Common tsessebe are among the fastest antelopes in Africa and can run at speeds up to 90 km/h.
Adult tsessebe are 150 to 230 cm in length They are quite large animals, with males weighing 137 kg and females weighing 120 kg, on average. Their horns range from 37 cm for females to 40 cm for males. For males, horn size plays an important role in territory defense and mate attraction, although horn size is not positively correlated with territorial factors of mate selection. Their bodies are chestnut brown. The fronts of their faces and their tail tufts are black; the forelimbs and thigh are greyish or bluish-black. Their hindlimbs are brownish-yellow to yellow and their bellies are white. In the wild, tsessebe usually live a maximum of 15 years, but in some areas, their average lifespan is drastically decreased due to overhunting and the destruction of habitat.
The most significant difference between the tsessebe, the southernmost subspecies, and the other topi subspecies is the incline of the horns, with the tsessebe having horns which are placed further apart from each other as one moves distally. This has the effect of the space between them having a more lunate profile when seen from a certain angle, as opposed to lyrate, more like that of a hartebeest. Tsessebe populations show variation as one moves from South Africa to Botswana, with southerly populations having on average the lightest pelage colour, smallest size and the least robust horns. Common tsessebe do not differ significantly from the Bangweulu tsessebe, the northernmost population, but in general the populations from that part of Zambia are on average the darkest-coloured and have the most robust horns, although differences are slight and individuals in both populations show variation in these characteristics which almost completely overlap each other.
Tsessebe are social animals. Females form herds composed of six to 10, with their young. After males turn one year of age, they are ejected from the herd and form bachelor herds that can be as large as 30 young bulls. Territorial adult bulls form herds the same size as young bulls, although the formation of adult bull herds is mainly seen in the formation of a lek. Tsessebe declare their territory through a variety of behaviors. Territorial behavior includes moving in an erect posture, high-stepping, defecating in a crouch stance, ground-horning, mud packing, shoulder-wiping, and grunting.
9-4-2018 NXABEGA LODGE OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - SOUTHERN GREY HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala ssp pallidiventris) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER
%20COURTESY%20OF%20MRS%20VALERIE%20FISHER%2020.jpg)
The Southern Grey-headed Kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala, presents a striking figure with its pale grey head, black mantle, and a vivid blue rump. Its wings and tail share this blue brilliance, while the chestnut underparts add a warm contrast. The beak, long and sharp, is a notable red. This bird averages 21 cm in length, a size that allows it to maneuver with agility in its preferred habitats.
When identifying the Grey-headed Kingfisher, look for the combination of its grey head and chestnut belly, which distinguishes it from similar species. The subspecies H. l. pallidiventris has a darker grey head and paler chestnut underparts. The bird's bright blue rump, wings, and tail are also key identification features.
This kingfisher favors woodlands, scrub, and cultivated areas, and can be found at altitudes up to 2,200 meters. It is often seen near water, though it does not rely on aquatic environments.
%20COURTESY%20OF%20MRS%20VALERIE%20FISHER%2021.jpg)
The species is widely distributed across tropical and semi-tropical regions of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, from the Cape Verde Islands and Mauritania to Ethiopia, Somalia, southern Arabia, and southward to South Africa.
The Grey-headed Kingfisher is typically solitary or found in pairs. It is known for perching motionless on a branch for extended periods, keenly observing the ground for insects or small lizards before striking. It is protective of its nesting sites, often dive-bombing potential threats such as monitor lizards.
The song of the Grey-headed Kingfisher is a series of notes that ascend, descend, and then ascend again, growing increasingly strident. Its warning call is a sharp "tchk, tchk, tchk, tchk."
This kingfisher nests in holes within steep riverbanks and exhibits aggressive behavior in defending its nest.
