Africa

Photos from Kenya and Tanzania
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CAUGHT IN THE ACT
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CAUGHT IN THE ACT

While in Africa we were fortunate to see a pair of lions mating. During the courtship and the actual mating, the lions were affectionately biting each other, pacing around each other and occasionally roaring, perhaps to let the other lions know what was happening. This couple mated several times, in between naps, with the same behavior noted each time.

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  • THE VIEW IS GREAT UP HERE
  • ZEBRA LOVE
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  • WHY DO THEY MATTER?
  • POACHING
  • Numbering three to five million in the last century, African elephant populations were severely reduced to its current levels because of hunting. In recent years, the growing demand for ivory, particularly from Asia, has led to a surge in poaching. Populations of elephants-especially in southern and eastern Africa--that once showed promising signs of recovery could be at risk due to the recent surge in poaching for the illegal ivory trade.
  • Elephants are very social creatures. They sometimes hug by wrapping their trunks together in displays of greeting and affection. They also use their trunks to help lift or nudge and elephant over an obstacle, rescues a fellow elephant stuck in the mud, or to gently raise a newborn elephant to its feet. Just as a human baby sucks its thumb, an elephant calf often sucks its trunk for comfort.
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  • When an elephant drinks, it sucks as much as 2 gallons of water into its trunk at a time. Then it curls its trunk under, sticks the tip of its trunk into its mouth, and blows. The water then shoots out, right down its parched throat.
  • MAGNIFICENT MATRIARCH
  • While the African elephant's overall population is decreasing by approximately 8% per year, there is some good news on the horizon. While the species is designated as vulnerable, conditions vary somewhat by region between East and Southern Africa. The populations in Southern Africa are thought to be increasing at 4% per annum, while other populations are declining.
  • SPOTTED PROFILE
  • Newborn calves are vulnerable to lion and crocodile attacks, and rarely to leopard and hyena attack. This predation, as well as drought, contribute significantly to infant mortality. The newborn elephant, known as a calf, is fortunate to be looked after by a tight-knit group of females. After it is born, rest of the herd acknowledges it by touching her with their trunks. These females members fo the herd often place the calf in the middle of a tight circle of elephants in order to protect it from the dangers that abound on the African savanna.
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  • WHO'S UP FOR A MUD BATH?
  • GENTLE GIANT
  • CAUGHT IN THE ACT
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