SOUTH AFRICA: KUDUS RUS
With Olga Kent Nov 2021Until they reach sexual maturity it is possible to closely approach most of the young lions! After they become sexually mature, these untamed big cats become very aggressive and too dangerous to interact with humans.
Today, only 20.000 Lions and 4.000 Tigers remain on our planet. Because of human overpopulation, big cats all over the world are threatened by extinction. The number of remaining animals is continuously decreasing. It is up to us to act for the preservation of these extraordinary creatures!
The Lions in this series are rescued from camps, parks, or reserves where they weren’t able to compete with dominant males and their packs. Without the hospitality, care, and goodwill of this conservation camp, these cats would have likely perished and died, victims of the cruelty of wildlife. Life in this reserve is not exactly the wildlife one would expect Lions to live. They live in a relatively safe and protected environment. However, they remain untamed animals. Each one of the cats there has found peace and serenity in an environment where it can grow old and safely mate. The ultimate goal is to increase the overall population of big cats and reintroduce them into the wild. The mating opportunities created for the animals have shown great results. Almost all year long you can find cubs running around the reserve.
During our stay, we had the opportunity to walk around with 6 lions (3 males and 3 females) who had nearly reached their sexual maturity. We very quickly realized how strong they were. Even if just playing, one gentle kick could really hurt you. Olga nearly lost her leg as one of the Lions reached out to play with her. As a sign of affection the lion had decided to take her leg between his fangs! It took almost nothing, a sudden movement and he tore off half a limb. We also spent a lot of time with the cubs running around the camp. Due to their smaller sizes, they are much easier to approach! We had a lot of fun with them. We walked together in the savannah and around waterfalls (unfortunately dry at this time of the year).
Breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable fusional experiences with these wild animals.