18-4-2018 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN LION (Panthera leo) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER
The lion (Panthera leo) is a large cat of the genus Panthera, native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the tip of its tail. It is sexually dimorphic; adult male lions are larger than females and have a prominent mane. It is a social species, forming groups called prides. A lion's pride consists of a few adult males, related females, and cubs. Groups of female lions usually hunt together, preying mostly on medium-sized and large ungulates. The lion is an apex and keystone predator.
The lion inhabits grasslands, savannahs, and shrublands. It is usually more diurnal than other wild cats, but when persecuted, it adapts to being active at night and at twilight. During the Neolithic period, the lion ranged throughout Africa and Eurasia, from Southeast Europe to India, but it has been reduced to fragmented populations in sub-Saharan Africa and one population in western India. It has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1996 because populations in African countries have declined by about 43% since the early 1990s. Lion populations are untenable outside designated protected areas. Although the cause of the decline is not fully understood, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are the greatest causes for concern.
16-4-2018 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA - SOUTHERN MAGPIE SHRIKE (Urolestes melanoleucus ssp. melanoleucus) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER
The Southern Magpie Shrike, also known as the African Long-tailed Shrike, is a striking bird belonging to the family Laniidae. It is characterized by its elongated tail and contrasting black and white plumage, reminiscent of the European magpie, though they are not closely related.
This species can be identified by its long tail, which is almost the length of its body, and its black and white coloration. The bird's back is predominantly black, with white underparts and a white patch on the wing. The head is black with a white belly and flanks, and the eyes are keen and alert.
The Magpie Shrike is native to the grasslands of eastern and southeastern Africa. It thrives in dry savannah, moist savannah, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, preferring open areas with scattered acacia trees, close-grazed turf, and bare ground.
This bird is found across a range of African countries, including Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is common in places within this range.
The Magpie Shrike is a gregarious and social bird, often found in noisy groups of about a dozen. These groups occupy a home range of several tens of hectares. During the breeding season, they display a variety of behaviors such as bowing, tail flicking, wing raising, and whistling to communicate and establish bonds.
Thursday, 7 June 2018
16-4-2018 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA - HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER
The Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta), a medium-sized wading bird, is the sole representative of its genus and family. Its distinctive hammer-shaped head, complete with a long bill and a rear crest, has inspired its name from the Afrikaans term for "hammerhead." Exhibiting a uniform brown plumage, this bird is a familiar sight across Africa, Madagascar, and parts of Arabia.
Adult Hamerkops are characterized by their brown plumage with a subtle purple sheen on the back. The tail features faint barring of a darker brown. Both sexes appear similar, and juveniles resemble the adults. The bill, long and slightly hooked, is particularly compressed and thin, especially towards the lower mandible. Initially brown in young birds, the bill darkens to black upon fledging.
Hamerkops are found in a plethora of wetland habitats, ranging from estuaries, lakesides, and fish ponds to riverbanks and rocky coasts. They have also adapted to human-altered environments, often seen in villages and agricultural areas.
This species is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and coastal southwestern Arabia. It is generally sedentary, with some local movements observed.
When solitary, the Hamerkop is relatively quiet, save for a shrill flight-call. In contrast, when in groups, it becomes more vocal, producing a variety of cackles and nasal rattles. The "yip-purr" call is a notable social vocalization, often accompanied by wing flapping.
Hamerkops are renowned for their massive nests, which are sturdy enough to support a human's weight. These nests, built by both parents, feature an internal chamber for egg-laying and are often constructed in tree forks or on human structures. Both parents share incubation duties and chick rearing.
The Hamerkop can be confused with young storks or herons due to its size and shape, but its unique head shape and behavior are distinctive.
A generalist feeder, the Hamerkop's diet includes fish, amphibians, shrimps, insects, and occasionally rodents. It hunts in shallow waters, using both sight and touch, and is known to be adaptable in its feeding strategies.
The Hamerkop is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population trend and widespread local abundance in its range.
