by Greg Mayer
The Milwaukee County Zoo has a magnificent pair of African lions. The male has the sort of large, flaring mane that most of us associate with lions (but which is, in fact, subject to much individual and geographic variation; Asiatic lions, for example, have smaller manes).
The female is lithe and muscular; when living together in mixed-sex prides, females do much of the hunting.
We’ve mentioned lions here before at WEIT, including the almost mythical spotted ones.
Here’s my portrait of Pima, longtime resident of the Phoenix Zoo:
http://trumpetpower.com/photos/Animal_Instinct/Through_the_Rocks
She died a few years ago in her early twenties. She was quite the cat, as was Papago, her mate.
Cheers,
b&
Glad to see you among the living Jerry. Stay well!
BTW, attended an unavoidable Jehovah’s Witness funeral this weekend. The minister spoke of the end times, how the meek will inherit prime real estate contracts, and how all lions would eat straw.
*ahegm*
Ha!
I think your mind was wandering far afield.
Grrreat subject, Greg!
Now, there’s my beef?
I sure hope those beauties aren’t in the kitteh contest!
Was at the Milwaukee zoo for the first time over the summer. Loved the big cats there, but I felt bad for them, being in those smallish enclosures. The African savanna painted on the background of their pens made it seem especially sad. I was surprised since most of the other animals at that zoo get larger outdoor areas.
The lions have an outdoor area too. The lions’ inside area is large in my estimation (but not as large as what the Milwaukee tigers’ have).
GCM
Is that a lion toy behind the male in the first pic?
Gorgeous animals, btw. And Ben, I love that portrait.
Yes, it is a lion toy.
GCM
Kinda destroys that whole majesty illusion there… 🙂
Actually, just reminds me again of how fascinating predators are.
Ah! But which type are they? Are they southern African,
http://www.rocal-lion.org/photogallery-en.htm
or the descendants of the Barbary lions…?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_Lion
or Abyssinian lions…?
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Ethiopia_Famed_Black_Maned_Lions_Being_Stuffed_For_Lack_Of_Cash_999.html
Beautiful & threatened…
When it comes to the felines at the Milwaukee County Zoo, I far prefer the Amur Tigers. Truly magnificent animals.