Posted at the request of Ganyana.


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Perry

Excellent photos!! Thank you for posting them!

I guess this answers the question about why Ganyana doesn't need to back up on any dodgy shots. Just let the cats loose.

Just need the bull whip now, you'd be a better and much more convincing Indiana Jones!

Those are unbelievably cool pics as a Lion can be such a majectic and calm animal - that sometimes turn into poweful, organised, intense and fierce killers.

Bahati,

Interesting you say that as the female veterinary officer in the second photo is reported to have been attacked and dragged a considerable distance by one of the lions at the conclusion of this exercise. Ganyana will perhaps tell us the rest of the story.

Perry

He does look like Indiana Jones.

Those cats sure blend in with the grass. I like the 2nd photo...looks like a big dog sitting there.

I'm always interested to hear more about the lion projects.

THERE IS AN OLD AFRICAN SAYING : It is the dead ones that will get up and kill you.

The corolary to that is : It is the "tame" ones that will get you too !

wild animals are wild animals.

quote:

Originally posted by Shangaan:
I guess this answers the question about why Ganyana doesn't need to back up on any dodgy shots. Just let the cats loose.

Works, as long as you like European mounts!

I'm a little surprised at the .44 magnum, not that it's not an excellent choice - but I figured it was that famous .41 magnum he used to outshoot most of the other revolver shooters at Cleveland.

Have friend in Gweru that had a lot of them and walked them regularly. If you have never had your hand licked by a big lioness you don't know what a wood rasp feels like pulled across your skin. To tell the truth they scared hell out of me but they were beautiful. When they purr the walls rattle literally.

No lion is ever "tame". Some are just more habituated to people than others. People who think they are cute and take chances invarably need suturing at some stage!

By the time they are 6 months old, they have ceased to be "pets"

Rolly - A S&W 329 is alot lighter to carry than the old M58!

NICE CAT.

Now, that would give paws to most other animals that might want to eat you.

I suspect she's probably the best tracker you've ever had, as well.

quote:

Originally posted by GS:

I suspect she's probably the best tracker you've ever had, as well.

Is that a lioness? I thought it was a young male (with an incipient mane already showing)!

B.Martins

quote:

Originally posted by b.martins:

quote:

Originally posted by GS:

I suspect she's probably the best tracker you've ever had, as well.

Is that a lioness? I thought it was a young male (with an incipient mane already showing)!

B.Martins

Wow. I think that is a baby boy. You're right...

If it will point and retrieve birds I'll be really impressed...

Excellent pictures.......What were all five of you looking at in the second picture?

We were watching the lioness' have a try at some hartebeest. Not that even at 2 years old the lion is taking the usual male role ...Hurry up girls I want my dinner!!!

How cool is that?!! I would guess that their solo success rate is fairly low?

GANYANA IS ALWAYS THE BEST,he lives in a country were you need to be raised with a rifle at hand ,for DG and two legs predators as well ,the experience of ganayana is invaluable ,WATCH YOUR SIX MY FRIEND.Juan

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
No lion is ever "tame". Some are just more habituated to people than others. People who think they are cute and take chances invarably need suturing at some stage!

By the time they are 6 months old, they have ceased to be "pets"

Rolly - A S&W 329 is alot lighter to carry than the old M58!

Yep. Good friend of mine in El Salvador rescued five cubs from traveling circuses and raised them in his house. They now reside happily in a valley he bought out in the bush in very roomy enclosures and he is missing the tip of his right middle finger. The reason I say "happily" is there are now eleven of them, eating extremely well with their own valley to cavort in.

What's the story behind the missing finger? Sounds like the lions are in a fenced enclosure...what are they eating...deer?

They're in fenced enclosures, but extremely large ones. He has a vet on retainer who manages his cats, and I don't know what they eat, (likely horsemeat, and a lot of it), but they are in beautiful shape.

He lost the tip of his finger scratching one's head. Taco bit it off.

I don't know how much you're aware of the conditions to be found in Central American circuses, but these cats are in heaven compared to the squalor he rescued them from.

He also has a breeding pair of jaguars, two pumas, and several other animals.

In case you mistake him for a tree hugger, he's returning to TZ on a 21 day next July, his sixth safari.

Can you get any photos? I would love to see the breeding pair of jaguars.

Yeah, I'll have to upload them and post them. He has them in an enclosure on his patio. The female just birthed three kits, and he was holding her while she did it. Wish I had pictures of that.

The female absolutely loves him, but he doesn't enter the enclosure with the tom.


Edit:

First one is the tom, (if I did this right.)





The jaguar has been almost hunted to extinction in CA. He's doing a great job of keeping them going.

Judging by the size of his front paws, I can imagine the young tom in the bottom photo (of the lion photo) is going to be very big. His paws appear to be as long as human's feet!

quote:

People who think they are cute and take chances invarably need suturing at some stage!

I can imagine. I have been exposed to one big cat: A "tame"-appearing cougar cub. The little guy was irresistible and had lots of personality. But his teeth were also about an inch long and I knew that he could have easily taken off one of my fingers. I did enjoy playing with him and taking care of him for a short while. But I didn't allow myself to harbor any illusions.

However, he's still in captivity, being raised by a couple of loving (foolish?) but knowledgeable individuals, and is reportedly as happy as a pig in sunshine. Apparently he's just a big kitty cat to them, and he still enjoys human company and interaction.

But in the back of my mind are some big doubts about the wisdom of such a practice. For a pet, I'll just be happy with my sassy, clumsy black housecat named Lucy!

PS. Good job with the photos, jetdrvr. Beautiful cats!

Very nice. Thanks for posting. That's quite a hobby.