18-4-2018 CHOBE NAT PARK, BOTSWANA - BLACK HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala)COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER
The black-headed heron, Ardea melanocephala, is a stately wading bird from the heron family Ardeidae. It stands at an impressive 85 cm in height, with a wingspan stretching to 150 cm. Its plumage is predominantly grey, with a darker shade above and a paler grey below. The bird is named for its striking black head, which contrasts with its grey body. A powerful dusky bill completes its commanding appearance.
When identifying the black-headed heron, look for its large size, nearly matching that of the grey heron. Its black head and neck, along with the grey body, are key distinguishing features. In flight, observe the slow wingbeats and the retracted neck, a common trait among herons. The white underwing coverts are particularly noticeable when the bird is airborne.
This heron is commonly found in a variety of wetland habitats throughout sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It is comfortable in both shallow water and dry grasslands.
The black-headed heron is widespread across much of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It is mainly a resident species, though some individuals from West Africa may migrate northward during the rainy season.
The black-headed heron exhibits typical heron behavior, often seen feeding in shallow waters or stalking prey in grasslands. It is known to stand motionless, waiting for prey, or to slowly stalk its victim with stealth and precision.
The vocalizations of the black-headed heron include a distinctive loud croaking, often heard during dusk at heronries.
16-4-2018 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA - GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus Strepsiceros) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER
The Greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a woodland antelope found in Africa. Despite occupying such widespread territory, Greater kudus are sparsely populated in most areas due to declining habitat, deforestation, and poaching.
Greater kudus have a narrow body with long legs, and their coats can range from brown/bluish-grey to reddish-brown. They possess between 4 and 12 vertical white stripes along their torso. The head is usually darker in color than the rest of the body and exhibits a small white v-shaped mark that runs between the eyes. Bulls tend to be much larger than cows, and vocalize much more; they also have beards running along their throats and large horns with two and a half twists.
28-3-2017 VILLA LAPAS, COSTA RICA - RACKET TIPPED RUBYSPOT (Hetaerina occisa)
Hetaerina is a genus of damselflies in the family Calopterygidae. They are commonly known as rubyspots because of the deep red wing bases of the males. The name is from Ancient Greek: ἑταίρα (hetaira), courtesan. H. rudis, the Guatemalan rubyspot, is considered vulnerable on the IUCN Red Data List.
The Hetaerina genus alone encompasses roughly 40 species in a variety of habitats throughout the Americas. Recent phylogenetic analyses for the Heterininae subfamily suggest that the genera Mneserate and Ormenophlebia are actually nestled within their sister genus, Hetaerina, which would account for the species confusion of early Mnesarete and Hetaerina studies.
7-6-2018 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - AGAVE SNOUT WEEVIL (Scyphophorus acupunctatus)
Scyphophorus acupunctatus, the sisal weevil or agave weevil, is a species of polyphaga beetle of the family of the Curculionidae. Sisal weevil larvae, known as picudo del agave or "nixtamal worms", are a traditional food in parts of Mexico. Global plant trade represents one of the main pathways of introduction for invertebrates, including insects, throughout the world. Non-native insects include some of the most important pests affecting cultivated and ornamental plants worldwide. Defining the origins and updating the distribution of non-native invasive species is pivotal to develop effective strategies to limit their spread.
The agave weevil, Scyphophorus acupunctatus (Coleoptera, Dryophthoridae), is a curculionid beetle native to Central and North America, although it also occurs in Eurasia, Africa, Oceania and South America as a non-native species. Despite being widespread, the extent of occurrence and origins of European populations of the agave weevil have been overlooked. In the present study, the current and potential worldwide distribution of S. acupunctatus was assessed and an analysis of its genetic diversity in the native and non-native ranges was performed. By analysing occurrences from local phytosanitary bulletins and citizen-science platforms, the agave weevil was confirmed to be widely distributed and to occur on all continents, except Antarctica. Additionally, there is potential for expansion throughout the world, as estimated by species distribution models.
