Tuesday, December 16, 2014

The Lion Who Came to Dinner Wasn't Welcome

The wrath of an entire group of lions is unleashed on lone male who wanders too close to female's cubs

These protective lionesses lashed out without hesitation when a lone male approached their precious cubs - prompting all hell to break loose among the pride as they joined the attack.
The lion was set upon by lionesses in Kenya's Masai Mara game reserve, where the unwanted stranger was soon forced to flee.
Their rumble in the jungle took place within the Mara Triangle, which forms the western part of the reserve, bordering Tanzania.
The two leap at a lion in Kenya, Africa
Angry lionesses: The two leap at a lion who had approached their cubs in Kenya, Africa
The Mara Triangle, in the heart of the Masai Mara
Team work: Lionesses took on the lone lion in a ferocious battle in the wilds of the Masai Mara

Ferocious battle in the Mara Triangle
Backbiting: One of the lionesses goes to dig her teeth into the roaring lion's back

Photographer Sarah Skinner managed to capture these images during one of her regular visits to the Masai Mara.
The region is relatively densely populated by lions, which sometimes causes tension among its population as they all fight to keep their territory safe from other prides. 
Although lions are famous for hunting other animals, they occasionally fight among themselves too.
Male cubs are ousted from the pride between two to three-years-old, but female cubs may stay indefinitely.
The cubs are weaned between 7-8 months old.
The reserve stretches for 580 square miles and the terrain is primarily grassland and forest with clumps of the distinctive acacia trees.

The lion faces three animals from the same pride attack its back to scare him away
In need of reinforcements: The lion faces three animals from the same pride attack its back
The pride gather together to attack as two lions join the lionesses to circle the intruder
Spectacular scenes: The pride gather together to attack in solidarity, as two lions join the lionesses to circle the intruder
Two lions and two lionesses gang up on the lone lion
Stand off: Two lions and two lionesses gang up on the lone lion. The lion on the right is the oldest of the group, as distinguished by its darker mane


The lioness lands a paw on the lion's eye as the others gather round to help
Going right for the eye: The lioness lands a paw on the lion's eye as the others gather round to help. The lions are distinguished from the lionesses by their shaggy manes.
The lion is pushed onto its back as the two lionesses defend their brood
Roll over: The lion is pushed onto its back as the two lionesses defend their brood
The lion runs off heavily scratched from his brawl with the pride
Beating a retreat: the lion runs off heavily scratched and bloodied from his brawl with the pride

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