Photographs by Rob Allen, Dave McKelvie & Will Knocker
Two lionesses stare at soaring vultures overhead, attracted by their kongoni kill.
I estimate between 35 & 40 lions in NNP all told, all descended from the 7 that remained in the park after the drought of 2005 when so many were killed after cattle-killing outside the park….
This is way above the historical average of 30 lions established by the lion researcher Judith Rudnai in the 70′s & a reflection of the changing conditions in NNP during a prolonged dry cycle.
4 adult lions move along a track in the park. Social groupings appear to consist of individual lionesses & their cubs right now, with at least 4 adult males (including the dominant male Ujonjo -perhaps the father of the whole lot!!) in the competition for mating rights. Traditionally there were 2 distinct prides in the park, but we seem to be in a confused transitional period now……
Two males investigating female urination….
And testing to see if they are in oestrus by exhibiting flehmen (below)…..
A portrait of a young pretender…….
With his coalition partner…..
Two lionesses watch a bull eland……
Below, three of a group of four cubs of a litter of four,ALL of whom survived during the recent drought, when food has been so plentiful in the park.
The NNP population of lions is very young, with all but 7 individuals being less than 5 years old & at least one more litter of young cubs recently observed…….notice the suburban backdrop, which sums up the area outside the park in 2010:certainly not suitable for big cats, though they regularly venture out at night…..
Below, 2 young lionesses of a group of 4, including a single young male photographed last weekend in the Athi Basin -these lions were nervous. Had they been out of the park the previous night & perhaps been chased out of a local cattle boma?
A lioness near Masai Gate, loking out over her fast diminishing kingdom outside the park.The day before this individual was observed to kill an adult male baboon in the Silole Sanctuary……
9 Comments
With regard to a possible genetic bottle-neck:
a.) How closely related are the 7 older individuals?
b.) What is the potential for natural recruitment from outwith NNP?
Very interesting info. How many individuals the park will be able to support on a long run? Is there any chance of getting some of the lions relocated somewhere where it’s safer if the population grows to be so big that not all of the lions are able to stay at the park? Surely it’s too dangerous to have the lions venture out of the park, where the city is nearby and no possibility to the lions to survive.
Hi Dave & Pirjo -
All the lions in NNP are very closely related as I mention:even the original 7.
It would indeed make sense to translocate some our males OUT & bring IN some from elsewhere.
What a shame that we’ve got to a stage in lion management in Africa where we have to bus them to & fro Oh dear.
This is a KWS decision & needs funding & vision……
I would say optimum population for NNP is the historical 30, but I expect to see the population go up much further as all of our wildlife confined to the park area as it is increasingly surrounded by the city in the next 10 years…….= increased prey for the lions……until they become too numerous.
Those that venture out of the park & kill livestock/frighten people will be killed…..
the fate of these lions does not look so bright to me at all due to the reasons of inbreeding, human intrusion or development, diminishing home space of lions, climate change like drought and conflict with livestock.
the in breeding thing can be lessened by importing some young lionesses from other area . lionesses are more adoptable to change of home range than male. but it is costly and where to relocate the excess lions belong to the Park?
do you think the management of this park thinks ahead before any problem pops up its ugly head? i think not by watching their letting illegal grazing cattle’s invasion of the Park and the cattle’s probability of spreading diseases to wildlife.
killing lions is illegal; but when do the judges and the government truly have done something to solve this problem which will make the lions in Kenya extinct forever?
awesome ! I visited NNP in Februart 2008, But i did not see any Lion . Now in picture i can see …
Save the Lion
It is so great to hear that the lions are making a come back to Nairobi np.
Its been boring without them.
welcome back!!!
At the first photo two females are so interested in watching their competitors!
Lion.. the gorgeous animal. I like it very much. But i am afraid of its vibrant look. The story is very interesting and heart-touching..
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