7-6-2018 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - YELLOW BELLIED SLIDER TERRAPIN (Trachemys scripta.scripta)
The yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) is a subspecies of the pond slider (Trachemys scripta), a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is native to the southeastern United States, specifically from Florida to southeastern Virginia, and is the most common turtle species in its range. It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including slow-moving rivers, floodplain swamps, marshes, seasonal wetlands, and permanent ponds. Yellow-bellied sliders are popular as pets. They are a model organism for population studies due to their high population densities.
Adult male yellow-bellied sliders typically reach 5–9 inches (13–23 cm) in length; females range from 8–13 inches (20–33 cm). Melanistic males have been seen to grow larger than nonmelanistic males. The carapace (upper shell) is typically brown and black, often with yellow stripes. The skin is olive green with prominent patches of yellow down the neck and legs. As the name implies, the plastron (bottom shell) is mostly yellow with black spots along the edges. Adults tend to grow darker as they age. Yellow-bellied sliders are often confused with eastern river cooters, who also have yellow stripes on the neck and yellow undersides, but the latter lack the green spots characteristic of this species. The yellow belly often has an "s"-shaped yellow stripe on its face. They also have markings shaped like question marks on their bellies. Females of the species reach a larger body size than the males do in the same populations. There have also been studies that show females of this species have more symmetrical shells than males due to either more efficient growth or less hormonal stress.
Yellow-belly sliders range from southeastern Virginia, through the Carolinas, Georgia, northern Florida, and eastern Alabama. In European countries where pond sliders are established and invasive, that they can impose threats to native biodiversity through competitive advantage over native terrapins. They are often released into Europe from the pet trade, which makes them one of the top 100 invasive species outside of the United States.
Mating can occur in spring, summer, and autumn. They have polygynandrous mating behavior. Courtship consists of biting, foreclaw display, and chasing. Yellow-bellied sliders are capable of interbreeding with other T. scripta subspecies, such as red-eared sliders, which are commonly sold as pets. The release of non-native red-eared sliders into local environments caused the state of Florida to ban the sale of red-eared sliders in order to protect the native population of yellow-bellied sliders.
Mating takes place in the water. Suitable terrestrial area is required for egg-laying by nesting females, who will normally lay 6–10 eggs at a time, with larger females capable of bearing more. Studies have shown the turtles' suitable area criteria will not change even with significant anthropogenic change, meaning humans should be careful when modifying yellow-bellied slider habitats. The eggs incubate for 2–3 months and the hatchlings will usually stay with the nest through winter. Hatchlings are almost entirely carnivorous, feeding on insects, spiders, crustaceans, tadpoles, fish, and carrion. As they age, adults eat less and less meat, and up to 95% of their nutritional intake eventually comes from plants.
7-6-2018 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN SPINY FALSE WOLF SPIDER (Zoropsis spinimana)
Zoropsis spinimana is a spider species belonging to the family Zoropsidae.
Males of Z. spinimana reach a length around 10–12 mm (0.39–0.47 in), while females are 15–18 mm (0.59–0.71 in) long. This spider resembles a wolf spider, as its eyes are of the same configuration, but unlike wolf spiders, the eyes of Zoropsis spiders are more spread out along the front third of the cephalothorax. The front body (prosoma) is brownish with broad darker markings. The abdomen (opisthosoma) has median black markings. The legs are mainly a speckled brown color.
The abdominal black marking evokes the vampire of the 1922 German silent film Nosferatu, which led to the common German name of the spider, Nosferatu-Spinne.
Zoropsis spinimana is distributed widely in the Mediterranean, but reaches into Russia, and was introduced to the United States, primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the United Kingdom, primarily the London area.
Since the mid-1990s, the species has been sighted along Europe's North-South transport routes, like Lucerne, Basel, Freiburg im Breisgau, Duisburg and Innsbruck. It is not clear why the relatively large spider was not found there earlier, as Mediterranean holidays with mobile homes were popular in the 1970s, and would have provided the spiders with many suitable habitats and transport opportunities. Ecologists assume that climate change enabled the spiders to take hold and reproduce north of the Alps.[6] Recent finds presumably near the Northern border of the current distribution range include a 2023 find in Copenhagen.
