The Klaserie Private Nature reserve is alive with lion activity. From the Trilogy lions mating, to the hungry Ross lionesses and the possibility of lion cubs; it’s all systems go at Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp. The two breakaway Ross pride females are fearless hunters. This week they stalked and preyed on yet another buffalo. The atmosphere was electric and guests witnessed quite a feeding frenzy.
Lions gorge themselves and will never abandon a carcass. They rarely ever get that full feeling that humans suffer from, even if their bellies balloon to double the size. Witnessing the Ross pride females wolfing down the bloody meat makes for captivating entertainment. Relentless in their need to feed, they are oblivious to their obviously expanding bellies. If their kill is massive in size they may pause between feeding, but still guard their prey. Their’s is a clever strategy. Their reason for never abandoning a kill site? Because they do not want their competition to eat. By devouring an entire carcass in one sitting they eliminate any potential source of energy for their competition.
Lions actually fulfill most of their moisture requirements from the juicy meat they consume. However, there is still a need to quench their thirst after they have eaten. After leaving the kill site with nothing but bone remnants, lions will seek the nearest water source to replenish. At waterholes and dams you will often find full-bellied lions relaxing under the shade of a tree. They don’t tend to move for quite some time, making it easy to come back to the same lion sighting later on during the day. Lions need to relax after eating !
White lioness and a Trilogy Male mating in the Klaserie! - Sun Safaris