Spiders of the species can be found on forest edges under rocks and tree bark, where they hunt for prey during the night. Like all zoropsid spiders, Z. spinimana does not build a web, but hunts freely. Since this spider cannot survive in a harsh climate, it often seeks refuge in human habitation and is frequently found in houses, where the temperature is milder and food is more abundant.
Spiders of this species are sexually mature in autumn. The females lay eggs in spring, resting in a brood chamber on the cocoon.
16-4-2018 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA - SOUTHERN LION (MALE) (Panthera leo ssp. melanochaita)) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER
Panthera leo melanochaita is a lion subspecies in Southern and East Africa. In this part of Africa, lion populations are regionally extinct in Lesotho, Djibouti and Eritrea, and are threatened by loss of habitat and prey base, killing by local people in retaliation for loss of livestock, and in several countries also by trophy hunting. Since the turn of the 21st century, lion populations in intensively managed protected areas in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe have increased, but declined in East African range countries. In 2005, a Lion Conservation Strategy was developed for East and Southern Africa.
Results of a phylogeographic study indicate that lion populations in southern and eastern Africa form a major clade distinct from lion populations in West Africa, Central Africa and Asia. In 2017, the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group subsumed lion populations according to the major clades into two subspecies, namely P. l. leo and P. l. melanochaita. Within P. l. melanochaita three subclades are clearly distinguishable. One from northeastern Africa, another one from southwestern Africa and a third one from southeastern Africa.
Lions usually hunt in groups and prey foremost on ungulates such as gemsbok (Oryx gazella), Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer), blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), common eland (Tragelaphus oryx), greater kudu (T. strepsiceros), nyala (T. angasii), roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus), sable antelope (H. niger), plains zebra (Equus quagga), bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus), common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), hartebeest (Alcephalus buselaphus), common tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus), waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), kob (K. kob) and Thomson's gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii). Their prey is usually in the range of 190–550 kg (420–1,210 pounds).[89] In the Serengeti National Park, lions were observed to also scavenge on carrion of animals that were killed by other predators, or died from natural causes. They kept a constant lookout for circling vultures, apparently being aware that vultures indicate a dead animal. Faeces of lions collected near waterholes in Hwange National Park also contained remains of climbing mice (Dendromus) and common mice (Mus).
In Botswana's Chobe National Park, lions also prey on young and subadult African bush elephants (Loxodonta africana). They successfully attacked 74 elephants between 1993 and 1996, of which 26 were older than nine years, and one bull over 15 years old.[91] In October 2005, a pride of up to 30 lions killed eight African bush elephants that were between four and eleven years old.
Several cases of lion attacking people have been documented:
In the 1890s, two Tsavo Man-Eaters attacked workers during the building of the Uganda Railway. Their skulls and skins are part of the zoological collection of the Field Museum of Natural History. The total number of people killed is unclear, but allegedly 135 people fell victim to these lions in less than a year before Colonel Patterson killed them.
The Njombe lions were a lion pride in Njombe in former Tanganyika, which are thought to have preyed on 1,500 to 2,000 people. They were killed by George Gilman Rushby.
Between 1990 and 2004, lions killed more than 560 people in Tanzania, mostly during harvest season in crop fields and in areas where natural prey is scarce.
In February 2018, lions killed a suspected poacher near Kruger National Park.
In February 2018, Kevin Richardson took three lions for a walk at Dinokeng Game Reserve in South Africa. A lioness pursued an impala for at least 2 km (1.2 mi), and killed a young woman near her car.
In July 2018, human remains were found in the lion enclosure of a privately owned reserve in South Africa. They were suspected to have been rhino poachers, as they had a high-powered rifle with a silencer, an axe and wire cutters.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)